An affordable TV shouldn’t skimp on picture features and smart tech in favor of a lower price point. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for the best TV deals because we want our readers to have the best of both worlds; at least in terms of performance and value. To that end, we found a great promo today:   For a limited time, you can get the Insignia 50-inch F30 Series 4K LED at Amazon for only $220. The full MSRP on this model is $300.  An entry-level 4K TV with limited picture optimizations, the Insignia F30 may not be as advanced as higher-priced midrange and premium LED models, but it more than covers the basics. The TV gets bright enough to deal with glare and reflections from ambient light sources. It also provides good color accuracy and contrast levels, though not quite on the level of a TV with local dimming or an OLED screen.   Related The 50-inch F30 size is a great choice for a smaller living room or viewing space, and the built-in Fire TV OS gives you quick access to popular apps like Netflix and Disney Plus. You’ll also be able to use the Alexa Voice Remote to control some of your TV-watching experience (searching for content, changing inputs, etc.) with voice commands.  The F30 Series has a native 60Hz refresh rate but relatively low input lag when in Game Mode. It’s not the end-all-be-all discount LED for gaming, but it’ll definitely get the job done.  Save $80 on the Insignia 50-inch F30 Series 4K LED when you purchase today. If you’d like more TV recommendations, you should also take a look at our roundups of the best QLED TV deals and best Amazon deals for additional discounts and promos.  Editors’ Recommendations

Marvel Rivals Season 2 immerses players in the spectacular Hellfire Gala on the mutant refuge of Krakoa. The season, headlined by the entrance of Emma Frost, a fearsome Vanguard hero with telepathic abilities and diamond-hard form, ushers in a new meta shift. Along with her, the new Krakoa map replaces earlier competitive stages, setting the stage for heated confrontations against the looming danger of Ultron, who arrives as a Strategist hero in a mid-season update. Players can participate in the Cerebro Database event and claim a free Mantis Flora Maiden skin, while Twitch Drops provide a Namor Will of Galacta variant. Recommended Videos The season also includes a gifting option and balance adjustments that improve competitive play. With a two-month seasonal change beginning in Season 3, NetEase is increasing hero releases to keep the roster interesting. The Flower of Krakoa Battle Pass in Season 2, which includes stunning cosmetics, has fans excited about its exclusive rewards. Related The Marvel Rivals Season 2 Battle Pass, titled Flowers of Krakoa, showcases a stunning array of designs for 10 heroes, all inspired by the iconic Hellfire Gala comics. The Luxury Battle Pass comes with a price tag of 990 Lattice, which players can acquire by purchasing 1,000 Lattice for $9.99 / £7.99. Gamers have the option to grab the upgraded Marvel Rivals Season 2 Luxury Battle Pass, priced at 2,100 Lattice. Players can snag this by shelling out $19.99 / £15.99 for 2,180 Lattice. NetEase Games Here are all the items included in the pass: Page 1 Spider-Oni Costume (Spider-Man): Legendary skin, instantly unlocked with Luxury Battle Pass. Spider-Oni MVP Screen: Luxury, 300 Chrono Tokens. Spider-Oni Nameplate: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Spider-Oni Spray: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 2 Nut Rocker Costume (Squirrel Girl): Luxury, 400 Chrono Tokens. Nut Rocker Emote: Luxury, 300 Chrono Tokens. Nut Rocker Spray: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Squirrel Girl Nameplate: Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 3 Retro X-Uniform Costume (Psylocke): Free, 400 Chrono Tokens. Psylocke MVP Screen: Luxury, 300 Chrono Tokens. Psylocke Spray: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Psylocke Nameplate: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 4 Red Runway Veil Costume (Black Widow): Luxury, 400 Chrono Tokens. Joe Fixit Costume (Hulk): Luxury, 400 Chrono Tokens. Black Widow Spray: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Hulk Nameplate: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 5 Star-Spangled Style Costume (Captain America): Luxury, 400 Chrono Tokens. Captain America MVP Screen: Luxury, 300 Chrono Tokens. Captain America Spray: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Captain America Nameplate: Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 6 Immortal Weapon of Agamotto Costume (Iron Fist): Free, 400 Chrono Tokens. Iron Fist Emote: Luxury, 300 Chrono Tokens. Iron Fist Spray: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Iron Fist Nameplate: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 7 Retro X-Uniform Costume (Magik): Free, 400 Chrono Tokens. Magik MVP Screen: Luxury, 300 Chrono Tokens. Magik Spray: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Magik Nameplate: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 8 K-Pop Glam Costume (Luna Snow): Luxury, 400 Chrono Tokens. Luna Snow Emote: Luxury, 300 Chrono Tokens. Luna Snow Spray: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Luna Snow Nameplate: Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 9 Dance Partner Costume (Cloak & Dagger): Legendary, Luxury, 400 Chrono Tokens. Cloak & Dagger MVP Screen: Luxury, 300 Chrono Tokens. Cloak & Dagger Spray: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Cloak & Dagger