Lara Crofts legendary adventures continue on February 14 with the release of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered! As we patiently await her return, wed love to take a moment to explore some enhanced features created specifically for this remaster.This latest collection not only revitalizes Laras adventures but also brings back a fan-favorite feature Photo Mode to capture all the thrilling moments you encounter.Explore and capture iconic momentsAs you swan-dive back into Lara Crofts darkest adventures, youll have the ability to capture and share in the beauty and excitement of your adventures with your friends.Whether youre scaling the Great Pyramid of Giza in The Last Revelation, sneaking through a high-security complex in Chronicles, or uncovering dark secrets in the shadowy streets of Paris in The Angel of Darkness, Photo Mode lets you freeze, frame, and capture your most memorable moments.Photo Mode featuresNew Poses and Outfits: In addition to including all of the poses and outfits from Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, this new collection will include even more as an added bonus. Tailor each shot to reflect her adventurous spirit and style.Customizable Shots: Set up your scenes with ease using adjustable camera angles, depth of field, and zoom effects. Create the perfect composition to showcase the remastered environments.Dynamic Expressions: Choose from a range of expressions to bring Laras character to life in your photos. Highlight her bravery, determination, or curiosity with ease.Seamless Integration: Use Photo Mode anytime during gameplay to capture those spontaneous, unforgettable moments. Whether its a breathtaking view or a dramatic encounter, your perfect shot is always just a menu away.Step-by-Step GuideActivate Photo Mode: Photo Mode activates by holding down both of your sticks on the DualSense controller.Frame Your Shot: Adjust the camera angle, zoom, and depth of field, using the on-screen controls and find your desired composition.Hit the Dressing Room: Pick from various outfits from across the Tomb Raider I-VI Remastered collection. Equip her with different weapons for an added touch of sass.Express Yourself: Select Laras expression to convey the right mood for your shot. What are we feeling today: a victorious and joyful smile, or a bombastic side-eye?Strike a Pose: Pick your favorite pose from across our Tomb Raider I-VI Remastered collection! Whether its a fierce battle stance or a triumphant pose, have fun customizing it to your liking.Capture and Share: Once youre satisfied with your shot, use the Create button on your controller. Share your best shots with the community and join fellow fans in celebrating Lara Crofts legacy.How about a First Look?As you swan dive into even more details around Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, the Photo Mode feature isnt the only exciting addition! Alongside capturing epic moments, fans can look forward to new collectible achievements and unique art badges, each one a striking tribute to Laras legacy.And for those who remember the heart-pounding encounters with the nearly indestructible mini-bosses, were thrilled to showcase a new look at two of Lara Crofts most formidable foes: the relentless Bronze Bull and the fearsome Minotaur from The Last Revelation.Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered launches on PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5 on February 14, 2025. Head over to PlayStation Store to pre-order if you havent already.

Each week on Polygon, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.This week, Deadpool & Wolverine, the 34th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, arrives on Disney Plus following its VOD premiere early in October. Theres plenty of other new releases to enjoy this week, like Twisters on Peacock, Transformers One on Paramount Plus, the geri-action revenge comedy Thelma on Hulu, and the scintillating crime-drama musical Emilia Prez starring Zoe Saldaa (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) on Netflix. Not to mention a bunch of new movies arrive on VOD, like Francis Ford Coppolas Megalopolis starring Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) and Magpie starring Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Last Jedi).Heres everything new thats available to watch this weekend!New on NetflixEmilia PrezWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: Crime musicalRun time: 2h 12mDirector: Jacques AudiardCast: Zoe Saldaa, Karla Sofa Gascn, Selena GomezCannes Jury Prize winnerEmilia Prezis a crime film, a comedy,anda musical. Based