• Trailers of the week: Star Trek, Severance, and Gundam
    www.theverge.com
    Its the first week of December, and the end of the year is coming in fast and with a lot to look forward to at theaters this month. That very cool-looking Lord of the Rings anime hits US theaters on the 13th; Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows on the 20th; and Im deeply excited to see Nosferatu on December 25th. (If youre not with me on that last one, give Matt Zoller Seitzs RogerEbert.com review of it a read and get back to me.)While Im waiting to go be unnerved by Robert Eggers new spooky vampire movie, lets take a look at some good trailers from the last week. Star Trek: Section 31Ill admit that the biggest appeal for me about this straight-to-streaming spy movie spinoff of Star Trek: Discovery is Michelle Yeoh as Emperor Philippa Georgiou. Shes just having so much fun in this trailer. The trailers havent revealed yet what threat shell be facing, other than being forced to do teamwork, but it seems like itll be pretty heavy on the rag-tag team of antiheroes action thing.The Olatunde Osunsanmi-directed movie also stars Omari Hardwick, Kacey Rohl, Sven Ruygrok, Humberly Gonzalez, Rob Kazinsky, and Sam Richardson. It premieres on Paramount Plus starting January 24th.SeveranceI was late to the Severance party, having finally finished it a few months ago, so I can only imagine how eager people who saw its cliffhanger ending have been to see the story continue. Well, the second season of creator Dan Ericksons bizarro sci-fi drama is almost here, and it looks like its probably going to bring answers, with even more mystery heaped on top of it. All of the first seasons main characters, including Mark (Adam Scott), Dylan (Zach Cherry), Helly (Britt Lower), and Irving (John Turturro) are returning, and theyll be joined by characters played by the likes of Alia Shawkat, Gwendoline Christie, and Bob Balaban. Season two of Severance premieres January 17th on Apple TV Plus.InvincibleThe third season of Invincible will see a stronger, older Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) tell off GDA director Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins) and episodes that show creator Robert Kirkman hopes will each feel like a finale. And theres no season break this time around.The show debuts with three episodes February 6th on Amazon Prime, with new episodes releasing every Thursday after until March 13th.The Wheel of TimeThe Wheel of Time continues its retelling of the Robert Jordan fantasy epic on March 13th next year. In its third season, the show follows Joshua Stradowskis Rand alThor the Dragon Reborn and Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike) as they go into the Aiel Waste. Its been more than two decades since I read the book series, so I couldnt spoil what happens there for you if I wanted to, but I seem to recall this was a fairly dark time in the series. The GorgeWho knows what evil is in The Gorges, uh, gorge, but its apparently contained well enough that humanity only needs two snipers who arent allowed to interact with each other stationed on either side of it to make sure it stays there. The snipers, Levi (Miles Teller) and Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), do interact and fall for eachother, then end up in the gorge. Oops! Scott Derrickson directs the movie, which also stars Sigourney Weaver, Sope Dirisu, and William Houston. It premieres February 14th on Apple TV Plus.Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuXGiant robot anime fans rejoice: theres a new Mobile Suit Gundam coming next year. Its called Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, and its produced by Khara, the studio behind the Rebuild of Evangelion films.The weird name references a Gundam called the gMS- GQuuuuuuX. The show will follow a highschooler named Yuzuriha Machu Amate (Tomoyo Kurosawa) who learns to co-pilot the building-sized, sword-wielding robot with pilot Shuji Ito (Shimba Tsuchiya). Some of its episodes will head to Japanese theaters on January 17th.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·68 Views
  • The latest Invincible season 3 trailer shows off Marks new duds
    www.theverge.com
    Marks speed has increased 65 percent; his endurance, 70 percent; and his strength, 138 percent, says GDA agent Donald Ferguson (Chris Diamantopoulos), setting up the action-filled trailer. What follows are a Mortal Kombat-style beheading, nuclear explosions, and the promise of drama as Mark (Steven Yeun) tells GDA director Cecis Stedman (Walton Goggins) that hes quitting.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·68 Views
  • Bytedance AI Research Releases FullStack Bench and SandboxFusion: Comprehensive Benchmarking Tools for Evaluating LLMs in Real-World Programming Scenarios
    www.marktechpost.com
    Code intelligence has grown rapidly, driven by advancements in large language models (LLMs). These models are increasingly utilized for automated programming tasks such as code generation, debugging, and testing. With capabilities spanning multiple languages and domains, LLMs have become crucial tools in advancing software development, data science, and computational problem-solving. The evolution of LLMs is transforming how complex programming tasks are approached and executed.One significant area for improvement in the current landscape is the need for comprehensive benchmarks that accurately reflect real-world programming demands. Existing evaluation datasets, such as HumanEval, MBPP, and DS-1000, are often narrowly focused on specific domains, like advanced algorithms or machine learning, failing to capture the diversity required for full-stack programming. Moreover, these datasets could be more extensive in assessing the multilingual and domain-spanning capabilities necessary for real-world software development. This gap poses a major obstacle to effectively measuring and advancing LLM performance.Researchers from ByteDance Seed and M-A-P have introduced FullStack Bench, a benchmark that evaluates LLMs across 11 distinct application