This article is a sponsored by PenpotPenpot is a free, open-source design tool that allows true collaboration between designers and developers. Designers can create interactive prototypes and design systems at scale, while developers enjoy ready-to-use code and make their workflow easy and fast because it's built with web technologies, works in the browser, and has already passed 33K starts on GitHub.The UI feels intuitive and makes it easy to get things done, even for someone whos not a designer (guilty as charged!). You can get things done in the same way and with the same quality as with other more popular and closed-source tools like Figma.Why Open-Source Is ImportantAs someone who works with commercial open-source on my day-to-day, I strongly believe in it as a way to be closer to your users and unlock the next level of delivery. Being open-source creates a whole new level of accountability and flexibility for a tool.Developers are a different breed of user. When we hit a quirk or a gap in the UX, our first instinct is to play detective and figure out why that pattern stuck out as a sore thumb to what weve been doing. When the code is open-source, its not unusual for us to jump into the source and create an issue with a proposal on how to solve it already. At least, thats the dream.On top of that, being open-source allows you and your team to self-host, giving you that extra layer of privacy and control, or at least a more cost-effective solution if you have the time and skills to DYI it all.When the cards are played right, and the team is able to afford the long-term benefits, commercial open-source is a win-win strategy.Introducing: Penpot Plugin SystemTalking about the extensibility of open-source, Penpot has the PenpotHub the home for open-source templates and the newly released plugin gallery. So now, if theres a functionality missing, you dont need to jump into the code-base straightaway you can create a plugin to achieve what you need. And you can even serve it from localhost!Creating Penpot PluginsWhen it comes to the plugins, creating one is extremely ergonomic. First, there are already set templates for a few frameworks, and I created one for SolidJS in this PR the power of open-source!When using Vite, plugins are Single-Page Applications; if you have ever built a Hello World app with Vite, you have what it takes to create a plugin. On top of that, the Penpot team has a few packages that can give you a headstart in the process:npm install @penpot/plugin-stylesThat will allow you to import with a CSS loader or a CSS import from @penpot/plugin-styles/styles.css. The JavaScript API is available through the window object, but if your plugin is in TypeScript, you need to teach it:npm add -D @penpot/plugin-typesWith those types in your node_modules, you can pop-up the tsconfig.json and add the types to the compilerOptions.{ "compilerOptions": { "types": ["@penpot/plugin-types"] }}And there you are, now, the Language Service Provider in your editor and the TypeScript Compiler will accept that penpot is a valid namespace, and youll have auto-completion for the Penpot APIs throughout your entire project. For example, defining your plugin will look like the following:penpot.ui.open("Your Plugin Name", "", { width: 500, height: 600})The last step is to define a plugin manifest in a manifest.json file and make sure its in the outpot directory from Vite. The manifest will indicate where each asset is and what permissions your plugin requires to work:{ "name": "Your Plugin Name", "description": "A Super plugin that will win Penpot Plugin Contest", "code": "/plugin.js", "icon": "/icon.png", "permissions": [ "content:read", "content:write", "library:read", "library:write", "user:read", "comment:read", "comment:write", "allow:downloads" ]}Once the initial setup is done, the communication between the Penpot API and the plugin interface is done with a bidirectional messaging system, not so different than what youd do with a Web-Worker.So, to send a message from your plugin to the Penpot API, you can do the following:penpot.ui.sendMessage("Hello from my Plugin");And to receive it back, you need to add an event listener to the window object (the top-level scope) of your plugin:window.addEventListener("message", event => { console.log("Received from Pendpot::: ", event.data);})A quick performance tip: If youre creating a more complex plugin with different views and perhaps even routes, you need to have a cleanup logic. Most frameworks provide decent ergonomics to do that; for example, React does it via their return statements.useEffect(() => { function handleMessage(e) { console.log("Received from Pendpot::: ", event.data); } window.addEventListener('message', handleMessage); return () => window.removeEventListener('message', handleMessage);}, []);And Solid has onMount and onCleanup helpers for it:onMount(() => { function handleMessage(e) { console.log("Received from Penpot::: ", event.data); } window.addEventListener('message', handleMessage);})onCleanup(() => { window.removeEventListener('message', handleMessage);})Or with the @solid-primitive/event-listener helper library, so it will be automatically disposed:import { makeEventListener } from "@solid-primitives/event-listener";function Component() { const clear = makeEventListener(window, "message", handleMessage); // ... return (<span>Hello!</span>)}In the official documentation, theres a step-by-step guide that will walk you through the process of creating, testing, and publishing your plugin. It will even help you out.So, what are you waiting for?Plugin Contest: Imagine, Build, WinWell, maybe youre waiting for a push of motivation. The Penpot team thought of that, which is why theyre starting a Plugin Contest!For this contest, they want a fully functional plugin; it must be open-source and include comprehensive documentation. Detailing its features, installation, and usage. The first prize is US$ 1000, and the criteria are innovation, functionality, usability, performance, and code quality. The contest will run from November 15th to December 15th.Final ThoughtsIf you decide to build a plugin, Id love to know what youre building and what stack you chose. Please let me know in the comments below or on BlueSky!