on an opera libretto of the same name,Emilia Prezfollows a cartel leader who wants to complete her gender transition. She hires a lawyer to help her find a surgeon, fake her own death, and hide her family away for their safety. But Emilia cant quite run from her life of crime, and when she tries to reunite with her family, that shady past comes back to haunt her.Close to YouWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: DramaRun time: 1h 40mDirector: Dominic SavageCast: Elliot Page, Hillary Baack, Peter OuterbridgeElliot Page stars as a man named Sam who travels to his hometown for the first time in four years to celebrate his fathers birthday. In the face of familial tension, a lot involving his family struggling to accept his gender transition, Sam reconnects with an old flame.Close to Youpremiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, with critics praising Pages naturalistic performance.Widow ClicquotWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: DramaRun time: 1h 30mDirector: Thomas NapperCast: Haley Bennett, Tom Sturridge, Natasha OKeeffeThis period drama stars Haley Bennett (Swallow) as Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, the widow of an 18th-century vigneron who becomes the head of their fledgling vineyard after his untimely passing. Weathering financial difficulty and political turmoil, Barbe-Nicole must struggle to make a name for herself and nurture the company to fruition.Hot FrostyWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: Fantasy rom-comRun time: 1h 30mDirector: Jerry CiccorittiCast: Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Katy MixonThis questionably titled romantic comedy follows Kathy (Lacey Chabert), a recently widowed woman who finds herself alone for the holidays. After accidentally bringing a handsome snowman named Jack (Dustin Milligan) to life, Kathy quickly finds herself head over heels for our sexy new beau. As their relationship heats up, can both of them keep their cool?New on HuluThelmaWhere to watch: Available to stream on HuluGenre:Action comedyRun time:1h 38mDirector:Josh MargolinCast:June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard RoundtreeThelma is a revenge flick about one woman journeying across Los Angeles to reclaim whats been taken from her and also she happens to be 93 years old, so a lot of that trekking is done on a senior mobility scooter.From ourreview:Thelma watches a Mission: Impossible film during the movie, and her Tom Cruise inspiration is not just there in spirit, but in the text itself. After she gets scammed, its seeing Cruises face on a magazine that inspires Thelma to take justice into her own hands. But that kind of sincerity wouldnt work withoutThelmas terrific and committed performances, particularly from Squibb and Roundtree. Both actors are terrifically funny, and Roundtrees charm gives the movie a tremendous amount of heart. For her part, Margolin says Squibb was adamant about owning the Tom Cruise mantle and doing as many stunts as she could herself.Its rare that a summer action movie also happens to be one of the funniest and sweetest movies of the year, butThelmamanages to pull it off. So if youre feeling the lack of Tom Cruise at movie theaters this year, just remember thatThelmaand June Squibb are there, carrying the torch in his honor.New on Disney PlusDeadpool & WolverineWhere to watch: Available to stream on MaxGenre:Superhero actionRun time:2h 8mDirector:Shawn LevyCast:Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma CorrinRyan Reynolds reprises his role as Deadpool, the so-called Merc with a Mouth, in his first-ever appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After being abducted by the Time Variance Authority, Deadpool embarks on a quest to recruit an alternate universe version of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) to help prevent his own universe from being destroyed. Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) plays Mr. Paradox, a rogue member of the TVA, and Emma Corrin (A Murder at the End of the World) portraysCassandra Nova, Professor Xs evil twin sister from an alternate universe.From ourreview:Deadpool & Wolverinehas made its hero the worst kind of comic book character: one who doesnt stand for anything. Its a terrible irony. Fans worried that Disneys corporate control and the MCUs rigid narrative oversight would leech away Deadpools edge: the swearing and the jocular violence. Turns out, that part was fine. Instead, the MCU just took his fuckin heart.New on Paramount PlusTransformers OneWhere to watch: Streaming on Paramount PlusGenre: Sci-fi adventureRun