domains and supports 16 programming languages. The benchmark includes data analysis, desktop and web development, machine learning, and multimedia. Further, they developed SandboxFusion, a unified execution environment that automates code execution and evaluation in multiple languages. These tools aim to provide a holistic framework for testing LLMs in real-world scenarios and overcoming the limitations of existing benchmarks.The FullStack Bench dataset contains 3,374 problems, each accompanied by unit test cases, reference solutions, and easy, medium, and hard difficulty classifications. Problems were curated using a combination of human expertise and LLM-assisted processes, ensuring diversity and quality in question design. SandboxFusion supports the execution of FullStack Bench problems by enabling secure, isolated execution environments that accommodate the requirements of different programming languages and dependencies. It supports 23 programming languages, providing a scalable and versatile solution for benchmarking LLMs on datasets beyond FullStack Bench, including popular benchmarks like HumanEval and MBPP.The researchers conducted extensive experiments to evaluate the performance of various LLMs on FullStack Bench. Results revealed marked differences in performance across domains and programming languages. For example, while some models demonstrated strong basic programming and data analysis capabilities, others needed help with multimedia and operating system-related tasks. Pass@1, the primary evaluation metric, varied across domains, highlighting models challenges in adapting to diverse and complex programming tasks. SandboxFusion proved to be a robust and efficient evaluation tool, significantly outperforming existing execution environments in supporting a wide range of programming languages and dependencies.Scaling laws were also analyzed, showing that increasing parameters generally improves model performance. However, researchers observed a performance decline for some models at higher scales. For example, the Qwen2.5-Coder series peaked at 14B parameters but showed a drop in performance at 32B and 72B. This finding underscores the importance of balancing model size and efficiency in optimizing LLM performance. Researchers observed a positive correlation between code compilation pass rates and test success rates, emphasizing the need for precise and error-free code generation.The FullStack Bench and SandboxFusion collectively represent significant advancements in evaluating LLMs. By addressing the limitations of existing benchmarks, these tools enable a more comprehensive assessment of LLM capabilities across diverse domains and programming languages. This research lays the groundwork for further innovations in code intelligence and emphasizes the importance of developing tools that accurately reflect real-world programming scenarios.Check out the Paper, FullStack Bench, and SandboxFusion. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. If you like our work, you will love ournewsletter.. Dont Forget to join our60k+ ML SubReddit. Nikhil+ postsNikhil is an intern consultant at Marktechpost. He is pursuing an integrated dual degree in Materials at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Nikhil is an AI/ML enthusiast who is always researching applications in fields like biomaterials and biomedical science. With a strong background in Material Science, he is exploring new advancements and creating opportunities to contribute. FREE AI WEBINAR: 'Fast-Track Your LLM Apps with deepset & Haystack'(Promoted)
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·87 Views
  • Daily Deals: Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Astro Bot, Sonic X Shadow Generations, and More
    www.ign.com
    The weekend is officially here, and we've rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for Sunday, December 8, below:Sackboy: A Big Adventure for $12.59Sackboy: A Big Adventure Standard - PC Steam CodeSackboy: A Big Adventure first made its debut alongside PlayStation 5, eventually jumping over to PC in Fall 2022. For a limited time, you can score a Steam key of the game on Amazon for just $12.59, which is easily the lowest we've seen Sackboy on PC. This 3D platformer has so much to offer, and it's even great to play with friends!Stellar Blade for $49.99PS5Stellar BladeYou can grab Stellar Blade for just $50 this weekend. This action game from Shift Up has been one of the most popular games of the year. Just a few weeks ago, new Nier: Automata DLC was released, which included new outfits inspired by A2, 2B, and Emil. In our 7/10 review, we stated "Stellar Blade stands out as a gorgeous and well-crafted action game with very impressive strengths and very clear weaknesses."Metaphor: ReFantazio for $49.99Cyber MondayMetaphor: ReFantazioPS5 and Xbox.Metaphor: ReFantazio is the latest game from Persona 3, 4, and 5 Director Katsura Hashino and the team at Atlus' Studio Zero. For the first time since launch, you can score the game at a discount, saving $20 post Black Friday. In our 9/10 review, we stated, "Refining the Atlus RPG formula of weaving tough turn-based combat into compelling social sim mechanics, Metaphor: ReFantazio doesnt just send a powerful message across its political drama, it becomes a beautiful expression of the real impact storytelling can have on all of us."Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster CollectionFINAL FANTASY I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition - 2024 (PS4)Woot has the Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster Collection on sale for $44.99, making each game only $7.50! The first six Final Fantasy titles paved the way for the series as we see it today. Many fans still regard both Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VI as some of the best that Final Fantasy has to offer, with gripping narratives and engaging gameplay. This package includes all six Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, which feature updated graphics, soundtracks, font, and more. Bose Soundlink Micro Wireless Bluetooth Speaker for $49Bose SoundLink Micro Waterproof Wireless Portable Bluetooth SpeakerThis Bose Soundlink Micro Bluetooth Speaker is just $49 today at Walmart. If you're someone who likes to bring a speaker with you to places like the lake or the beach, this is an excellent option. The Soundlink Micro has excellent sound quality with a waterproof design that allows you to bring it anywhere you'd like. You won't have to worry about keeping this speaker dry and out of harm's way.Astro Bot for $49.99Astro Bot - PlayStation 5Astro Bot is on sale for the first time since launch, and there has never been a better time to pick up one of the PlayStation 5's best games. Building off Astro's Playroom, Astro Bot features many new abilities and bosses to fight, with over 300 bots to rescue across the galaxy. You'll find planets modeled after beloved PlayStation games like Ape Escape and Uncharted, and even surprise third-party bots like Leon S. Kennedy from Resident Evil 2. Persona 3 Reload for $24.97Persona 3 Reload: Standard Edition - PlayStation 5Persona 3 Reload is one of the best RPGs of the year. This remake recreates one of the most praised Atlus titles ever, with loads of new quality-of-life and gameplay features. An all-new voice cast debuted with this release, and each cutscene was remade with new assets for higher quality. If you've never jumped into the world of Persona before, this is a great place to start, especially at this price. Sonic X Shadow Generations for $29.99Sonic X Shadow GenerationsSonic X Shadow Generations just released a month ago, and you can already save $20 off a PlayStation 5 copy at Amazon. This package includes a remastered version of Sonic Generations and a brand-new campaign focused on Shadow. Both 2D and 3D levels are included, making for the ultimate package for any Sonic fan.Splatoon 3 for $39.88Splatoon 3 - Nintendo SwitchSplatoon 3 is available right now for just $39.88! If you have yet to pick up a Splatoon game, Splatoon 3 is a perfect starting point. This is one of the best multiplayer titles on Nintendo Switch, and you can easily spend dozens of hours exploring the different multiplayer offerings. You can also play through the Side Order DLC, a fun additional single-player campaign!
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·72 Views
  • Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebrations Announced for 2025 and Beyond: 'Celebrate Happy'
    www.ign.com
    Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025 and Disney Parks has revealed how the Happiest Place on Earth will be celebrating this huge milestone!While Disneyland officially opened on July 17, 1955, its 70th anniversary festivities will kick off on May 16, 2025, and will run through Summer 2026. The theme this time around is Celebrate Happy and there will be many ways to do just that! To ensure you don't miss a thing, we're here to break it all down for you! World of Color Happiness! Will Bring a New Version of a Beloved Show to Disney California AdventureImage Credit: DisneyWorld of Color is a beloved water show at Disney California Adventure, and there will be an all-new version that will debut for Disneylands 70th birthday. This new show is inspired by Walt Disneys words from the opening of Disneyland in which he said, To all who come to this happy place Welcome!The nighttime spectacular will be hosted by Joy and other Emotions from the Inside Out franchise and will include music and moments from such Disney and Pixar films as Turning Red, A Goofy Movie, Tangled, The Lion King, and more.For an idea of what World of Color looks like, check out my recap of the show from Disneys 100th anniversary celebrations back in 2023!Paint the Night Is Making Its Grand Return to Disneyland Next YearImage Credit: DisneyThere is a lot of love for the missing show Paint the Night, and Disney has revealed it will finally be returning to Disneyland for its 70th anniversary with stunning color and more than a million brilliant LED lights.Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell will be working together to Paint the Night in Disney dreams, and that will manifest itself with characters, music, and stories from Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and more.Wondrous Journeys, My Favorite Nighttime Spectacular, Is Back in 2025Image Credit: DisneyAs you can read in my Disney 100th anniversary at Disneyland guide, Wondrous Journeys is my favorite Nighttime Spectacular of all time and guests will have another chance to see it again or for the first time in 2025. This show celebrates the legacy of Disneys films and fans can expect to experience moments from Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Moana, Encanto, and more.Wondrous Journeys will transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, its a small world, and Rivers of America, meaning there will plenty new ways to enjoy the show each time you visit Disneyland.Walt Disney A Magical Life Will Tell a Story Like None Other Before ItImage Credit: DisneyWalt Disney A Magical Life, the upcoming show at Disneylands Main Street Opera House that will feature the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, will open on May 16 and invite guests into Walts office for a cinematic presentation of his inspiring journey. Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Is a Parade Filled With Joy (Pun Intended!)Image Credit: DisneyBetter Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! will return to Disney California Adventure in 2025 and will once again bring characters, music, and moments from such Pixar films as Luca, Turning Red, Inside Out, Up, and more....And Much More!There is so much more planned for Disneylands 70th anniversary, including special dcor, an elegant medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle, new looks for Mickey and friends, and even a new character cavalcade called Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!Image Credit: DisneyAdditionally, DCAs Carthay Circle Restaurant will feature a special moment filled with music, lights, and projection effects and its a small world will get a new projection show.Oh, and of course there are plenty more details to come, including special themed merch and food, a new song called Celebrate Happy, and so much more.Beyond the celebrations for Disneylands 70th, there are a ton of other things to look forward to at the parks, and you can check out the schedule below, which includes festivals, Star Wars: Season of the Force, Lunar New Year, Halloween and Holiday parties, and more.Image Credit: DisneyWhile there is still a bit of a wait for all the fun in 2025 at Disneyland, there is plenty to enjoy right now. To learn more, I invite you to check out my Tianas Bayou Adventure review and Everything You Need to Know feature now that it is open at both Disneyland and Disney World and my Holidays at Disneyland guide.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·72 Views
  • Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light Episode 5 Review: Mirror
    www.denofgeek.com
    Warning: contains spoilers for The Mirror and the Light episode 5.What was Henry trying to tell Cromwell by recalling that business with the untaken trip to the Weald? That hed been searching his memory, and perhaps concluded that the bond he thought theyd shared like that visit to the ironmasters never existed? Henrys nostalgic memories of he and Cromwell on horseback and enjoying the sunlight were a fiction romanticising a relationship that never was. To Henry, Cromwell has proved first a disappointment and now, thanks to Gardiner and Norfolks poison, a traitor.Henrys not one to suffer disappointment, as his less-than-regal response to Anna of Cleves showed. After the quasi-comedic scene in which Henry was warned not to expect great chat from his goody goody two-shoes new queen (dont sing, dont hunt, what do you do?), he settled on the worst courtship idea since Oedipus made eyes at his mother. Cromwell and Risley attempted to dissuade the king from rooting through his dressing-up boxes and jumping out at his new wife dressed as a one-man Nativity play, but alas, The Book Called Henry is right: never say what the king willnotdo.Henrys jape predictably backfired, and like a tantruming child given the wrong birthday toy, he found fault with everything about his new wife. Her height, her bonnet, her breasts, her displeasant airs The real problem was simply that Anna had failed to be astonished and delighted by her prince. Henrys ego couldnt take the humiliation, nor any of the blame.That had to go elsewhere: first to Fitzwilliam, whod signed off on Annas comeliness, and then, fatally, to the man whod engineered the match. No wonder Cromwell tried to appease Henry by pretending that the Bavarian clock was a gift for the king; Henry didnt need any further reminder that this marriage was the Lord Chancellors coup.Regifting the clock was really the only move Cromwell made towards saving himself in Mirror. Despite the predators circling, on he pushed, putting himself in increasing danger by pressing Henry towards a wife he didnt want, and refusing to back down from Norfolks various provocations and facial contortions. He ignored the dukes insistence on special treatment for his priory and insulted him using language that befitted a lowborn blacksmiths son, which is how Norfolk sees him anyway. Was it wise, asked Risley? Not at all wise, no. Even less wise would have been sticking Norfolk with that handy little knife, but Cromwell held back from that. Why? For hope.Read more How often do you get the chance to change the map of the world? Just once in two or three generations? he asked in this episode. To let that chance slip away More idealist than pragmatist in his final years, Cromwell is convinced of his Reformation. Getting that over the line and divorcing England irrevocably from the Emperor and the papacy is his only concern. The alliance with Cleves furthers that cause, and so he stuck by it, even when Henrys dissatisfaction, kneaded and expanded by Cromwells enemies, turned to rage.Its tantalising to imagine as Cromwell no doubt will once hes locked in the Tower all the scenes in this fateful episode that wedidntsee: Gardiner telling Henry of Cromwells Lutheran heresy and the great damage his primacy does to the kings reputation abroad. Norfolk spreading rumours of Cromwells designs on the throne, all the while making his own secret alliance with the French and pushing his succulent niece in the kings path. Henry gifting Catherine Howard rubies that once decorated her cousins unfortunate neck. Fitzwilliam and the rest of those jackals conspiring to pull off that cruel stunt in the privy council chambers.So many manoeuvres being made out of sight, so many whispers happening beyond Cromwells earshot and our own. Like him though, we could scent the danger in the air every new exchange sounding another uh-oh. This was an episode of uh ohs.The Mirror and the Lightis so meticulously written and performed that the audience are trained to be as alert to detail as its courtly characters are to shifting reputations. Coldness and jibes to Cromwell were everywhere, from Henrys cruel I miss Wolsey annual appraisal (has there ever been a worse boss? You just know that Henry would insist on fancy dress and party pieces at the Christmas work do), to Mary snubbing his arrival at her clavichord, to Norfolks reheating the gossip about his ambitions on the kings daughter. Watch the avoided eye contact just as much as the raised voices that attack on Cromwell was plotted well ahead of time.Was Risley part of it, or was it just a coincidence that he called Rafe away from Cromwells side minutes before their master was stripped of his office? At least Archbishop Cranmer, perhaps Cromwells only friend at court, wasnt part of the hunting party. Like a splinter in the flesh of the nobility, Cromwell has been plucked out.What next? How did that quote from Cicero (another political visionary whose reformist zeal got him executed) go live hopefully and die bravely? Cromwells done the first. Now for the last.Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light concludes on Sunday December 15 on BBC One.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·98 Views
