What makes an incredible project? Is it the client? The type of project? An exorbitant budget? While those things help to create the environment in which a great project can thrive, what truly makes a project something powerful is you.No, this isnt some pep talk on why you are the ultimate weapon but yes, you are if you want to be. I am simply a web and product designer writing down my observations in order to give others the tools to make their project experiences all the better for it.Still with me? Let me tell you about what Ive discovered over the years working as an agency designer.There are three approaches that have completely changed the way my projects run from start to finish. I have found that since implementing all three, my work and my interactions with clients and coworkers have blossomed. Here they are:Unlearn previous experiences through Reframing.Tap into your background with Connection Paths.Take up your own space. Period.In this article, you will find explanations of each approach and connected practical examples as well as real-life ones from my project work at Fueled + 10up to show you how they can be applied to projects. With that said, lets dive in.Approach 1: Unlearn Previous Experiences Through ReframingWhile some of the things that we have learned over the years spent in design are invaluable, amidst those previous experiences, there are also the ones that hold us back.Unlearning ingrained lessons is not an easy thing to do. Rather, I challenge you to reframe them and get into the habit of asking yourself, Am I stopping short creatively because I have always gone this far? or Am I associating an implied response from others due to a previous experience and therefore not doing enough for the project?Let me give you some examples of thoughts that may arise on a given project and how you can reframe them in a better way.Initial ThoughtIve designed cards thousands of times. Therefore, there are only so many ways you can do it.As you know, in 99.9% of website design projects, a card design is required. It may seem that every possible design ever imagined has been created up to this point a fair reasoning, isnt it? However, stifling yourself from the very get-go with this mentality will only serve to produce expected and too-well-known results.Reframed ThoughtInstead, you could approach this scenario with the following reframed thought: Ive designed cards thousands of times, so let me take what Ive learned, do some more exploration, and iterate on what could push these cards further for this particular project.With this new outlook, you may find yourself digging deeper to pull on creative threads, inevitably resulting in adaptive thinking. A good exercise to promote this is the Crazy 8s design exercise. In this format, you can pull forth rapid ideas some good, some not so good and see what sticks. This method is meant to get your brain working through a simple solution by tackling it from multiple angles.Real-Life ExampleHere is a real-life example from one of my projects in which I had to explore cards on a deeper level. This clients website was primarily made up of cards of varying content and complexity. In the initial stages of design, I worked to define how we could differentiate cards, with prominence in size, imagery, and color, as well as motion and hover effects.What I landed on was a flexible system that had three tiers and harmonized well together. Knowing they had content that they wanted to be highlighted in a distinctive way, I created a Featured Card and tied it to the brand identity with the cutout shape in the image masking. I also included the glass effect on top to allude to the brands science background and ensure the text was accessible. For the Stacked Card, I introduced a unique hover effect pattern: depending on where the card was in a given grid, it would determine the cards hover color. Lastly, for the Horizontal Card, I wanted to create something that had equal emphasis on the image and content and that could also stand alone well, even without an image.While these cards include what most cards usually do, the approach I took and the visual language used was unique to the client. Instead of working on these too quickly, I ventured down a different path that took a little more thought, which led me to a result that felt in tune with the clients needs. It also pushed me outside of what I knew to be the standard, straightforward approach.Initial ThoughtFast is better. Clients and project teams want me to be fast, so its okay if I cut down on exploration.In most projects, speed is indeed rewarded. It keeps the project within its budget constraints, the project managers are happy, and ultimately, the clients are happy, too. However, what it can end up doing instead is generating errors in the process and hindering design exploration.Reframed ThoughtIn this scenario, you can reframe this like so:I like to work fast because I want the team to be successful. In addition, I want to make sure I have not only produced high-quality work but also explored whether this is the best and most creative solution for the project.With this new outlook, you are still looking out for what clients and project teams want (successful outcomes), but you have also enriched the experience by fully executing your design expertise rather than just churning out work. One recommendation here is to always ensure you are communicating with your project team about the budget and timelines. Keeping yourself aware of these key goals will allow you to pace when to push for more exploration and when to dial it in.Real-Life ExampleI experienced this on a project of mine when a clients piece of feedback seemed clear-cut, but as we entered a third round of design surrounding it, it revealed that it was much more complicated.The client, Cleveland Public Library, had approved a set of wireframes for their homepage that illustrated a very content-heavy hero, but when it came to the design phase, they were delighted by a simpler, more bold design for a block that I created in my preliminary design explorations. At first, I thought it was obvious: lets just give them a dialed-in, simple hero design and be done with it. I knew the hours were precious on this project, and I wanted to save time for later on as we got into the finer design details of the pages. However, this was an error on my part.After taking a step back and removing speed as a key factor during this phase of the project, I found the solution they actually needed: a content-heavy hero showcasing the breadth of their offerings, melded