time: 1h 17mDirector: Josh CooleyCast: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett JohanssonThis animated prequel to the Transformers franchise chronicles the origins of Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) years before they would later become known as Optimus Prime and Megatron. Set on the planet of Cybertron, Transformers One centers on Orion and D-16s friendship before a quirk of fate set them on the path to becoming bitter enemies.From our review:Director Josh Cooleys semi-reboot of the Transformers cinematic universe whether it has any association with the Transformers Bay-verse is somehow unclear is better than its prequel premise (andtrailers) suggests.Transformers Oneis funny, sometimes sweet, occasionally heartbreaking, and utterly convincing in telling an origin story for friends turned foes Optimus Prime and Megatron. Thanks to its strong cast and a solid story buttressed by a classic heros journey,Transformers Onehas a spark that weve rarely seen in a Transformers flick outside of 2018sBumblebee.New on PeacockTwistersWhere to watch: Available to stream on PeacockGenre:Disaster thrillerRun time:2h 2mDirector:Lee Isaac ChungCast:Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony RamosDirector Lee Isaac Chung follows up his 2020 breakthroughMinariwith a stand-alone sequel to the 1996 filmTwister. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell,Twistersfollows a dueling group of storm chasers as they attempt to navigate and survive a outbreak of tornadoes wreaking havoc through Oklahoma.New to rentMegalopolisWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Sci-fi dramaRun time: 2h 18mDirector: Francis Ford CoppolaCast: Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie EmmanuelFrancis Ford Coppola has returned with his first film in over a decade! Loosely inspired by the Catilinarian conspiracy of 63 B.C., Megalopolis stars Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina, a visionary architect and the scion of one of the ruling families of the city of New Rome. Cesar clashes with Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), the mayor of New Rome, over their respective visions for the future. The feud only intensifies after Ciceros daughter Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel) meets and subsequently falls in love with Cesar.Saturday NightWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Biographical comedyRun time: 1h 49mDirector: Jason ReitmanCast: Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael SmithThis biographical comedy follows the 90 minutes leading up to the premiere of Saturday Night Live, with an ensemble cast playing some of the iconic comedians in the inaugural SNL lineup. Weve got Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, Dylan OBrien as Dan Aykroyd, and more. The movie comes fromGhostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empireduo Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan, but critic reviews indicate its much better than those two.GoodrichWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: ComedyRun time: 1h 50mDirector: Hallie Meyers-ShyerCast: Michael Keaton, Mila Kunis, Laura BenantiMichael Keaton stars in this family comedy as Andy, an art gallery owner whose wife leaves him and checks into a 90-day rehab program. With no one else to lean on, Andy resorts to asking Grace (Mila Kunis), his daughter from his previous marriage, to help him as he looks after her 9-year-old twin half-siblings.MagpieWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: ThrillerRun time: 1h 30mDirector: Sam YatesCast: Shazad Latif, Daisy Ridley, Matilda LutzDaisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) and Shazad Latif (The Commuter) star in this new neo-noir thriller as Annette and Ben, a married couple whose daughter is cast in a new film. When Annette grows to suspect that Ben is having an affair with Alicia (Matilda Lutz), a famous actor who is their daughters castmate, their marriage begins to fracture prompting Annette to contemplate the unthinkable.Your MonsterWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Rom-com horrorRun time: 1h 43mDirector: Caroline LindyCast: Tommy Dewey, Melissa Barrera, Edmund DonovanMonster lovers out there this ones for you. A soft-spoken young actress going through a rough time in her life ends up falling for the literal monster in her closet. Well, at first, hes a bit of a prickly asshole la Beast fromBeauty and the Beast, but the two eventually become confidants before a romance sparks between them. Its based on director Caroline Lindys short film of the same name.

