If you're an avid Tolkien fan and have a particular fondness for The Hobbit, the upcoming Hobbit Encyclopedia should be on your radar. The 336-page book takes a deep dive into the lore of Middle-earth, covering everything from iconic characters and places to sacred objects and other essential lore. The Hobbit Encyclopedia releases September 3, and preorders are currently seeing a nice discount. The Hobbit Encyclopedia $31 (was $40) This hardcover volume is pitched as the ultimate source for all things related to J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel. Whether you're a newcomer to The Hobbit or you've read it a thousand times, you can probably find something here that'll help you better appreciate Bilbo's journey. Here's a short sampling of topics covered in the book:The ArkenstoneAzog and BolgDragonsElvishFarieGirionLake-townPipes and pipe-weedThe Quest of EreborWasterlandsScattered throughout the text are a variety of premium illustrations that help bring different subjects to life. It's been designed to be read either front to back or skimmed through as a reference book. Preorder at Amazon You also might be interested to learn The Hobbit has multiple new and upcoming editions. The Hobbit Collector's Edition, a beautiful new hardcover version of the classic tale, released earlier this month and is on sale for $29 (was $35). Meanwhile, The Hobbit Deluxe Tolkien Illustrated Edition is set to launch on October 22, and preorders are available for $151 (was $195). This lavish edition of The Hobbit is part of the Tolkien Illustrated Editions collection. The standard Tolkien Illustrated Edition of The Hobbit is still a gorgeous book in its own right--plus, it's only $39 (was $75).The Hobbit Collector's Edition is part of a new series of hardcovers featuring Tolkien's five best-known works. The Silmarillion Collector's Edition also released earlier this month, and it's available for only $24.50. Meanwhile, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy--The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King--will receive their collector's editions on September 17. These beautiful editions only cost $35 each--pretty much the norm for new hardcover fiction--and will be collected in The Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition Box Set with a foldout map on November 5.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Developer Avalanche Software will need to put in a lot of work to flesh out Hogwarts Legacy 2's world and build upon the exploration present in the first title. This investment in the 2023 title naturally resulted in a great number and types of collectibles present. It can take players approximately 70 hours to platinum Hogwarts Legacy, and many will complete the campaign before they manage to get every single item or trophy out there.

Building a town from the ground up is no small feat and in video games, its a task that usually requires vast screen real estate and a pair of readers to see all that tiny text. But with Outlanders 2 the city builder/life sim developed by Pomelo Games available exclusively on Apple Arcade I can build a thriving town while I ride the subway to work or wait for my laundry at the laundromat.A sequel to the popular PC game, Outlanders 2 maintains the originals aesthetic and vibe: the muted color palette, the low-poly characters, the thematic focus on nature, the pleasant acoustic guitar music. That means some players are probably disappointed that they cant play Outlanders 2 on their PCs, but this game successfully translates the typically vast view of a city builder and all its intricate metrics for mobile and in portrait mode, no less.Outlanders 2 is also available in landscape mode for Mac and in portrait for iPad, but no matter what Apple device you use, youll need an Apple Arcade subscription. As a frequent mobile game player, though (and as someone with small hands), I like that I dont have to hold my iPhone awkwardly in landscape mode or sit at my desk while playing a game like this. Whats more, the other mobile city builders Ive played are fraught with other mobile game ads and prohibitive in-app purchases.Regardless of my personal infatuation with the existence of a big game I can play while Im in transit, though, Outlanders 2 is just plain fun. Just like the original, the campaigns (called stories in game) are where this game really stands out from others like it. First, youll progress through Pablos Quest, where experienced outlander Pablo teaches a group of new settlers (and the player) how to survive in the Outlands. The second story, Mirandas Chance, focuses on an outlander with perhaps too much ambition who finds herself trying to survive in a harsh winter.Each successive story and its three parts gets increasingly difficult, so every part of the campaign teaches you new gameplay mechanics, like how to use a bonfire or how to keep your settlers sense of community up. Outlanders 2 is not punishing, but it is occasionally challenging and reaching the stretch achievements in each level gets harder as you move along.The interface for metrics is simplistic, relying on bold symbols and numbers to make it easier to see on a small screen, while still including everything you need to see: how many resources you have, how happy the outlanders are, and how far you are in accomplishing the goals of that level. The eye icon lets you toggle a mode that shows how many settlers you have assigned to each structure, which is helpful for looking at a glance. Placing buildings is easy with a touchscreen-friendly grid mode (though its a bit grabby when placing roads), and the locked camera angle lets you zoom in and out without getting lost in space.Pomelo Games has also released three new challenges which are mini sandboxes with specific circumstances and goals every two weeks since the game was released on July 3, and all of the archived challenges are available to play indefinitely.These intentionally designed, story-focused campaigns and challenges are the best part of the game and possibly the only part worth playing. The sandbox mode available from the jump as of a few updates ago just doesnt measure up. For one, the maps are criminally small, with even less playable space for placing structures, and they dont expand as you play. Theres no terraforming, which is fine, but it means that if theres a valley on your map, youll never be able to put your farm there. In fact, in my sandbox playthrough, there was only one usable area for a farm, which is one of the largest structures you can place.The sandbox also suffers from a lack of variability. The seasons dont change (though there is some intermittent weather), and theres no way to upgrade buildings instead, you recycle them and add better buildings, but there arent too many to choose from.Its obvious why Pomelo Games decided to make a sandbox mode for this game; its something players have come to expect from city builders, and its a great way for players to get creative in ways the developers didnt think of. But Ive found myself wishing Outlanders 2 had committed to a smaller game with more stories instead. I also wish the game forced me to unlock buildings and features via the campaign; the sandbox mode comes with everything unlocked, which takes the fun out of working toward the next level.Outlanders 2 alone probably isnt enough to justify the $6.99 per month for an Apple Arcade sub, but if you already have one, its a must-play title. Moreover, if you initially refused to play Outlanders 2 because its on mobile, heres my plea to give it another shot, if only to play through those silly, heartwarming stories in campaign mode.Outlanders 2was released July 3 on iOS and Mac. The game was reviewed on an iPhone 15 using a download code provided by Apple. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can findadditional information about Polygons ethics policy here.

