While the Nintendo Switch 2's launch line-up is focused on Mario Kart World, Mario's not the only Nintendo character getting a new title early in the Switch 2's life. Donkey Kong Bananza is launching just over a month after the console's release, giving the Switch 2 a new 3D platformer for players to enjoy right out of the gate. However, Donkey Kong isn't the first character many players had expected to get a new 3D platformer on the Switch 2, leaving Mario without a new 3D entry since 2017.

I’m a huge enthusiast when it comes to independent animation. Whether it’s stop-motion animation like Takahide Hori’s Junk Head or one-man masterpieces like Shingo Tamagawa’s Puparia and Kenji Iwaisawa’s On-Gaku: Our Sound, I’m an ardent believer in both seeking out and championing passion projects that exist both within and outside of the mainstream animation industry. Michinoku-toge is one such project. Set in an alternate version of feudal Japan, the series follows an alien soldier who crash-lands on Earth after barely escaping from his home planet. After being discovered by a wandering monk, the soldier is given a “baptism” in the form of an operation that transforms his head into that of a serow — a goat-antelope native to Japan — in order to become a member of a village of oni. After settling in, Serow is dispatched to carry the body of the village landlord’s late son to be purified and dedicated to the local mountain god. With the aid of a good-natured mountain monk, Serow embarks on a journey across this strange new land, all while grappling with the trauma of his past and his newfound existence. Though initially conceived as a 10-part anime short, the success of the series’ Kickstarter campaigns has allowed Michinoku-toge, the pseudonymous animator behind the project, to expand to 15 planned episodes. The first five episodes, complete with English subtitles and dubbed voices, are available to watch for free on YouTube, while the upcoming sixth and seventh episodes are currently in production after another successful Kickstarter campaign. “When people think of Japan, they often imagine the glamorous Kyoto and the culture of central or western Japan,” Michinoku-toge wrote on the project’s latest Kickstarter page. “As someone from Tohoku, I wanted to capture and enhance its unique character, rather than simply depict things as they are. That’s why I’ve shaped this story as a dark fantasy, emphasizing Tohoku’s distinctiveness.” So far, the series has been a dark, whimsical, and thoroughly original story packed with shocking surprises and twists. The character designs are fantastic, blending anthropomorphic animals with traditional Japanese folklore, and the background art is colorful and dense with details. Each short does a lot with relatively little run time; telling as much through explicit dialogue as it does through implicit environmental details and deft editing.  While the Kickstarter campaigns have been successful so far in raising funds for the anime, Michinoku-toge has stated that he intends to finish the project no matter what. Outside of Michinoku-toge, he’s also currently working as a concept artist on two feature films, Housenka and Iris, directed by Oddtaxi director Baku Kinoshita and character designer Mugi Kinoshita, respectively. All episodes of Michinoku-toge are available to stream on YouTube.

