Embattled carmaker Tesla is sitting on almost 2,400 unsold Cybertrucks, worth roughly $200 million.It's a harsh reality check. According to its latest — and eighth — recall issued last month, the carmaker has only sold around 46,000 of the divisive pickup trucks so far, despite a $7,500 tax credit. That's a far cry from the over 1 million pre-orders the company gloated over years ago.And those currently in possession of one are often struggling to get rid of them. As Electrek reports, Tesla is refusing to accept its own Cybertrucks as trade-ins, due to a massive backlog. That's bound to sting, as used Cybertruck prices have fallen off a cliff, down 55 percent year over year.Some owners are reportedly being forced to go through the Lemon Law process, which some states have implemented to protect car buyers by requiring carmakers to repurchase or replace vehicles with significant defects.The Cybertruck, which Musk has previously claimed should be able to float in water and eventually be capable of roaming the surface of Mars, has quickly turned into a massively expensive and issues-prone liability.And that's not to mention the sheer amount of hate being directed at it. As anti-Elon Musk sentiment continues to spike due to his embrace of far-right extremism and dismantling of federal agencies, the Cybertruck has become astonishingly unpopular.That negative sentiment has spawned an entire movement called, "Tesla Takedown," in which countless protesters have demonstrated — overwhelmingly peacefully — in front of showrooms across hundreds of cities.Tesla is in a tight spot, with sales tanking worldwide. Earlier this month, the company revealed a 13 percent drop in deliveries in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, a three-year low.Competition is quickly catching up with the EV maker as well, which could spell disaster going forward.Beyond its controversial design and poor choice of materials, the Cybertruck has failed to live up to Musk's lofty promises. The truck was initially advertised to start at a relatively affordable $40,000, have a range of over 500 miles for its top trim option, and feature bulletproof glass.Less than a year and a half into production, Tesla has failed to live up to any of those expectations. Even a previously announced, $16,000 range extender accessory — which would occupy half the truck's bed — has yet to materialize.As Electrek reported over the weekend, Tesla quietly removed the extender option, indicating it's given up on bringing the accessory to market, despite collecting a $2,000 non-refundable fee to reserve it.With president Donald Trump's disastrous tariff war throwing international supply lines into chaos, it remains to be seen how Tesla will weather the storm.With its brand in the gutter, the company has a lot of catching up to do — and encouraging anybody to take a major hit and spend $80,000 on a Cybertruck is bound to get more difficult as fears of a recession continue to mount.More on the Cybertruck: Skateboarder Grinds on CybertruckShare This Article

Apr 08, 2025Ravie LakshmananCloud Security / Vulnerability Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed details of a now-patched security flaw in the Amazon EC2 Simple Systems Manager (SSM) Agent that, if successfully exploited, could permit an attacker to achieve privilege escalation and code execution. The vulnerability could permit an attacker to create directories in unintended locations on the filesystem, execute arbitrary scripts with root privileges, and likely escalate privileges or perform malicious activities by writing files to sensitive areas of the system, Cymulate said in a report shared with The Hacker News. Amazon SSM Agent is a component of Amazon Web Services (AWS) that enables administrators to remotely manage, configure, and execute commands on EC2 instances and on-premises servers. The software processes commands and tasks defined in SSM Documents, which can include one or more plugins, each of which is responsible for carrying out specific tasks, such as running shell scripts or automating deployment or configuration-related activities. What's more, the SSM Agent dynamically creates directories and files based on the plugin specifications, typically relying on plugin IDs as part of the directory structure. This also introduces a security risk in that improper validation of these plugin IDs can lead to potential vulnerabilities. The discovery by Cymulate is a path traversal flaw arising as a result of improper validation of plugin IDs, which could allow attackers to manipulate the filesystem and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The issue is rooted in a function named "ValidatePluginId" within pluginutil.go. "This function fails to properly sanitize input, allowing attackers to supply malicious plugin IDs containing path traversal sequences (e.g., ../)," security researcher Elad Beber said. As a result of this flaw, an attacker could essentially furnish a specially crafted plugin ID when creating an SSM document (e.g., ../../../../../../malicious_directory) to execute arbitrary commands or scripts on the underlying file system, paving the way for privilege escalation and other post-exploitation actions. Following responsible disclosure on February 12, 2025, the vulnerability was addressed on March 5, 2025, with the release of Amazon SSM Agent version 3.3.1957.0. "Add and use BuildSafePath method to prevent path traversal in the orchestration directory," according to release notes shared by the project maintainers on GitHub. Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter  and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post. SHARE    

