Gran Turismo players! Update 1.54 brings an rush of exciting cars, events, and challenges, including an update to the Gran Turismo Sophy AI agent for the classic Trial Mountain Circuit and Tokyo Expressway East Clockwise. Be sure to not miss the Gran Turismo World Series Celebration Race where you can experience the same races featured in this years grand final!Update 1.54* for Gran Turismo 7 will be available as of Wednesday, November 20 at 10:00pm PT / +1 Day, 6:00am GMT / +1 Day, 3:00pm JST.Play VideoFive new cars added this monthView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageFord Escort RS Cosworth 92(Can be purchased from Used Cars)A WRC homologation special with a unique double-decker wing design.Ford bagan their 1990s World Rally Championship (WRC) campaign powered by the Sierra RS Cosworth 44. Then in 1992 came the Escort RS Cosworth, a homologation special developed for even higher performance. The original Escort was a masterpiece, widely being used in rally races in the late 60s going into the 70s. Years later, Ford Europe took the compact body of the 5th generation Escort, installed the highly tuned four-wheel drive powertrain from the Sierra, and adorned the rear of the vehicle with a large dual-level wing to complete the fearsome makeover. At the heart of the beast lies a longitudinally mounted 2L turbocharged twin-cam engine built by Cosworth, as per the cars name. The bore-stroke ratio has been overhauled, resulting in a total 1,993 cc displacement, and producing 223.9 BHP/30.4 kgfm on the stock tune.On the four-wheel drive system, the central differential uses a combination of viscous coupling and planetary gears for maximum reliability. The Escort RS Cosworth began production in 1992, and gained homologation status the next year when it would start full-scale competition in the WRCs Group A category. The Cossie, as fans called it, took a 1-2 finish in the round 3 Portugal Rally and went on to achieve two consecutive victories in rounds 5 (Tour de Corse) and round 6 (Acropolis) before repeating the achievement in rounds 11 and 12 (San Remo and Spain) reinstating Fords reputation as a strong contender on the rally circuit.View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageMercedes-Benz W 196 R 55(Can be purchased from Legend Cars)A legendary F1 car that made motorsports history.The W 196 was produced by Mercedes-Benz after their return to motorsports in 1951, developed under the 2.5L engine regulations that Formula 1 had introduced in 1954. It was developed in tandem with a model for sports car racing that shared the same basic components. The W 196 entered the F1 competition, while the W 196 S competed in sportscar races with both cars finding success in their own fields. The chassis was based on a tubular steel space frame, and first appeared in its debut race at the 1954 French Grand Prix with a streamlined body covering the front and rear wheels with an aerodynamic shell.However, after the subsequent British Grand Prix it became apparent that this body style obstructed the drivers view and required too much maintenance, so for the German Grand Prix onwards, the car primarily ran with the open-wheel style body, saving the streamline design for high-speed circuits only. These were not the only two body types though, the chassis was configured with thre different wheelbase lengths, two types of brakes, and two engine positions for a total of seven variations. The engine used was an inline-8 design constructed similarly to two four-cylinder banks joined longitudinally. At its peak, it produced 285 BHP from the 2,496 cc displacement and propelled the car to a top speed of 180.2 mph. The W 196 went on to dominate the 1954 and 1955 F1 World Championships, winning two consecutive drivers champion titles for Juan Manuel Fangio.View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imagePorsche 911 Turbo S (992) 20(Can be purchased from Brand Central)The top performance model of the eighth generation 911.The icon of the Porsche line-up for over 60 years, the 911 entered its eighth generation in 2018 under the 992 codename. On its exterior, the 992 is a refinement of the motifs introduced by its predecessor the 991. The body size has increased slightly, but extensive efforts were made to keep weight down by increased usage of aluminum. Another notable change is the narrow body base model from previous generations was scrapped. A point of note on the cars construction is the new MMB modular development platform. This flexible platform comprises a front axle, floor and rear axles with the ability to adapt to a rear-engine or midship design by adjusting the position of the rear axle. On the powertrain, a move was made towards downsizing, with the base model featuring a 3L turbocharged flat-6 engine.The power output is tuned according to the model, with Carrera models producing 379.7 BHP while Carrera S models produce 443.8 BHP. The standard transmission is an eight-speed PDK unit, with a seven-speed manual available on the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models. In April 2020, the Turbo S model was added to the 992 family as the top-level performance model. Featuring a slightly shorter stroke than previous Turbo S models, this 3,745 cc flat-6 twin-turbo powers its four wheels with a colossal 641 BHP/800 Nm (81.6 kgfm).View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imagePorsche Mission X 23(Can be purchased from Brand Central)A hypercar concept to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Porsche.June 1948, the first ever car to bear the Porsche name, the 356 No. 1 Roadster is approved, setting in motion the rise of one of the greatest sports car brands in history. 