  • Eight Tips for Exploring the Island of the Gods in Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island
    news.xbox.com
    Are you ready for an adventure on a beautiful, sun-soaked Mediterranean island, Xbox readers? Today, we at Whitethorn Games are here to guide you as you explore the mythical Ambrosia Island, befriend the gods of Greek myth, and unravel the mystery that surrounds them in Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island available now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S!Developed by double BAFTA-nominated indie studio Polygon Treehouse (Rki), Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island puts you in the well-worn hiking boots of backpacker Alex, who finds herself shipwrecked and stranded on the beautiful but mysterious Ambrosia Island. As she starts to explore, she discovers that the gods of Greek myth inhabit it. But something is amiss they seem to have forgotten who they are and why they are there. It is up to Alex to earn their trust by uncovering the reason theyve forgotten who they are in the first place and gain their godly favour so that they can help her find her way home.Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island is a non-linear adventure and exploration game with a captivating and heartfelt narrative that gives you the freedom to roam the island, hunt for hidden treasure, solve puzzles, and decorate your home camp with collectibles, all at your own pace. But helping the Greek gods is not easy for a mere mortal, so weve put together a primer of tips to help you out on your adventure.Meet With OraOne of the first friends youll meet in Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island isnt a person at all, but a friendly statue named Ora. While she is sadly unable to help you get off the island, she can help you find someone who can. She will give you your most important tool to aid you on your mission the Ambrosidex (well get into that a little later). Ora will often have tips for you if youre ever unsure about what to do next. She also has a very sharp memory and can provide you with clues for any mementos you uncover to help you get them to their rightful owner.The Ambrosidex and MapAn invaluable tool Ora gifted you, the Ambrosidex, will assist you while youre exploring the island. It comes with a handy map with markers to help you find hidden mysteries, memory-unlocking mementos, and where to go next when youre ready to advance the story. It also has a handy built-in radar system that will alert you, with sound, haptics, and visual cues, when youre close to something important but hidden. The memento heat map on the Ambrosidex will also highlight areas where at least one memento is hidden for you to discover, so if youre ever unsure, check those places.Talk to the IslandersAs you explore Ambrosia Island, youll discover its inhabitants the long-lost gods of Greek myth and legend! But as they have all lost their memories for some mysterious reason, youll have to understand that they will be slow to trust you. One of the best ways to make friends with them is to talk with them. The more you spend time with them to learn about them, the more they will open up to you, and your friendship level with them will increase. Dont forget to check back on them periodically, too they may have more to say, which can unlock new skills and quests to help you!The islanders each have their own routines and timetable, so you may miss them depending on the time of day. Once you get close to them, however, youll be able to enter their home. Before you are able to visit them casually, you can check the friendship page to determine when they will be outside and available to talk with you. Resting on one of the many benches that you find throughout the island or your makeshift camp will advance time, so there is no need to wait for the next day.Earn the Favour of the GodsHaving godly friends with godly powers can be really helpful when youre trying to find your way home. Helping the gods with needed tasks will get them to trust you when a friend needs help, you help them, after all! As you converse with the islanders, theyll eventually start to ask you to do small favours for them.Aside from the satisfaction of a job well done, completing these favors will grow your bond with your new friend, and theyll want to help you in return. The gods will happily share their powers and useful tools with you to help you discover more about Ambrosia Island. From unlocking fast-travel portals to help you get around more quickly to accessing farming plots to grow valuable Ambrosia Fruit to powers that will help you access even the most hidden of spaces, having the powers of the gods at your disposal can be a real benefit.Find Lost MementosThe more you interact with the gods, the more they will remember; however, they will need more help than simple conversation to help them fully regain their identities. Thats where mementos come in. Throughout the island, objects that are sentimental to the islanders are hidden. When returned to their rightful owner, they will help the gods unlock memories that they have forgotten. If you ever find that the conversation has stalled, you may need to help the god you are speaking with remember more. Scouring the island for hidden mementos whether they are buried, locked behind secret doors, or in the possession of another islander and returning them to each god will unlock more memories, which means more information to help you solve the mystery surrounding Ambrosia Island.Swap Fruit with Your New Friends for Helpful ItemsOnce the gods begin to trust you, theyll allow you to swap Ambrosia Fruit, a favorite of the gods, with them for items, allowing you to pick up fun collectibles, pieces of lore, items to decorate your home-away-from-home, and maybe even a few lost mementos. You can collect Ambrosia Fruit by harvesting it on the many bushes found around the island. A certain god, once their