For the first time in its 35+ year history, Predator is getting an animated movie. Predator: Killer of Killers is an anthology film with three different stories (set in three different historical periods). The film is bypassing theaters and premiering on the Hulu streaming service this summer.Perhaps the most promising aspect of the project is that it was co-directed by Dan Trachtenberg (with Josh Wassung), who previously made the live-action Predator prequel Prey. That film was set in 18th century America; Killer of Killers takes place in feudal Japan, the age of Vikings, and World War II. You can see all three in the first teaser for the film below:READ MORE: 25 Forgotten Movie SequelsHere is the film’s official synopsis:The anthology story follows three of the fiercest warriors in human history: a Viking raider guiding her young son on a bloody quest for revenge, a ninja in feudal Japan who turns against his Samurai brother in a brutal battle for succession, and a WWII pilot who takes to the sky to investigate an otherworldly threat to the Allied cause. But while all these warriors are killers in their own right, they are merely prey for their new opponent – the ultimate killer of killers.Predator: Killer of Killers is set to premiere on Hulu on June 6. This is actually one of two Predator films Trachtenberg has coming in 2025. The other, Predator: Badlands, is a live-action film, and his first that’s set to play in theaters. That movie is currently scheduled to open in multiplexes on November 7.PREDATOR: KILLER OF KILLERS20th Century Studiosloading...Get our free mobile appThe Worst Mockbuster Ripoffs of Beloved Animated MoviesWe can't in good conscience recommend any of these terrible cartoon mockbusters. Gallery Credit: Emma Stefansky

All jobs Sr. Account Executive Posted A few minutes agoBeyondID is a venture-backed leading Managed Identity Solutions Provider, trusted by top brands to bring their digital identity strategies to life. We help organizations navigate the complexities of identity management with secure, agile, and future-proof solutions. Our core offerings cover the full lifecycle of identity management, from strategy to ongoing optimization. Focused on industries like finance and healthcare, we deliver tailored solutions that meet critical security and compliance needs, all while partnering with top technology providers like Okta and AWS to ensure the best results for our clients. Apply now About BeyondIDBeyondID is a venture-backed leading Managed Identity Solutions Provider, trusted by top brands to bring their digital identity strategies to life. We help organizations navigate the complexities of identity management with secure, agile, and future-proof solutions. Our core offerings cover the full lifecycle of identity management, from strategy to ongoing optimization. Focused on industries like finance and healthcare, we deliver tailored solutions that meet critical security and compliance needs, all while partnering with top technology providers like Okta and AWS to ensure the best results for our clients.At BeyondID, we believe in delivering exceptional employee experiences. Our Employee Value Proposition (EVP) is built around Leadership Integrity, Professional Development, and Unlocking Potential. These pillars drive our culture of growth and ensure a positive, empowering work environment.Join us and experience the BeyondID difference as we continue leading the future of cybersecurity and identity management.About the RoleAs a Senior Account Executive, you will be responsible for managing and expanding client relationships, driving revenue growth, and ensuring customer satisfaction. This role requires a strong background in sales, account management, and strategic consultation, along with proven experience in working with Independent Software Vendor (ISV) and Solutions.ResponsibilitiesServe as the primary point of contact for assigned territory & clients, building trust and fostering long-term relationships.Actively listen to and understand clients' business challenges, objectives, and technology ecosystems.Identify and qualify new & expansion business opportunities through research, outreach, and networking.Develop and execute sales strategies to drive revenue growth within assigned accounts.Upsell and cross-sell by introducing additional products or services that complement clients’ existing technology stacks.Achieve or exceed assigned revenue targets and sales quotas.Develop tailored proposals and pitches that align with client needs, industry trends, and available solutions.Negotiate contracts, ensuring favorable terms that align with both client expectations and company objectives.Maintain a high level of expertise in Independent Software Vendor (ISV) ecosystems and Solutions, positioning the company as a valuable partner.Work closely with internal teams, including marketing, product, and customer success, to ensure seamless service delivery and client satisfaction.Provide client and market feedback to refine product offerings and sales strategies.Maintain accurate records of leads, opportunities, and account progress using CRM tools.Regularly assess account performance, pipeline health, and sales progress through data-driven analysis.Conduct market and competitive research to identify new sales opportunities and industry trends.Proactively address client concerns, resolving issues promptly to maintain satisfaction and trust.Identify potential risks or challenges in account relationships and develop proactive solutions.Partner with the BeyondID delivery organization to ensure success of client programs leading to expansion of customer accounts and higher NPS scores.QualificationsExtensive experience in sales, account management, or business development, with a strong track record of success in technology, SaaS, or Independent Software Vendor (ISV) environments.Experience in disciplines of Identity Access Management, and/or Cybersecurity a plus.Proven ability to manage and grow strategic accounts, leveraging a solution mindset, while consistently achieving or exceeding revenue targets.Strong sales acumen, including skills in prospecting, pitching, and closing complex deals.Deep understanding of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) ecosystems and Solutions, with the ability to align these offerings with client needs.Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate value propositions and engage with stakeholders at all levels.Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to structure agreements that create value for both the client and the company.Analytical mindset, with the ability to use data to identify opportunities, track progress, and refine sales strategies.High level of time management and organizational skills, capable of handling multiple accounts, priorities, and deadlines.Experience in managing a sales pipeline, driving business growth, and expanding market presence.Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now Automatically Apply to Remote Sales and Marketing JobsLet your copilot automatically search and apply to remote jobs from We Work Remotely BeyondID View company Jobs posted: 1 Related Jobs Remote Sales and Marketing jobs→

No, the Federal Trade Commission doesn't want to help you invest in cryptocurrency.