75 years later on the same date in 2023, the company unveiled a new concept, an interpretation of a possible future of sports car technology that takes inspiration from Porsches numerous classic car legends. This concept is known as the Mission X.The two-seater fully electric concept of a hypercar is actually relatively compact, at only 4,500 mm long and 2,000 mm wide. Measuring just under 1,200 mm tall, the low-slung design features an almost sculptural form with bold lines, which goes to show that a hypercar doesnt necessarily need to look hyper-aggressive. Within each area of the exterior lives the motifs of historic racing cars. The headlights are a reinterpretation of the quad lights that adorned cars like the 906 and 908, while the doors use the same upward opening motion as the legendary 917 endurance car. Moving to the rear, an illuminated clear Porsche logo sits in the centre of the light units which extend out from the side of the body. Looking carefully, the Porsche emblems on the bonnet and steering wheel feature an updated, more modern interpretation of the classic logo. The interior expresses a strong affinity with motorsports. The steering wheel uses an open yoke style design, fitted with paddle shifters and several mode switches. The passenger seat can be fitted with a stopwatch module created by Porsche Design, featuring both analog and digital timers. Additionally, the driver can press the record button on the multi-purpose controller at any time to begin recording video footage from the numerous cameras installed across the car.The Mission X has the potential to be crowned the fastest road-legal car on the Nrburgring Nordschleife, a theory that can be put to the test in Gran Turismo 7. It has a power-to-weight ratio of over one PS per kilogram and canis able to create considerably more downforce than even the current 911 GT3 RS. The concept also features radical charging capabilities. With a 900 V system architecture, charging speeds are greatly improved, allowing it to hypothetically charge around twice as fast as Porsches current front-runner EV, the Taycan Turbo S.View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageSuzuki Jimny Sierra JC 18(Can be purchased from Brand Central)A chunkier Jimny with an eye on global success.While the Suzuki Jimnys diminutive stature allows it to fit into Japans kei car regulations, under its skin is a tenaciously rugged off-road vehicle with a true ladder-frame construction. The Jimny Sierra is a model for the global market that takes that off-road ability and frees it from the constraints of kei regulations. Introduced in 2018, the JB74 chassis is the third generation since the models initial debut in 1994.Compared to the previous JB43 chassis, the new model is 50 mm shorter and 45 mm wider. This is accentuated further on the body design which takes on a bolder, more square aesthetic. The car is fitted with the 1,460 cc inline-4 DOHC K15B engine, producing 100.6 BHP/13.3 kgfm. At a glance, these figures may not seem like much, but the sustained low-end torque makes it absolutely perfect for off-road crawling. The four-wheel drive system is a part-time setup with a mechanical transfer case. Employing rigid axles on both the front and rear, the excellent suspension makes the car feel just at home when crawling over rocks or trudging through mud as it does coasting along paved roads.Caf / Extra MenusThe following Menu has been added to the Extra Menus section:Extra Menu No. 42: Ferrari Speciale (Collector Level 48 and above)GT AutoNew Rotiform wheel brand added.World Circuits (event)The following new events have been added to World Circuits:Jimny Cup Grand Valley SouthPorsche Cup WeatherTech Raceway Laguna SecaRace of Turbo Sportscars Mount Panorama CircuitScapesColorado has been added as a featured Curation in Scapes.Gran Turismo World Series Celebration Race(Players must be at Collector Level 6 or above)The Gran Turismo World Series 2024 World Finals Amsterdam takes place on December 7-8 and will be contested by the top drivers from around the world to determine this years champions. To celebrate the event, were releasing a special Gran Turismo World Series Celebration Race on November 21, where players can experience the same races featured in this years Grand Final at the World Finals.Two events will be available: the Manufacturers Cup, a competition where automobile manufacturers face off against each other, and the Nations Cup, where drivers represent their home countries or territories. Players earn up to 500,000 Cr. for each event, with a total of 1,000,000 Cr. available overall. Access the event from the event panel at the top right of the World Map screen during the event period.Gran Turismo SophyThe next-generation racing AI agent, Gran Turismo Sophy is now available on the following courses. Look for the Sophy icon in the Quick Race menu on each track to test your skills against Sophy.Trial Mountain CircuitTokyo Expressway East Clockwise*Internet connection and Gran Turismo 7 game required for update.