Fans of Critical Roles second campaign are in for a spicy treat. Penguin Random House announced it will publish the tabletop media empires newest novel, Tusk Love. The fictional smutty romance that started off as an inside joke on the popular actual play has taken on a new, very real, life thanks to their partnership with the traditional publishing house.Written by New York Times bestselling author Thea Guazon, Tusk Love builds on the recent resurgence of the Romantasy genre, alongside A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing. While not set in the world of Exandria, Tusk Love has held a special place in the heart of many Critical Role fans, popping up throughout the adventures of the Mighty Nein and making a special appearance in the Legends of Vox Machina animated series. Romantic fans of the actual play pined as Laura Baileys tiefling character Jester Lavorre made allusions to the book while she pursued her romantic interest Fjord (played by Baileys real world husband Travis Willingham).According to the description on the Critical Role books page, the plot of the novel follows the beats one would expect from Jesters favorite romance. Jesters self-insert Guinevere is the daughter of an ambitious merchant (much like the character herself), determined by birth to marry into a noble house and live quietly as a lordlings obedient life. But she wants more. When her caravan is attacked by bandits, Guinevere is saved by the stoic Oskar (Jesters head canon Fjord fantasy), who thinks shes little more than a spoiled waif. The two must put aside their differences to survive the dangerous Amber Road, doing everything in their power to ignore their growing passion as they must choose between the lives that have been chosen for them, or the one they make for themselves.Tusk Love will be Critical Roles seventh book published in partnership with big-five publisher Penguin Random House. Their previous publications include prequel novels such as Kith and Kin by Marieke Nijkamp, The Nine Eyes of Lucien by Madelein Roux, and What Doesnt Break by Cassandra Khaw; along side the official Exquisite Exandria Cook Book, The World of Critical Role production guide, and Critical Role Mad Libs. Tusk Love is set to debut in July 2025, available for $30 wherever books are sold.

I like to think everyday moments can be transformed by the right objects a little beauty here, a bit of comfort there. This guide brings together pieces that make routine things feel a little more intentional, each one thoughtfully chosen from my personal wish list to yours! Here are 10 things Id love to gift (or keep for myself!) because they dont just fill a space; they elevate it.Dusen Dusen Slippers \\\ $48Imagine stepping into these slippers every morning youd never have a bad start to your day again! Made in Portugal and Oeko-Tex certified, theyre the ultimate modern-meets-fun gift for anyone who loves a little personality even if its just for lounging around the house. Perfect for those lazy Sundays or adding a bit of cheer, these vibrant stripes bring a bit of oomph to any downtime look.Instax Mini LiPlay \\\ $160I know I have an ancient Instax tucked in a drawer somewhere, but its for a good reason! Those older models were big, bulky, and somehow never captured exactly what I was aiming for. Not anymore! The new Instax Mini LiPlay is perfectly pocket-sized so you can take it anywhere and everywhere. It even doubles as a smartphone printer, so those spontaneous snapshots dont just stay digital! Additionally with its remote shooting feature, getting everyone in the frame has never been easier. Its everything you loved about the classic Instax, now reimagined for todays on-the-go moments.OWIU Goods Candle \\\ $98Ive always adored OWIU Goods handcrafted pieces, and they recently expanded their MATTER line to include candles! Each one takes you on a unique scent journey, like taking a stroll through lush forests or basking in the warmth of island vibes, offering over 40 hours of blissful ambiance. The best part? Once the wax melts away, the stunning vessels can be repurposed as cups or bud vases, keeping the good vibes flowing long after the flame goes out!Open Spaces Pour Over Carafe and Double Wall Glasses \\\ $112After realizing my glass collection was basically a mix of brewery freebies and Marshalls finds, Ive been on the hunt for an upgrade. This bundle brings the sophistication and minimalist charm Ive been looking for! Whether youre pouring coffee, tea, or even a sneaky sangria (my favorite), this duo has you covered with style and durability to match. Cheers to sipping in style!Hommey Robe \\\ $129Theres just something about slipping into a robe that brings an instant upgrade to my daily routine like Im stepping into a fancy hotel, except its right here at home. Hommeys 100% cotton robes are all about comfort without compromise, designed for anything from slow winter mornings to breezy poolside evenings. I love the soft, subtle contrasting colors of this one; an elevated take on the classic pinstripe, its stylish without trying too hard!Daily Rituals Shower Steamers \\\ $24.75Shower steamers are the little pick-me-up I never knew I needed! Perfect for those who want to