April 8, 20255 min readDid Scientists Actually De-Extinct the Dire Wolf?Colossal Bioscience says it has “de-extincted” the dire wolf, but other scientists disagree and say more important conservation science is being lost in all the hypeBy Andrea Thompson edited by Dean VisserOne of the “dire wolves” created by Colossal Biosciences. Colossal BiosciencesThe television series Game of Thrones helped popularize dire wolves, but the creatures don’t just represent a figment of science fiction: the dire wolf was a real animal that went extinct around 10,000 years ago. On Monday Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas, Tex.–based biotechnology company, announced that it brought the species back with the birth of two pups last October and a third this past January.(The company had previously announced the development of a “woolly mouse,” or a mouse whose genome was edited to give it brown, shaggy fur like that of the extinct woolly mammoth.)But many scientists say what Colossal produced this time is not, in fact, the dire wolf. Rather, they say, it is a gray wolf whose genome has been edited to give it some dire-wolf-like traits.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.What were dire wolves?Dire wolves (Aenocyon dirus) are an extinct carnivore that lived throughout what are today North and South America during the Pleistocene and early Holocene epochs (about 250,000 to 10,000 years ago). First described in the 1850s, their fossils have been found all over the Americas, perhaps most famously in Los Angeles’ La Brea Tar Pits.Two of Colossal Biosciences’ “dire wolf” pups.Colossal BiosciencesThese predators could grow up to six feet in length, and their large skull and jaws were adapted to take down Pleistocene megafauna such as mastodons and bison. It is thought that dire wolves died out as their prey did.Are dire wolves related to modern wolves?Because of skeletal similarities, scientists had thought that dire wolves were relatives of modern gray wolves. But DNA evidence published in a 2021 study found dire wolves belonged to a much older evolutionary lineage of dogs. The resemblance between dire wolves and gray wolves is an example of convergent evolution, when species separately evolve similar adaptations because they lead a similar lifestyle, the study’s researchers said at the time.“This is a designer dog. This is a genetically modified gray wolf.”—Jacquelyn Gill, paleoecologistBeth Shapiro, who is now Colossal’s chief science officer and was a co-author of the 2021 paper, says the company’s recent work builds on those findings. This time, the scientists were able to extract and sequence DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull that yielded more complete genomic data than the samples used in the 2021 study. The results, Shapiro says, show the dire wolf was the result of hybridization between two ancient, now extinct canid lineages. Dire wolves’ closest modern relatives are wolves, coyotes and dholes, and the new findings suggest they share 99.5 percent of their DNA with gray wolves. That finding is set to be detailed in a paper that will be posted to the preprint server arXiv.org. (Such preprint studies have not yet been peer-reviewed.)What did Colossal Biosciences create?After examining the dire wolf genome, Shapiro and her team edited 20 sites on 14 genes in the genome of the modern gray wolf (Canis lupus), introducing what they say are 15 extinct dire wolf variants. No ancient dire wolf genes themselves were directly inserted into the genome, however. The scientists created embryos that were implanted in surrogate dogs.Colossal targeted genes that affected phenotype, or the observable characteristics of an organism—in this case, largely its appearance. The company’s scientists edited genes that affect fur color and thickness and body size, as well as ear, skull and facial shape. “We’re using a morphological species concept,” Shapiro says.To make something that is genetically identical to an ancient dire wolf through gene editing “is not really possible. We can’t create that many edits at once,” she says. “But it’s also not the goal.” Instead, Shapiro adds, “we want to create functional versions of extinct species. We don’t have to have something that is 100 percent genetically identical.”The "dire wolves" are being kept on a preserve in an undisclosed location.Colossal BiosciencesOther scientists disagree with this view, however. “This is a designer dog. This is a genetically modified gray wolf,” says Jacquelyn Gill, a paleoecologist at the University of Maine, who has worked with Shapiro in the past but was not involved in this project. “I have more than 14 Neandertal genes in me, and we wouldn’t call me a Neandertal.”The pups “don’t have any traits that would allow us to understand the dire wolf any better than we did yesterday,” Gill says, adding that understanding ice age organisms isn’t just a matter of knowing what they looked like or what they ate—but also about knowing what they did in those ancient ecosystems. “Some of those things are coded genetically; some of those are cultural” and passed down from generation to generation.At best, this would be an “incremental step” toward de-extinction, she says. And even if scientists could clone a dire wolf that was completely identical to its extinct ancestor, Gill adds, that would raise a very important question: “What are we going to do with it?”What are the conservation implications of this work?The wolves created by Colossal are being kept on a large preserve in an undisclosed location somewhere in the northern U.S. Colossal has worked with the American Humane Society to ensure the animals’ welfare, and the company says it will be monitoring their health and development.