As we head into the holiday season, were excited to celebrate another year of amazing PlayStation experiences with our community with PlayStations Black Friday offers that begin this week. From November 22 through December 2, players and gift givers can explore a range of amazing offers on games, hardware, accessories, and more across PlayStation Store, direct.playstation.com, PlayStation Gear, and at participating retailers*.Visit the official PlayStation Black Friday site starting on November 22 for updates on local offers, as offers will vary by region and retailer.Offers directly from PlayStationHead over to direct.playstation.com to browse the latest offers and products directly from PlayStation starting November 22. This years promotions on direct.playstation.com include PlayStation 5 console offerings such as the PS5 console Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle, PlayStation VR2, DualSense wireless controllers, Pulse Elite wireless headsets, Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, PS5 console covers, and select PS5, PS4, and PC titles, while supplies last.Black Friday at participating retailersOffers on PS5 consoles, PlayStation VR2, games, and PS5 accessories including DualSense wireless controllers, Pulse Elite wireless headset, Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, are also available at participating retailers globally. Check your local retailer for details on seasonal PlayStation promotions, such as the launch offer on the new PS5 console Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle (while supplies last), available starting this week at participating retailers.PlayStation PlusPlayers who join PlayStation Plus during PlayStations Black Friday promotion can save up to 30% on a 12-month membership. Current PlayStation Plus Essential members can save 25% on the remainder of their membership when upgrading a current plan to PlayStation Plus Extra, or save 30% when upgrading from PlayStation Plus Extra to PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe.With PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium/Deluxe, get access to monthly games, exclusive discounts, online multiplayer, and hundreds of PS4 and PS5 titles through the Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, including hit titles like The Last of Us Part I, Grand Theft Auto V, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and many more**.Within the Sony Pictures Core app, PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe members also have access to the Sony Pictures Catalog with up to 100 movies to stream on demand***. During the Black Friday promotional period, PlayStation Plus members can unlock special discounts on recent releases, while all PS5 and PS4 players can enjoy movie discounts made for gamers, including VENOM and more.PlayStation GearVisit PlayStation Gear to save up to 40% off on select merchandise including apparel, drinkware, and more from fan-favorite titles like The Last of Us Part II, Horizon Forbidden West, and God of War Ragnark no promo code necessary. Head over to gear.playstation.com for more details.PlayStation StoreOffers on hundreds of PS5 and PS4 digital games are also coming to PlayStation Store, including popular titles like EA Sports Madden NFL 25, Star Wars Outlaws, Hogwarts Legacy, and much more. Visit PlayStation Store when the promotion begins on November 22 to view the full selection and find out your local savings.PlayStation StoreOffers on hundreds of PS5 and PS4 digital games are also coming to PlayStation Store, including popular titles like EA Sports FC 25, Star Wars Outlaws, Hogwarts Legacy, and much more. Visit PlayStation Store when the promotion begins on November 22 to view the full selection and find out your local savings.*Products may have different sales periods. See specific offer details on product detail pages or retailer sites.**Availability of Classics and Game Catalog varies over time, region/country, and plan. See https://www.playstation.com/Plus for details and updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription subject to a recurring subscription fee taken automatically (at the then-current PS Store price) at the frequency you choose at purchase until cancellation. Terms apply: play.st/psplus-usageterms***Catalog content varies over time, region/country, and plan, and requires separate download and use of Sony Pictures Core App. Movie credit, if available, may be applied instead of discount.

As players of the massively popular Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition adapt to the new-and-improved D&D 2024, theyve found many of their favorite subclasses left on the cutting room floor in the name of streamlined design. Polygon has sung the praises of this new update on multiple occasions, but even the most adaptable D&D player is hesitant to leave behind a precious character whose subclass didnt get an official update. Fear not, dear adventurer, as a team of third-party designers have crafted Subclasses Revivified.The supplement includes nearly 70 updated subclasses including 10 Cleric Domains, nine Wizard schools, six fighter subclasses, and more encapsulating every official subclass left out of the new Players Handbook. Rather than force players to abandon their PCs or reconstruct their character with builds that didnt quite fit, this 109-page text offers D&D fans the chance to revivify their 5e characters.Created by 14 independent tabletop designers whove worked extensively in making third-party D&D supplements, as well as games for companies like MCDM, Evil Hat, and Cubicle 7, Subclasses Revivified isnt just opportunistic shlock. In an interview with Destructoid, designer Sebastian Ye said project lead Adam Hancock encouraged [the design team] to innovate and to take the opportunity to address pain points with existing subclasses.Along with making these subclasses compatible with D&D 2024, the revisions add what the designers call quality of life updates. That includes starting all subclasses at third level, balancing power levels across classes, and developing the mechanics to be more in line with a subclass given theme. The language, formatting, and style of the text has also been updated, using 2024s new jargon, such as D20 Tests and Emanations.The pdf of Subclasses Revivified is currently available for $27.95 on DriveThruRPG, where it has already reached Silver Best Seller status. The first 40 pages are available for preview on the site, and discounted copies are available for those who cant afford the retail price.