The 2024 Summer Olympics is finally over, but we can apply contextual design into our practices.Continue reading on UX Collective

There are around 420 million monthly active users on OnlyFans, a social media platform featuring digital marketing advice, fitness content, vocabulary lessons, and anything else you can think of. There's also porn, porn catering to literally any interest or fetish that exists on Earth. 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Instagram is testing a new profile grid layout that features rectangular images instead of the squares you're used to. In an Instagram story, Adam Mosseri has revealed that the app is testing a vertical grid for users' profiles. He explained that the original square grid was designed back in the day when the app only allowed users to upload square photos. Those days are long gone, and the vast majority of Instagram uploads are apparently vertical, specifically 4 x 3 images and 9 x 16 videos. He called cropping those uploads down to square as "pretty brutal."When you click on Instagram's video tab, you'll already see a rectangular grid, so the experimental layout won't look terribly unfamiliar. In fact, the test profile looks exactly the same, based on a screenshot that a user posted on Threads, except the grid includes photo posts and not just videos. A spokesperson told The Verge that the test has only rolled out to a small number of users and that the Instagram team will listen to feedback before expanding the redesigned grid's availability.Based on an old post by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, the app has been working on the new rectangular grid layout since at least 2022. It looks like the test is making its way to more users and it seems like not everyone's happy about it. Mosseri posted his Story in response to a comment submitted to his "Ask Me Anything" session, pleading for the app not to kill the old layout.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagrams-experimental-profile-grid-has-rectangular-images-instead-of-squares-160007086.html?src=rss

We've got another sign that the affordable version of the Galaxy S24 will be showing up soon.

Amazon and six other organizations will take part in a trial that will test the use of drone flights to remote locations.