add a touch of luxury to their routine, they make the whole experience feel less like a chore and more like a daily indulgence. Just pop one on the shower floor, and let the steam do the rest suddenly, youre not just showering; youre unwinding. Whether its for yourself or someone in need of a little pampering, this gift set comes with four delightful scents and a stylish bamboo plate, making it easy to discover your favorite aroma.Kindred Spirits by Stephanie Wahler \\\ $19.95I love a fun date night, and this playful cocktail book brings couples closer together, one sip at a time! Packed with 40 delightful recipes organized by type of date, it serves up everything from espresso martinis to refreshing spritzes while inspiring creative activities. From enjoying cozy movie nights with Hottie Toddies to planning romantic picnics in the park, Kindred Spirits makes it easy to shake things up and keep the romance alive.Lo & Sons Weekender \\\ $150.50Ive become a bit of a homebody lately, but Im hoping to change things up with some local getaways next year, and this stylish weekender bag might be all the push I need! Thoughtfully designed with a separate shoe compartment, cushioned strap, and eco-friendly canvas, its ready for everything from gym runs to mini-escapes. Its travel-savvy, durable, and the perfect companion for a spontaneous weekend away.Tekla Bath Towel \\\ $90Bath towels might seem like a boring gift; however, Id argue theyre anything but especially if its from Tekla! Crafted from 100% organic cotton with a lush, mid-weight terry weave, these towels are incredibly soft while being super absorbent. Also, those dark green stripes on bright white? *immediately add to cart*Guten Co. Home Concentric Coasters \\\ $48I was hunting for coasters that could pull double duty on my bedside table something functional and decorative and found these beauties! Handcrafted from speckled stoneware with a dreamy spiral design, theyre perfect for catching those rogue water drops while adding an earthy, artistic touch to my space. They come in Forest, Cobalt, and Natural Speckle; Forest was my top pick (which is sadly sold out), but Cobalts a close second!Follow along so you dont miss any of our2024 Gift Guidesthis year!This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

Scrolls are usually a delicate papyrus or pressed fiber pulp, surviving (or not) over centuries with essential information about our histories. They contain stories, personal accounts, journals, all filled with our ancestors thoughts and musings. With the Alu collection by Archive for Space, these notions are upended and upheld simultaneously. Presented by Bton Brut, these meticulously hand wrought aluminum sheets transform humble stock product into fanciful seating. The Alu collection includes the Stool 001, Seat 001, and Bench 001.The aluminum is finished uniquely, minimally changed after production to eventually patina over time. All unfinished metals, and even finished ones, will develop a natural oxidation layer over time, infusing the surface with depth and ranges of color. This will be especially interesting to see how this forms on a chair or stool of this nature, natural oils from hands working passively to produce a unique texture based on use patterns. Similar to the allure of raw denim, the customization and craft is in the actual use of the product, allowing the finish to speak for itself.For now, the Alu collection sits in its original light, brushed aluminum finish. The arc of the seat is expressive, wide and inviting. One would almost imagine the smallest amount of give, highlighting its primary function. The interplay of light between the rounded forms changes by the hour, inviting interest at any time of day.Incredibly light but strong, aluminum is an apt material for paper-like seating. The thickness of the metal couldnt be more than a couple millimeters, adding to the grace and elegance of the form. Similar to an old-world ribbon on a statue, flowing in time yet set it stone, the Alu collection gives life to aluminum, allowing it to shine as a material.Archive for Space founders Arabella Maza and Stephen MaginnArchive for Space is a multidisciplinary design studio based in London and Mallorca, ranging from interiors and architecture to generative art and set design. This is deeply informed by historical and cultural context, neatly categorized in the Archive, a database of inspiration from stories less told. Expanding on their ethos, they explain, We are ardent advocates of knowledge dissemination, for we believe that design flourishes when it thrives upon collective brilliance. The Archive hopefully unfurls a deeper understanding of design through our practices distinctive lens.Founded in 2013 by Sophie Pearce, Bton Brut has quickly become a magnet for the best design from Europe and Japan. Working with both private and trade clients, their capabilities in luxury furnishing and staging are unmatched. Named after the brutalist concrete finish found in modern architecture, Bton Brut stays true original, uncompromising, and honest mirroring self with reflection.For more on Archive for Space, click here,and for more on Bton Brut, click here.Photography by Thea Lvstad.