Axiom Space, in collaboration with fashion house Prada, has unveiled the flight design for a new lunar spacesuit, the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), which will be used in NASAs Artemis III mission to the Moon. Revealed at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, the suit is a product of an unprecedented partnership blending Pradas mastery in materials and high-performance design with Axiom Spaces expertise in space technology. The result is an advanced, highly functional suit aimed at enhancing both astronaut comfort and performance in the challenging lunar environment.This unique collaboration has allowed Axiom Space and Prada to fuse engineering with fashion-forward design. Pradas extensive experience in luxury material development was key to crafting the outer layer, made to protect astronauts from extreme heat, abrasive lunar dust, and other harsh elements. During the unveiling, Axiom Space President Matt Ondler highlighted how the partnership has set a new standard for cross-industry innovation, emphasizing that theyve pushed boundaries to create a suit that is as practical as it is groundbreaking in design.Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Groups Chief Marketing Officer, noted that this collaboration embodies Pradas spirit of exploration and boundary-pushing. Pradas team worked closely with Axiom engineers to tailor advanced materials, applying proprietary sewing techniques and technical skills to create a suit that promises enhanced durability and comfort for extended space missions.Functionally, the AxEMU spacesuit is designed for the demands of lunar exploration, specifically around the lunar south pole. This suit has been rigorously tested for flexibility, temperature endurance, and astronaut safety, incorporating life-support features, advanced helmet coatings, and custom in-house gloves. Moreover, it boasts a regenerative carbon dioxide scrubbing system and cooling technology to prevent overheating. Adaptable for various astronaut body sizes and offering a wide range of motion, the AxEMU can support long-duration extravehicular activities, with a minimum of eight hours of operation in the unforgiving lunar landscape.The spacesuit also supports NASAs longer term goals by leveraging a modular architecture that can be adapted for both lunar and low-Earth orbit missions. Since the award of the Artemis contract in 2022 costing an estimated $228 million, Axiom Space has developed the AxEMU through a rigorous testing phase that includes underwater trials to simulate lunar gravity and uncrewed tests at NASAs Johnson Space Center. It has now reached a critical phase in its development, where it will undergo crewed tests and an extensive review process leading up to the Artemis III mission.This partnership marks a new era of collaboration between the luxury and space sectors, highlighting how technical and aesthetic design can converge to push the boundaries of what is achievable in space exploration.For more information on the AxEMU spacesuit, visit axiomspace.com.Photography courtesy of Prada / Axiom Space.

Got a travel enthusiast in your life? Or maybe youre the one thats always on the go with a passport in hand? As the holiday season sneaks up, its the perfect time to bring a little magic to those upcoming journeys with gifts that add comfort, ease, and a dash of style to travel plans. And lets be real we all know someone whos constantly jetting off (or daydreaming about it!). Whether its a quick staycation, an off-the-grid adventure, or the ultimate trip of a lifetime, giving the traveler in your life something to elevate their journey might just earn your present the award of Best Gift of the Year. Dive into our curated picks for the most chic and functional travel gifts of 2024.The Train Case by Away \\\ $165Ive been a fan of Away for years and it never fails to impress me in terms of quality, service, and collaborations. The luggage brands latest innovation is The Train Case, made from the same durable material as their larger counterparts. Not only does it look chic, I love that it can be used in so many different ways by different people. Photographers can use it to stash lenses, while parents can fill it with toys and activities for long flights with kids. The various compartments allow you to organize cables, skincare, travel gear, and more. This train case is one of