with the boldness of the more pared-down design. And guess what? This variant was approved instantly!Now that I have shown you two examples of how to unlearn previous experiences, I hope you can see the value of reframing those moments in order to tap into a more uninhibited and unexplored creative path. Of course, you should expect that it will take several implementations to start feeling the shift towards inherent thinking even I need to remind myself to pause and reframe, like in the last example. Rome wasnt built in a day, as they say!Try ThisI challenge you to identify a few moments on a recent project where you could have paused, reflected, and used more creativity. What would you have done differently?Approach 2: Tap Into Your Background With Connection PathsI know I just talked about unlearning some of our previous experiences to unlock creativity, but what about the ones we may want to tap into to push us even further? Every designer has an array of passions, memories, and experiences that have culminated into what makes us who we are today. We often have a work self professional and poised, and a personal self exploding with hobbies. How can we take those unique facets of our personalities and apply them to our projects?Creating connections with projects and clients on a deeper level is a major way to make use of our personal experiences and knowledge. It can help to add inspiration where you otherwise may not have found that same spark on a project or subject matter.Let me walk you through what I like to call the Three Connection Paths. Ill also show you how you can pull from these and apply them to your projects.Direct PathThis connection path is one in which you have overlapping interests with the client or subject matter.An example of this is a client from the video game industry, and you play their video games. Seems like an obvious connection! You can bring in your knowledge and love for the game industry and their work. You could propose easter eggs and tie-ins to their games on their website. Its a match made in heaven.Cross PathThis connection path is one in which you cross at a singular point with the client or subject matter.An example of this is a client, which is a major restaurant chain, and you used to work in the food industry. With your background, you understand what it is like to work at a restaurant, so you might suggest what CTAs or fun graphics would be important for a staff-centric site.Network PathThis connection path is one in which you are tethered to the client or subject matter through who you know.An example of this is a client in the engineering field, and one of your family members is an engineer. You can then ask your family members for insights or what would be a good user experience for them on a redesigned website.Sometimes, you wont be so lucky as to align with a client in one of the Three Connection Paths, but you can still find ways to add a layered experience through other means, such as your skillset and research. In the last example, say you know nothing about engineering nor have a connection to someone who does, but you are an excellent copy editor outside of work. You can propose tweaking the verbiage on their hero section to emphasize their goals all the more. This shows care and thoughtfulness, giving the client an experience they are sure to appreciate.Real-Life ExampleA real-life example in which I implemented a Direct Connection Path on a project was for Comics Kingdoms website redesign. When I was younger, I wanted to be a manga creator, so this client being an intermediary between comic readers and creators resonated with me. Not only that, but I still practice illustration, so I knew I had to bring this skill set to the table, even though it was not part of the original scope of work.I allowed myself to lean into that spark I felt. I hand-sketched a few illustrations in Procreate for their website that felt personal and tied to the joy that comics evoke. Beyond that, I found a way to incorporate my knowledge of manga into a background pattern that pulled inspiration from nawa-ami (a traditional cross-hatching style to denote deep thought) and mixed it with the motif of fingerprints the idea of identity and the artists own mark on their work.Due to my deep passion, I was able to cultivate an excellent collaborative relationship with the client, which led to a very successful launch and being invited to speak on their podcast. This experience solidified my belief that through tapping into Connection Paths, you can forge not only amazing projects but also partnerships.Try ThisLook at what projects you currently have and see which of the Three Connection Paths you could use to build that bond with the client or the subject matter. If you dont see one of the Three Connection Paths aligning, then what skills or research could you bring to the table instead?Approach 3: Take Up Your Own SpaceThe last and arguably most important approach to leveling up your projects is taking up your own space. Im not referring to physical space like strong-arming those around you. What Im referring to is the space in which designers take to be vocal about their design decisions.A lot of designers find this practice uncomfortable. Whether it stems from having not been given that space to practice as a beginner designer, higher ranking designers not leaving the room for those less vocal, or even you yourself feeling like someone else might be better suited to talk to a particular point.Dont RetreatSimilarly, some designers find themselves retreating when receiving feedback. Instead of standing behind the reasoning of their designs or asking follow-up questions, it seems easier to simply go along with the requested change in order to make the client or team member providing the feedback happy. Even if you disagree with the request, does it feel like you need to execute it just because the client or someone you feel outranks you told you to?You Are The ExpertThere is another option, one in which you can mark yourself as the design expert you are and get comfortable in the discomfort.Saying you dont agree and explaining why helps solidify you as a strong decision-maker and confident designer. Tying it back to why you made the decision in the first place is key.Illuminating your opinions and reasoning in conversations is what will get those around you to trust in your decisions. Hiding them away or conceding to client whims isnt going to show those around you that you have the knowledge to make the proper recommendations for a project.The Middle GroundNow, Im