Nameplate: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 10 Hellfire Gala Gallery Card: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Emma Frost Nameplate: Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Ultron Nameplate: Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Spray (Generic): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Page 11 Ages of Ultron Gallery Card: Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Units (x100): Free, 200 Chrono Tokens. Lattice (x100): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Chrono Tokens (x200): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Spray (Generic): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Nameplate (Generic): Luxury, 200 Chrono Tokens. Emote (Generic): Luxury, 300 Chrono Tokens. Units Exchange Page (Available after unlocking all other rewards) 100 Units: 1,000 Chrono Tokens, repeatable up to 15 times per season. The Battle Pass includes 10 skins: Spider-Man (Spider-Oni), Squirrel Girl (Nut Rocker), Psylocke (Retro X-Uniform), Black Widow (Red Runway Veil), Hulk (Joe Fixit), Captain America (Star-Spangled Style), Iron Fist (Immortal Weapon of Agamotto), Magik (Retro X-Uniform), Luna Snow (K-Pop Glam), and Cloak & Dagger (Dance Partner). Iron Fist and Magik skins are free. Free rewards are accessible to all players, while Luxury rewards require the paid Battle Pass. Chrono Tokens reset each season, except those purchased with Lattice. Battle Passes never expire, allowing players to unlock rewards after the season ends if the Luxury version was purchased. Editors’ Recommendations

Fighting back Harvard sues to block government funding cuts Suit claims the funding freeze violates First Amendment, Title VI procedures. John Timmer – Apr 22, 2025 2:28 pm | 5 Credit: A P Cortizas, Jr. Credit: A P Cortizas, Jr. Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more On Monday, Harvard University filed a lawsuit that it hopes will end he federal government's hold on over $2 billion of research funds destined for the university's faculty. The suit claims that the government's demands for input on Harvard's hiring and admissions violate the university's First Amendment rights, and that the funding freeze hasn't followed the procedures laid out in federal law. Earlier in April, the government sent a letter to Harvard demanding various changes, from altering university governance to enforcing a completely undefined "viewpoint diversity" on hiring and admissions. Failing to agree, the government suggested, would place the financial relationship between the government and Harvard at risk. Harvard responded with a strongly worded refusal and, by the end of the day, saw the government put over $2 billion in research funding on hold. Harvard was not told how long the hold would last or what exactly was needed to lift it. The lawsuit seeks to reverse the hold. Harvard argues that there are two reasons the court should restore the flow of research money. First Amendment and Title VI The first reason is based on First Amendment grounds. Harvard's suit claims that "the Government wielded the threat of withholding federal funds in an attempt to coerce Harvard to conform with the government’s preferred mix of viewpoints and ideologies." Which appears to be less of an accusation than a summary of the government's letter to Harvard. The suit goes on to establish, via quotes from earlier legal decisions, that courts have considered academic freedom to fall within the remit of the First Amendment. It claims that "Restrictions on Harvard’s ability to manage its own internal leadership likewise violate the First Amendment because leadership decisions shape how the University speaks and acts." The suit also claims that the funding hold, made in retaliation for Harvard's letter announcing its refusal to accept these conditions, punishes Harvard for exercising free speech. Separately, the lawsuit focuses on Title VI, part of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits the government from funding organizations that engage in racial discrimination. It's Harvard's alleged tolerance for antisemitism that would enable the government to put a hold on these funds. But the suit spells out the requirements for cutting funding—hearings, a 30-day waiting period, notification of Congress—that the law requires before funding can be cut. And, quite obviously, the government has done none of them. Harvard also alleges that the government's decision to hold research funds is arbitrary and capricious: "The Government has not—and cannot—identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen." Finally, the court is asked to consider an issue that's central to a lot of the questions regarding Trump Administration actions: Can the executive branch stop the flow of money that was allocated by Congress? "Defendants do not have any inherent authority to terminate or freeze appropriated federal funding," the suit claims. Remedies The suit seeks various remedies. It wants the government's actions declared illegal, the freeze order vacated, and prohibitions put in place that will prevent the government from accomplishing the freeze through some other means. Harvard would also like any further reactions to allegations of antisemitism to follow the procedures mandated by Title VI and to have the government cover its attorney's fees. It also wants the ruling expedited, given the potential for damage to university-hosted research. The suit was filed in the District of Massachusetts, which is the same venue that has been used for other suits seeking to restrain the Trump administration's attack on federally funded research. So far, those have resulted in rapid responses and injunctions that have put damaging funding cuts on hold. So, there's a good chance we'll see something similar here. John Timmer Senior Science Editor John Timmer Senior Science Editor John is Ars Technica's science editor. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. When physically separated from his keyboard, he tends to seek out a bicycle, or a scenic location for communing with his hiking boots. 5 Comments