those travel essentials that will adapt to everyones unique journey.Cincha Travel Belt \\\ $40Ever tried balancing your personal item on top of your suitcase, only to have it slip and slide as you dash through the airport? Enter the Cincha Travel Belt a total game-changer for the traveler with multiple items. This handy strap secures your bag to your luggage handle, making airport strolls infinitely easier. With vibrant patterns and colors, Cincha transforms a simple travel hack into a stylish accessory.Comrad Compression Socks \\\ $19For long flights, compression socks are a must to keep the blood flowing and prevent that post-flight puffiness. But why settle for plain, no-frills black socks when you could go for something a little more fun? Stylish compression socks are an easy way to add a touch of flair to your travel outfit while keeping things comfortable.Eau Bag Vacay Tote \\\ $80Tote bags are a travelers best friend just toss everything in and go! This tote brings a peace of mind knowing you have room to add in that neck pillow, a yummy lunch alternative to the airplane food, or those had to have it souvenirs. The striped colorway makes it extra special.Counterpart Charger \\\ $44Packing chargers and cables can feel like wrestling with a tangled mess of spaghetti. The Counterpart Charger makes life so much easier. With a 4-foot retractable USB-C cord, you can avoid cable chaos entirely just pull it out when you need it and push the front-facing button to snap it back when you dont. Whether youre facing a flight delay or need a quick recharge at a cafe, this little gadget has you covered.Dusen Dusen Travel Accessories \\\ Starting at $18Need to refresh your travel gear? The Dusen Dusen collection of travel accessories has all the essentials luggage tags, cardholders, passport cases, and weekend bags. Each piece brings Dusen Dusens playful patterns into the travel space, proving that organization doesnt have to be boring.MiaMily Carry-On \\\ $359On our last family trip, this suitcase was a game changer so much so that a passerby watched as we strolled along and said I like that. Now thats smart. Its a suitcase that turns into a seat for your kids (or yourself!) with a quick flip. A notch in the backrest acts as a hook so that you can hang your toddlers backpack and an included seat belt easily attaches to safely secure your little one. Imagine strolling through the airport without the Im tired chorus this case is worth every penny!Parallelle Large Traveller \\\ $128For skincare lovers who cant bear to leave behind a single serum or cream, Parallelles travel bag is a total game-changer. Gone are the days of bottles rolling around in a cluttered makeup bag (cue the spills and endless digging). With a flat bottom and foldable sides, this bag keeps everything neatly organized and standing upright, so you can see exactly what you need. It opens up fully to reveal an impressive layout of 20 pockets, six mesh pockets, and three adjustable main compartments, making it easy to keep your skincare essentials within reach and perfectly in place.Ries Original Complete 7-Bottle Set \\\ $116Speaking of skincare, Ill admit it Ive bought my fair share of refillable bottles from big-box stores, the kind made from flimsy plastic that always seem to leak by trip number two. Lets just say, theyve never exactly enhanced my travel experience. So, for my next adventure, Im upgrading to Ries, the refillable bottles that are built to last. With an airless, non-pressurized pump, these beauties let you easily dispense your products without that desperate bottle-banging. And the best part? This system means I can skip the single-use travel minis, keeping my skincare routine eco-friendly and luggage leak-free!Comme Si La Classica Boxer \\\ $75Lastly, a cozy lounge set is always a must-pack for me when I travel theres nothing like sinking into a hotel bed in pure comfort after a long day. Especially on work trips, that moment when I can clock out, slip into my pajamas, and finally unwind is everything. Im completely obsessed with Comme Sis loungewear; its simple yet luxurious, and after their collab with USM Modular (recently exhibited at the Neutra VDL House in Los Angeles!), Im even more in love. These pieces are perfect for lounging but stylish enough to step out in, making them my go-to travel essentials!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!