Amid a continuing conversation about AIs presence in tabletop gaming, online marketplace itch.io announced that it will be requiring all creators on the site to disclose whether their projects contain AI-generated content. Itch.ios disclosure policy isnt an outright ban, but will make it easier fCEOor tabletop fans who oppose the controversial and ecologically damaging technology to avoid purchasing AI-generated content.According to the announcement from itch.io founder Leaf Corcoran, all asset creators on the platform will be required to classify the content they currently have uploaded onto the site. All products that do include AI-generated art will be tagged as such, while users who specifically mark their content as being human-made will receive a no-ai tag.There will be a grace period for creators to categorize their products, with a bulk tagging tool available for publishers who have a high number of products. Assets comprised of generative AI (even if modified afterwards) that are not tagged will no longer be eligible for indexing on our browse pages, Corcoran explained. In response to a comment, Corcoran also clarified that if users lie about the presence of AI-generated content in their products, or are seen to omit the disclosure tags, they wont be removed from the site, but will be removed from indexing on the discovery page, the major way new games are introduced to potential buyers.On the itchs quality guidelines page, the company stated the implementation of this policy was due to legal ambiguity around rights associated with Generative AI content. Content made from Generative AI systems like ChatGPT, DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion are largely trained on datasets comprised of visual and text-based art without the consent of its original creators, which has been the subject of a number of legal disputes and lawsuits.This makes itch.io the latest online tabletop marketplace to impose a policy regarding AI disclosure. It follows similar requirements on platforms like DriveThruRPG, which created an AI-content filter in late October, and Roll20, which has an outright AI ban on its marketplace.

Actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds office for his Maximum Effort production company is decidedly more coastal casual than Hollywood glamor. Michelle Toney, principal of Studio Paul Toney, envisioned a new workplace that prioritizes comfort in a residential-style setting.The designer set out to transform the space, which was previously the headquarters of a law firm that lacked the warmth and special details that bring added appeal. Toney looked to the companys culture of collaboration for inspiration to present a totally different, relaxed vibe that resonates with todays young creatives.The team produces everything from television content to marketing campaigns, and even though they embrace remote work, Reynolds still requested an office adaptable for hosting events. They wanted a home base that they could use for typical work functions and social activities, says Toney.A large central gathering and kitchen zone boasts farm tables and abstract artwork by Edwin Marcelin, in charcoal and gray tones. Instead of a fireplace anchoring this sector, a sleek bar is the focal point, perfect for cocktail parties and impromptu happy hours with colleagues. The glazed tiles reference the Aviation Gin glass bottles vertical ribs (another brand in the Reynolds portfolio).Housed in a 1930s Art Deco building, a welcoming tone is set as soon as guests enter the spacious, open-plan workspace that spans two levels. Sunlight filters in through the windows, which emphasizes a refined color palette featuring hues of camel and rust, plus vibrant greens and pinks. From the burnished metals to the painted reclaimed wood, theres a mix of industrial and rustic elements that make each section feel lived-in, never pretentious.Toney partnered with Room & Board on the project, offering a curated selection of furnishings with style yet suitable for commercial environments. Rather than harsh divisions, theres a seamless flow between one area to another, which allows staff to congregate in almost any room easily.Televisions are stationed in certain spots for viewing the companys latest shows. Toney wanted to bring texture to the concrete flooring, so she included wool rugs from Morrow Soft Goods, a company she co-founded. Throw pillows from the same brand sit atop plush sofas and lounge chairs, serving as cozy finishing touches.Workstations consist of unassigned, moveable desks that give staff greater flexibility. A suite of private offices are also available, where executives can take Zoom calls or have scheduled one-on-one meetings. Surrounded by glass, theres just enough transparency to keep this sector airy. The disparate facets meld together in a harmonious way that still delights Toney. This office has the possibility to be many things, but its balanced, she notes. People appreciate that.For more information on Studio Paul Toney, visit studiopaultoney.com.Photography by Kacie Tomita.