How to help a product introduce itself.Digital product design is about teaching users what to do. This is the interface. Here’s how it works. Go over there and you’ll find what you’re looking for.It happens right from the beginning. The first screen of any product will set expectations and introduce interaction patterns. A combination of good design and good writing will make the product make sense.But sometimes an interface needs a little instruction. Enter: the product onboarding. A popular design approach that helps a product introduce itself. There are two kinds of onboardings:An onboarding that explains. Key features, new tools, user benefits, or competitive advantages. These flows tell a user what to do or expect.An onboarding that gathers information. Like a map that needs your location to be helpful. Or a flight tracker that’s more useful once it knows your preferred airlines.Both of these approaches can work to help new users get settled. And many products use a combination of the two. Whatever approach you choose, here are some things you can do to help invite everyone in.Set expectations at the startUsers should know what’s coming next. Try explaining how long things will take, or giving a heads up about the info users will need to provide. Be realistic about what people can enter without any advance notice, too. Everyone knows their full name. But most people haven’t memorized their passport number.Share important info at the beginning of the flow.Make the first part fun and freeStart by providing real value. A good first screen will let the user explore, play around, and start to understand the product. Move the payment stuff later on. There’s a real business benefit to this one, too. People pay for things they like. Give them a chance to decide.Users are less likely to pay when they don’t know what they’re getting.Balance simplicity with densitySingle-question screens feel simple and elegant. But you’ll need a lot of them to gather basic info. That makes onboarding longer — and makes it feel longer. When you’re exploring different options, play around with density to find the right mix.A simple screen can create focus, but a screen with multiple input fields will gather info faster.Create a sense of progressThis is especially important for longer, multi-step flows. If your design is starting to feel endless, explore different ways of showing users where they are and where they’re going. Help users know they’re moving forward.Show users where they are and how much is left.Give the reason whyPeople like to skip things. Give them a good reason to finish the flow or answer the question. Explain why you’re asking for info and why it matters. You’ll likely get better completion results if there’s a payoff or clear benefit.Explain the benefits behind every action.Let users stay logged outNot everything needs an account and password. When possible, give users the option to explore without signing up or entering a phone number. It may help your product metrics, too. There’s sometimes a big drop in the number of users after any login screen.Try losing the login requirement in your product.Save the user’s spotNo matter how perfect your onboarding flow, some people won’t finish it in one go. Their WiFi goes down. Their brother texts. Their TV show they’re half-watching starts to get interesting. Let that person come back and pick up where they left off. Write for the returning user.Users get interrupted. Let them come back and continue.Make everything optionalIt’s a way of showing respect — and recognizing people who already know how to use your product. Not every new user is a first-time user. People get new phones and laptops; they reinstall software. The person trapped in an onboarding might know everything already. Design for them, too.Create a path for users who don’t need or want any onboarding.Say one thing wellThe worst onboarding is too much onboarding. Explanations of too many features, too many benefits, every single icon. If things feel overwhelming, see what you can cut. Replace three bullet points with a single perfect header. Instead of highlighting five new features, write about one.Explaining too many ideas can make the user miss what matters most.Let the interface explain itselfPeople are smart. They learn by doing and by trying. After you craft a perfect onboarding with the exact right phrasing, delete it. Some of the best, most usable products don’t need explaining. You might be able to let the user discover the product on their own.The first two onboarding screens might not be needed.If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy some other things I’ve written about UX writing and digital product design.Every design team needs writersAdvanced techniques for writing good interfacesWriting with respectHow to write inclusive, accessible digital productsThis is good UX writingHow to write digital products with personalityWriting the onboarding experience was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Gemini Live is the chatty, natural conversation mode inside Google's Gemini app, and it just got a significant upgrade: The AI can now instantly answer questions about what it's seeing through your phone's camera and on your phone's screen in real time. The feature is coming first to Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 phones.You've long been able to offer up photos and screenshots for Gemini to analyze, but it's the real-time aspect of the upgrade that makes this most interesting—it's as if the AI bot can actually see the world around you. You may remember some of this functionality was shown off by Google under the Project Astra name last year. There are plenty of ways to use Gemini Live. Credit: Samsung Samsung says it "feels like a trusted friend who's always ready to help," while Google says you could use the improved features to get personalized shopping advice, troubleshoot something that's broken, or organize a messy space. You can have a discussion with Gemini Live about anything you can point your camera at.It's now available as a free update on Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 phones, with further Android devices getting it soon—though wider availability will be tied to a Gemini Advanced subscription. As yet, there's no definitive list of which phones are in line for the update, though presumably it needs a certain level of local processing power to work. There's no word yet on it coming to the Gemini app for the iPhone.As always, the official advice is to "check responses for accuracy," so just because there's a fancy new interface to make use of doesn't mean the Gemini AI is any more reliable than it was before. You're also going to need an active internet connection for this to work, so the app can get some help from the web. Two new buttons have been added for camera and screen sharing. Credit: Lifehacker The feature is easy to find: You can launch the Gemini Live interface by tapping the button to the far right of the input box in any Gemini chat (it looks a bit like a sound wave). From there, you'll see two new icons at the bottom: One for accessing the camera (the video camera icon), and one for accessing the phone's screen (the arrow inside a rectangle).Close down the Gemini Live interface, and you'll find your conversation has been recorded as a standard text chat, so you can refer back to it if needed. As the new features have appeared on my Google Pixel 9, I tested them out using questions I already knew the answers to, to check for any unhelpful hallucinations.Putting Gemini Live to the testFirst up, I loaded the camera interface and asked Gemini Live about the Severance episode I was watching on my laptop. Initially, the AI thought I was watching You—presumably confusing its Penn Badgleys with its Adam Scotts—but it quickly fixed its mistake, identifying the right show and naming the actors on screen.I then asked about a package with a UN3481 label: lithium-ion batteries packed inside equipment (over-ear headphones, in this case). Gemini Live correctly figured out that lithium-ion batteries were involved, needing "extra care" when handled, but gave no more information. When pushed, it said these batteries were packed separately, not in equipment. Wrong answer, Gemini Live—you're thinking of code UN3480. Gemini Live figured out how to reset a Charge 6 (this is a transcript of the live conversation). Credit: Lifehacker Gemini Live was also able to tell me how to reset my Fitbit Charge 6 when I pointed my phone camera at it (though the AI originally thought it was a Fitbit Charge 5, which is an easy enough mistake to make). It's easy to see how this could come in handy if you're trying to troubleshoot gadgets, and aren't quite sure about the makes and model numbers of the devices.Sharing your screen with Gemini Live is interesting. The app shrinks to a small widget, so you can use your phone as normal, and then ask questions about anything on the screen. Gemini Live did a good job of identifying which apps I was using, and some of the content in those apps, like movie posters and band photos. It also accurately translated a social media post in a foreign language for me.Regarding a website showing the recent Leicester v Newcastle soccer match, Gemini Live correctly told me what the score was and which players got the goals—all information that was already on screen. When I asked when the match was though, the AI got confused, and told me it happened on May 22, 2023 (the same teams playing, but nearly two years ago). Gemini Live can see what's on your phone's screen, with permission. Credit: Lifehacker There was no faulting the speed with which Gemini Live came back with answers, and the calm and reassuring manner that it responded, but there are still issues around the quality of the results. Of course the convenience of using this—pointing the camera and saying "how do I fix this?" rather than crafting a complex Google query—means that many people may well prefer using it even with the mistakes, but it's still a worry.Essentially, this is just an enhanced, instant version of visual search: Previously, you might just type "UN3481 label" into Google for the same query. But whereas the traditional search results list of blue links lets you see the information you're looking up, and make a judgment on its reliability and authoritativeness, Gemini Live is much more of a closed box that doesn't show its workings. While it feels almost like magic at times, because of that interface, having to double-check everything it says isn't ideal.