Vroom vroom Man buys racetrack, ends up launching the Netflix of grassroots motorsports FRDM+ is profitable, has its own smart TV apps. Subscriptions start at $20/month. Scharon Harding – Apr 22, 2025 2:14 pm | 3 A 2020 aerial view of the racetrack that Garrett Mitchell bought. Credit: Cleetus McFarland/YouTube A 2020 aerial view of the racetrack that Garrett Mitchell bought. Credit: Cleetus McFarland/YouTube Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more In 2019, Garrett Mitchell was already an Internet success. His YouTube channel, Cleetus McFarland, had over a million followers. If you perused the channel at that time, you would’ve found a range of grassroots motorsports videos with the type of vehicular shenanigans that earn truckloads of views. Some of those older videos include "BLEW BY A COP AT 120+mph! OOPS!," "THERE'S A T-REX ON THE TRACK!," and "Manual Transmission With Paddle Shifters!?!." Those videos made Mitchell, aka Cleetus McFarland, a known personality among automotive enthusiasts. But the YouTuber wanted more financial independence beyond the Google platform and firms willing to sponsor his channel. “… after my YouTube was growing and some of my antics [were] getting videos de-monetized, I realized I needed a playground,” Mitchell told Ars Technica in an email. Mitchell found a road toward new monetization opportunities through the DeSoto Super Speedway. The Bradenton, Florida, track had changed ownership multiple times since opening in the 1970s. The oval-shaped racetrack is three-eighths of a mile long with 12-degree banking angles. BRADENTON, FL — Mid-1980s: Late Model racing action at DeSoto Speedway in the mid-1980s. Both the All-Pro Series and NASCAR All-American Challenge Series ran races at the track in 1985 and 1986. Credit: ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images BRADENTON, FL — Mid-1980s: Late Model racing action at DeSoto Speedway in the mid-1980s. Both the All-Pro Series and NASCAR All-American Challenge Series ran races at the track in 1985 and 1986. Credit: ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images By 2018, the track had closed its doors and was going unused. DeSoto happened to be next to Mitchell’s favorite drag strip, giving the YouTuber the idea of turning it into a stadium where people could watch burnouts and other “massive, rowdy” ticketed events. Mitchell added: So I sold everything I could, borrowed some money from my business manager, and went all in for [$]2.2 million. But like the rest of the world, Mitchell hit the brakes on his 2020 plans during COVID-19 lockdowns. Soon after his purchase, Mitchell couldn't use the track, renamed Freedom Factory, for large gatherings, forcing him to reconsider his plans. “We had no other option but to entertain the people somehow. And with no other racing goin’ on anywhere, we bet big on making something happen. And it worked," Mitchell said. That “something” was a pay-per-view (PPV) event hosted from the Freedom Factory in April 2020. The event led to others and, eventually, Mitchell running his own subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, FRDM+, which originally launched as Cleetervision in 2022. Today, a FRDM+ subscription costs $20 per month or $120 per year. A subscription provides access to an impressive library of automotive videos. Some are archived from Mitchell’s YouTube channel. Other, exclusive videos feature content such as interviews with motorsports influencers and members of Mitchell’s staff and crew, and outrageous motorsports stunts. You can watch videos from other influencers on FRDM+, and the business can also white-label its platform into other influencers’ websites, too. “A race against time” Before Mitchell could host his first PPV event, he had to prepare the speedway. Explaining the ordeal to Ars, he wrote: We cleaned that place up best we could, but let’s be real, it was rough. Lights were out, weeds poppin’ up through the asphalt, the whole deal. Pulling off the first PPV event at the Freedom Factory speedway was a "race against time," Jonny Mill, who built FRDM+’s tech stack and serves as company president, told Ars. "Florida implemented a statewide shutdown on the very day of our event,” he said. Mitchell also struggled to get the right workers and equipment needed for the PPV. Flights weren’t available due to the pandemic, forcing Mill to produce the event from California using a cell phone group chat and “last-minute local crew,” per Mitchell. The ENG camera person was much shorter than Mitchell "and had to climb on whatever she could just to keep me in frame,” he recalled. Mitchell said Freedom Factory's first PPV event had 75,000 concurrent viewers, which caused his website and those of the event sponsors to crash. “Our initial bandwidth provider laughed at our viewership projections, and, of course, we surpassed them in the first week of pre-sales," Mill said. "They did apologize before asking for a much larger check." Other