Can AI support brand consistency in design? My experience with Midjourney in capturing Lemonades iconicstyle.Illustration has never been my strong suit. Designing user interfaces, experiences, and products? No problem. But creating illustrations that perfectly reflect a brands unique style? Thats another challenge.After three years as a designer at Lemonade, working on web and mobile products, I gained a deep understanding of the brands distinct visual language: clean lines, a minimalist color palette, and that unmistakable pop of vivid pink. This got me wonderingcould Midjourney and todays AI capabilities actually fill in my gap in illustration skills? Could I finally bring my vision and design ideas to life on my own, without needing a professional illustrator? With that question in mind, I decided to dive in and test it out formyself.As I began experimenting with AI-driven illustration, I couldnt ignore the ethical questions this choice might raise. Could AI tools like Midjourney impact job security for professional illustrators? For me, the decision to use AI wasnt about avoiding the costs of hiring talent but about exploring how AI could complement my creative process, especially in the initial stages of visual experimentation. My goal was to see if AI could help streamline parts of the workflowlike quickly visualizing ideas or iterating on brand consistencywhile still appreciating the unique skills and depth that only a professional illustrator canbring.The challenge of achieving brand consistencyAchieving true brand consistency with AI involves more than just typing in a promptits about capturing the subtle details that reflect the brands core identity. Lemonades illustration style may seem straightforward at first glance, but designers know that simplicity demands precision. Its a style built on clarity: minimalist lines, grayscale tones, and that unmistakable pink accent. Together, these elements create a look thats instantly recognizable.Lemonade HomepageDirecting Midjourney to think in brandlanguageAnalyze existing brand illustrations: I used ChatGPT to create a foundational prompt by examining a variety of official illustrations, paying close attention to line quality, spacing, proportions, and color use. To keep the prompt simple, I decided to leave out pink initially, knowing it could be added later without confusing theAI.The first prompt I startedwith2. Select a reliable, iconic object for prompt testing: I selected an iconic objecta Mini Cooper. Its unique structure allowed me to see how well Midjourney could capture clean lines and simple, recognizable shapes. Using this as a reference helped me evaluate each prompt adjustment without introducing too many variables. I recommend choosing an object youre thoroughly familiar with, so you can easily spot any deviations from its trueform.Prompt inaction3. Refine through iteration: While Midjourney successfully captured the style for the Mini Cooper, other objects like buildings or animals lacked consistency. To address this, I refined the prompt with a focus on specifics like compositionhow each illustration should interact within its space, considering curves, relationships between objects, balance, and angles. These refinements helped align the illustrations with the brands unique perspective, making each object feel cohesive and purposefully positioned.To further enhance consistency, I incorporated thesref command with a range of official illustrations as style references. These included examples of broad structural shapes, rounded forms, depth, architectural elements, and line breaks. This combination enabled the AI to achieve a more unified brand look across diverse object types andforms.Final resultThis design captures the clean lines, minimalist style, and balanced composition.Achieving brand precision, soloAfter several iterations, I developed a powerful, versatile prompt that captured the style precisely, essentially illustrating how each object would appear in the brands visual language. This prompt became a foundational template: I only needed to replace the object description, and Midjourney consistently generated cohesive, brand-aligned illustrations. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of precision and creativity the AI brought to each illustration.The future of AI-driven brand illustrationThis experiment has opened my eyes to the potential of AI in scaling a brands visual identity across platforms. Imagine a company launching a new line of productswith the right AI setup, the brands unique style could be instantly applied to each new product, streamlining the visual identity process and enabling designers to adapt quickly while maintaining consistency. For designers seeking effective illustration solutions, experimenting with AI-driven tools can be a game-changer.This process allowed me to experiment, test ideas, and visualize concepts while staying fully aligned with the brands guidelines. It isnt just about output; it can help companies refine and sharpen their design language by requiring designers to create a precise textual description that captures the brands essence. This exercise enhances the brands clarity and strengthens its core identity, giving designers a solid foundation to approach future illustrations with a sharper, more structured mindset.While Midjourneys results may still require final touchessuch as vector conversion, line refinement, and detail enhancementit represents a significant step toward independence for designers who struggle with illustration, all while maintaining brand consistency.Learning to break down style requirements and refine prompts can elevate design skills and expand possibilities in brand illustration, making rapid prototyping and brand alignment both efficient and achievable.Quick tips to getstartedAnalyze the brand style:Dive deep into the brands visual language, identifying every detailline quality, colors, proportions, and composition. This understanding will guide you in creating a prompt that captures the brandsessence.Select a familiar, consistent object:Start testing your prompt with a single, iconic object that you know well. This will help you assess consistency and refine details without introducing too many variables.Refine the prompt thoughtfully:Focus on specifics like line weight, shadow behavior, spacing, and object