World of Warcrafts next expansion, The War Within, is arriving soon, and Blizzard has been setting the stage for the first act of the three-expansion Worldsoul Saga as the current chapter, Dragonflight, concludes. On Wednesday, Blizzard announced it would be beta testing a new narrative experience on the public test realm, and shared a short cinematic trailer.Dalaran, one of the most beloved hub cities in the game, seems to be in great peril at the hands of the franchises new headliner big bad, Xalatath. But papa Khadgar is here to help.The Harbinger is here.Tomorrow a new experience in Dalaran arrives on Beta for testing. pic.twitter.com/JNSxgT7Lh5 World of Warcraft (@Warcraft) August 14, 2024Let me explain. Way back during the Legion expansion in 2016, Khadgar summoned the players to Dalaran. Khadgar goes way back; he was in the original RTS games, but vanished during Warcraft 2. We found him again in Shattrath City during The Burning Crusade, and around Warlords of Draenor, he really stepped up.By the time Legion arrived, everyone loved Khadgar, AKA Dadgar, for his good nature and goofy jests. Sure, hes a super-powerful mage, and the hero of all of Azeroths great wars. But he also tracks down the hero for a Skype call by sending his own head floating in an orb.The opening act of the expansion was well-received. Khadgar called the players back to Dalaran, the city of mages and the popular hub for both Alliance and Horde in Wrath of the Lich King. The Legion was back, and players needed to find powerful Artifact Weapons. Among those was Xalatath, the Shadow Priest Artifact. This knife with an eye proved to be much more than a humble stabbing instrument; shes clearly affiliated with the Old Gods and their ancient Black Empire, and theyre all equally ambitious. Xalatath was also suspiciously smug, for a knife. She escaped that vessel as part of some larger scheme, and thats leading to big problems. Xalatath is now haunting the corpse of a Void Elf and empowering an ancient spider kingdom.Blizzard also shared a six-second clip of an animated project, with the caption Soon The video concludes with The War Within, so well have to see how well the teaser which features elves at battle with the Horde represents the final product.No matter what, that pre-patch event definitely spells trouble. Well see how this showdown culminates in the lead-up to The War Withins release on Aug. 26.