early obstacles included determining how to embed the livestream platform into Mitchell’s e-commerce site. The biggest challenge there was “juggling two separate logins, one for merch shopping and another for livestream PPV, all within the same site,” Mill explained. “Now, our focus is on seamlessly guiding the YouTube audience over to FRDM+ for premium live events," he added. Live events are still the heart of FRDM+. The service had 21 livestreamed events scheduled throughout 2025, and more are expected to come. Peeking under the hood Today, bandwidth isn’t a problem for FRDM+, and navigating the streaming service doesn’t feel much different from something like Netflix. There are different “channels” (grouped together by related content or ongoing series) on top and new releases and upcoming content highlighted below. There are horizontal scrolling rows, and many titles have content summaries and/or trailers. The platform also has a support section with instructions for canceling subscriptions. Browsing FRDM+. Credit: FRDM+ Browsing FRDM+. Credit: FRDM+ Like with other SVOD services, subscribers can watch FRDM+ via a web browser or through a smart TV app. FRDM+ currently has apps for Apple TV, Fire OS, and Roku OS. Mitchell said the team’s constantly working on more connected TV apps, as well as adding features, “more interactivity,” and customers. To keep the wheels spinning, FRDM+ leverages a diverse range of technologies, Mill explained:At the core of our infrastructure, AWS bandwidth servers handle the heavy lifting, while Accedo powers the connected TV apps, bridging the gap between our tech stack and the audience. Brightcove serves as our primary video player partner, with additional backup systems in place to maintain reliability. For a service like this, with live events, redundancy is critical, Mill said. “At the Freedom Factory, we even beam air fiber from a house five miles away to ensure a reliable second Internet. We also have a hidden page on [the Cleetus McFarland website] to launch a backup stream if the primary one fails,” he said. Today, FRDM+’s biggest challenge isn’t a technical one. Instead, it's around managing the business's different parts using a small team. FRDM+ has 35 full-time employees across its Shop, Race Track, Events, and Merch divisions and is “entirely self-funded,” per Mill. The company also relies on contractors for productions, but its core livestream team has six full-time employees. Mitchell told Ars that FRDM+ is profitable, but he couldn't get into specifics. He said the service has "strong year-over-year growth and a solid financial foundation that allows us to continue reinvesting in our team and services," like a "robust technology stack, larger events, venue rentals, and even giving away helicopters and Lamborghinis as the prizes for our races." “Having been at Discovery during the launch of MotorTrend OnDemand, I’ve witnessed the power of substantial budgets firsthand," Mill said. "Yet, [FRDM+ has] achieved greater success organically than [Discovery] did with their eight-figure marketing investment. This autonomy and efficiency are a testament to the strength of our approach.” Any profitability for a 3-year-old streaming service is commendable. Due to wildly differing audiences, markets, costs, and scales, comparing FRDM+’s financials to the likes of Netflix and other mainstream streaming services is like comparing apples to oranges. But it’s interesting to consider that FRDM+ has achieved profitability faster than some of those services, like Peacock, which also launched in 2020, and Apple TV+, which debuted in 2019. FRDM+ doesn’t share subscription numbers publicly, but Mitchell told Ars that the subscription service has a 93 percent retention. Mill attributed that number to a loyal, engaged community driven by direct communication with Mitchell. Mill also suggested to Ars that FRDM+ has successfully converted over 5 percent of Mitchell's YouTube audience. Five percent of Cleetus McFarland’s current YouTube base would be 212,500 people. Scharon Harding Senior Technology Reporter Scharon Harding Senior Technology Reporter Scharon is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer gadgets and services. She's been reporting on technology for over 10 years, with bylines at Tom’s Hardware, Channelnomics, and CRN UK. 3 Comments

The XB-1 prototype plane in flight, with shark skin material patches stuck on its bellyBoom Supersonic A material with microscopic grooves mimicking those of shark skin could help commercial airliners – and even supersonic jets or military aircraft – save on fuel and reduce carbon emissions when cruising through the skies. Commercial and military customers have already signed up to test the material, which is applied as patches. It was developed by Australian aerospace company MicroTau, and is designed to reduce drag when the grooves align with…

Quantum batteries have theoretically exciting propertiesda-kuk/Getty Images Hooking up a quantum computer to a quantum battery could make it much more energy-efficient and enable machines to pack more processing power into the same physical space. Quantum batteries, like regular batteries, can store energy to provide power, but rather than using electrochemical reactions, they are built from quantum bits, or qubits, that can extract energy from quantum processes, like entanglement. While they have the advantage of charging much faster than regular devices, researchers have struggled to build working examples or find practical uses for them.