not saying that you will need to always disagree with the provided feedback to show that you have a backbone. Far from it. I think there is a time and place for when you need to lean into your expertise, and a time and place for when you need to find a middle ground and/or collaborate. Collaborating with coworkers and clients lets them peek into the why behind the design decisions being made.ExampleA great example of this is a client questioning you on a particular font size, saying it feels too large and out of place.You have two options:You could say that you will make it smaller.Or you could dig deeper.If you have been paying attention thus far, youd know that option 2. is the route I would suggest. So, instead of just changing the font size, you should ask for specifics. For example, is the type hierarchy feeling off the relationship of that heading to the body font it is paired with? You can ask if the size feels large in other instances since perhaps this is your H2 font, so it would need to be changed across the board. Calling attention to why you chose this size using data-informed UX design, accessibility, brand, or storytelling reasons all amplify your decision-making skills before the client, so including that information here helps.If, after the discussion, the client still wants to go with changing the font size, at least you have given your reasoning and shown that you didnt thoughtlessly make a decision you made the design choice after taking into consideration multiple factors and putting in a lot of thought. Over time, this will build trust in you as the design expert on projects.Real-Life ExampleAn example in which I showcased taking up my own space was from a recent project I worked on for Hilton Stories in their collaboration with Wicked. After conceptualizing a grand takeover experience complete with a storytelling undertone, one of the clients wanted to remove the page-loading animation with the idea of having more branded elements elsewhere.While most of my team was ready to execute this, I read between the lines and realized that we could solve the issue by including clear verbiage of the collaboration on the loading animation as well as adding logos and a video spot to the interior pages. By sticking up for a key piece of my designs, I was able to show that I was aligned with not only my design decisions but the major goals of the project. This solution made the clients happy and allowed for a successful launch with the loading animation that the Fueled + 10up team and I worked so hard on.Try ThisThe next time you receive feedback, pause for a moment. Take in carefully what is being said and ask questions before responding. Analyze if it makes sense to go against the design decisions you made. If it doesnt, tell the client why. Have that open dialogue and see where you land. This will be uncomfortable at first, but over time, it will get easier.Remember, you made your decisions for a reason. Now is the time to back up your design work and ultimately back up yourself and your decisions. So, take up your own space unapologetically.ConclusionNow that you have learned all about the three approaches, there is nothing stopping you from trialing these on your next project. From unlearning previous experiences through Reframing to tapping into your background with Connection Paths, you can lay the groundwork for how your past can be used to shape your future interactions. When taking up your own space, start small as you begin to advocate for your designs, and always try to connect to the whys so you instill trust in your clients and members of your design team.As Robin Williams so eloquently delivered in the Dead Poets Society, No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world. In this case, you dont need to apply it so widely as the entire world, maybe just to your workplace for now.

1. Kokoro StudioI recently discovered London-based Kokoro Studio and they have me enchanted with their vibrant, mouth-blown glass vessels. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese kokeshi dolls believed to bring good fortune Kokoro reimagines these wooden totems with a contemporary twist. Handcrafted by master artisans in both Istanbul and London, the brands latest Mama series is a heartfelt ode to the beauty of the maternal bond a theme that resonates deeply with me as a mother. Im especially drawn to how Kokoros abstract forms capture the essence of motherhood, using glass and color to infuse this classic doll tradition with modern elegance. See for yourself and give them a follow!2. Criss Cross Cabinet by India MahdaviIndia Mahdavis Criss Cross collection is pure eye candy, but the Criss Cross Cabinet is my favorite. With its bold reimagining of classic tartan, the crisscross pattern leaps off the surface in a tactile 3D form. I love how Mahdavi uses modern colors to mimic the woven texture of tartan, giving the design a fresh, playful edge. The see-through doors turn this cabinet into a statement piece thats as much about art as it is about storage.3. Comme Si x USM ModularI love when different brands collaborate in a way thats unexpected yet totally inspiring and the Commi Si x USM has to be one of my favorites yet. Who knew trouser socks and modular furniture could be such a dream team? My favorite detail is the way both brands literally merge in the furniture collection Comme Sis signature textiles are fused with glass, giving USMs iconic modular pieces a soft, almost ethereal quality. The traveling exhibition has already wowed crowds in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently, Seoul. Keep an eye on Comme Si to see if this inspired mashup lands in a city near you!4. Bottega Veneta x Zanottas Ark CollectionSpeaking of playful collaborations, Bottega Veneta and Zanotta have teamed up to create the Ark Collection a whimsical nod to the iconic 1968 Sacco chair. Under the direction of Bottega Venetas Matthieu Blazy, Zanotta crafted 15 animal-inspired designs (think: a dog, panda, rabbit, dinosaur, and even a ladybird), all featuring the same adaptive comfort as the original. I couldnt pick a favorite, but which one would you take home?Photo by @rileyinmelb5. Craig & Karls Melbourne Pop-UpFor my final Take 5 pick, I couldnt resist this delightfully over-the-top inflatable installation by the dynamic duo Craig & Karl. Who needs AI when creativity like this exists? Their summer pop-up at Melbourne Central Shopping Centre is the perfect blend of art, design, and pure childhood joy. Fingers crossed they blow up something this magical near me next!