Over the past five years or so, the smartphone industry has been criticized for its perceived stagnancy in design, and its easy to see why. Every new phone is essentially a glass slab with rounded corners and an edge-to-edge display. That, of course, ignores new concepts like foldable phones, but for the vast majority of customers simply looking for a do-it-all phone, there arent really all that many distinct looking devices. But since the launch of the Pixel 6 in 2021, Google has been trying to do something about that. The Pixel 6 was the first of a new generation of Pixel phones, culminating in the latest and greatest Pixel 9 series.Google Pixel 9These devices are slab phones, to be sure, but they make use of design elements largely exclusive to the Pixel. For example, in a world of square back-left camera modules, Google instead uses a long pronounced camera bar on the back of its devices except the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which does indeed have a rectangular camera module.[A unique looking phone is] what our users expect they want a phone design that is on the cutting edge in terms of size, comfort, and performance, but they want it to be recognized across the room, said Claude Zellweger, Director of Design at Google, in an interview with Design Milk. That said, our design follows a clear progression of camera technology.Google Pixel 9The series is the most impressive slate of Pixel phones to date. Its made up of not one or two devices, but a hefty four new phones, ranging in price and functionality, essentially offering something for everyone willing to spend around $800 or more. Theres the base Pixel 9 (available in Peony, Wintergreen, Porcelain, and Obsidian) with its dual camera array and solid display, and then theres the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL (both available in Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, and Obsidian), which have upgraded displays and a third camera on the back. Lastly, theres the Pixel 9 Pro Fold (available in Porcelain and Obsidian), which is the spiritual successor to the original Pixel Fold, and offers a taller build and similar high-end performance as the Pixel 9 Pro.Indeed, the now-famous camera bar is perhaps more pronounced on the new phones than it ever has been before. Sure, the changes to the camera bars design are minute, but they also contribute to a more modular feel to the phone. For this generation, the camera bar stands alone, avoiding blending into the frame of the phone in favor of a protruded, emphasized look. But its not all about look, says Zellweger.Google Pixel 9 ProOur aim was to improve every aspect of our phone Evolve the camera design to reflect our commitment to photography and AI. Increase screen while reducing device size, improving grip and comfort, increasing durability and repairability, he continued. The new phone profile helps all aspects of the user experience. The camera bar helps in-hand and on-table stability.Of course, many other phones out there aim to distinguish themselves in design too, but for the most part they do so with different build materials and color options. Theres nothing wrong with that. Higher-end build materials are always good, and I love a colorful phone. But the fact is that the majority of people put a case on their phone immediately, making such a device unrecognizable. Thats where the new phones differ a little, again, namely through the camera module.Google Pixel 9 ProWith Pixel 9 we designed a case that truly completes the phone, said Zellweger. The camera opening is perfectly tailored to complement the volume of our best-in-class camera.Google Pixel 9 Pro FoldObviously, simply making the camera a bar instead of a rectangle isnt going to radically shift smartphone design in the long run, but its great to see companies at least experimenting a little with the tried-and-true smartphone shape. Google, of course, is perhaps experimenting a little more than others, both by making slab phones that look a little more distinctive, and by building foldable devices like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold (even if the foldable device, for some reason, has a more traditional camera module). Hopefully, that tradition continues with the next iterations of the Pixel series, but for now, its great to see an expansive, unique-looking lineup in the Pixel 9 series.Camera on the Google Pixel 9 Pro FoldYou can now order the Pixel 9 series straight from Google. The Pixel 9 comes at $799, while the Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,099. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold costs $1,799. for more information, visit store.google.com.