relationships. Adjust each element to bring your prompt closer to the brands unique look andfeel.Build a prompt library:Save your most effective prompts to create a prompt bank you can easily reference for future illustrations, maintaining consistency across projects.Make final adjustments as needed:AI-generated results often need minor tweaksvector conversion, line refinement, or detail enhancementsto achieve production-ready quality. These adjustments ensure polished, brand-aligned visuals.Disclaimer:This post is based on my personal experiences and does not reflect Lemonades official branding.How I used AI to design brand-aligned illustrations was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How generative AI tools are bringing creativity, speed, and efficiency to design validationCredit: Blush IllustrationsIs anyone else feeling the same way as I do? Struggling to keep up with the thousands of AI products and capabilities being launched every day? When I first discovered Claude Artifacts a couple of months ago, it felt like magic. Suddenly, I had the power to see interactions, animations, and complex user flows unfold right before my eyesinstantly. Were truly at a point where AI is turning our design dreams into areality.Remember when designing a product meant meticulously crafting static layouts in Photoshop, hoping they would translate well into the real world? Weve come a long way from those days of pixel-perfect PSDs. Our journey has taken us through the revolution of collaborative design tools like Figma, which transformed how we create and iterate. But now, in 2024, were witnessing another evolution in our design toolkitone where AI serves as a powerful ally in testing and validating our design decisions through rapid, interactive prototyping. Incorporating realistic interactions through prototyping is essential for obtaining valid user feedback. As highlighted by AWA Digital, Prototypes that demonstrate realistic user flows and interactions help users evaluate designs in a meaningful way.The prototype challengeTodays digital experiences are no longer confined to clicks and taps. Were designing for a world where users interact through images, voice, gesture, text, and multiple modalities. This shift has added a level of complexity that traditional prototyping tools struggle to handle effectively. While tools like Figma excel at crafting pixel-perfect interfaces, they fall short when it comes to capturing dynamic interactionsanimations, conditional behaviors, or real-time data feedback. Testing complex interactions and behaviors often becomes a bottleneck, requiring costly and time-consuming handoffs to development just to see if an idea willwork.Twitter exchange about prototypes between Brian andSuhailThe conversation between Brian Chesky and Suhail underscores the reality that many companies skip prototyping, leading to poor outcomes. Prototyping helps validate a design in its full context, reducing the risks of building something that ultimately misses themark.Real challenges designers face:The data-driven dilemma:Crafting a beautiful real-time analytics dashboard in Figma is one thing; validating smooth tooltip animations or natural chart transitions is another. Static prototypes cant capture these nuanced interactions, and waiting for development cycles can takeweeks.The cross-device dance:Users start tasks on their phones and continue them on desktops. Static mockups cant show fluid state transitions or seamless data sync across devices, leaving designers guessing if interactions will feel intuitive in realuse.The stakeholder communication gap:Imagine presenting a new filtering system only to hear weeks later: This isnt what I imagined. Without demonstrating complex interactions early, features risk missing the mark on expectations.Prototypes serve as a common language for communicationThe innovation barrier:Innovative ideas often fall flat because prototyping them is too resource-intensive. We default to conventional patterns not because theyre better, but because theyre easier to validate.Generative AI tools like Claude and Vercel v0 are changing the game. They arent replacing our design process but enhancing it. With Claude, we can quickly generate interaction scenarios from natural language, while Vercel v0 turns these ideas into polished, production-ready components. This revolution in prototyping allows us to rapidly validate and communicate our design decisions through live, interactive previews.Prototyping in action: A real-world exampleLets explore how AI can enhance our prototyping phase with a real example. Imagine youve already designed a stock market dashboard in Figma, carefully considering the visual hierarchy, component structure, and interaction patterns. Now you want to validate how certain interactions would feel in practiceparticularly those complex, data-driven behaviors that are hard to simulate in traditional prototyping tools.Heres how we can use AI to rapidly prototype and test these interactions. Heres the prompt I used to bring this vision tolife:Create an interactive stock market dashboard using React and Recharts that displays historical data for AAPL, GOOGL, and MSFT in a responsive area chart. Include hoverable data points with custom tooltips showing price and volume data, clickable stock cards with performance metrics, and smooth animations. Style it using Tailwind CSS components with a modern blue/green/purple color scheme for visual distinction between stocks. Data points should be enhanced with visual indicators for up/down trends and the chart should support interactive touch/mouse events.The magic of instant interactionWithin seconds of sending this prompt to Claude, we got a fully functional React component with interactive charts, complete with hover states, animations, and responsive design. Notice how the component isnt just a static visualizationits a living, breathing interface that responds to user interaction. The tooltips smoothly appear on hover, the charts animate between data points, and the entire layout adjusts fluidly to different screensizes.Claude Artifacts inActionv0 byVercelSimilarly, Vercel v0 transformed the same prompt into a polished UI component, offering a different yet equally impressive interpretation. The subtle differences between these implementations showcase an interesting aspect of