Manage UX backlogs the Agile wayContinue reading on UX Collective

The Great Twitter Exodus of 2022 is still happening. It's just a little...fractured. A lot of X power users migrated to Bluesky early on, which paved the way for a flood of folks to join that service in 2024. Meanwhile, a lot of technically inclined individuals are still hanging out on Mastodon (at least, that's where I hang out).Bluesky and Mastodon are both decentralized services, in theory, but users of one service can't really talk to users on the otheror it wasn't possible before Bridgy Fed, anyway. It's a beta service that makes it possible for Bluesky and Fediverse-compatible applications, such as Mastodon, to interact.What is the Fediverse?Let's back up a little. Mastodon is part of the Fediverse, a collection of services that connect to the same protocol. Threads, another place where a lot of X users ended up, is starting to connect to the Fediverse; WordPress blogs can also connect. This all points to a future where people can use whatever social network they like and follow people who prefer to use a different one, with one problem: Bluesky, despite being decentralized, isn't part of this network.This is where Bridgy Fed comes in. With this service, individual users of either service can opt in to "bridging" their accounts. I tested this out with my friend and Lifehacker alumni Eric Ravenscraft, who hangs out on Bluesky more than me. It worked wellwe can now see each other's posts, like each other's posts, and even talk to each other, cross-network.Create your bridged accountSetting up the bridge couldn't be easier: You just need to follow a particular account.Mastodon and other Fediverse users need to search for and follow the account @bsky.brid.gy (it's easiest to just search for thisnote that some Mastodon instances may be blocking the bridge).Bluesky users need to follow the account @ap.brid.gy.That's it! Bridgy Fed will now create an account for you that users of the other service can follow. You'll also be able to find your account on the other service so you can share it with friends.If you're a Fediverse user, your new Bluesky account will be @[user].[instance].ap.brid.gy. For example, my Mastodon account @jhpot@mastodon.social becomes @jhpot.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy on Bluesky.If you're a Bluesky user, your new Fediverse account will be @[handle]@bsky.brid.gy. For example, Eric's Bluesky account @lordravenscraft.bsky.social can be found at @lordravenscraft.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gy.That's a little more complicated than I'd likeit would be great if the service sent a DM letting you know where you new "bridged" profile is, for example. Still, I was able to find my own newly created Bluesky profile pretty quickly, and I was also able to interact with Eric with ease. Here's how the interaction looks from Mastodon, for me: Credit: Justin Pot And here's how it looks from Bluesky, for Eric: Credit: Justin Pot Replies show up in mentions, the way they normally would, as do likes. If all you want is to be able to organically interact with someone who is using the other network, this works well.An imperfect solutionWhile this solution works well, there are a few hangups. Chiefly, it only functions if both people bridge their accounts. This means I can't see any comments from Bluesky users unless they also are bridged, and vice versa: During our little test, a few other Mastodon users responded to my conversation with Eric, but Eric could not see those replies. This make sense if you know how the system worksonly comments from bridged users are bridgedbut it's hardly ideal, and can lead to asymmetrical conversations. Unfortunately, the opt-in nature of the bridging service makes this inevitable.And there are other issues too: Bluesky has a 300-character limit for posts, for one thing, while the Fediverse doesn't have a hard cap. As a result, some posts are cut short along the way. I could pick at more threads (as opposed to Threads), but suffice it to say, this is far from a perfect solution. You can, and should, read the documentation to learn more. For the moment, though, it's one realtively simple way for people who aren't on the same decentralized social ecosystem to talk to each other, and I like that. I'll certainly be bugging friends I want to interact with on Bluesky to "bridge" their accounts.