Figmas UI3: The Psychology of AdaptationWhen Figma released its UI3 update, the design community responded with reactions ranging from excitement to frustration (the frustration seems to be prevailing).The changes promised enhanced functionality and a more streamlined experience, but for many, the shift was disorienting. Understanding why it takes time to adapt to such updates requires delving into the concept of mental models, cognitive biases, and the psychology ofchange.Figmas UI2 andUI3.Mental ModelsA mental model is a cognitive framework that helps individuals understand and interact with the world. These models are formed through experience and are deeply ingrained in our thinking. They guide our expectations and behaviors, allowing us to navigate tasks effectively.In the context of software, mental models dictate how we expect an interface to behave. For example, when Im familiar with a particular design tool, I develop expectations about where functions are located, how they are accessed, and the steps needed to accomplish certain tasks. A significant update like the UI3 disrupts these expectations, forcing mental model reconfiguration.Why Adaptation TakesTimeAdapting to a new mental model, especially in the context of software updates, is not instantaneous. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the changes and the familiarity with thetool.In my case, it took two weeks to acclimate to Figmas UI3 update - a timeframe that aligns with psychological research on habit formation and cognitive adaptation.When people are confronted with a new interface, the cognitive load increases. Our brains have to work harder to process new information and override previous habits. This can lead to frustration and a slower workflow initially. The cognitive load gradually decreases as the new mental modelforms.Some people may find it easier to adjust to changes due to high cognitive flexibility, while others with more rigid mental models may struggle. The time it takes to adapt is partly influenced by thisfactor.Lets explore the Familiarity principle, also known as the Mere-exposure effect. This principle suggests that we tend to prefer what we are familiar with. Duh. When a UI update disrupts this familiarity, it can lead to resistance. As we become more accustomed to the new interface through repeated exposure, the preference for it increases.Anchoring bias is another cognitive bias that influences the acceptance of the new UI. It occurs as we rely heavily on the first piece of information that we encounter (in this case, the old Figma interface). The initial mental model acts as an anchor, making it difficult to adjust to new information. Overcoming this bias requires deliberate effort and repeated use of the new interface.The Timeline of AdaptationAdapting to a new mental model, such as the one required by Figmas UI3 update, varies. Researches on habit formation are controversial. Some suggests that it takes an average of 21 to 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic, while others say it can take up to 254 days, depending on the complexity and commitment to thechange.First few days: I experienced a gradual learning curve. Frustration was common as the old mental model clashed with the new interface.Week 1: Cognitive load started to decrease as I became more familiar with the new layout and functions. Some level of comfort began to develop, although efficiency was far below pre-update levels.Week 2: I reached a point where the new mental model has been adopted. Tasks were performed with increasing speed. Reference to old habits occured occasionally.One Month: Efficiency returned to previous levels. As of today, I truly cant recall the old Figma interface from memory. I just switched back for the sake of this sentenceits a No fromme.I literally spent 5+ minutes looking for the top navigation actions.As a Product person, I embrace the bravery it takes to do such change (over 4 million users will be affected at some point ). Being a Figma user since 2018 allowed me to witness plenty of updates they introduced. Their product team rarely disappoints, and I was confident that this time would be no exception. I dove into the new design and never switched back. For me this update is great in most aspects. Its more logically structured, a bit narrower and tinyfied in terms of iconography (this is not too great for all types of users), and yes, I struggled to find everything at first sight untilahaaa, ok, that makessense.Psychology ofChangeOne of the key psychological aspects during the adaptation is cognitive dissonance. This occurs when the new interface disrupts the harmony between my expectations and reality. My brain is constantly reconciling the differences between the old and new versions, leading to moments of frustration.Over time, habit formation takes place as I repeatedly engage with the new UI. The process of habit formation is gradual. It requires practice and patience.The factor that influenced the most how I adjusted to this change is called growth mindset. By approaching the update with a willingness to learn and adapt, you can more easily overcome the initial struggles.As the old UI is not going to be supported forever, I would encourage you to take it less seriously. This update is a textbook example of how mental models are disrupted and reformed.Think of it as a gameplay, explore, enjoy, adapt, and learn. Isnt this how life works?:) Interested in reading more about Mental models, Habits, and Cognitive Biases? Grab a copy of thesebooks:1. Super Thinking: The Big Book of MentalModels2. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products3. 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know AboutPeopleFigmas UI3: the psychology of adaptation was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