Drones have become an important tool in a creator’s bag of tricks, allowing them to capture aerial footage that elevates their videos. And nowadays, they’ve become more accessible as video quality and features have dramatically improved while prices have dropped.Recent budget-friendly models include DJI’s Neo and Flip drones, along with the HoverAir X1 Pro lineup, all under $500. If you’ve got more to spend, the options are similarly plentiful with drones like the DJI Mini 4 Pro and HoverAir X1 Pro Max. And for the price of a good mirrorless camera, you can get DJI’s Mavic 3 Pro that offers awesome image quality, range and other features.Price is obviously key, but you also need to consider features like video quality, obstacle avoidance and tracking. To help you decide which one is best for you and your budget, we’ve assembled this guide to the best drones you can buy right now, complete with models aimed at novices, professionals and filmmakers. The best drones for 2025 What to look for in a drone Camera features For this guide, we're looking only at drones that are basically flying cameras, so you want the best video and photo features possible. Bigger devices like DJI’s Mavic 3 Pro or Air 3S carry relatively large sensors, offering superior picture quality for nighttime cityscapes or other low-light scenes. Smaller models like the Mini 4 Pro and HoverAir X1 Max use smaller camera sensors, so they aren’t as good in dim light. Field of view and minimum aperture are also important, with most drones typically having a wide-angle focal length, though a few others like the HoverAir X1 Max carry an ultrawide lens. Some models have multiple cameras including a wide and a zoom. As for aperture, lower numbers are better and allow for shooting in dim light. Most DJI models are solid in this regard, while the HoverAir models don’t perform as well. Video resolution and slow-mo are also essential camera capabilities. Most drones these days can shoot at 4K with a frame rate of at least 30 fps, though some offer 6K or even 8K at up to 30 fps. Higher-end models can shoot 4K at up to 120 fps, allowing you to slow down the action dramatically to create a cinematic look. Other noteworthy features include log or HDR video that supports higher dynamic range, particularly in bright and sunny conditions. Finally, the camera’s gimbal and stabilization are important factors to keep your footage looking as smooth as possible. Some drones have gimbals that can rotate the camera 90 degrees to give social media creators the maximum resolution for vertical formats. Drone features: Speed, range, safety, battery life and obstacle detection By and large, there are two types of camera drones to consider. The first are standard drones (usually with open propellers but not always) designed to fly outside and take scenic shots. Often there’s nothing to stop the props from striking skin or objects, so they can’t really be used indoors or around people. Some models like the DJI Neo and Flip have prop guards that better protect bystanders and property, as well as the drone itself. Then there's first-person-view (FPV) camera drones, which often have propeller guards and are meant to be used both indoors or outside to capture exciting footage. Standard models don’t need to go particularly fast as they’re mainly used to shoot fun videos for social media, but FPV drones need to move at high speeds to create excitement. Because of that speed, they’re also better in breezy conditions as they can fight gusts and return home more quickly. Acrobatic abilities (often promoted by the manufacturer in ads or packaging) are also important for FPV drones, as it allows the user to perform tricks and zip around obstacles. Battery life is another important factor. The best drones boast a battery endurance of up to 45 minutes, while FPV drones like the Avata 2 can only fly for about half that time as they tend to be heavier and carry smaller batteries to reduce weight. As a general rule, a single battery isn’t enough for any serious shooting so you’d do well to buy your drone in a kit with a few batteries and a charger. As for range, DJI tends to dominate in this area, with its latest models able to maintain a video signal at a distance up to 20km (12.4 miles). HoverAir’s models are weaker with the top-end X1 Max model limited to just 1km (0.6 miles) when using the optional beacon system. DJI also offers multiple ways to control its drones including headsets, joystick-type controllers, motion detection controllers and smartphones. The best drones have sensors to detect obstacles in all directions. Others are limited to only avoiding obstructions coming at them from the front and some only rely on the main camera to prevent crashes. Finally, if you want to have your drone follow you around automatically, you’ll need it to be able to track you around when you’re vlogging, riding a bike or skiing, while also avoiding obstacles.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/best-drone-120046775.html?src=rss

Threat actors are targeting IT, finance, and retail firms around the world.

The EU has faced criticisms that its rules on everything from AI to taxation hinder innovation and make it harder for startups to operate across the region.