“There is cool science here, I just wish it wasn’t getting lost in hype.”—GillIt currently has no plans to breed these wolves. For now, it is doing feasibility studies on creating more of the animals to add to the pack—and to perhaps give to Indigenous tribes that Colossal says have expressed interest in keeping the wolves in preserves on tribal land.But reintroducing dire wolves to the landscape beyond that is difficult to envision, Gill says. The biggest animals alive today were middle-sized during the Pleistocene. “We have downsized planet Earth,” she says, noting that conservationists already struggle to maintain and support populations of large predators, such as gray wolves. “It’s hard to imagine a practical application here.”Colossal’s “dire wolves,” Romulus and Remus, at three months of age. Both were born on October 1, 2024.Colossal BiosciencesThere is, however, conservation potential in the gene-editing techniques used by the Colossal team—for a different species: the endangered red wolf. Red wolves, once found from Texas to Pennsylvania, saw their numbers nose-dive in the 20th century because of hunting and habitat loss. Declared extinct in the wild in 1980, they were eventually reintroduced using a captive breeding program.But as with many small, endangered populations, the gene pool is limited. There is work with various species to collect genetic material from skin punches to “biobank” genetic material in order to introduce more diversity into extant populations. Shapiro says Colossal’s technique, which uses routine blood draws, yields cells that are easier to reprogram than those that come from skin—and could thus be a better way of diversifying the red wolf gene pool. “It’s actually using technology to prevent species from going extinct,” says Matt James, Colossal’s chief animal officer.Gill agrees that this approach is potentially promising. “There is cool science here,” she says. “I just wish it wasn’t getting lost in hype.”

Nintendo likely to stick with Switch 2's $450 launch price despite Trump tariffs, says analyst And it's expected to be the fastest-selling console ever, despite a lowered sales forecast. Image credit: Nintendo News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on April 8, 2025 Amid speculation Nintendo might be considering a Switch 2 price hike following last week's announcement of significant US trade tariffs, one analysis firm has told Eurogamer it expects the company to stick with its previously announced $450 launch price in the US - as it predicts Switch 2 will become the fastest-selling console ever. Last week saw Nintendo make the unprecedented decision to delay Switch 2 preorders in the US just hours after announcing them, saying it was doing so "in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions". More recently, Nintendo of America boss Doug Bowser has admitted that while the Trump administration's earlier trade tariffs weren't a factor in determining Switch 2's price point, the latest wave of tariffs - which have heavily impacted countries where much of Nintendo's manufacturing is focused - create a "challenge", and are "something [the company is] going to have to address." Some have speculated Nintendo might respond by raising Switch 2's price in the US, despite the fact its existing $450 USD price tag has already seen a vocal pushback from fans. However, analyst David Cole, founder of games industry marketing and research firm DFC Intelligence, has told Eurogamer his firm sees a change in price as unlikely at launch. "We are expecting Nintendo to stick with the $450 price point," Cole told Eurogamer, "and we believe that price point was reached with the threat of tariffs already looming." Eurogamer goes hands-on with Switch 2's Mario Kart World.Watch on YouTube However, in its initial Switch 2 guidance, DFC also suggests US trade tariffs - which include a 24 percent levy on Japanese goods - could lead to a 20 percent price increase for the console over the next two years. As such, it's lowered its initial 2025 worldwide forecast for Switch 2 from 17m to 15m units sold. "If prices increase substantially due to tariffs," it notes, "a significant portion of prospective buyers are likely to hold back on a purchase until prices come down." Cole tells Eurogamer DFC's revised forecast factors in both a potential price hike and "the possibility that there may be a supply issue if Nintendo chooses to limit production initially" due to tariffs. "Nintendo is very conservative," he adds, "and they don't like to take big risks on having surplus inventory. So they may take a bit of a wait and see approach given some of the current unknowns." Despite DFC's revised sales forecast, the firm notes shifting 15m units in 2025 would still make Switch 2 the "fastest-selling gaming console to date, outpacing its predecessor". And looking further ahead, it believes "the upper limit for hardware sales... is enormous", adding, "As the Switch 2 matures it has the ability to capture an even larger share than the original Switch." "With its expanded appeal and focus on capturing new consumer segments," the firm writes, "it will likely redefine what constitutes the core Nintendo audience. Historically seen as a niche or standalone ecosystem, Nintendo is now poised to engage more directly with the broader competitive landscape dominated by Sony and Microsoft... This shift could mark a transformational moment for the video game industry, as the Switch 2 positions itself as a serious contender across multiple demographics and game genres." Switch 2 is still scheduled to launch worldwide on 5th June, despite Nintendo's decision to indefinitely delay pre-orders in the US - a delay that has now impacted Canada as the company moves to "align with the timing of pre-orders to be determined in the US". And it's not just Nintendo. Earlier this month, US trade group the Entertainment Software Association said the Trump administration's tariffs will "have a real and detrimental impact" on the video games industry as a whole.