Apple CEO Tim Cook needs to tone it down on the AI claims, an advertising watchdog says. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images 2025-04-22T18:32:42Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Apple is going overboard with some of its AI claims, an advertising watchdog says. The Better Business Bureau's advertising division says Apple should tone it down a bit. Apple Intelligence has been plagued by delays. Apple's marketing is legendary. Remember the "1984" and "Think Different" campaigns, and the dancing iPod silhouettes?This only works, though, if the product and technology are on time and actually good.This is the situation Apple finds itself in with its fumbled generative AI launch. The company went on a marketing blitz last year to promote upcoming "Apple Intelligence" features.Apple's big AI splash may have come a little too soon, the Better Business Bureau's advertising watchdog contends. The organization's National Advertising Division said on Tuesday that it recommended that Apple tone down or tweak some of its marketing claims, especially around the timing of certain hyped-up features. Apple Intelligence has seen some delays as it rolls out. Now, an advertising watchdog says Apple should tone down its advertising. Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images The main issue? A bold "Available Now" label splashed across Apple's Apple Intelligence webpage and iPhone 16 marketing materials. NAD said it gave the impression that all the listed features, like Priority Notifications, Image Playground, Genmoji, Image Wand, and ChatGPT integration with Siri, were ready to go at the launch of the new iPhone 16 in September.In reality, Apple rolled out those tools gradually between October 2024 and March 2025. And the big one — that Siri upgrade — has been delayed.NAD didn't love the fine print, either. The group contended that Apple's footnotes and small-print disclosures weren't clear or close enough to the main claims to set the record straight.While the features are now live, NAD's message was clear: Don't say something's "available now" unless it really is.The review also took a look at Apple's promises around next-gen Siri upgrades, including smarter on-screen awareness, personal context understanding, and cross-app actions, all of which were also listed under that same "Available Now" header.Apple told NAD those Siri features were delayed and updated its promotional materials to reflect the change. It pulled the "More Personal Siri" video, so NAD didn't review the specific claims in that clip. The BBB is an independent, nonprofit organization; participation in its NAD is voluntary."While we disagree with the NAD's findings related to features that are available to users now, we appreciate the opportunity to work with them and will follow their recommendations," Apple said in a statement to the organization. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.Bottom line: Apple's getting a gentle nudge to be more careful with how it markets cutting-edge features that aren't quite ready for prime time. It's a reminder that in the race to wow consumers, the underlying technology must live up to the hype. Recommended video

Melania Trump is three months into her second tenure as first lady.She returned to the White House in January, striking a markedly different tone with her attire than when President Donald Trump first took office in 2017.Since becoming first lady, Melania Trump's style has often been a source of attention, as some of her outfits have been controversial.Take a look at some of the best and worst looks she's worn while Donald Trump has been in office. Melania Trump paid homage to Jackie Kennedy when she debuted as first lady. Donald and Melania Trump on Inauguration Day 2017. Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images Ralph Lauren Collection designed the knee-length, powder-blue dress Melania wore to Trump's inauguration in 2017, as well as the coordinating shrug and gloves she wore with the look.She accessorized the outfit with pearl earrings and blue, pointed-toe heels.The full ensemble evoked Jackie Kennedy's style. From the bright color to the nod to one of America's most iconic first ladies, Melania's look was the perfect choice for her husband's first inauguration. Her custom gown for the 2017 inaugural balls featured standout three-dimensional detailing. Donald and Melania Trump at a 2017 inaugural ball. Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images Hervé Pierre custom-designed Melania's off-the-shoulder dress for the inaugural ball.The cream dress had an A-line silhouette, a thigh-high slit on one side, and three-dimensional fabric that curved across the bodice. A thin red belt cinched at the waist for a pop of color.The dress felt high-fashion, connecting the first lady to her past as a model as she stepped into a new role. Melania's outfit for a visit to Texas in August 2017 got attention online. Donald and Melania Trump in Texas in August 2017. JIM WATSON / AFP / Getty Images In August 2017, the Trumps visited Corpus Christi, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey to assess recovery efforts.The pair wore casual attire, with Melania arriving in a white button-down, black jeans, and sneakers. She also added a black baseball hat to her look that said "FLOTUS," first lady of the United States, on the front.Melania's outfit quickly became a source of social-media chatter, with some saying her hat called attention to her in the wake of the natural disaster while others praised her casual outfit. Her suit for a Canadian state visit in October 2017 was more fitting for the occasion. Donald and Melania Trump with Justin and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau in October 2017. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images When greeting Justin and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau at the White House in October 2017, Melania wore a gray pinstripe suit instead of a dress.The suit featured high-waisted pants, and she paired it with a white button-down and an untied black tie. The outfit was unexpected for a first lady, offering a fun style moment. The president and first lady had a rare matching moment in April 2018, wearing coordinating striped looks. Donald and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April 2018. Mandel NGAN / AFP / Getty Images In April 2018, the Trumps hosted Japan's prime minister at the time, Shinzo Abe, and his wife, Akie Abe, at Mar-a-Lago, during which the first lady wore an off-the-shoulder dress from Carolina Herrera.The dress was covered in black and white stripes, with thicker black stripes on the bodice and the pattern reversed on the midi-length skirt.She added white heels to her look, and Trump wore a navy and white striped tie that matched his wife's look. The coordinating outfits were an atypical but welcome choice for the couple. The same month, Melania stunned in a black minidress and coordinating coat. Donald and Melania Trump, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife at the White House in April 2018. Al Drago/Getty Images Melania greeted President Macron of France and his wife Brigitte in a black minidress and black pumps at the White House.The standout feature of her outfit was a Givenchy tuxedo cape, which added a flair of personality to the otherwise simple look. The semi-sheer dress she wore to a state dinner for the Macrons during the same trip was a little too busy. Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2018. Alex Edelman-Pool/Getty Images The first lady changed into a silver Chanel dress for the dinner.Most of the form-fitting dress was covered in textured fabric, while the top of the bodice and bottom of the skirt were made of a sheer, black fabric adorned with silver embellishments.The fabrics didn't blend well, making the dress look too busy. It would have been a better look without the sheer fabric. In June 2018, Melania received backlash for wearing a jacket that said, "I really don't care, do u?" Melania Trump in June 2018. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images In June 2018, Melania visited an immigration facility in McAllen, Texas, where children were living, wearing a green Zara jacket that said "I really don't care, do u?" on the back.Critics said the jacket was insensitive to wear for the visit, critiquing both the first lady and the president for the fashion faux pas.Melania's former aide, Stephanie Grisham, wrote in her book "I'll Take Your Questions Now" that the president yelled at Melania for wearing the jacket, though Trump and the first lady both said she wore it to send a message to the left-wing media. A different bow would have improved her dress for an Independence Day celebration in July 2018. Melania and Donald Trump in July 2018. Alex Edelman/Getty Images Melania wore a floor-length wrap dress from Ralph Lauren to celebrate Independence Day 2018.The blue-and-white gingham dress was fun and festive for the holiday, but the oversize red belt tied at her waist overwhelmed the look.If the first lady had swapped the bow for a thinner belt, her dress would have been more effective. Melania's suit for a trip to Egypt in October 2018 also raised some eyebrows. Melania Trump in October 2018. Tarek Wajeh/picture alliance via Getty Images Melania posed for photos in front of pyramids in Egypt wearing cream trousers, a white blouse, a black tie, and a sand-colored Ralph Lauren blazer. A white-and-black boater hat completed the look.The outfit may have been innocuously stylish in a different venue, but some social-media users thought the outfit looked similar to one worn by "Raiders of the Lost Ark" villain René Belloq during his visit to the pyramids in the film.It wasn't the first time Melania faced criticism for one of her outfits on her visit to Africa. During her tour of the pyramids and the Great Sphinx, Melania told reporters, "I wish people would focus on what I do, not what I wear," following backlash for wearing a white pith helmet."You know what? We just completed an amazing trip," she added. "We went to Ghana, we went to Malawi, we went to Kenya, here we are in Egypt. I want to talk about my trip, not what I wear." Brown pants weren't a great choice for Melania's evening arrival at the White House in December 2018. Donald and Melania Trump in December 2018. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images Donald and Melania Trump arrived at the White House on the evening of December 27, holding hands as they walked across the lawn.While the president was in a suit, Melania wore a green jacket, light-brown pants, and matching shoes.The pants might have been a better choice for a daytime look, as it was difficult for some to tell if the first lady was even wearing bottoms at first glance in the dark. The addition of sunglasses to her nighttime look was also an odd choice.Melania's outfit would have worked better during the day or with different pants. In April 2019, Melania rocked a stylish polka-dot dress. Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2019. Xinhua/Ting Shen/Getty Images In April 2019, the first lady was photographed at the White House in a black-and-white polka-dot dress designed by Alessandra Rich.The high-neck dress cinched at the waist with a black belt, coordinating with the dots on the dress, and hit her mid-calf.Melania wore a cream coat over her shoulders and her signature sunglasses, adding glamour to the feminine look. Gloves brought an elegant touch to her look for a June 2019 state dinner in the UK. Melania Trump and then-Prince Charles in June 2019. VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images During a visit to the UK, Melania attended a state dinner with the royal family in a Dior gown.A layer of semi-sheer fabric covered the gown's scooped neckline, forming points on the top of the bodice before transitioning into white fabric. The dress hugged her figure before flaring slightly at her waist.Melania wore white, elbow-length gloves with the dress. The look was fitting for dining with royalty. She appeared to take a page out of Kate Middleton's fashion book when she and the president hosted the royals for dinner during the same trip. Donald and Melania Trump in June 2019. CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Ahead of a dinner at Winfield House, where the American ambassador to the UK lives, Melania was photographed in a red Givenchy gown.Melania's floor-length dress was sleeveless and featured a built-in cape, a silhouette Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, often favors. Melania's yellow and pink outfit in December 2019 was almost too colorful. Donald and Melania Trump in December 2019. Victoria Jones/Getty Images During another visit to the UK in December 2019, Melania stepped out in a high-neck, cape coat from Valentino. The coat was mustard yellow, and Melania paired it with a pink dress and coordinating pumps.The jacket was a big statement in and of itself, so the look would have been more effective if the first lady had worn a more neutral color with it than bright pink. Melania's black-and-white look for the Daytona 500 in February 2020 was stylish. Donald and Melania Trump at the Daytona 500 in February 2020. Chris Graythen/Getty Images Melania's black Dior sundress was fairly simple. The midi-length dress featured a V-neckline and a white, dotted pattern.The white lace belt from Alaïa and white Christian Louboutin pumps she wore with the dress made the look cohesive, and she also added sunglasses to the outfit.The look balanced Melania's personal style and traditional first lady attire. A pink dress Melania wore during the virtual Republican National Convention in August 2020 would have been better without the bow detailing. Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images Melania appeared alongside Trump in a hot-pink midi-dress from Jason Wu at the 2020 RNC.The dress featured a boat neckline and a flared skirt, and two black bows sat on the waistline, which appeared to be cinched with elastic. Melania wore black pumps with the dress.The bows on the dress could have been chic, but they looked a bit crumpled throughout the night, particularly because they sat atop the ruched waistline and contrasted so heavily with the pink fabric. The dress would have been a better fit if there had been just one or no bows on the waistline. She wore a pleated dress at the 2020 RNC, but the green color felt out of place. Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020. Alex Wong/Getty Images Melania wore a cape dress to close out the RNC, choosing a neon-green piece from Valentino.The ankle-length, high-neck dress was covered in vertical pleats and featured two swaths of fabric flowing out from her shoulders like a cape. She added a thin pink belt and pink pumps to the outfit.The silhouette was beautiful, but the green color was an odd choice for the RNC. Vanity Fair reported that it allowed social-media users to easily make memes out of the outfit using green screen technology.If she had worn the dress in a different color, Melania's look would have been a slam dunk. In November 2020, Melania wore a gingham coat that featured a stylish, built-in scarf. Melania Trump in November 2020. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images Melania oversaw the delivery of the 2020 White House Christmas tree in a gingham coat from Balenciaga.The loose-fitting coat featured an off-center line of buttons, and the collar formed a scarf that wrapped around one of Melania's shoulders. Quarter-length sleeves showed off the first lady's black gloves, just as the knee-length hem spotlighted her black boots from Alaïa.The look was effortlessly chic. Melania's final outfit as first lady in January 2021 offered a full-circle moment. Donald and Melania Trump in January 2021. ALEX EDELMAN / AFP / Getty Images When Trump left office in January 2021, Melania chose to wear an all-black outfit.She paired a form-fitting Dolce & Gabbana dress with a cropped Chanel coat, gloves, Christian Louboutin pumps, and dark sunglasses.The look seemed to nod to Jackie Kennedy, just as her first outfit as first lady did. However, the darker hues spoke to the more somber tone of the day for the Trumps.Melania also made headlines for changing into a beachy dress before arriving at Mar-a-Lago later in the day. When she returned to the White House on January 20, Melania set a new tone as first lady. Melania Trump and Donald Trump on Inauguration Day 2025. Scott Olson/Getty Images Rather than wearing another pastel look to mark the beginning of her husband's second term as president, Melania donned navy and white for the 2025 inauguration.Adam Lippes designed her coat, which she paired with a white scarf, navy pumps, and a custom boater-style hat from Eric Javits. Boater hats are typically worn in summer, but the wool piece Melania wore offered a winter version.Although the hat got some negative attention online as people compared it to the one the Hamburglar or V in "V For Vendetta" wore, Melania's inaugural outfit was a savvy choice. The look set a serious tone, blending professional style with Melania's personal taste.Melania also managed to pull attention from Trump with the look, which was a feat considering how many eyes he had on him throughout the day. And her custom dress for the 2025 inaugural balls had a modern edge.