Welcome to Pressing Questions, Fast Company’s work-life advice column. Every week, deputy editor Kathleen Davis, host of The New Way We Work podcast, will answer the biggest and most pressing workplace questions. Q: How should I respond to rude comments at work?A: If I were to make a pie chart of most people’s complaints about work, the actual work would be one of the smallest slices. Bad bosses and annoying coworkers would take up the biggest slices, for sure.There are a few factors to consider if someone in your office is making rude comments. Is it a one-off or part of a pattern? If someone who is usually pleasant to work with says something rude out of the blue, it’s likely not worth making a huge deal out of it. You can respond with humor, as contributor Mita Mallick suggests. “This can sometimes deflect the situation, disarm and catch the bully off guard. Using humor can shift focus away from the hurtful comment that was made in the moment.” A well-put sarcastic response to a rude comment can serve the double purpose of calling it out and shutting it down. Give them the benefit of the doubt that some other stress is impacting their behavior or they just put their foot in their mouth. If it’s part of a pattern If the rude comments are part of a pattern and are directed at you, and you feel comfortable, you can call the person out either publicly or privately. A public callout: A callout can be as simple as just repeating the comment back to them: “Did you just tell me I should smile more?” or as direct as “Calling my idea lowbrow is pretty insulting.” This approach certainly puts them on the spot and will likely cause them to get defensive, but it will probably make an impact.A private chat: If you want to be a little less confrontational about it, you can discuss the issue with them privately after. Start simple: Ask if you can speak with them at a time when you feel calm and there are no distractions. Then be direct but don’t make assumptions. Try something like, “When you call my ideas ‘lowbrow’ in a meeting, it feels really insulting. Is there a reason why you say things like that?” Or, “Please don’t comment on my appearance.” Again, it’s likely that they will get defensive, but don’t engage in an argument. They might say, “It was just a joke,” or, “It wasn’t my intention to offend you.” Neither of those things matter; what matters is they said something that you found offensive and they shouldn’t say it again. Let them know that and end the conversation. If it’s still happening If you confront the person insulting you and it keeps happening, or if you don’t feel comfortable confronting them, go to your direct manager. It’s a manager’s job to deal with these kind of uncomfortable interpersonal relationships and sometimes people are apt to take things more seriously if it comes from someone slightly higher up on the org chat. Talking to your manager about it also creates a record if the issue ends up needing to be escalated to HR or upper management. Need more advice on dealing with rude comments at work? Here you go: 5 questions to ask before you take that comment personally Why rudeness at work Is so contagious How to respond to public bullying at work Stung by your boss’s comment? Here’s what to do next How to deal with a passive-aggressive coworker

If you want to be truly productive, then the Japanese design philosophy can be a real aid. Combining minimalism, functionality, and aesthetic beauty, Japanese tools embody the perfect balance between form and function. For productivity enthusiasts seeking to optimize their workspace, these five Japanese-inspired tools offer unique solutions that can transform your daily workflow. When combined together, these products create a workspace that supports efficient work and elevates the experience of working itself. This holistic approach recognizes that productivity isn’t just about doing more—it’s about bringing your best self to the work that matters most. These Japanese-inspired tools offer more than just functionality. They represent a philosophy of work that values quality over quantity, mindfulness over multitasking, and the joy of the process alongside the satisfaction of results. Happy working! 1. MagBoard Clipboard The Magboard Clipboard embodies the Japanese principle of “adaptable structure”—providing just enough organization to support creativity without constraining it. It uses an ingenious magnet and lever mechanism to secure loose sheets of paper, and allows complete flexibility in capturing and organizing thoughts, addressing the basic limitation of traditional notebooks – their rigid structure. The hardcover design enables comfortable note-taking even while standing, and its water-resistant surface is also a bonus. The Magboard Clipboard frees up your thinking process by allowing you to add, remove, or rearrange pages. This adaptability is quite beneficial during brainstorming sessions and project planning. With the ability to bind up to 30 sheets, it provides ample space for complex projects while maintaining a slim profile, making it perfect for serious productivity enthusiasts! Click Here to Buy Now: $45.00 What we like Allows instant rearrangement of pages, adapting to your thinking process rather than constraining it. Hardcover design enables comfortable writing while standing. What we dislike Loose papers may require additional organization systems for long-term storage. The magnetic mechanism adds slightly more weight than a traditional clipboard. 