Confession of a shopaholic: My habit started when I was young, marking everything from toys to small appliances to home furnishings in whatever catalogs I could get my hands on. As technology proliferated, so too did the ways I kept track of my wish lists countless online carts at this very moment are waiting for me to commit. Architecture school and various design jobs let me exercise this skill in a more productive manner, pouring over materials to specify finishes and furniture using someone elses budget. All that practice has prepared me to provide gift guides that boast an eclectic array of items. So suspend reality and join me as I imagine fantastical tabletops decked out with Kelly Wearstlers Glassware or the lush upholstery on Steven Bukowskis Doric Stool. Read on to get a peek behind the curtain and see what gifts Im obsessing over this holiday season.Dune Glassware by Kelly Wearstler for SERAX \\\ From $18While our eyes enjoy clean lines and simple silhouettes, those attributes also help articulate interruptions for intentional moments of visual interest. This mouth-blown glassware offered in nine varieties is exemplary of those principles with their classic shape and distinctive ribbed or rippled detailing at the widest part of the bowl. This set pairs well with ceramics that boast thin surfaces and crisp edges.Pliss Capsule Holder and Crusher by Michele De Lucchi for Alessi \\\ $105 + $35For those looking to elevate their pod-based, at-home coffee rituals, consider adding this chic accoutrement. The architect-designed objects borrow pleated fabric forms from fashion to inform the fluting featured on both product skins. Their sartorial structure is as dynamic as the duo is functional, making pod storage and recycling, as well as waste disposal, quite simple.Pi Book Ends by Alain van Havre for Industry West \\\ $179Functional elegance is front and center with these sculptural bookends that fuse utility with visually pleasing proportions. Each object showcases a different silhouette based on placement as soft arches converge into a rounded edge to form a prism-like volume with a sloped top surface. And their hand-finishing ensures the woods organic nature is preserved.Brass Clock by Daughter Manufacturing \\\ $800Seemingly plucked from the golden age of manufacturing, these wall-hanging clocks are sturdy, stylish, and constructed from solid spun brass. The off-kilter rings and gradually tinted layers of epoxy temper an otherwise industrial aesthetic to create something emotive with a quality that can only be imbued by handcraft. Its the perfect gift for someone looking to dispel the notion they just dont make em like they used to.Lens Poise Table Lamp by Snelling Studio \\\ $1,392Comprising white glass and hand-turned rosewood, this lamps pure geometry is celebrated with contrasting materials and an unlikely dynamism found in its symmetrical silhouette. Snelling Studio carefully balances solid and seemingly void volumes for a product that provides onlookers with multiple expressions.Doric Stool by Steven Bukowski \\\ $1,470Brooklyn-based maker Steven Bukowski references classical elements in his Doric Stool design, translating the column capital into a lush textile seat and the shaft into a base that inverts fluting for a scalloped surface created by clustered legs. Its a particularly striking form in the walnut and velvet variation. Distilled through whimsy, we can embrace tradition without rejecting modernity.MoMA Exclusive Two-Way Side Table by Element de Base \\\ $195The MoMA Two-Way Side Table proves that ultra-modern home furnishings can be simple without being sterile, visually impactful, and deceptively playful. Designers and design students alike can also appreciate its subversive, architectural quality and unique ability to have multiple readings, much like reorienting a study model for fresh perspective. It transforms from side table to bookshelf to basic stand with great ease.Sinuous Shopper Bag by Terrida \\\ $440Despite the recent uptick in pickleballs popularity, tennis still reigns champion over the paddle- and racket-based sports. And accessories provide another playing field to exercise that prowess. This gym turned tote bag is available in a variety of bright colors that make storage and travel with your items a personal statement whether youre on or off the court.Bookmark Bookscape by Trey Jones Studio \\\ $480Reading is fundamental, and theres something daring about having an oversized marker at a time when the act seems radical. This functional sculpture honors and displays your texts, whether it be books or magazines, while creating a conversation piece for any interior design scheme. Trey Jones Studio is pioneering a fresh subgenre of home furnishings.Architettura Sussurrante by Alessandro Mendini Limited Edition Art Print \\\ $53The late Milanese architect Alessandro Mendini originally released an experimental vinyl album in 1983 with this geometric pattern on its sleeve. It has since been retooled by New York designer Lapo Belmestieri for a variety of artful music ephemera including these posters with a limited run of 50 each. The eccentric illustrations and energetic colorways are an homage to postmodernism.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!