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide The latest Marvel Rivals version 20250411 patch notes have just dropped – and as expected there are a ton of changes. First off, there’s the all new Domination map Hellfire Gala: Krakoa, based on the mutant homeland’s grandest event from modern Marvel comics. Elsewhere, Emma Frost makes her long-awaited debut, while there’s, of course, a shiny new Battle Pass featuring 10 brand new sets of heroic costumes. Elsewhere, for PC players, there’s a new experimental feature called Switch Shader Compilation Mode, which is designed to reduce memory usage on systems with 16 GB of RAM or less. This, in theory, should help with stuttering issues that affect some players on PC. “When activated, shaders will only compile the first time you launch the game after a new version or graphics driver update,” the version 20250411 patch notes read. Additionally, developers NetEase have also added support for AMD FSR 4, which allows for an AI-accelerated upscaling algorithm to improve image quality over the previous FSR 3.1. After checking over the Marvel Rivals version 20250411 patch notes, check out some other stories. For example, read about how Daredevil is coming to the game as a playable hero. Marvel Rivals version 20250411 patch notes: New Content Heroes and Costumes Emma Frost makes her dazzling debut in Marvel Rivals! New Costumes: Emma Frost – X-Revolution & Blue Sapphire! Maps and Modes Get ready for an all-new Domination map – Hellfire Gala: Krakoa. Map Rotation Update: Hellfire Gala: Krakoa will enter the Competitive pool, while Yggsgard: Royal Palace and Tokyo 2099: Shin-Shibuya will be retired from ranked play. Tournament maps will align with the competitive mode, while Quick Match and Custom Game will still feature all maps without rotation. Optimized the settlement logic for substitute players in Quick Match battles: victories will count normally, while losses will not affect combat history or scoreboard. Battle Pass and Season Events Unlock a dazzling shiny new Battle Pass featuring 10 brand new sets of heroic costumes! The season event Cerebro Database has officially launched; participate to earn the free costume Mantis – Flora Maiden. This season also brings exclusive bonus seasonal rewards: Complete 9 matches to receive the free costume Scarlet Witch – Chaos Gown. An all-new Twitch Drops event is here! This event will gift players the Namor – Will of Galacta costume, nameplate, spray, and emote. (Stay tuned to official announcements for details!) The mission system has been revamped: new weekly missions and rewards have been added, and the balance of daily and challenge missions has been adjusted while maintaining the overall Chrono Token distribution. The proportion of hero-specific missions has also been reduced. Ranked Rank Reset: based on your final Season 1.5 rank, ranks will be demoted by 9 divisions. For example, if you ended Season 1.5 at Diamond I, your Season 2 journey begins at Silver I. New rank rewards are in! A dazzling new costume for reaching Gold — Emma Frost – Golden Diamond, along with new Crests of Honor for Grandmaster, Celestial, Eternity, and Top 500. The minimum level required for new players to participate in Competitive has been adjusted to 15. (If you have previously completed at least one valid competitive match, you can still join Competitive in Season 2.0 even if you are below level 15.) Pick/ban will now come into play starting from Gold III rather than Diamond tier. When a team includes players from Eternity or One Above All, only solo or duo queuing will be allowed. Currently, the score you earn per Competitive match is determined by both the outcome and your individual performance. After Season 2.0 launches, we will be increasing the weight of individual performances. The better you perform, the more points you will earn in victory, and the fewer points you will lose in defeat. Tournament Updates The second season of the Marvel Rivals Championship is here! The champion, runner-up, and third-place nameplates have been upgraded to dynamic designs, showcasing your hard-earned glory! This season features adjusted rank requirements and a revised sign-up phase. For all the details, please refer to the Marvel Rivals Championship rules. The global tournament regions have been enhanced! North America (NA), Europe (EU), and Asia (AS) have now transformed into the Americas (AMERICAS), Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and the Pacific (PACIFIC). This upgrade allows for a more compatible and organized classification of server nodes across various regions. A new faction search function has been added for the Knockout Stage. The Tournament Overview page has been revamped! Players can now quickly access core tournament information in a visually engaging manner, with detailed explanations of each process and the specific rules for advancement and elimination in various tournament formats. Introducing a new custom feature for the Marvel Rivals Championship nameplate emblem! Players