AI-powered designhow the same prompt can yield different creative solutions, much like how different designers might approach the samebrief.Why this enhances our designprocessLets break down how this prototyping superpower enhances (not replaces) our existing design workflow:Rapid interaction validation: Validate interaction patterns instantly without waiting for full development cycles. Working prototypes mean faster iteration ondesigns.Enhanced stakeholder and developer communication: Use interactive prototypes to help stakeholders understand design behaviors, and give developers a clear vision of intended interactions for early technical validation.Experimentation platform: Think of AI prototyping as a sandbox to explore interaction ideas before committing them to your design systemempowering you to experiment beyond conventional patterns.Bringing it alltogetherAI prototyping transforms how we validate complex design interactions in our everyday workflow. Start by sketching ideas, creating wireframes, and building interfaces in Figmayour usual design process. When you face those challenging interaction points that are difficult to simulate statically, thats when AI prototyping becomes invaluable.Instead of getting stuck in endless prototype-feedback loops, describe the interaction you want to test in a prompt, generate a functional prototype in seconds, and gather feedback immediately. This capability empowers you to validate innovative ideas, demonstrate complex data visualizations, and communicate intricate interactions directly to stakeholders and developerslong before the development sprintbegins.Think of AI prototyping as your design sandbox, allowing you to explore and validate ideas quickly, helping you push boundaries without the constraints of traditional, static design processes.The pathforwardThis isnt about overhauling your entire design process overnightits about being strategic in using AI where it makes the biggest impact. Think of AI as a powerful new addition to your design toolkit, bridging the gap between your imagination and a functional experience.As these tools continue to advance, theyll unlock new opportunities for experimentation and validation, allowing us to move faster and innovate beyond current boundaries. But lets not forget, at its heart, great design is still about understanding people, crafting meaningful solutions, and iterating based on real feedback. AI prototyping simply gives us the means to do this more effectively, with fewer barriers between concept andreality.This is where Id love to hear from you. Have you experimented with AI in your workflow yet? If so, what results have surprised you the most? Are there interactions or ideas youve shelved because prototyping them felt too cumbersome? How might using AI tools change the way you think about validating your designs? Im especially interested in which parts of your process have seen the biggest benefits and where you think theres still untapped potential.If youve been enjoying what youre reading, consider subscribing to the newsletter to stay updated. And if you know someone whos on this journey of designing for the future, feel free to share this with them. Lets keep pushing the boundaries of whats possible, together.Bonus bytes:How Claudes team build ArtifactsWriting the right prompts for Vercelv0How to build your designs with Claude and CursorAIWild examples of Vercelv0Reimagining prototyping with AI was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Apple really wanted the Apple Vision Pro to take over the VR landscape when it released earlier this year, but after months of returns and rumors of delays for follow-ups, its clear that demand isnt quite living up to expectations. One potential reason for the problem? Well, the $3,500 price tag. But aside from that? The Vision Pro has yet to prove itself as a gaming device.VR headsets and gaming go hand in handSince the very first Oculus Rift launched back in 2016, current consumer VR technology has always been deeply intertwined with gaming. One of the most prominent VR headsets in the space right now is PlayStation branded, and despite Metas attempts to push the Quest family of devices as being useful for anything from work to fitness, the companys headsets still come with motion tracking, console-like controllers and plenty of big-budget exclusive games.This sort of support helps give a headset broader appeal and a sense of having killer apps that give you a reason to wear it outside of air travel or other niche situations. But the Vision Pro is, by design, much less capable of supporting gaming. Thats because Apple has chosen not to ship it with controllers.Theres two sides to this. The first is that Apples hand-tracking is quite good, making casually scrolling through the Vision Pros interface not too dissimilar from using an iPad. It also makes the Vision Pro perhaps a bit more approachable to non-gamers, again fitting its branding less as a gaming device and more as, to use Apples words, a spatial computer.But unfortunately, the lack of controllers also means that, in the odd situation where you want to game, your inputs are seriously limited. Despite the accuracy of Apples hand tracking, its still a big laggy for twitchy actions, and the lack of dedicated buttons means developers are limited in how they can use the device.Its a shame, because armed with beautiful screens, an easy-to-navigate interface, and an M2 chip, the Vision Pro definitely has the hardware to support more experiences than it does. It could be the best gaming headset by default if it simply supported motion controllers. Unfortunately, were left with much lighter experiences, sacrificed on the altar of fashion.Still, lets say you dont have interest in big-budget VR games, but just want to poke around with playing in VR or AR while youre there. Is the Apple Vision Pro good for casual gaming? Well, yes, but with some big asterisks.Gears & Goo on the Apple Vision Pro Credit: Apple Recently, I got to go hands-on with an early build of Gears & Goo, an upcoming Apple Vision Pro exclusive from veteran VR and AR developers Resolution Games. The game is a sort of a cross between a real-time strategy game and a MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena), where you lead troops to take down an enemy stronghold. Its a clever choice for the Vision Pro, and is probably as impressive as a game for the headset could get (previous experiences have generally been lighter than this), but nevertheless, I could feel the developers straining against the devices limitations. If this is Apples best, its a concerning sign.First, the good. The graphics here are genuinely immersive, and nothing feels blurry or hard to follow. The AR effect here is especially well sold, with the games tiny cartoon critters actually feeling like theyre sharing the same space as you. Control was also surprisingly intuitive for a hands-only game, with your hands essentially taking the place of a mouse as you command troops. Theres a lot of charm to be found here as you play through the games silly setting of rival alien soda companies taking part in literal corporate warfare.But once the glitz of the first impression is gone, the parlor trick feeling of it all starts to set in. While the game sets itself up as an RTS, with you spawning troops and choosing how to build your home base, its more limited than most games in the genre. You quickly realize that you have no direct control over your troops: once they're deployed, the only decision youre able to make with them is which lane of the battlefield you want them to attackwhich is where the MOBA elements come in. Similarly, you can only build in a very small square directly in front of you.There are elements you can interact with on the map, like bombs you can click on to blow up enemies as they walk past them, but while the game tries to make you feel like a commander, the truth is that youre mostly ordering the type of army youd like off a menu and watching it do all the work for you.Thats not inherently a bad thing, and works for the bite-sized, mobile game-style levels presented to you. But its also clear that the restricted gameplay is due to the Vision Pros lack of controllers.Its likely that you can only build your base in a very small area in front of you because thats easier on the device. Same with not being able to order troops around directly. And the choice of genre is almost certainly so that players can play sitting down, without needing to use room-scale tracking. Again, its a clever choice, but not exactly an ambitious one.Essentially, theres nothing being done here that couldnt be replicated outside of VR, meaning this is basically an iPad game with a three-dimensional coat of paint. In fact, it would probably play better on that platform, as the more precise control would likely mean fewer restrictions on gameplay.I only got to play a few levels, so its possible it gets more complex later, but as it is, this isnt a great first impression for what the Vision Pro might deliver with its exclusives in the future, and it certainly doesnt bode well for ongoing third-party VR game support. It should be a fun distraction for people who already own the headset, but unlike with Meta-exclusive games like Batman: Arkham Shadow, its unlikely to convince anyone who doesnt already own a Vision Pro to rush out and buy one. Even if youre not into more hardcore games, theres little unique here at the moment. Not only are you just fine with an iPad, but probably better off with one, too.What about more traditional games?So, VR gaming on the Apple Vision Pro might come across more as a novelty for now, but what about using the headset as a monitor for playing 2D games? This worked better in my demo, where I got to experience the console game Lies of P in the Vision Pro, but I have two problems stopping me from recommending it.Again, lets start with the positives. In my time with it, I got to play the game, a more traditional hack-and-slash RPG akin to Dark Souls, by using the Vision Pro as an external monitor for a MacBook running the game. Connection was smooth, gameplay was responsive, and the beta ultrawide mode I got to test with allowed me to replicate a type of monitor most people dont own in real life.And yet, Im left feeling like Apple is doing the bare minimum here. Case in point: If the Apple Vision Pro is supposed to be a spatial computer, why do I need a MacBook to stream the game from? Released for Mac last year just a few months after the M2 hit the market, Lies of P is plenty capable of achieving solid performance on an M2 chip, so it would make sense to expect the Vision Pro to run it natively. Instead, you need an external computer communicating with it wirelessly, and in a situation like a flight, that just adds extra bulk and more potential points of failure.Meanwhile, Im wondering why youd want to use the Vision Pro to play this game anywhere other than a flight or another situation where you cant access a television or large monitor. Thats because, while the large virtual display was certainly nice, Im not sure wearing the Vision Pro for a whole gameplay session is feasible.This headset is premium, and that means an all-metal construction, which is heavy on your face. I only wore the Vision Pro for about 45 minutes, and by the end, I was happy to take it off. Meanwhile, I can usually go with the plastic construction of my Meta Quest 3 for a few hours before getting tired. A cheaper Apple Vision product cant get here fast enough, and thats for more reasons than price.So, while the Apple Vision Pro works for non-VR games, I dont see myself using it for them outside of situations where I have few other options. And even then, the experience could be better.Should gamers get the Apple Vision Pro?With its horsepower, the Apple Vision Pro should be a contender for best gaming headset, but the baffling decision to opt out of controllers keeps it from holding that status. Right now, its one of the worst headsets for gaming, and with gaming still holding such a big part of the overall headset market, that leaves the Vision Pro in an awkward spot overall.I still think its possible we might see Apple release Vision Pro controllers in the future, as it starts to adjust more to the reality that VR headsets are specialty devices with specific appeal that general audiences cant be forced to love, and, therefore, cant be sold on the same minimalist, luxury approach as a MacBook. But until that time comes, the Apple Vision Pro will continue to be very powerful hardware without any real experience that pushes it to its limits. For now, you can still get a better gaming experience for much less.

Black Friday is no longer a single-day shopping eventyou can already start shopping. Walmart's sale is already live, as are Target's and Best Buy's. If you're looking for a new laptop, Best Buy has a good selection of options right now, but one in particular stands out. If you're looking for a no-nonsense laptop that will get you the best value for your money in performance, consider the 14-inch HP OmniBook Ultra, currently at $899.99 (originally $1,499.99), the lowest price I have seen per price-tracking tools. HP OmniBook Ultra Copilot+ PC - 14" 2.2K Touch-Screen Laptop - AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 - 32GB Memory - 1TB SSD. $899.99 at Best Buy $1,499.99 Save $600.00 Get Deal Get Deal $899.99 at Best Buy $1,499.99 Save $600.00 If you're looking for a workhorse that will breeze through demanding, heavy tasks like programming and media editing, then the HP OmniBook Ultra offers a great bang for your buck. It's one of the fastest laptops with 14-inch display you can find. The processor is an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365if you're not familiar with AMD's terminology, you can think of it as somewhere between an i7 and i9 Intel processor, with 10 cores and 20 threads. In other words, it's a high-end processor for power users looking for heavy multitasking or multimedia creation. The RAM sits at an impressive 32GB, perfect for demanding apps or games, and the 1TB SSD storage speaks for itself. Where this laptop falls short is in its display. Although it is a touchscreen, the 2240 by 1400 is middling, and the AMD Radeon graphics are entry-level. But if you know you'll be using it for work, then the HP OmniBook Ultra is a good choice.

The Rogue Prince of Persia, a modern reboot of the classic platformer published by Broderbund in 1989, is still in early access mode but its getting a bunch of new, cool-sounding stuff next week. Developer Evil Empire posted a blog on the games Steam page that includes information about the new update and premieres a new teaser trailer with some gameplay footage.The Steam page says the update effectively doubled the games content from launch. The Second Act will include a second act and tons of narrative polish for Act 1 and more biomes, bosses and enemies. The update will also add more Quality of Life features like multiple save slots and localization for German, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish players. The games protagonist will also look pretty different RIP Prince of Purple.The new update drops on November 21. The Rogue Prince of Persia was already slick and inventive, even in its infancy. Its been updated quite a bit since its early access launch, but next weeks update is likely to be its largest. Its shaping up to be a good mix of classic gameplay with new visuals and a modern roguelite gameplay loop as seen in other indies like Hades.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-rogue-prince-of-persia-gets-a-big-update-with-the-second-act-000515851.html?src=rss

These times are very trying and its understandable if someone goes a little off the deep end once in a while. Just like Norman Bates said in Psycho, We all go a little mad sometimes. However, a new Xbox ad campaign has us a little concerned.Microsoft launched a new marketing campaign for its Xbox consoles and cloud gaming service called This is an Xbox. It features posters and commercials with a bunch of different objects like a laptop, a smartphone and a Meta Quest 3 that are all an Xbox.We confirmed with a thorough fact check that all of those objects are not an Xbox. That may sound like overkill but when you live in a world where theres a real chance that the goopy mass voiced by Tim Curry in FernGully might become Secretary of the Interior, were not taking any chances.The commercial is even trippier. It zips between objects like a flat screen TV, an ROG Ally and a laptop while Black Sheeps The Choice is Yours blasts in the background. This time though, it displays the simple sentence This is an Xbox with a secondary clause or imperative statement behind it. Is there some kind of malware virus in the AI software that runs our universe or something?Microsoft, we know this is an ad campaign and that you dont really believe these non-Xbox items are an Xbox. Of course, you want to talk up your cloud gaming service, which is available across all of the devices in the ads. But last I checked, I didn't need an expensive subscription to play games on a regular Xbox.Also this is the internet, a gathering place for conspiracy weavers, liars and neer-do-wells. Reality is hard enough right now without having to debate the merit of what things are. This feels like the kind of stuff that Jobu would pull when she finished decorating the bagel in Everything Everywhere All at Once.MicrosoftThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/the-new-xbox-ad-campaign-is-confused-about-what-an-xbox-is-231013374.html?src=rss

Cascadeur Mobile is out. The new iOS edition of Nekki's AI-assisted character animation app lets artists pose and animate characters on an iPad or iPhone, then transfer their work to the desktop edition of the software to refine it.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/11/nekki-releases-cascadeur-mobile/