If youve ever felt like you were duped by overpaying for something that was advertised as a great deal, youre in the right place. Its easy to get caught up in frenzied online shopping holidays like Black Friday or Prime Day, especially when retailers are known forsneaking price hikes before major sales or deceiving shoppers with tricks to spend more than you intended to. But there are actionable steps to prepare ourselves for major sales like the Black Friday deals from Walmart, Target, and Amazon.Howtotrackthe price of anitemFiguring out the best time to buy something requires constant watch over ever-fluctuating online prices and some knowledge of how prices have changed in the past. As a shopping and deal writer, that is what I do for a living, and it can be very time-consuming. Luckily, you dont have to figure it all out yourself: Here are the best websites and extensions I've been using for years to check price history and track prices so that you can be sure youre getting the best deal possible.The best Amazon price tracker: Camelcamelcamel Credit: camelcamelcamel.com CamelCamelCamel is among the best ways to track prices on Amazon products. You can install the browser extension (on Chrome and Firefox) to get access to the sites features without leaving Amazon, or you can just copy and paste an Amazon link or product name to the websites search bar. CamelCamelCamel shows you how the price of the item has gone up or down over time, how prices have changed through Amazon directly, and the fluctuations from third-party Amazon sellers who list new and used items.If you sign up for a free account, you can set up alerts so the site can notify you by email when the price of an item drops below a certain amount, if you can get it used for a given price, or if its at an all-time low and now is a good time to buy. You can even see previous historic highs and lows and try to map out the best time to strike. The best price tracker for most online retailers: Honey Credit: joinhoney.com Honey is more than a price-checking tool with automatic coupon and price-tracking alerts. The Honey browser extension compares prices from a whole bunch of retailers, not just Amazon. You can create a Droplist, which notifies you if the prices drop for an item on your list if youre willing to wait for a deal. Here is what creating a Droplist can do for you:First, itll keep the items you want to keep tabs on organized and easily accessible. Second, itll track the prices of those products and alert you when they go on sale at any major retailer. You can see how much those prices cost leading up to the sale to see if they are, in fact, good deals or a trick from retailers to take advantage of you, and even compare them with other major retailers to see who has the best deal. You can see how to set up your droplist here.The Honey extension also finds promo codes and applies them at checkout automatically when youre shopping on a retailers website. Users can also collect Honey Gold, a percentage back from online purchases made at more than 4,500 stores. Gold can be traded for gift cards to stores like Amazon, Groupon, Macys, and more.Honey is available on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge and Opera.The best tool to compare prices: Capital One Shopping Credit: Capital One Shopping - Other Capital One Shopping, previously known as Wikibuy, compares prices from other sellers when you shop on Amazon. The browser extension will notify you if a product you are looking at is cheaper somewhere else, and offers a summary of pricing history, estimated delivery time, and total price, including tax and shipping. If you can apply a coupon, itll add that too. When the price drops for a product youve viewed, Capital One Shopping will notify you. When you shop, you can earn credits for your purchases at some websites, like Walmart and eBay, that Capital One Shopping has partnered with. You can trade that credit for gift cards or put it toward purchases through Capital One Shoppings site.The extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, and an iOS app allows you to scan barcodes and search products to do price comparisons from your phone.The best price tracker tool for gamers: CheapShark Credit: cheapshark.com While most of the others in the roundup focus on products like electronics, apparel, household goods, and appliances, CheapShark is a great option for those looking to save money on video games. CheapShark combines all of the great places to get discounts on games in one place, one easily searchable directory and database of current prices from sites including Steam, GoG, Green Man Gaming, GameStop, Amazon, and more. Of course, its limited to video games, but you can search a game name not just to see how much itll cost you to buy, but even if you can buy it at alland which retailer has it available. If you want, you can even filter by games currently on sale at their selected stores.When you search for a specific game, CheapShark tells you what the cheapest-ever price was, when it hit that price, and gives you the choice to either go ahead and buy it from your choice of retailer or to sign up for a price notification if it drops again.Honorable mentionsSlickDeals: Great for finding deals and checking prices Credit: slickdeals.net SlickDeals is well known for bringing you up-to-the-minute discounts, coupons, and other deals from around the web, but its web-based price tracker is also great for watching prices on just about any item on Amazon and on a ton of other popular shopping sites, like Newegg, Gamestop, Chewy, Home Depot, and others. Credit: SlickDeals The service doesnt give you a detailed price history like some of the others in the roundup, only showing a deal history under the price intelligence section for a few popular products. However, it will track the price of your item from when you create an alert going forward and send you an email if the price drops below a threshold that you set. You can also return to the price tracker at any time, log in to your account, and see all of your tracked items on the same screen.Keepa: Great price-tracking tool for Amazon and eBay Credit: Keepa Keepa works very similarly to Camelcamelcamel, but instead of clicking on the extension to see the price history, it'll be automatically displayed below the image of the product. This helps if clicking on the extension or installing is one click too much for you. Keepa also lets you track specific products and sends you notifications when they go below a specific price that you set. It's also not just limited to Amazon, it also works on eBay. You can download the extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge, and Safari.