As a communications expert, I work with people to help them communicate their ideas in a way that motivates their audiences to take action. But in many of my conversations with clients, I hear about the challenges people have to motivate themselves to take action on the ideas that capture their own hearts the most.Many workers are satisfied enough with their current employment, but wish to pursue their passion outside of their 9-to-5. And as we continue to create a new world of work, a lot of people are wondering what will give them greater fulfillment without giving up their day job.I call those unformed dreams that swirl in your brain, wish ideas. They are those ideas that wont go away and wont leave you alone. You dont have to push your wish idea into a retirement project, or make it into a full-time job. With a little exploration, your wish idea can easily become a side hustle that fulfills and satisfies you.Maybe you are yearning to finally start a podcast, write a book, or design knitting patterns. Antoine de Saint-Exupry, who wrote The Little Prince, famously said a goal without a plan is just a wish. If you want to communicate your idea out to the world, you need to create a structure around that idea to give yourself a foundation to build on.If you have a wish idea that wont leave you alone, here are some steps you can take to structure it into an actual side hustle and productive part of your life:Set time constraintsFirst, I would recommend that you set time constraints around your wish idea. Commit to a defined length of time that youre going to work on your idea. I recommend about eight weeks because a two-month window will give you enough time to decide if this idea is something you really want to pursue.Decide when and whereBe specific about how youll fit your project into your calendar. One person I encountered decided that she would use her commute to the office once a week, plus her lunch break that day. With a half hour each way on the train, plus an hour for lunch, shell have two hours each week for her wish project. You might decide to work on your wish idea on Saturday morning or three days a week from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m. Since you only have eight weeks, youll have a sense of urgency to protect that time.Start a notebookUse an ordinary notebook that you can use for mind-mapping, morning pages, and for sticking those Post-it notes that are scattered around your workspace. Make sure its a non-precious spiral notebook, not one of those special bound books with good paper that you wont want to mess up. Having one container for your project will illustrate your progress and make it easier to track.Eliminate distractionsIn order to turn your wish idea into a side hustle, you should find a way to eliminate distractions. If youre inspired suddenly to paint the living room or investigate working remotely from the south of France, capture those ideas somewhere else and acknowledge them as the distractions that they are. Speaking of distractions, eliminate your favorites from your phone. TikTok will be there when you get back.Put structure around your projectYou can create structure around your project by establishing clear steps. As an example, lets say you want to create a podcast. Divide your time between creating the ideas for the content of each episode from the technical mechanism of what youll need to produce it. Think about which of these is more challenging for you. This is where you might want to enlist help in order to accomplish all necessary steps.List your steps and categorize each task. Start by completing 10 steps. The next day, write 10 more. By the third day youll get an impression of whether this idea has enough substance to keep you engaged if you decide to execute your project.Write a final reportAnd finally, I would recommend that you write a final report at the end of eight weeks. Ask yourself: What did I learn? If this was a work project, would you recommend that you continue? Did it deliver a level of engagement that you were looking for? Was it fun in the midst of all the challenges?Remember the goal is to create more satisfaction in life. Your wish idea doesnt have to turn into a unicorn startup. Decide if this is something you actually want to pursue, or if youd prefer to go after a different dream.If you didnt get far on your wish idea, take a look at why. Are you in a season of life where you just dont have time, given family obligations? Are you in a toxic work situation that demands too much of your energy? Maybe its time to refocus on finding a position that better uses your skills and interests.And maybe your wish idea can be integrated into your current work. Might you use it to contribute to your organizations success and increase your visibility with leadership? Does your company have a blog, or can HR use your skills for training other colleagues?No matter the outcome, a thoughtful look at how you experienced your wish-idea project will give you the data points youll need to decide to take it further or try something else to give yourself more satisfaction in life.

Chinese studio Temp has used charred wood to create 3-to-1 Pavilion, a triangular shelter nestled in a rocky garden in Shanghai.Intended as a sanctuary-like space for drinking tea and gathering, the pavilion has a geometric form with a triangular plan and louvred walls made from wooden frames.Temp has created a triangular shelter in a garden in Shanghai"The 3-to-1 Pavilion design is the integration of time, space, and people, with a focus on 'in-between' or interstitial spaces," Temp told Dezeen."The pavilion serves as a serene sanctuary for tea drinking, contemplation, and social gatherings in a Shanghai garden setting."The 3-to-1 Pavilion is built from charred woodA total of 30 charred timber frames built with flush tenon joints form the 3-to-1 pavilion's louvred walls. They are set at angles and increase in height as the structure narrows, left exposed on the ceiling.The openings between the frames filter in sunlight and cast playful shadows across the interior, which Temp designed to create a meditative atmosphere.It has a geometric form with a triangular planThe triangular plan of 3-to-1 Pavilion is intended to guide the eye towards the natural surroundings, with a large open wall on one end framing views of the garden.There is also a slim floor-to-ceiling opening at the narrowest end.There is a large open wall on the end"The shape directs visitors on a journey from casual gatherings to contemplation, culminating in a narrow, tall opening that frames a view of the garden, creating a strong visual connection with nature," said Temp.The pavilion rests on a concrete plinth that supports a black floor made from charred wooden boards. At the centre is a low black table, acting as a casual space for relaxation.Read: Buero Wagner creates adaptable black-timber pavilion in RomeBy using solid wood throughout the project, Temp intended to reference the neighbouring trees.However, to help it stand out from these surroundings, the wood has been charred using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique.It is designed for drinking tea and social gatherings"The structure is entirely solid wood, cut into tenon joints in a local factory and assembled on-site," said Temp. "The use of tenon joints not only showcases craftsmanship but also ensures structural integrity and flexibility," it continued."The wood construction, combined with the charring wood process, reinforces the pavilion's connection to natural surroundings while providing a distinct architectural presence."The wood was charred using the Japanese technique Shou Sugi BanOther timber pavilions recently featured on Dezeen include a structure for bird watchers in Houston and a demountable tent-like building in Rome designed for flexible use.The photography is by Runzi Zhu.The post Temp nestles charred-wood pavilion in rocky Shanghai garden appeared first on Dezeen.