2. OrigamiSwift Mouse The OrigamiSwift Mouse merges Japanese origami principles with modern technology to solve the remote worker’s dilemma – maintaining ergonomic comfort without sacrificing portability. This innovative Bluetooth mouse transforms from a slim, pocket-sized device into a full-featured ergonomic tool in under half a second. The triangular folding structure provides stability during use while allowing for compactness when stored. Weighing just 40 grams with up to three months of battery life, it embodies the Japanese principle of sustainable efficiency—maximum output with minimal resource consumption. The mouse eliminates the adjustment period typically required when switching between different input devices, allowing you to maintain your workflow rhythm regardless of location. It also features an ultra-lightweight design, so you can take it with you wherever you like, ensuring your setup is always accessible to you. Click Here to Buy Now: $79.00 What we like Transforms from ultra-thin to ergonomic in under 0.5 seconds, eliminating setup time. Weighs only 40 grams while providing the comfort and precision of a full-sized mouse. What we dislike The origami-inspired folding mechanism may require gentle handling over time. May not offer as many programmable buttons as dedicated desktop mice. 3. FocusPoint Card Holder The FocusPoint Card Holder embodies the Japanese concept of “visual control”—making priorities visible to maintain focus and direction. This zinc alloy desk accessory serves as a physical anchor for your most important tasks, ensuring they remain literally in sight and mind throughout your workday. It includes a set of 10 high-quality To-Do List cards, each with space for nine tasks and a dateline, and an integrated tray to store small items like paper clips or rings. It includes a dedicated physical space for key tasks or goals, and hence creates a “forcing function”—a visual reminder that naturally draws your attention back to what matters most, leveraging the psychological advantage of physically writing tasks while adding the benefit of constant visibility, so no task goes unfinished or incomplete. Click Here to Buy Now: $29.00 What we like Creates visibility for key priorities, reducing the chances of distraction. Combines task display with storage functionality in a compact, elegant design. What we dislike Limited to displaying one card at a time. 4. Levitating Pen 2.0: Cosmis Meteorite Edition The Levitating Pen 2.0: Cosmic Meteorite Edition is suspended at a 23.5-degree angle through magnetic engineering, and this writing instrument transforms the simple act of writing into a moment of wonder and presence. Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum with a genuine Muonionalusta meteorite tip, it connects cosmic history with present-day functionality, providing a perspective that can help reframe daily challenges. It features a gravity-defying design that creates a “pattern interrupt,” helping refresh your mental state to break cycles of consistent thinking. The mesmerizing spin function, which allows the pen to rotate gracefully for up to 20 seconds, offers a meditative moment for a mental reset between tasks, while premium Schmidt ink cartridges and ergonomic design ensure a sturdy and practical body. Click Here to Buy Now: $399.00 What we like Creates a moment of wonder that can break mental blocks and stimulate creative thinking. Combines artistic inspiration with practical writing functionality in a long-lasting design. What we dislike The magnetic base requires a stable surface and may not be suitable for all working environments. Premium materials and a unique design lead to a higher price tag. 5. Precision Sakura Metal Puzzle The Precision Sakura Metal Puzzle is a stainless steel puzzle, shaped like Japan’s iconic cherry blossom, and serves as both a mental exercise tool and an elegant desk accessory. It includes similar pieces that fit together with precision (gaps of just 0.004mm), and it offers the perfect balance of difficulty and satisfaction, providing a tactile, focused activity that refreshes your mental state without technological distractions. This puzzle is perfect for productivity enthusiasts as it serves as a practical tool for mental reset and cognitive enhancement. Short mental breaks improve your problem-solving abilities and creative thinking according to research. And you can use the Precision Sakura Metal Puzzle to add small puzzle sessions to your workday, thereby clearing mental clutter, and preparing your mind for the next task. Click Here to Buy Now: $299.00 What we like Provides a screen-free mental reset that enhances problem-solving capabilities. Doubles as an elegant desk sculpture when completed, adding aesthetic value to your workspace. What we dislike The mirror finish can show fingerprints, requiring occasional cleaning. The challenging nature may initially frustrate those seeking quick solutions. The post Top 5 Japanese Tools Every Serious Productivity Enthusiast Needs On Their Desk first appeared on Yanko Design.

But it's more than a nostalgia trip.