In the nine years between when I got my undergraduate degree and headed back for my master's, a lot changed. When I was an undergrad, we were still turning in a majority of our assignments on printed-out paper. The idea of doing that less than a decade later was absolutely laughable. I took hand-written notes when I was 18, only transitioning to carrying a laptop with me in my final year of college. In grad school, I don't think I wrote with a pen a single time. Still, for as much as has changed, I still needed a bag to carry the things I was using, same as I did all those years ago. No matter what year it was or level of degree I was pursuing, a bag full of essentials was a constant necessity. How to choose the right bag for collegeAs soon as I found out I got into grad school, I bought a backpack. I knew my usual big totes and purses wouldn't cut it was I was hauling a laptop, workout clothes, snacks, and extra sweatshirts from work to school every day. The first thing I recommend in a backpack is a USB charger and numerous compartments. You want the charger for obvious reasons, but the compartments serve a major purpose, too. When you're organizing your things, you should store similar items together and make sure everything has a designated spot. Multiple compartments give you the chance to put all your papers and resource materials in one, your computer in another, smaller tech in another, and so on. All of that said, try one like this: Monsdle Travel Laptop Backpack Anti Theft Backpacks with USB Charging Port $28.99 $38.89 Save $9.90 Shop Now Shop Now $28.99 $38.89 Save $9.90 Essentials for any college backpackI won't insult your intelligence by linking out to notebooks and pens, but it doesn't hurt to have some anyway. I never took written notes, but your program may be different. Plus, research shows you do retain the notes you take by hand better than the ones you type, so be a better student than I was. If you don't want a backpack with a USB charger, that's cool, you should still have all kinds of charging supplies with you. There's no guarantee you'll always be by an outlet, so portable chargers are a must, in addition to the regular kind you plug into the wall. Consider this one, which has multiple adapters for different devices, as well as a wall plug. Here's where organization comes into play. Hauling around charging cables for your phone, smart watch, computer, tablet, headphones, or whatever else creates a big, tangled mess in your bag, regardless of how carefully you designate your compartments. For that reason, I have a Dapper Wrapper, which features small compartments for every cord and folds up into a small bundle that sits at the bottom of the bag. In addition to cords, you can put your AirPods, portable charger, and other tech items in the compartments to keep them safe. STM Dapper Wrapper Organizational wrap $28.96 Shop Now Shop Now $28.96 If you're in a program that does require writing utensils, make sure those are packed into a container with dividers so they stay organized. In fact, even though everything is in a large bag, I err on the side of caution and tend to put it all into smaller bags within the bag for extra protection and organization. That means a laptop sleeve, a tablet sleeve, and mesh bags for any extra clothes I'm toting around. College is busy and you may not always have time to run back home to get things you need, so a big bag full of smaller bags is a necessary evil. On an average day in grad school, I was teaching at least one spin class, working my full-time job, and going to one or two in-person classes, so having enough smaller bags to hold gym clothes, school supplies, and work supplies was essential. I also tried to carry around a lunch box for my meals, and I really loved my Umami Bento Box in theory, but I won't lie to you: I did not have a lot of time to cook, let alone meal prep, so that was kind of a waste. Keep in mind that some organizational bag items are more realistic than othersmaybe just try packing some sustainable, reusable utensils for your trips to the cafeteria. On the subject of food and drink, it's time for me to recommend a water bottle. Everyone is going to have a water bottle. It's healthy, it's trendy, and sometimes, getting up to go out and refill it is the most exciting thing you'll do for hours. When I mentioned getting sleeves for all your tech, I said you wanted to protect them. Protect them from what? Your water bottle. Mine spilled in my bag in my second semester of grad school and, through grace alone, I was spared a horror because my laptop was out at the time. Still, you want to be extra safe. I have since upgraded to an Owala FreeSip, which features a locking lid for extra protection. You can't be too safe, so get this one if you can. Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle $21.89 $27.99 Save $6.10 Get Deal Get Deal $21.89 $27.99 Save $6.10

X announced today that it is rolling out support for passkeys on its Android app. The social media platform formerly known as Twitter introduced this security option for iOS users in the US in January, then globally in April.Passkeys started to take off as an option from tech companies and online services last year. We have a detailed explainer, but in short, this approach to protecting an account creates a digital authentication credential. It's a stronger alternative to passwords, which can be guessed or stolen. Even password managers have been moving to offer a passkey option for customers.For X users, you'll still need a password in order to create an account. But once you're in the app, you'll need to click through some menu options to enable a passkey. It's listed under "Additional password protection" in the Security tab.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-adds-passkey-logins-for-android-users-231827149.html?src=rss

Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.

Cisco reported its third straight quarter of declining revenue and announced a large restructuring plan that will result in $1 billion in pretax charges.