with a Championship Emblem can now customize its display in Career – Customize. A new Tournament Room option has been introduced in Custom Game, featuring additional tournament-related functionalities. In the Custom Game – Tournament Room, we’ve added a pause function. The room host and authorized players can now initiate a game pause. In the Custom Game – Tournament Room, an “Away” feature has been added. Non-host players can set their status to away, making it visible to others in the room. Faction Updates Introducing the all-new Faction Recruit and Seeking Factions system! Factions and players can now use this system to form their dream squads and prepare for various in-game tournaments. A fresh batch of faction emblems has been added! Players can freely switch emblems in the faction details interface. New reporting functionality for factions has been implemented. Players can report inappropriate custom content for factions, including names, abbreviations, and announcements. General Updates A new gift feature for friends has arrived! Now you can gift cosmetics to your friends. The Career Overview page now supports the selection of specific hero forms. Rank leaderboard display has been added to Career. Real-time voice chat has been optimized! An interface prompt now appears when you activate voice chat using push to talk. In Custom Games, spectators can now temporarily exit during matches, enabling them to rejoin the action anytime. A new room host transfer function has been introduced. The current host can right-click on other players to transfer host privileges. PC-Only Changes Graphics and Settings We’ve introduced an experimental feature: Switch Shader Compilation Mode. When activated, shaders will only compile the first time you launch the game after a new version or graphics driver update. This feature can significantly reduce memory usage and minimize in-game stuttering. —Especially on systems with 16 GB of RAM or less. However, if you’re using a CPU with less threads in combination with AMD FSR3 Frame Generation, you may notice occasional additional stutters with this feature enabled. We’ve added support for AMD FSR 4, using an AI-accelerated upscaling algorithm to deliver image quality improvements over AMD FSR 3.1. (Available exclusively on the AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 series graphics cards) Console-Only Changes New Vertical Deadzone Sensitivity Settings: Players can now customize the additional acceleration sensitivity after reaching the vertical deadzone. Additional Sensitivity Acceleration Delay Settings: Players can tailor the delay time for acceleration to kick in after reaching the deadzone. Character Movement Stick Deadzone Settings: Players can set the maximum and minimum deadzone values for the joystick controlling character movement. Trigger Deadzone Settings: Players can now define the trigger depth required for activation. New Player Initial Settings Feature: First-time players will receive a reminder of default sensitivity settings, vibration, and trigger effects upon entering the game, making their introduction as smooth as a Super Hero landing. Focus Memory Optimization: The focus feature has been upgraded to intelligently remember the last position on the screen. Fixes and Optimizations 2.1 All Platforms General Updates Resolved numerous issues related to notifications. Rectified various text errors. Fixed an issue in Custom Game where spectators would incorrectly exit the room after a match. Fixed a rare occurrence where settings would reset to default upon restarting the game. Maps and Modes Fixed terrain issues that could cause characters to become stuck or clip through odd locations. Resolved various issues including floating broken objects, collision errors, etc. Addressed several sound issues on maps. Resolved a rare issue in Custom Quick Match, where on the Empire of Eternal Night: Midtown map, spawn room transfer could sometimes not work correctly. Heroes Captain America’s Shield Bounce: Resolved an issue where Captain America couldn’t ricochet enemy projectiles while moving backward. Now, the Sentinel of Liberty can send those pesky projectiles flying no matter which way he is moving! Spector Sightings: Fixed a glitch that sometimes caused abnormal camera angles after being revived by Adam Warlock’s Ultimate Ability. No more wobbly views for our heroes—everyone deserves to enjoy their epic returns in all their heroic glory! Namor’s Super Soldier Shenanigans: In Hydra Charteris Base: Hell’s Heaven – Super-Soldier Factory, Namor’s Ultimate Ability could occasionally fail to deal damage when targeting the raising pillars. This issue has been resolved, ensuring the Sub-Mariner delivers his Giganto impact! Winter Soldier’s Time Warp: Addressed an issue where Bucky would sometimes descend before ascending while unleashing his Ultimate Ability in unstable network conditions. Now, the Winter Soldier rises to the occasion without any time-traveling hiccups—no need for a Doctor Strange intervention! Cloak & Dagger’s Form Flaw: Fixed an issue where Cloak or Dagger sometimes left their character model lingering for a brief moment during form switches. Now, they’ll slip into action smoother than a stealthy shadow. Iron Fist’s Floating Fumble: Resolved a rare glitch where Iron Fist could end up floating indefinitely. The Immortal Weapon is now back on the ground, delivering justice and martial arts mastery without any unintended levitation! Wolverine’s Ferocious Leap: Fixed a rarely occurring issue where Wolverine’s Feral Leap could leave him stuck in an abnormal state, unable to finish the move. Now, Logan can unleash his claws with confidence, ensuring his foes don’t get a second to breathe! Claws and Consequences: Resolved a rare occurrence where being hit by Wolverine’s Feral Leap could render all abilities unusable. No more claw-induced chaos—heroes can now fight on without fear of losing their abilities mid-battle! PC-Only Changes Graphics and Settings Fixed an issue where the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card renders with excessively low brightness in certain scenarios. Console-Only Changes Fixed a rare issue where raw mouse input settings unexpectedly affected controllers, potentially causing crosshair drift. Fixed an issue in console matches, where there was a chance that button prompts were displayed as keyboard and mouse inputs. Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

Though not traditionally the sexiest furnishings on the planet, the best TV stands vie for attention with the flashiest LCD screens in your living room, bedroom, or guest room. Perhaps your new 65-inch TV barely fits on that old IKEA shelf, or maybe you want to build out an epic entertainment center for viewing parties. Whatever the case may be, selecting the right media console is as important as shopping for a comfy chair or sofa.Ideally your media console is the right height for your viewing purposes, and considers style and storage—maybe a peppy yellow USM storage unit could be the clincher piece you’re looking for, or a more muted midcentury-modern TV cabinet will do to hide away all the pesky cords and every single remote you’ve accumulated over the years. Below, seven options that do all the heavy lifting for your entertainment system.Our Top Picks for the Best TV Stands:Best Budget Pick: Walker Edison Walton Fluted-Door 70" TV Stand, $210Best For Small Spaces: West Elm Anton Shallow Media Console, $899Best for Iconic Design: USM Haller Media Console, $2,985Best Low-Lying Option: Design Within Reach Line Media Console, $3,745Walker Edison Walton Modern Fluted-Door Low StandSpecsDimensions: 16" H x 70" W x 15.75" DMaterials: Engineered wood with a laminate finishColor options: Mocha, coastal oakUpsides & DownsidesUpsides:Budget-friendlySupports TV size of up to 80 inchesDownsides:Assembly requiredShelf supports only 10 poundsFor those looking to have media storage that doubles as a focal point in a room, this fluted style with stubby legs is just the thing. The open storage can display a row of carefully selected ceramics, your record collection, or could work as a spot for a sound bar. Two doors on either side also conceal unsightly tech, with cutouts at the back that discreetly corral cables.Crate & Barrel Terra Media ConsoleSpecsDimensions: 30" H x 68" W x 16" DMaterials: Solid oakColor options: Natural oakUpsides & DownsidesUpsidesSturdy solid woodSoft-close doorsPairs with bookcasesFSC-certified woodDownsidesTonal variationNatural cracking may appear over time as the wood expands and contractsRustic-meet-modern is the name of the game when it comes to this Terra media console. You’ll find traditional woodworking techniques—recessed panels, finger grooves, and square legs—that complement the sleek silhouette with flat-front cabinet doors. The handsome piece offers an adjustable shelf plus a flip-down compartment for easy-to-access media components. Reviewers also note that the item feels well-made and sturdy, with soft-close drawers that won’t slam shut in the midst of a movie marathon. Build it out into a larger entertainment center by tacking on matching bookcases.USM Haller Media ConsoleSpecsDimensions: 23" H x 60" W x 15" DMaterials: Chromed steel frame and powder-coated steel panelsColor options: 9 (Golden Yellow, Olive Green, Beige, Steel Blue)Upsides & DownsidesUpsidesComes fully assembledBuilt to lastAdjustable floor glidesDownsidesExpensiveInvesting in midcentury design is what makes this USM Haller media console a must-have. It was designed in 1961 by Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer as part of a modern modular furniture repertoire for the brand, which was once a Swiss hardware and lock business. As a nod to this heritage, the console features two drop-down doors that lock with the twist of a coin. To keep this TV stand from leaning too industrial, choose from one of nine colorways, including a peppy golden yellow and a timeless olive green. The silhouette also comes in a low configuration (17-inch high), should you need more wall space.West Elm Anton Shallow Media ConsoleSpecsDimensions: 26" H x 14" W x 45" DMaterials: Mango woodColor options: Black, Cerused White, Dark WalnutUpsides & DownsidesUpsides:Sustainable mango woodGood for narrow spaces2 cutout openingsAdjustable shelfDownsides:Can’t support TVs larger than 45 inchesAssembly requiredHardware may loosen over timeThis TV console, made of kiln-dried solid mango wood, has a shallow depth that is ideal for clinging to walls in narrow spaces. It can accommodate a flat-screen TV up to 45 inches. The doors also slide open to reveal an adjustable shelf with storage for anything from your dusty DVD collection to game night puzzles. We love the natural variation in the finish, which comes in three colors. Opt for the classic walnut or this contemporary black hue.Design Within Reach Line Media ConsoleSpecsDimensions: 16" H x 70.75" W x 17.75" DMaterials: Oak (Walnut and painted ash veneer over MDF also available)Color options: Black, Oak, WalnutUpsides & DownsidesUpsides:Fully assembledThrough-bottom cord escapes for flexible placementSoft-closingDownsides:Walnut option is more expensiveThe linear, geometric frame of this slatted media console is easy on the eyes and resonates with a “quiet elegance,” according to its Singapore-based designer, Nathan Yong. Think of it as a modern TV stand that can blend seamlessly into any living room. And since the cable management is fed through the bottom panel, you can float the Line media console anywhere in your space. Two doors open to reveal plenty of storage for remotes, books, and whatever you may want to keep out of sight. If the 70-inch media center is too long, this style also comes in two shorter options for smaller spaces.Article Nera Low Media UnitSpecsDimensions: 20"H x 63"W x 16"DMaterials: Veneered walnutColor options: WalnutUpsides & DownsidesUpsides:Soft-close drawersDiscrete cord and cable managementDownsides:Assembly requiredNatural wood has variationDurability and a fair price don’t always go hand-in-hand, but this midcentury modern-style Nera media cabinet is a welcome outlier. The subtle chevron wood grain pattern adds some visual appeal, which is backed up by 100 mostly glowing reviews and a 4.8-star rating. Even if you don’t use it to prop up your new TV, the open shelves give it new life as a credenza with plenty of storage space.Latitude Run Basharat Extendable TV StandSpecsDimensions: 15.4" H x 106.3" W x 15.7" DMaterials: Manufactured woodColor options: Black, WhiteUpsides & DownsidesUpsides:Soundbar shelfAdjustable shelvesWeight capacity of 363 poundsEasy to cleanDownsides:Assembly requiredNot natural woodOf all the TV stands, this one is made to hold the largest screen size–up to 88 inches. It is also the only expandable piece of furniture on this list. Open storage cabinets flank the minimalist piece on either side for displaying opportunities, and with a weight capacity of 363 pounds, you can store a range of your tech devices and video game consoles in here without it teetering over.

At the Internal Revenue Service, which ordered its workers back to the office four weeks ago, the $1 limit caused significant problems for those back in the office. “They have no soap, toilet paper, or paper towels anywhere in the building. Their water machine is broken. Many cannot get on LAN, and the Wi-Fi keeps going down,” one IRS employee tells WIRED. Another SSA employee says that they were told to “ration paper.”“Supplies are limited because no one has purchasing authority,” the Treasury employee tells WIRED. “It’s a running joke that we bring our own pens and paper. We have a bit of a stock of pens in my department but can’t order more. We are out of notebooks, though there are some partially used legal pads from meetings available.”Employees say the return-to-office mandate has also negatively impacted their productivity. “My whole team had been, probably to a fault, working long hours on quick turnaround projects,” a source at the Army Futures Command, which operates under the DOD, tells WIRED. “We were able to do a lot of this at home after dinner in the evening, because we’ve all got kids and family obligations. [Return to office] has ended all of that.”Some federal employees say the return-to-office mandates are having a negative impact on their health.One employee at the SSA, who identifies as queer and uses they/he pronouns, is also disabled and suffers from chronic pain and mobility issues. Still, they were left with no option but to make the long journey from their home to the office once the return-to-office mandate was enforced.“With no car, I am walking a mile to the train, and from the station to the office on concrete and metal, limping along, using elevators when I can,” they say, adding, “While I can ask for Reasonable Accommodations, our DEI offices were gutted, so despite being directed to apply through the proper channels, there's no one there to process them.” In the weeks since they’ve returned to the office, nothing has improved.“I'm not sleeping well, I can't have access to chairs and desks and monitors at proper heights to make me more comfortable,” they say. “I've had to start revisiting my orthopedic doctor to pursue treatments and start physical therapy again.”A USDA employee says that returning to an office has aggravated their long-dormant carpal tunnel symptoms.“I got an old wooden desk that is not intended to be a workplace,” the employee tells WIRED. “As a result of the table being too high for the chair they gave me, my carpel tunnel has been aggravated with numbness and piercing pain in the hand. My carpel tunnel has not been an issue for about 25 years now.”A Treasury employee says that people on her team have had to quit due to stress stemming from the return-to-office mandate and the uncertainty of what’s next. “People here love their jobs. We love what we do,” they say. “Getting fired would mean so much more than just losing a paycheck.”Some employees say these fears, combined with the poor working conditions, are impacting their mental health as well.“I’m just going through a depressive episode in part because of the nonstop uncertainty and stress,” says an employee at the DOD. “Even the hardcore military bros in my agency are feeling grim about everything that’s happening.” A USDA employee told WIRED that they are now dealing with severe depression due to these mandates and general fear.The threat of a reduction in force, or RIF, remains a constant concern for employees as they return to federal offices.“There is just a lot of very dark humor at the office,” the Treasury employee says. “I think all of us are expecting to get RIFd or fired or something, but we are just waiting. Business as usual while everything is on fire.”