friendship level with you is high enough, may even spare you some room on their farm to grow your own!As your friendship level with the gods increases, be sure to return frequently and swap fruit with them for boosts for your tools and see what new items they have in stock. You never know what new and helpful things they may have for you!Explore at Your Own Pace and Take Time to Take in the SightsYou may be stranded, far from home, but hey, youre on a gorgeous beachy island somewhere in the Mediterranean. Its warm and sunny and truly a paradise you might as well enjoy yourself while youre here! There are many stunning environments to explore, from ancient ruins to lush sanctuaries to magnificent libraries and more, so take some time to check it all out!Dotted around the island, youll also find some very convenient resting places, complete with a comfortable rug for lounging on and a cassette player. Pop in one of the many collectible cassettes youve found around during your exploration, sit back, listen to some relaxing tunes, and watch the world go by. Get comfortable in your lighthouse shelter by making it more hospitable. Find items to decorate your space, which washed up along the shore, or purchase items from the gods shops. Learn more about Ambrosia Island by seeking out hidden items identified with the Ambrosidex and found in shops that will tell you more about the lore of this place it seems you werent the first person to find your way onto its sunny shores!Accessible Features to Help You Play Without Unintended BarriersWe and the Polygon Treehouse team want to ensure that as many players as possible can enjoy their time with Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island. There are multiple accessibility settings found in the settings menu to accommodate a variety of players needs, including:Key and button bind remapping for most optionsOptional vibrationHigh-contrast menus with a readable, sans-serif font, with options to view dialogue in light or dark mode text bubblesAdjustable dialogue delivery auto-play dialogue or adjust the dialogue speedVisual, haptic, and audio cues from the AmbroisidexAvailable in English, French, German, and Latin American Spanish.We hope these tips will help you find your way through the island and make the most of your time on its alluring beaches. Be sure to pick it up on Xbox today and discover everything Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island offers. We hope you enjoy it. Tell Hermes we say hi! Meta:An introduction to Mythwrecked, featuring detailed tips to get players started on their island adventure.Mythwrecked: Ambrosia IslandWhitethorn Games3$24.99$22.49Get it nowTHE GODS ARE REAL, THEYVE JUST BEEN ON VACATIONYoure Alex, a rookie backpacker taking a much needed break from modern life. Your trip is interrupted when you are suddenly shipwrecked on Ambrosia Island; a beautiful long-forgotten place of myth and sunshine. Its home to the gods of Greek mythology. Theyre real after all, even if they are having an identity crisis. Can you discover the secrets of Ambrosia Island in this sun-drenched 'Friend Em Up' adventure.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·98 Views
  • HGTV Star Galey Alix Has a New Surprise Afoot for Fans
    www.countryliving.com
    Good news for fans of design star Galey Alix! While her HGTV show Home in a Heartbeat is not returning, shes not going anywhere. Along with the occasional appearance on other HGTV shows, like last summers 100 Day Hotel Challenge, and new projects on her social media, where fans first fell in love with her surprise home transformations, now shes helping you refresh your home on a budget. And shes starting with whats underfoot.In November, she launched her Galey Alix x Livabliss rug collection, available at Wayfair, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, and Bed Bath & Beyond. And in many way, she tells, Country Living, its an extension of what she did on her show and has been doing on social media for years. Theres something for everyones style.Galey Alix x Livabliss Myrtle Avenue Area Rug, 8'10" x 12'2"Now 43% Off$705 $402 at Wayfair If youve followed Galey for a while or watched her show, you know the process: She finds a deserving individual or family, someone who could really use a boost. Then she meets with them in their home to understand what they needand then she takes over: Still today, even with my celebrity clients, I dont go over any decisions with the client. I dont show you color palettes. We dont even necessarily talk about what rooms Im going to do. You just tell me your budget and that you trust me, and then you give me your credit card and you move out for a weekend, and I come in, and then I surprise you.So, shes gotten really good at understanding different peoples styles and, as she puts it, how to make something them more than maybe they even realize its them. Though she might not have the same style or design taste as the person whose home shes making over, she learned how to change her design style based on the client but still create something that she likes and can be proud of. As she was designing the rug collection, she applied that same mindset to every design and pattern. Some are modern, some are transitional, some are traditional, some are bold, some are demure. Some have a lot of colors. Some have very neutral tones. I just wanted to have things that would make sense for anybodythat everybody would think is pretty, even if its not your style, she says. She was thinking about your budget.Kristina EvansAnother aspect about Galey to understand: When she chooses someone to surprise, she never charges them for her services. She was working full time at a Wall Street firm and did not need the income when she started her home makeover side gig. Her reward has always been when the recipient, who might be a little down or maybe went through something difficult recently, gets to come home after her visit and find that their home feels like a warm hug. I wanted to make really big rugs that immediately refresh a space but not make them unaffordable.For the rug collection, she realized she could not be there to design every persons home, but she still wanted to help people transform their spaces with a quality piece without spending a lot of money.The problem, I realized, is that it is so hard to make your home beautiful without spending a lot of money. It is so expensive with inflation and the way the economy has gone kind of since the pandemic, when we had that huge surge of demand, materials, cost of goods, and then inflation on top of it, everything just went up. I wanted to be able to make really big rugs that can immediately refresh a space, but not make them unaffordable and unattainable, she says.Galey Alix x Livabliss RugsMyrtle Avenue V Rug, 7'10" x 10'2"Now 51% Off$455 $222 at WayfairMaria Elena III Rug, 7'10" x 10'2"Now 53% Off$585 $274 at WayfairFetscher V Rug, 7'10" x 10'2"Now 49% Off$585 $298 at WayfairDesign TipWant to make one change to refresh a room? Galey Alix says look to the big three: If you think about it from a designers perspective, theres three things that are going to take up the most space in any room. Its the wall color. Its the flooring. And then the third biggest thing that can change an entire room is the rug, because it takes up the most space. Other than the walls and the floor, the rug is the next biggest point of color or texture or quality. So if you put in a nice rug into a room, it immediately can elevate the whole room. For her, that meant finding a way to make 9'x12' rugs that look and feel like they cost $2,000 to $3,000, but are actually well below $1,000 and even under $500. That goal is what led her to a partnership with Livabliss. Because the brand owns its factories instead of outsourcing manufacturing, she says, she could make the same quality of rug at a much lower price point.The rugs are really amazing quality. I have them in my home.The beauty of my background in Wall Street and economics is that Im able to understand the natural flow of the manufacturing profit, where costs are going, the cost of goods, minimum order quantities, all of these things, so I could figure out who is the best place to go to get the best quality at the lowest price, she says.The rugs are really amazing quality. I have them in my home. With my design eye, looking at this rug, walking on it, feeling it, I would absolutely believe you if you told me it cost $2,500. But it cost $450. Galey AlixShe imbued her patterns with her everyday inspirations.Ever wonder what it means when an interior designer or decorator creates their own textile line? We asked.Galey explains that it was a process of finding individual things that she comes across every day for inspiration and then figuring out how to work aspects of those things into rug patterns. The beauty of working with Livabliss is that I have an amazing team there, and theyve got decades of experience working and creating rugs, she says, and they would take her ideas and implement them. The way that Ive come up with patterns is I might have an old vintage T shirt that has this design on it, and then I say, okay, I want to replicate this, but I want to make the edges more swirly. I want to create more gaps between the circles, and then I want to do a border with something really faded in the middle, and then we just kind of play with it, she says.It was a combination of me either drawing by hand a pattern on a piece of paper and then taking a photo of it and emailing it to them, or us sitting on Zoom and me saying, like, hey, you see the stonework behind me in my kitchen? I want to replicate that muddled feel, but I want to do it with white washing over the colorway so that it looks more vintage-y.Nate Bednarz She made rugs for livingdogs and all.Galey is a dog lover. Her late dog Charlye, a 13-year-old boxer, is the actual love of my life, she says. Now she has Patch, whos two years old, and a new puppy, Bair, both boxers, so designing rugs that fit in with people and their pets was a big priority. I know what its like to be constantly cleaning up accidents, and then all of a sudden you spend money on a rug, and then they ruin a corner of it. Theres only so many times you can turn that rug around. Galey Alix x Livabliss Luciana III Hand Tufted Rug, 5' x 7'6Now 49% Off$375 $193 at WayfairSo for me, it was really important that I do all low pile [with the exception of the patterns in the Architect line, which are a combination of high and low pile]. Its easier to clean because the thinner the pile, the less it can soak up any sort of discoloration from the stains.Another pet peeve she designed for? She hates when rugs show traffic patterns because you feel like you constantly need to vacuum it. So the majority of my rugs, I made them with this muddled, vintage/antique look across them that makes them look worn all over. Because of that worn look, you cant tell if its brand-new or 30 years old. In other words, in 10 years, that rug is still going to look good because the whole thing, even the new parts look worn. Its almost like a whitewash jeanyou cant tell if theyre brand-new or if theyve been washed 30 times. Whats next?Many more product launches are ahead for Galey, she says, including wallpaper, pillows and decorative objects, furniture, hardwired lighting, and flooring. Stay tuned! More Decor Collections from HGTV Stars Terri RobertsonTerri Robertson is the Senior Editor, Digital, at Country Living, where she shares her lifelong love of homes, gardens, down-home cooking, and antiques.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·179 Views
  • From the Archive: For Aerin Lauder, Family Traditions Never Go Out of Style
    www.elledecor.com