Its not just the temperatures that are starting to coolafter about two years of red-hot price increases, inflation has also cooled considerably. And thats likely to provide some relief very soon for people looking to borrow money for loans or mortgages.A monthly gauge of inflation, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose at a slower-than-expected pace in July. The prices of goods and services increased 2.9% for the 12-month period, according to the data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).Of note, this is the first time since March 2021 that the annual inflation rate has been below 3%.The July CPI report is yet another indication that inflation is headed in the right direction, and that Federal Reserve policymakers should feel comfortable cutting interest rates in September as is widely expected, Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management, tells Fast Company.The CPI report shows that the beast of inflation has been mostly contained, says Jacobsen.What does this mean for consumers?Beginning in March 2022, the Federal Reserve ratcheted up a key interest ratethe federal funds rateto tame inflation that eventually reached a 40-year high. With inflation now below 3% on an annual basis, that could be pretty important psychologically for consumers, though less so for central bankers who monitor a broader array of inflation measures, Jacobsen notes.The disconnect between how the Fed thinks about inflation versus the broader public is always a tricky dynamic to make sense of, and particularly as inflation has become a buzzword ahead of the November presidential election. The pain of rising inflation is often easier to identify than the relief consumers feel when it starts to cool.Lower inflation doesnt necessarily mean that prices are going down, but rather that theyre not rising so quickly anymore, Jacobsen explains: Prices are still not down to the level that people remember when they look back, say, four years ago.That said, the CPI report confirmed one of Jacobsens anecdotal observationsthat airline fares have come down recently, one of several categories where prices fell between June and July. Other categories that experienced monthly price declines are used cars and trucks, medical care, and apparel.A return to normalAn inflation reading below 3% is a return to a norm of sorts. In the past 40 years, the 12-month inflation rate has averaged 2.8%. And cooling inflation will trickle through the economy in another notable way: lower borrowing costs.Central bankers are scheduled to convene in mid-September, when market participants believe a rate cut is all but guaranteed, even though Fed Chair Jerome Powell said last month that slashing interest rates could be on the table. An initial rate cut could begin to spell relief for people looking to borrow money, though it will also mean interest rates on savings accounts will go down.Jacobsen is aligned with the nearly four-fifths of economists surveyed by Bloomberg recently, who predict Fed policymakers will opt for a standard 25 basis point rate cut at its September meeting, in lieu of a more aggressive reduction. If theyre correct, that will mark the first rate cut in four-plus years, bringing the rates to a range of 5% to 5.25% from the current range of 5.25% to 5.5%.The Feds every move is closely watched, and just as closely scrutinized. Some people have criticized policymakers for holding off on slashing interest rates, including a group of Democrat senators led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, but such calls to action seem likely to be appeased in about a months time.Even if theyre late to the party, at least theyre showing up, Jacobsen says of the Feds likely rate cut next month.

Dezeen Showroom:Polish brand Oakywood has created a standing desk designed to withstand the test of time that has a solid wood top and durable steel frame.The Standing Desk Pro pairs an Oakywood signature solid wood tabletop with height-adjustable legs and a minimalist control pad from British steel frame experts LINAK.The Standing Desk Pro features a simple and elegant control padThe desktop combines beauty and durability with a milled edge and oil-wax coating for added tactility and the Red Dot Award-winning control panel is intuitive to use, allowing the height of the tabletop to be adjusted with ease.The frame offers a broad range of heights from 63 to 128 centimetres and its movement is both fast and quiet, according to the brand.The desktop is made of solid wood with a milled edgeThe Standing Desk Pro offers four saveable personal settings, and there are optional reminders to switch positions through the Desk Connect app.It is available in either a rich walnut wood, light-coloured oak wood or black-stained oak wood. The steel frame can be ordered in white or black.Product details:Product: Standing Desk ProBrand: OakywoodContact: contact@oakywood.shopMaterial: wood and powder-coated steelColours/finishes: walnut, oak or black oak with white or black legsDezeen ShowroomDezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.The post Standing Desk Pro by Oakywood appeared first on Dezeen.

In recent years people have slowed down on expecting flying cars, as it seems that segment of the mobility industry is moving towards VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) vehicles that don't have wheels.Chinese automaker GAC, however, has a novel concept that is sort of a flying car. Their GOVE concept looks incredibly ungainly: The strange form makes a little more sense once the concept is explained. The idea is that you're driving down the road, and can spontaneously do this:The thinking is that after you lift off, the autonomous chassis drives itself to a charging station to top off, then reunites with you further down the road.It's a super strange concept that raises all sorts of practical issues, but it is nice to see a major Chinese manufacturerGAC is one of that country's largestdemonstrating outside-of-the-box thinking in the concept space, rather than following trends. (In contrast, the ground-based models the company currently sells are pretty derivative.)Full concept video below.