I may be more than mildly obsessed with Bluesky, the new-ish social media network that is taking the internet by storm, and serving as a safe haven for many former X users fleeing Elon Musk's increasingly unpleasant virtual cesspit (I may be editorializing a bit too much here). It's just that I haven't had this much fun using social media since, well, I first got into Twitter circa 2010. As I've previously written, Bluesky recalls early Twitter, which means it feels vibrant and welcoming and peopled by tons of interesting folks (some 21 million of them, as of this writing).As I've also previously noted, the value you'll get out of Bluesky is wholly based on who you follow there, since it isn't really powered by an algorithm trying desperately to keep you glued to your feed. No, you'll have to work a little harder if you want to tap into your latest font of dopamine, and that means populating your feed with posts you'll find interesting and provocative and hopefully not enraging (but that's what the "nuclear block" is for).I've already written about Sky Follower Bridge, an extension that helps you track down people you once followed on X, and the Bluesky Directory, which offers a searchable index of more than 80,000 "starter packs" of people to follow based on your interests. Now I want to tell you about another tool that builds upon those: Bluesky Network Analyzer.Easily find people to follow on Bluesky based on who's in your extended networkBluesky Network Analyzer, from indie developer Theo Sanderson, is another third-party app that helps you find people to follow, but this one has a unique twist: Rather than finding potentially relevant accounts based on your former social media activity, or even your interests, it extrapolates them by considering who the people you already follow also follow. If that's not clear, here's a simpler explanation: Once you grant the tool access to the list of people you follow, it runs a quick search and highlights accounts you don't follow that are very popular with the accounts you do follow.Using it is as simple as entering your Bluesky username into the Bluesky Network Analyzer site. If you want to be able to follow people directly from the tool, you can also enter your Bluesky password, but you don't have to. (The fine print indicates your password is not sent to the site but only stored locally, but if you'd prefer not to risk it, you can also generate an app-specific password on Bluesky itself.)The tool will import the list of accounts you already follow, then go to work analyzing them to see how many other follows they have in common. The search takes a little while to runand will obviously take longer if you follow a ton of peoplebut once it's finished, you'll see a list of the results ranked by how many mutuals they share among the people you already follow. To give you some idea of who they are, you'll also see both the account's avatar and the bio, if they've entered one. Credit: Screenshot by Joel Cunningham Of course, it might not be that helpful to see that 202 people you follow also follow the Washington Post. If you'd rather find less basic results, click the toggle to select Sort by proportion (favors niche accounts), which will move accounts with fewer total followers to the top of the list.Why this is a useful way to find followers I like this tool because I feel like I've done a pretty good job curating the list of people I'm following, and so I can assume that if there are accounts a lot of them follow, they're probably worth considering.My own results served up accounts of notable people I recognized (including some journalists and former Film Twitter folks) but had yet to located on Bluesky, so I was able to follow a bunch of them with a few clicks. More than that, I also located some people I used to follow on X who had yet to migrate to Bluesky before I last used Sky Follower Bridge.If you wanted to, I suppose you could head over to Bluesky and search up the person's username (unfortunately they aren't hyperlinked), but I mostly found it to be a good way to jog my memory. Given how many of my former online friends have dropped off of social networks like Facebook and X in recent years, it was nice to be reminded that they exist.

Every once in a while a seemingly pointless computing question of mine becomes an obsession. This week, that question is, "Whatever happened to music visualizers? And can I still use one?"In the 2000s, one of the coolest things you could do on a computer was turn on some music, enable the visualizera kind of psychedelic-inspired animation that would react to the musicand space out. These days, though? Well, Apple Music still has the visualizer offered by iTunes back in the dayjust click Window > Visualizer in the menu bar to bring it up. But Apple is alone on this. Spotify, the most popular streaming service, doesn't have any kind of visualizerjust a full-screen view with a photo of the artist. Amazon Music and YouTube Music don't have anything, either.You might think this is where where my research should have stopped. You're wrong. We had something amazing and we lost it. That's unacceptable. This missing feature stuck in my head to the point of obsession, prompting untold numbers of searches while I should have been working on something else. Credit: Justin Pot Eventually I found the unfortunately named MilkyMilky, a free application for Windows, Mac, and Linux that brings back the famous Milkdrop visualizer that Winamp was famous for. Even better: it works with any audio on your computer, meaning any application that makes sound is supported.To get started, download the application and launch it. The visualizer will start immediately, though there will be a pop-up explaining the keyboard shortcuts offered. Credit: Justin Pot You can use the arrow keys to switch between different animations. You can also open the settings by pressing Ctrl+S. From here, you can set which audio source to use and fine tune the graphics a little bit. You can even change the audio source to your microphone, if you want; sing or play an instrument and the visualizer will react.There's a bit of a catch for Mac users, mostly related to the permissionsmacOS doesn't allow applications to monitor currently playing audio. MilkyMilky works around this by using your microphone, which isn't exactly ideal, but it works. You can work around this using an application called Loopback, which can turn your system audio into a virtual microphone. (It's up to you to decide whether that's overkill just to use Milkdrop.)This tool works best with songs that have a really well defined rhythm or bass line, so that you can see the moment of impact on each beat. It's also ideally something a little bit trippy. I've been enjoying putting on Magdalena Bay's most recent albumit fits extremely well. If your tastes are less modern, though, you probably can't go wrong with Pink Floyd. I've had a lot of fun leaving this on in the background during work days and I hope you enjoy it, too. Mostly I'm glad I can stop obsessively researching this.