After more leaks than a colander, the Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remaster has finally been revealed — and better yet, you can play it right now at no extra cost if you're a Game Pass subscriberTech16:24, 22 Apr 2025The Oblivion Remaster has finally been revealed(Image: Bethesda Softworks)After leaks upon leaks, Microsoft and Bethesda finally revealed the long-awaited (and poorly kept secret) of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion — and it looks better than we'd imagined.The massive RPG, which originally launched in 2006, was one of Bethesda's most ambitious in its history, setting the tone for RPGs like Fallout 3 and 4, and the incredible Skyrim back in 2011.‌After insiders suggested an April launch window, then slated it for this week, developer Virtuous accidentally leaked a whole host of screenshots last week — but even they don't feel like they do it justice.While fans can still enjoy the ever-expanding Elder Scrolls Online, here's all you need to know about Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.Content cannot be displayed without consentArticle continues belowAs you can see from the trailer above, the remaster looks more akin to a remake in many respects, such is the sizeable overhaul on the original game's visuals.Audio-wise, key voice actors return, too — including the iconic Patrick Stewart, and he looks much more lifelike in this incarnation.The Oblivion Remaster is out now(Image: Bethesda Softworks)‌The game offers a 1:1 recreation of Cyrodil, but packs in much more detail, including some incredible lighting. The classic RPG has been rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, but it's not entirely the same as you remember it.All the DLC is included, too, which makes a massive video game even larger.As rumours had previously suggested, Oblivion Remastered will feature some changes to systems like combat and stealth, with better animations when you get in a scrap.‌Your character can now sprint, with character locomotion "rebuilt from scratch".UI and UX have been cleaned up, while even levelling has been adjusted. It leans more on Skyrim's levelling system, too.Players will now hear new dialogue lines with more unique voices, while there are more sound effects for combat, too. And yes, the Adoring Fan is back...‌Cyrodil has never looked better(Image: Bethesda Softworks)The game is out now on PC, Xbox, and PS5, but it's also available on Xbox Game Pass as Microsoft finally seems to be hitting its stride with releases.‌The tail-end of 2024 saw Indiana Jones debut on the service, while 2025 has already seen Avowed and South of Midnight launch on the service.Another major launch, DOOM The Dark Ages, will debut next month on the service, while big third-party titles like Citizen Sleeper 2, Atomfall, and Sniper Elite Resistance have already arrived on their respective launch days.For more on games in the Microsoft family, be sure to check out our interview with Aaron Keller, Game Director of Overwatch 2, who told us why the game's new Stadium mode is the best time to jump in.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.‌‌‌

Who here will be experiencing Forza Horizon 5 for the first time with the PlayStation 5 port? (Microsoft) Any PlayStation 5 owners eager to play Forza Horizon 5 as soon as possible can do so four days before its official release. While Microsoft has embraced launching new Xbox games on PlayStation 5, and potentially Switch 2, it’s also made it clear that many of its older titles will also be going multiformat. The likes of Hi-Fi Rush and Sea Of Thieves saw PlayStation 5 ports last year and they’ll soon be joined by the most recent entry in Microsoft’s Forza racing series, Forza Horizon 5. Technically, Forza Horizon 5’s PlayStation 5 port isn’t out until next week. But, if you can’t bear to wait that long, there is a way to start playing as early as this weekend. What is the release date for Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5? The official release date for the PlayStation 5 version of Forza Horizon 5 is Tuesday, April 29. However, Microsoft is running an early access period that begins at 12.01am BST on Friday, April 25, allowing you to enjoy the game throughout the weekend. How to play Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 early If you want to take part in the early access period, you’ll need to pre-order Forza Horizon 5’s Premium Edition. For context, there are three versions of the game available, and the Premium Edition is the only that offers early access. It’s also the most expensive at £84.99, although it does include the following: Both the Rally Adventure and Hot Wheels expansion packs The Car Pass, which includes 42 extra cars VIP membership, which includes more cars, cosmetics, and other in-game rewards The Welcome Pack, which includes another five cars, a Player House property, a one-time grant to own any car from the game’s Autoshow, and three one-time grants for any Common or Rare clothing item By comparison, the game on its own costs £54.99,while the Deluxe Edition, which includes the game and Car Pass, is £69.99. Pre-ordering any version of Forza Horizon 5 will net you: The 2021 Mercedes-AMG Mercedes-AMG ONE (the car seen on the cover art) 5,000 Forzathon Points for buying cars and cosmetics Five Backstage Passes for unlocking cars in the Backstage Shop If you have already pre-ordered the standard or Deluxe Edition, you can pay an upgrade fee to access the Premium Edition. This will only be available until the early access period ends on April 28. More Trending Microsoft has advised that anyone who upgrades this way may need to restore their game licence in order to take part in the early access period, which can be done by following the instructions on Sony’s website. There will be a Premium Add-Ons bundle available after launch, that includes all the other extra content and all of it will be available as separate purchases as well. You can pre-order Forza Horizon 5 via the PlayStation Store. In fact, that’s the only way to pre-order it since it’s a digital-only release, with no plans for a physical version. Think we’ll see past Forza games jump to PlayStation as well? (Microsoft) Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy