The year is ending on a high note with Beat Saber! The Metallica Music Pack is out now, and its our biggest and most challenging music pack to date, featuring 17 of the bands biggest hits. This iconic metal band has been one of the most anticipated artists among our community, and were beyond excited for you to finally experience it. For the very first time, were launching a full music pack dedicated to the metal genre.Play VideoWeve got all the great hits check out the full track list below:Atlas, Rise!BatteryBlackenedCreeping DeathEnter SandmanFade to BlackFor Whom the Bell TollsFuelHit the LightsKing NothingLux ternaMaster of PuppetsNothing Else MattersOneSad But TrueSeek & DestroyThe UnforgivenWhich one will you try first?The Beat Games team has outdone themselves again with this music pack. Its a real challenge, bringing over an hour and 41 minutes of playtime across 17 songs that will keep you on your toes. The environment created for this music pack features new technology, where nearly every component can be moved and rotated to give mappers maximum control when creating unique light shows.Each pillar in the environment is made of a bent metal structure with supporting scaffoldings, and lasers and tiny light bulbs add more depth to the designs. Fire and lighting effects further elevate the visuals of the environment.As usual, the challenging levels feature Arc and Chain notes and are available in multiplayer, so you can compete with your family, friends, or random opponents.The Metallica Music Pack introduces a new gameplay feature: Variable Note Jump Speed. This means the speed of individual cubes coming at you in the beatmap will change depending on the intensity of the song. Going forward, well be using Variable Note Jump Speed in our future beatmaps too.In addition to this, were introducing a color override that lets you change the color of the cubes. This will be particularly useful for those who want to stick with their preferred colors or for players who might be colorblind.Ready to shred? If so, you can get the full music pack now or grab the game + music pack bundle, discounted to $39.99 until January 31, 2025.

Cloud Atlas is a mystery youll uncover in Indiana Jones and the Great Circles Gizeh as you explore. Youll have to decode a note about weather observations and a list of cloud types to solve it.Our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle guide will show you how to find the Cloud Atlas chest code.How to start the Cloud Atlas mysteryTo start the Cloud Altas mystery, you just have to reach the Nazi Meteorological Station in Gizeh. Youll find it just west of the Great Sphinx and south of the Nazi Recreation Area near the center of the map.Youre looking for a pair of Quonset huts (well, proto-Quonset huts since these are a few years too early?) guarded by a trio of Nazis.Cloud Atlas cluesThe chest youll be opening is in the room on the right. Over on the left, youll find a room with a bunch of radio equipment and two notes a Cloud Status Logbook and a Cloud Atlas Page.The logbook lists a series of times and types of clouds. The atlas page has the types of clouds associated with numbers.Cloud Atlas chest code solutionTo find the code, you have to take the handwritten times at the bottom of the Cloud Atlas Page, and reference them against the Cloud Status Logbook to find what types of clouds youre looking for. The times are 13, 9, 16, and 14 (ignoring the 10 after because it doesnt matter).On the Cloud Status Logbook page, these times have Cirrus, Stratus, Cirrus, and Cumulonimbus observed. Back on the Cloud Atlas Page, these become the code for the chest in the other room 0609.Open the chest to find some cash and the Gizeh Medicine exploration book.For more Indiana Jones and the Great Circle guides, heres where to find the Bright Future chest code.

Theres a nondescript chest youll find early in your exploration of Gizeh in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Its about halfway between the Great Sphinx and the Tomb of Khentkawes I. Turns out, this chest is the conclusion to a mystery called Bright Future that you can begin elsewhere.Our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle guide will show you how to start the Bright Future mystery and how to find the chest code.How to start the Bright Future mysteryTo start the Bright Future mystery, youll need to head into the Nazi Vehicle Garage in Gizeh. Youll find it to the west of the Great Sphinx, right next to the Nazi Recreation Area near the center of the map.Inside the large tent in the middle of the garage area, look for the radio equipment at the south end. There, youll find Pohls Note.Search Pohls bunk in Bright FutureThe next objective in Bright Future is to search Pohls Bunk. Head east and into the tent right next to the garage areas entrance.Check the bottom bunk on the right side to find the Nazi Note containing a chest code 0926.Bright Future chest location and codeTheres a good chance you found the locked Bright Future chest earlier in your travels. Its along the road about halfway between the Great Sphinx and the Tomb of Khentkawes I, not too far from the Gizeh Workers Area.Click in the code from the Nazi Note to open the chest, but be prepared to run away.Pohl wasnt really as generous as his note claimed (hes a Nazi, after all), so all thats waiting for you inside the chest is a lot of dynamite thats about to blow up in your face.For more Indiana Jones and the Great Circle guides, heres where to find the Cloud Atlas chest code.

Architect and interior designer Shimrit Mishan Abramovich envisioned a vibrant office for DHL Express in Israel. Located in the Airport City industrial park, in Israels Central District, the original space featured a series of closed rooms along the perimeter of the building, with plenty of views and daylight. Service providers and call center operators, however, were in the center area without visual access to the outdoors.Even during the pandemic, the companys planes were still in flight and transporting cargo, which led to a 25% increase in staff and a need for optimized spaces. The architect, who specializes in residential projects and smaller offices, was tapped to transform the workplace spanning more than 48,000 square feet over three floors, her first large-scale headquarters.Her goal was to create a hub to support collaboration among all employees, with a sprawling metropolis as a key inspiration. I imagined a city from a birds eye view, and circulation on the main road, Abramovich says.She pictured a bustling city with the central artery connected to secondary streets, alleys, and squares, with tables and seating areas as the houses. The structure is divided into eastern and western sides, with what Abramovich calls public buildings. These elements look different from every angle, points of unexpected interest on the thoroughfare of the office.On the west side of the office, for example, theres the Arena, a trapezoidal complex of small meeting rooms. Made of aluminum partitions and glass, this section is wrapped in a metal mesh colored a rich copper hue. Contrasting with the white ductwork, the material detaches from the ceiling or unfastens from the floor. Pairing texture and a subtle drape, the screen is reminiscent of a womans full skirt.Meanwhile on the east side, the space is relatively narrow, and the challenge was to not isolate the department while still providing a sense of intimacy. Here, Abramovich included her interpretation of the traditional Islamic mashrabiya, a type of enclosed window with carved wood latticework. These structures, formed with birch plates of varying cuts, have the appearance of undulating waves. As an employee walks around these forms, they have a unique experience as they view them at various times of day or with certain levels of illumination.DHLs distinct red and yellow logo is displayed on vehicles around the globe, and while those bold tints are found dotted throughout the office, the palette features complementary tones that reference the signature branding in an understated way. The lemony shade is introduced as natural birch wood, and the crimson is now a rich terracotta. This warm range is integrated in the millwork and workstation zones.Cacti and other plants bring nature indoors, plus lively pops of green. Artwork adds even more color alongside playful touches, from the concrete column with the mini toy DHL trucks to the wall adorned with epoxy gummy bears. The office supports staff as they perform tasks, but it also offers much needed moments of delight.For more on Shimrit Mishan Abramovich, visit shimritmishan.com.Photography by Peled Studios.

The Calma Lounge by Benjamin Hubert of LAYER for Spanish brand Andreu World is the kind of chair that beckons you to sit back, relax, and maybe stay a while. This lounge chair addresses what we all crave: comfort. People are increasingly searching for comfort both mental and physical and this desire is what drives the design of the Calma Lounge we designed for Andreu World, shares Hubert. With its softly cushioned interior that wraps around the sitter, the lounge is a place to retreat to. It offers a deeply reassuring space and in todays world, that is a luxury. An extension of the Calma task chairs from 2022, the lounge edition elevates the same cocooning form for a more leisurely environment.From the outside, the Calma Lounge boasts clean lines and smooth curves, with a minimalist wraparound shell that feels architectural and modern. Inside, youll find a pillowy, cushioned seat that practically hugs you. The chairs backrest, integrated with armrests, wraps around you in a comforting embrace, while an optional headrest adds a little extra support when you need to lean back and daydream.What makes the Calma Lounge truly sleek is its hidden, weight-activated reclining system, free of bulky knobs or levers. Instead, a discrete leather tab nestled between the seat and backrest allows you to adjust and lock your position, maintaining the chairs streamlined design. A four-star timber base continues the soft, angular lines of the chair, echoing the dynamic movement of the reclining mechanism.With a variety of customization options, the Calma Lounge plays with textures and materials in a way that feels both playful and refined. Choose from a range of upholstery textiles, or opt for a plywood shell on the back for an added touch of contrast. Whether you need a comforting retreat at home or in the office, the Calma Lounge delivers.To learn more about the Calma Lounge by LAYER for Andreu World, visit andreuworld.com.

Duolingos Year in Review may have just outshone Spotify Wrapped thisyear.Since Spotify Wrapped dropped almost a decade ago, theres been a growing demand for data-driven year-in-review features. These summaries have evolved into cultural touchstones, offering more than just statisticsthey provide moments of self-reflection and shareable pride. While Spotify celebrates music, other platforms have embraced the concept for their niches, and Duolingos Year in Review is no exception. By turning language learning into a gamified, sharable experience, Duolingo has created its own version of Wrapped thats fun, whilst highlighting the joy of progress and the power of celebrating educational milestones.From streaks to shareable momentsDuolingos Year in Review feature, started as an email in 2019, has evolved since 2020 into a fun and engaging celebration of users learning journeys. The summary celebrates users progress with a focus on tangible learning milestones. Unlike the usual badges earned through daily use of the app, the Year in Review offers a more reflective overview of the years achievements, showcasing progress in a personalised and shareable way. Key highlights typically include:Streaks and XP: Users can see how long theyve maintained streaks and the total XP accumulated over the year, allowing them to celebrate consistency.Most practised words: This feature highlights the top words users have practised throughout the year, providing an interesting look at what areas theyve focused on or mastered.Mistakes made: This adds a fun twist by highlighting common errors throughout the year, or simply the number of mistakes made, encouraging users to learn from them and even celebrate them with a playful and reflective approach.Language milestones: Duolingo might spotlight users who have explored new languages or reached new milestones within their chosencourses.This year specifically, we got insightson:Number of lessons completedAmount of XPearntRanking amongst all DuolingousersMinutes spentlearningLongest streakLeague spent the most timeinYour bestie of the year and friendstreakNumber of mistakesmadeAre you safe fromDuo?Gen Z humour: playful insights boostingviralityOne of the standout features of Duolingos Year in Review is the inclusion of playful, Gen Z-inspired comments that accompany the various insights users receive. These comments are designed to not only make users smile but humanise the data, making the learning journey feel less like a cold, analytical experience and more like a playful conversation with a friend. Its a stark contrast to the dry statistics of most other year-in-reviews, tapping into the playful, meme-inspired language popular among younger generationswhich aligns with Duolingos brand imageoverall.Some of my favourite insights from my review that really made me laugh, and consequently want toshare.These comments do more than just entertain, they enhance the social and shareable aspect of the feature. The Gen Z-style humour makes it easy for users to relate to and want to share such moments with friends. I know I did. The playful tone ensures that even the most mundane insights are elevated, making them both engaging and memorable. In a world where learning can sometimes feel like a solitary or tedious task, Duolingos fun, lighthearted comments help foster a sense of community and joy amongusers.Are you safe fromDuo?One of the quirkiest and most viral aspects of this year is the Are You Safe from Duo? element. This quirky element plays on the running joke that Duolingos owl mascot, Duo, will relentlessly remind users to complete their lessons if they fall behind. In the Year in Review, users are asked if they are safe from Duo before the big reveal, encouraging reflection on their consistency and progress throughout theyear.Luckily, I was safe from Duo.Phew.This fun, suspenseful addition enhances the overall experience by making it more engaging and shareable. By capitalising on the meme culture, it encourages users to share their results on social media for comparison, boosting virality and making the Year in Review even more memorable. The feature also ties into Duolingos strategy of gamifying learning, with users curious about whether theyve managed to escape Duos watchful eye, thus deepening their engagement with the apps quirky brand personality.Entertaining content on Duolingos official Instagram page which reinforces the meme image of Duo as an ever-watchful owl we should all be terrified of upsetting.Duolingos personality insightsSimilar to how Spotify Wrapped has defined listening personalities in the past, Duolingos learner styles feature brought a personalised touch to the apps 2021 Year in Review, setting it apart from the usual data breakdowns. The learner styles categorised users based on their learning habits and achievements and reflected how individuals interacted with the appwhether they were streak-focused, XP-driven, or more likely to dabble in multiple languages. It was continued through to 2023, but we didnt see it on our screens this year.Bummer.The learner styles were designed to offer a fun and engaging way to reflect on progress while providing deeper insights into how users were engaging with the app. This also encouraged a sense of community, as learners compared their styles with others, spurring friendly competition or companionship. These insights reinforced Duolingos goal of making language learning both personalised and social, turning an otherwise routine review of progress into an interactive experience that celebrated individual learningpaths.The lack of the feature this year has left users questioning its absence. This shift mirrors a broader trend seen with other platforms, like Spotify, which has also scaled back some of its personalised insights in recent years. Spotifys Wrapped, for example, used to offer more nuanced breakdowns of listening habits, such as detailed listening personalities or genres, but these have been pared down in recent iterations. Similarly, Duolingo seems to have opted for a more streamlined Year in Review in 2024, with an emphasis on fun, shareable comments and new gamified features, rather than the deeper, personalised insights that had become a signature of pastrecaps.Streamlining sharing throughCTAsOne of the standout features of Duolingos 2024 Year in Review is the emphasis on shareabilitydesigned to encourage users to not only reflect on their learning journey but also to share it with others. Each insight page comes equipped with a share button, making it easy for users to post their achievements on social media directly from the app. This simple yet effective feature capitalises on the power of social proof, encouraging users to display their progress, engage their networks, and inspire others to start their own language-learning journey. This also eliminates the need for screenshots and manual posting, instead encouraging users to share via a seamless call-to-action, streamlining the process and making sharing a built-in part of the experience.A summary of my Year in Review, ready forsharing!Adding an extra layer of gamification, Duolingo incorporates a share for a reward incentive at the end of the review. The idea behind this is to create a positive feedback loop where the act of sharing not only encourages social interaction but also rewards users for spreading the word about their learning journey. Its a simple yet effective method of incentivising users to share while enhancing their own experience.Duolingo also offers users not one, but two distinct designs for sharing their achievements on social media. The first design provides an all-encompassing overview, and the second design narrows its focus to highlight the streak count and the playful Are You Safe from Duo?insight.Duolingo offering two designs for users to share, catering with different preferences and audiences.These options give users flexibility in how they share their achievements, catering to different preferences and audiences. Some may want to showcase their entire learning journey, while others might prefer to share a lighter, more humorous snippet. This dual approach not only enhances user experience but also broadens the contents appeal on social media platforms, making it more likely to resonate and go viral. By incorporating these tailored designs, Duolingo acknowledges the diverse ways users engage with content online, setting an example for other platforms in the art of blending personalisation with shareability.Transparency about data collectionOne thing I felt was worth mentioning, is the fine print below the final summary and share page. Your Duolingo stats as of Nov. 30, 2024. This clarity stands out, especially when compared to platforms like Spotify, where the exact cut-off date for Wrapped data has never been made entirely clear. Over the years, users have had to rely on internal information or external articles to piece together when the data counts towards their Wrapped summary, with no official statement fromSpotify.This lack of transparency has caused some confusion, especially when users expect their year-in-review stats to reflect their activity over the full calendar year. By explicitly stating the cut-off date, Duolingos approach is a refreshing move towards clarity and honesty. It sets a good example for others to follow, as transparency about data collection periods helps avoid misunderstandings and enhances user trust. This small yet significant change aligns with broader trends in the tech industry, where clearer communication about data usage is being increasingly valued byusers.Expanding beyondlanguageDuolingos 2024 Year in Review took a cue from Spotify Wrapped by expanding the scope of insights beyond just language learning, moving into territory thats traditionally not been associated with the app. In past years, Duolingos Year in Review focused primarily on a users language achievements, such as the number of words learned or streaks maintained. However, this year, the platform has broadened its focus, introducing insights related to learning habits in areas like music and math, aligning with its growing suite of educational tools.I guess I should study math and music more. Sorry,Duo.This expansion mirrors Spotifys shift in recent years, where it began branching into podcasts, audiobook recommendations, and even exclusive content, all while maintaining its roots in music streaming. Similarly, Duolingo, known for its language courses, has gradually incorporated additional subjects such as math and music. By including insights about these new domains in the Year in Reviewand including them as the first insight of the bunchDuolingo could inspire users to explore other subjects and, ultimately, to stay more engaged with the app, which is the ultimate goal of any year in reviewfeature.The takeawaysDuolingo has reimagined how we celebrate progress, learning, and creativity in the digital age. Through its 2024 Year in Review, Duolingo continues to push the boundaries of what it means to learn by making the experience fun, shareable, and socially engaging. Gone are the days when year-in-review features were purely about statistics. Duolingo embraces playful commentary, quirky memes, and gamified moments that turn personal growth into an interactive experience. With features like Are You Safe from Duo? and personalised insights across language, math, and even music, Duolingo shows how far its come in building an inclusive, multidimensional educational platform. Plus, through its emphasis on shareability through seamless call-to-action buttons and incentivisation with rewards, it encourages users to display their achievements and make language learning a truly social activity.So, were you safe from Duo thisyear?Sources: How we built a personalized Year-in-Review for millions oflearners Get excited: its time for Year inReview!Duolingo wrapped: your year in languages, streaks, and progress was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Why your UX suggestions might be getting ignoredContinue reading on UX Collective

Bluesky has a lot going for it right now. One of those perks is the site is entirely free to join and use. There's nothing locked behind a paywall that separates paying users from others: What you see is what you get.However, the times may be a-changin'. As reported by TechCrunch, Bluesky is actively working on a subscription model for its platform, currently called "Bluesky+." This isn't necessarily breaking news: Back in October, the company revealed plans to offer paid subscriptions to users, while promising a free experience would always be available. What is new, however, are the pricing plans for this subscription model, as well as the features you'll get if you choose to pay.What might a Bluesky+ subscription get you?The company posted a mockup of a subscription offer page it might show users interested in Bluesky+. Going off this screenshot, paid users could enjoy the following perks:Bluesky+ profile badgeCustom app iconsProfile customizationsHigher video upload limitsHigh quality video resolutionInline post translation (coming soon)Post analytics (coming soon)Bookmark folders (coming soon)One Bluesky developer responded to a post about the mockup warning users that these features might not "match what will be released." However, Bluesky has previously discussed offering features like higher quality videos and profile customization (like custom colors and frames for profile pictures) for a theoretical paid subscription, so it wouldn't be surprising to see some (or all) of these features launch with Bluesky+. Items labeled (coming soon) aren't actually delayed, either: None of these features are available yet, so these final three aren't going to necessarily take any longer to ship than the others. Bluesky developers simply wanted to test out the "coming soon" banner.Don't be put off by Bluedsky+ "profile badge," either. The same developer confirmed these badges have nothing to do with verification. Bluesky won't be following X's horrible example, which gives anyone with a subscription a badgerendering them useless for actual account verification. How much could a Bluesky+ subscription be?In another mockup, Bluesky+ is offered as one of two different subscriptions: You can spent $8 per month, or $72 per year, which would save $24 versus subscribing monthly for a year.Again, none of this is set in stone, and could change dramatically by the time the company is ready to roll out Bluesky+. But it gives a good idea of what the companyor certain parts of the company, anywayare thinking at this time.

Verizon subscribers who have been using the companys Message+ texting app are now being forced to switch to an alternative, following the services discontinuation on Monday. The app is the latest victim in the move to cross-platform RCS, and while its probably for the best, loyal users are bemoaning the loss of some fan-favorite features.In a reddit thread on r/dumbphones, users have expressed dissatisfaction about losing the ability to reply to texts right from the lock screen or easily check their messages from a PC. (Technically, these features are available on other platforms, although they might require some adjustment or additional steps.)That said, Apple users and more recent customers shouldnt be affected. Since 2022, Verizon has preloaded Google Messages onto Android devices in lieu of its in-house app. iPhones, additionally, have never come with Verizon Messages pre-installed.The shutdown date actually follows an extension of about a month, as it was originally planned for Nov. 7. While the app is still available on the iOS app store (it does not appear on Google Play), Verizon says the app can no longer send messages, and that any emails associated with it will also cease to work. The company is encouraging Android users to instead use Google Messages and iPhone users to opt for iMessage.Why is Verizon ditching Message+?Verizons app, long decried by detractors as bloatware, nonetheless retained some parity with other messaging apps up through the introduction of the RCS standard, thanks to features like group chats and typing indicators for conversations where all users were on the app. However, now that Apple is supporting RCS on iPhone, Android messaging apps, both those that use RCS and SMS, have started to end service in favor of pushing users to Google Messages. For instance, Samsung is no longer installing Samsung Messages on newer phones.RCS, while a universal standard, technically has slight differences in how each company implements it. In ensuring Android users are largely using one companys implementation of RCS, manufacturers and service providers are making their lives a bit easier when it comes to compatibility, especially for texts sent to iOS.Additionally, Googles implementation of RCS is end-to-end encrypted for messages between Android phones, making it a more secure way to text. Rather than developing their own encryption solutions, pushing users to Google Messages allows Verizon and Samsung to focus their attention elsewhere.As for why RCS is worth all this app confusion, encryption support is probably the biggest reason in favor of swapping, but the standard also supports group texts, typing indicators, and high resolution images and reactions by default, rather than on an app-by-app basis.How do I swap from Verizon Message+ to Google Messages?Swapping from Verizons messaging app to Googles should be relatively seamless. According to Verizon, your text history will remain in your devices local storage and should be viewable via any compatible replacement messaging app. To get started, download Google Messages from the Play Store and open it. You should be prompted to make it your default messaging app. Afterwards, your messages should transfer, although it might take a day or so to fully sync, and you might experience some slowdown in the meantime.If you dont receive a prompt to change default messaging apps, try looking for it in your settings. This will differ from phone to phone, but the option will generally be under Settings > Apps > Default SMS app.Once youre swapped over, youll need to get used to the app. Google Messages has several tweaks you can make and features to get used to; Googles actually written its own guide to help smooth your transition, which is well worth your time if the defaults dont appeal to you.What if I dont want to use Google Messages?For traditional texting, Google Messages is probably your best bet, thanks to its end-to-end encryption (as long as the person youre texting also has Google Messages) and the promise of ongoing support. That said, because your texts are stored on your phone and linked to your phone number rather than your texting client, any alternative texting clients will still be able to sync with your text history. If youre OK with losing RCS and encryption, Textra SMS is a popular alternative that focuses on a minimalistic interface.However, Google Messages still has one major weaknessits messages with iPhones are not encrypted. While Apples adoption of RCS has generally made texting between iPhones and Androids a more pleasant experience, this means you might want to consider an instant messaging app instead.These apps send messages through the internet and dont sync with your phone number, which means they cant access your text history or rely on your carriers SMS/MMS network if they cant get a data connection (RCS also uses the internet, but can fall back to SMS/MMS in an emergency). However, the upside is that many are end-to-end encrypted by default.Personally, I use Line, a Japanese app popular in East Asia, but WhatsApp is probably more convenient for an American audience. However, because WhatsApp shares data with its owner, Meta, some may instead opt for Signal, which is owned by a nonprofit. Telegram is also popular, although encryption must be enabled on a chat-by-chat basis.The biggest issue with swapping to one of these apps is that you can only message other users if theyre on the same app, whereas texting simply relies on a phone number. Still, for maximum security, its best to use an instant messenger in addition to a texting appassuming you can convince your friends and family to switch.

Wanna go outside and kick the ball around? The soccer story game Despelote is coming to the Nintendo Switch in early 2025. The game was previously announced for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.Despeloteis a story-driven game about people and the emotional spirit and camaraderie of football. You play as a plucky 8-year-old kid named Julin from Quito, Ecuador who goes out with his friends for a fun-filled afternoon of neighborhood football after a long day of school. The game tells the story of Ecuadors economic struggles in the late 1990s and the sense of community and unity that grew leading up to the 2002 World Cup. Developers Julin Cordero and Sebastin Valbuena based the games setting, dialogue and experiences on their own childhood memories and photos growing up in Ecuador.Despelote was an official selection of the 2023 Tribeca Festival. Its also one of the games featured by Wholesome Games Wholesome Snack Showcase ahead of The Game Awards.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/despelote-is-dribbling-its-way-to-the-nintendo-switch-231254398.html?src=rss