If you cant get your kids to sit through one of the five NBA games airing on Christmas Day, tune into Disney+, ESPN+ or ESPN2 for a special Disney-fied version. ESPN announced that it will air a Dunk the Halls broadcast of the San Antonio Spurs versus the New York Knicks featuring animated Disney characters.The broadcast starts at 12PM eastern. If you just want to watch the game played by regular, boring humans, that will also air on Disney+ and ESPN+ as well as ABC and ESPN.Dunk the Halls will use Sonys Beyond Sports technology to turn Madison Square Garden into Main Street USA from the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The game will also feature appearances from classic Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald and Daisy Duck as well as Santa and his elves from the animated Disney short Prep & Landing.This is the first time the NBA has arranged to air a game with animated characters and graphic overlays. Its also the latest game in a new trend of mixing live sports events with a networks signature cartoon characters. ESPN+, Disney+ and the NFL+ app will air an alternative version of the Bengals-Cowboys game on December 9 featuring virtual characters and scenes from The Simpsons. ESPN3s Full Court Press broadcasts use technology designed by Second Spectrum to create augmented graphics that track players movements and provide real time updates.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-nba-will-air-a-christmas-day-game-with-disney-characters-224921665.html?src=rss

Smaller battery packs are great for refiling phones and tablets, but if you need to keep a laptop juiced up while youre far from an outlet, youll need something larger. For this guide, we tested portable chargers with at least a 20,000mAh (74Wh) capacity, but kept the upper limit below 27,000mAh (99Wh), since thats about the maximum size allowed by the TSA in carry-on luggage. Some laptop power banks sport extra features like wireless charging or an AC plug so you can power small devices such as a travel printer or an LED lamp. But what all of them have in common is a larger size and higher price tag than standard battery packs. So if you dont want to play a guessing game, these are the best laptop power banks we tested. Table of contents Best laptop power banks for 2024 What to look for in a laptop power bank How we test portable laptop chargers Laptop power bank FAQs Best laptop power banks for 2024 What to look for in a laptop power bank Capacity If you just need to keep a smartphone from dying before you can make it home, just about any power bank will do. But if you need to revive multiple devices or the substantial battery of a laptop, youll want something with a high milliamp-hour (mAh) capacity. A power bank capable of delivering enough power to a laptop will have a capacity between 20,000 and 27,000 mAh. Go higher than 27,000mAh and you wont be able to take it on an airplane, which is why most portable chargers top out around that number. Since the voltage for most portable power banks is around 3.7 volts, a 27,000mAh battery translates to 99.9 watt hours which is the maximum capacity the TSA will allow for carry-on luggage. (And note that these batteries cant be checked, regardless of size). If you want something even bigger than a laptop power bank, and dont need to fly with it, youll likely want to look into portable power stations. These can be the size of a car battery or larger and can potentially fuel an entire weekend away. Another thing to keep in mind is that the capacity listed in a power bank's specs is not what will be delivered to your devices. As I mentioned, the capacity of these banks is around 25,000mAh. Even the huge battery on a MacBook Pro has a mAh rating of around 5,000 - 6,000mAh, so you might think youd get five full charges but in reality, you only get about a single 70-percent charge. The voltage is different (typically 3.7V for the power bank and 11.4V for a laptop) which makes the watt-hours, or the amount of energy each battery can hold, different (working out to 92Wh for the battery and 72Wh for the laptop). On top of that, in order to feed a charge from a power bank to a laptop, a voltage conversion takes place and that dissipates a decent amount of energy. Without turning this into a physics lesson, this all means that a power bank with a 25,000mAh (or 92Wh) capacity will typically fill a 5,000mAh (or 72Wh) laptop battery to about 75 percent. In my tests, I averaged about a 60-percent efficiency rate between a power banks listed capacity and the actual charge delivered. Ports Every large power bank Ive tested has at least three USB ports, with a mix of USB-C and USB-A, which should cover nearly any portable device you need to recharge earbuds, phones, tablets, laptops, you name it. In addition to the different plug formats, some ports supply power at different wattages. For example, one USB-C port might be rated for 60 watts, while the one next to it is rated for 100 watts. So if youve got a device thats capable of 70W fast charging, such as the new MacBook Air, youd want to opt for the 100W port to get the best charging speeds possible. Note that devices with a smaller wattage draw wont be negatively affected by connecting to ports with high ratings. For example, a Galaxy S24 Ultra, capable of 45W super fast charging, can happily plug into the 100W port. A device will only draw what it can take, regardless of what a port can supply. Just remember that the port, device and cable need to be at or above the desired wattage rating to achieve maximum charging rates. Some of these larger batteries also have AC ports. It might seem like a natural fit to plug in your laptops power adapter for a recharge. But really, the AC port should only be for devices that cant use USB such as a lamp or a printer. Plugging a power adapter into the AC port only wastes energy through conversion. First, the battery converts its DC power to supply the port with AC power, then the power adapter converts that AC power back to DC so your laptop can take it in. And as youll remember from