    This article originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of ELLE DECOR. For more stories from our archive, subscribe to ELLE DECOR All Access.Above: Aerin Lauder in the living room of her Manhattan apartment, designed by Jacques Grange, with a tree decorated with ornaments she has collected over the years. Her dress is by Valentino; the painting is by Robert Ryman, the curtains are of a vintage French fabric, the rug is from Le Dcor Franais, and the walls are painted in a custom shade by Donald Kaufman Color. Aerin Lauders Manhattan apartment, which was decorated by Jacques Grange, is always soign, but never more so than during the holidays. Each year, Lauder spends hours adding festive touches to her living roomfrom vases arranged with deep red peonies and berry branches to bowls filled with colorful candy. The centerpiece is a nine-foot-tall evergreen; Lauders teenage sons, Will and Jack, are enlisted to embellish it from top to bottom with their mothers extensive collection of golden ornaments. They usually get tired somewhere around the middle, says Lauder. Im the one who always finishes it. Two years ago, the cosmetics scion, whose grandmother was Este Lauder, launched her own Aerin line of beauty and lifestyle products, a collection that has rapidly grown to include home accessories, furniture, lighting, and, soon, bedding. One might think that this entrepreneur would be too busy to deck the halls, but Lauder says she would never think of missing out. Douglas FriedmanThe table is set for a holiday dinner with plates she inherited from her grandmother, Este, and branches in vases from her Aerin line. Her love of the season began when she was a child. My grandfather was born on Christmas Eve, she says. Even though the family is Jewish, they would gather each year on his birthday for an old-fashioned repast of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and the classic French Yuletide dessert of bche de Nola ritual they continue to this day. My grandmother loved to entertain and had such wonderful style, Lauder says. It was a celebration of his birthday and of the holiday, all in one. I love to create a sense that this is a special time of year.Lauder inherited her grandmothers red-and-gold china, which she uses for her own holiday celebrations, such as a small gathering that she hosted last year for her female friends. She set the round table in her dark-walled dining room with gold-leaf and crystal vases and bowls from her Aerin collection. For Lauder, who also celebrates Hanukkah, the key to holiday entertaining is to create a setting that feels both inviting and luxurious. But most of all, its about tradition and the spirit of the season, she says. I love to create a sense that this is a special time of year. This story originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of ELLE DECOR.Ingrid AbramovitchExecutive Editor, ELLE DecorIngrid Abramovitch, the Executive Editor at ELLE Decor, writes about design, architecture, renovation, and lifestyle, and is the author of several books on design including Restoring a House in the City.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·111 Views
  • Heres everything were expecting with Apple Pro Display XDR 2
    9to5mac.com
    Apple introduced the Pro Display XDR in 2019 with its $4999 price tag, no included stand, and an optional Pro Stand for $999. Since then, despite all of the advancements in display technology, Apple has left it untouched. While there isnt a ton to go off of, there are a couple of smaller details that give us an idea on what Apple is working on.Apple Silicon chipApple released the Studio Display in 2022, and it had one unique advantage over most displays: it was powered by an A13 Bionic. This allowed it to have cool features like Center Stage and spatial audio.Pro Display XDR, since it was released three years prior, does not include an Apple Silicon chipset. However, according to a Bloomberg report from 2022, that is one thing Apple is planning for the next-generation model:Apple is working on multiple new external monitors as well, including an update to the Pro Display XDR that was launched alongside the Intel Mac Pro in 2019. It is possible, however, that the companys next high-end display will ship after the Mac Pro, as the computer is further along in development than the monitor.Those new monitors like the Studio Display launched with the Mac Studio will include Apple silicon. That helps the screens rely less on resources from the attached computer.Presuming this two-year-old rumor holds up which could make sense given the fact that Gurman mentioned that the display was behind in development, then we can likely expect some sort of Apple Silicon chipset in the Pro Display XDR 2. This could allow for the Pro Display XDR to have a built in camera and speakers, something it doesnt currently.Quantom-dot displayAccording to display analyst Ross Young, Apple will be adopting quantom-dot films in the next generation Pro Display XDR, similar to the new M4 MacBook Pro:Now that Apple has adopted [quantum dot] films in the MacBook Pro, it will be interesting to see if they replace KSF films and KSF phosphors in other Apple products. KSF films are found in previous MiniLED MacBook Pros and the Mac Pro Display XDR. We expect the next version of the Mac Pro Display to adopt it.It isnt clear if this means Apple will adopt mini-LED in the next generation Pro Display XDR, which currently uses a higher end IPS panel with local-dimming zones. We also have no concrete information regarding refresh rate, though it would be nice if we got a 120Hz panel, especially since MacBooks have had that for over three years, and the Pro Display XDR costs over $5000.Other rumorsLast year, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple will be releasing a 27-inch miniLED display in 2025. Its unlikely that this is in reference to the Pro Display XDR, since it has a 32-inch display size, but its relevant to mention regardless, as Kuo refers to it as a high end monitor. According to Kuo, this display will be thinner, and also have narrower bezels.Additionally, weve reported on 9to5Mac that Apple is working on a display with a 7K resolution, which seems plausible for a future Pro Display XDR.Release dateDisplay analyst Ross Young shared with 9to5Mac that he currently expects the Pro Display XDR 2 to launch in late 2025 or early 2026, though there isnt yet anything concrete.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·79 Views