Bluesky, which has surged in the days following the US election, said on Friday that it wont train on its users posts for generative AI. The declaration stands in stark contrast to the AI training policies of X (Twitter) and Metas Threads. Probably not coincidentally, Blueskys announcement came the same day Xs new terms of service, allowing third-party partners to train on user posts, went into effect.A number of artists and creators have made their home on Bluesky, and we hear their concerns with other platforms training on their data, Bluesky posted (via The Verge) on Friday. We do not use any of your content to train generative AI, and have no intention of doing so.In a follow-up post, the decentralized social platform clarified that it does use AI to help with content moderation. Bluesky uses AI internally to assist in content moderation, which helps us triage posts and shield human moderators from harmful content, the company posted. Bluesky also added that it uses AI in the algorithms powering its Discover feed.None of these are Gen AI systems trained on user content, Bluesky stressed.The Verge points out that Blueskys robots.txt (the policy that dictates what outside parties can scrape from a website) doesnt prevent OpenAI, Google or other leading GenAI companies from crawling its data. The company justified that potential hole by pointing to the platforms open and public nature. Just as robots.txt files dont always prevent outside companies from crawling those sites, the same applies here, spokesperson Emily Liu told The Verge. That said, wed like to do our part to ensure that outside orgs respect user consent and are actively discussing within the team on how to achieve this.Although Bluesky is still the underdog in a race with X and Threads, the platform has picked up steam after the US election. It passed the 15 million user threshold on Wednesday after adding more than a million in the past week.A report from web analytics company SimilarWeb noted that the signup surge coincided with a spike in X deactivations. It found that more than 115,000 US web visitors deactivated their [X] accounts on November 7, more than on any previous day of Elon Musks tenure. In parallel, web traffic and daily active users for Bluesky increased dramatically in the week before the election, and then again after election day.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/the-suddenly-hot-bluesky-says-it-wont-train-ai-on-your-posts-220034195.html?src=rss

A damning report from the Anti-Defamation League published Thursday on the unprecedented amount of racist and violent content on Steam Community has prompted a US Senator to take action. In a letter spotted by The Verge, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) asked Valve CEO Gabe Newell how he and his company are addressing the issue.My concern is elevated by the fact that Steam is the largest single online gaming digital distribution and social networking platform in the world with over 100 million unique user accounts and a user base similar in scale to that of the traditional social media and social network platforms, Warner wrote.The senator also cited Steams online conduct policy that states users may not upload or post illegal or inappropriate content [including] [real] or disturbing depictions of violence or harass other users or Steam personnel.Valve must bring its content moderation practices in line with industry standards or face more intense scrutiny from the federal government for its complicity in allowing hate groups to congregate and engage in activities that undoubtedly puts Americans at risk, Warner writes.Congress doesnt have the ability to take action on Valve or any platform except to shine light on the problem through letters and committee hearings. The Supreme Court overturned two state laws in June that prevented government officials from communicating with social media companies about objectionable content.This also isnt the first time that Congress has raised concerns with Valve about extremist and racist content created by users or players in one of its products. The Senate Committee on the Judiciary sent a letter to Newell in 2023 to express concerns about players posting and spouting racist language in Valves multiplayer online arena game Dota 2.We reached out to Valve for comment. We will update this story if we receive a statement or reactions from Valve.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/adls-report-on-racist-steam-community-posts-prompts-a-letter-from-virginia-senator-214243775.html?src=rss