physics class, each time energy is converted, some is lost to heat and other dissipations. Better to cut out the middleman and just send that DC power straight from the battery to the device. Also, you can use more than one port at a time with these devices; just remember that the speed of whatever youre charging will likely go down, and of course, the battery is going to drain proportionally to what youre refilling. Wireless charging Just in the last year and a half that Ive been testing portable power banks, wireless charging capabilities have noticeably improved. The first few I tried were painfully slow and not worth recommending. Now the wireless pads built into power banks are impressively fast particularly, in my experience, when charging Samsung Galaxy phones (though the lack of a stabilizing magnetic connection like Apples MagSafe means they only work when rested flat on a pad). Most wireless charging connections can be used while other ports are also being employed, making them convenient for some mobile battlestation setups. Of course, wireless charging is always less efficient than wired, and recharging from an external battery is less efficient in general. If you want to waste as little energy as possible, youre better off sticking to wired connections. Design All power banks are designed to be portable, but theres a big difference between a pocket-friendly 5,000mAh battery and one of these laptop-compatible bruisers. Most of the latter weigh between a pound and a half to two pounds, which is a considerable addition to a backpack. Many of the options listed here have a display to tell you how much charge remains in the battery, which is helpful when youre trying to judiciously meet out charges to your devices. If a bank has a wireless connection, the pad is usually on the flat top and any available AC connection is usually at one end. Both may require you to engage those charging methods. Dont be like me and grumble loudly that you got a bum unit without pressing (and sometimes double pressing) all the buttons first. How we test portable laptop chargers For the past year and a half, Ive been testing and using dozens of portable batteries for our other battery guide. Some of those batteries include the higher-capacity power banks you see here. I also got a hold of a few extra banks just for this guide to make sure we covered whats available. I went for brands Im already familiar with, as well as battery packs from well-received manufacturers I hadnt tried before (like UGREEN and Lion Energy). I only considered banks with at least a 20,000mAh capacity and mostly stuck with those that rated 25,000mAh and higher. Heres everything we tested: Zendure Supertank Pro Mophie Powerstation Pro XL Mophie Powerstation Pro AC Lion Energy Eclipse Mag Lion Energy Trek Baseus Blade Laptop Anker Prime 27,650mAh Goal Zero Sherpa 100 AC Due to shipping and travel issues, I wasnt able to test two of the batteries I had slated: the HyperJuice 245W and the UGREEN Power Bank 25,000mAh. Once Ive had a chance to see how these two perform as well as any new worthy contenders that hit the market Ill update this guide accordingly. I tested each power bank with an iPhone 15, a Galaxy S23 Ultra, an iPad Air (M1) and a 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip. Even though these banks can charge multiple devices at once, I refilled one at a time, to make side-by-side comparisons more straightforward. I drained the batteries of the phones and tablets to between zero and five percent and then didnt use any device as it refilled. For the MacBook, I let it run down to 10 percent before plugging in the power bank. That's when most laptops give display a connect to power warning, as draining any battery to empty will compromise the battery life. I then used it as one might in a mobile office, with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, while connected to Wi-Fi and a VPN. For each test, I noted how long a completely charged battery took to get a device back to full and how much of the batterys capacity was used up in one charge. I also noted things like portability, apparent durability, helpful features and overall design. For reference, here are the battery capacities of the devices I used: iPhone 15: 3,349mAh Galaxy S23 Ultra: 4,855mAh iPad Air (5th gen): 7,729mAh 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro: 27,027mAh Laptop power bank FAQs How do laptop power banks differ from phone power banks? The main difference is size. Phone power banks tend to have a capacity ranging from 5,000mAh to 20,000mAh and laptop powerbanks are typically rated between 20,000mAh and 27,000mAh. Theres no official definition, however. Laptop batteries are simply larger and need a bigger supply of power to give them a meaningful charge. How do you fast charge a power bank? You can charge a power bank exactly as fast as the power banks internal mechanisms will allow. Most batteries are limited in how quickly they can accept and deliver a charge to avoid dangerously overheating. But to make sure youre charging a bank as quickly as possible, make sure the wall adapter and the USB-C cable you are using have a high wattage rating using a 5W power brick and a 10W cable will take a lot longer to refill your bank than a 65W wall charger and a 100W cord. What size power bank do I need for a laptop? Look for a power bank with a rating of at least 20,000mAh. Slightly smaller batteries may work, but they wont deliver a significant charge to your laptop. How many mAh to charge a laptop? A milliamp hour (mAh) is how much a battery can hold, and most portable batteries list their capacity using mAh. If you get a battery rated at 20,000mAh or above, it should be able to charge your laptop. Using mAh to discuss laptop batteries can be confusing. Due to differing voltages, you cant directly compare the mAh ratings of a power bank battery to a laptop battery. Using watt-hours is a better gauge, as that calculation takes voltage into account.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-laptop-power-bank-120040388.html?src=rss