10. Cj Hendrys HOOPS Tree Makes a Splash in MiamiSome say ball is life, and Cj Hendry takes this concept beyond the court with her public art installation, HOOPs Tree. Constructed out of brilliant blue metal rods, the Tree bends and curves delicately, as if sprouting from the ground. At the end of every branch, a hoop is formed, alike to a bud or leaf. Different heights, difficulty levels, and angles keep the piece interactive infinitely, creating new experiences for years to come.9. A 360 Design Evolution of the Iconic Copacabana Lounge ChairHungarian-born Mathieu Matgots Copacabana Lounge Chair, released in 1955, is a product of wartime ingenuity and creative inspiration. Also known for the Nagasaki Chair, Matgot built upon his education serving for the French military, learning the techniques and capabilities of aluminum. GUBI reimagines the Copacabana Lounge in a stunning color palette, refreshing a silhouette that will stay modern for decades to come.8. Travel the Mediterranean via Cassinas 2024 Outdoor CollectionCassina is proud to present their Outdoor Collection, inspired by the textures and colors of the Mediterranean. Durability, aesthetics, and comfort are perfectly balanced here, exterior considerations just as important as interior ones. Among the carefully designed architecture and the more exotic and verdant vegetation, the garden is a filter, a passage. An oasis in which to naturally reconnect with the environment, respect it and celebrate its vibrancy and wellbeing; a place to feel at one with nature on the sofas and armchairs, with their organic and primitive forms, excellent materials and visible details; a pure combination of design and spontaneity, says the brand.7. The Tradition Modular Lounge Series Takes the Nordic Vibe OutdoorsFritz Hansen presents Tradition, a modular lounge collection by Povl B. Eskildsen, which ties the designers Danish roots in with the storied history of Fritz Hansens form language to create a timeless piece. Heavier details are stripped away for a minimalist look, adding to the versatility of the collection. Mix and match modules for a set that perfectly suits your needs for now, with an aesthetic to last a lifetime.6. MPavilion Outdoor Canopy Melds Architecture + TechnologyMPavilion is the flagship initiative of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, committed to improving the lives of Australians through art, design, and architecture. This outdoor canopy features three separate layers, each adding a specific dimension of weather resistance and sustainability. Looking towards the future, MPavilion is forging a new path in the arena of the built environment.5. The Playful Curves of the South Outdoor CollectionKonstantin Grcic, a prolific designer endlessly interested in experimentation, collaborates with furniture brand Magis yet again. The South Outdoor Collection is pitched back, featuring sloping planes and cohesive filleting, perfect for poolside lounging.4. Get Your Phil With This Outdoor Kitchen by Gordon Guillaumier for EthimoOften, the transition from indoor to outdoor eating is cumbersome, and usually doesnt look as good as the Phil by Gordon Guillaumier for Ethimo. Determined to solve specific pain points within the space, the Phil collection includes a brazier grill module, an induction cooktop module, and a sink module for washing up.3. Maximize Your Outdoor Living Experience With the Cancn KollektionDanish designer Morgan Georgsen teams up with BoConcept to present the Cancn Kollektion, a dynamic and colorful collection of outdoor furniture that brings us closer to nature. Lightweight and streamlined, this collection comes in Ash Grey and Matte Green, colors that thoughtfully reflect the least amount of light.2. Traditional Arab Majlis Inspire Patricia Urquiolas Insula Modular SofaMajlis, meaning sitting place or assembly in English, is an ancient tradition in Arabic culture. Originally formed as a gathering focused on religious education and beliefs, it soon spread to other topics, fostering community and open communication. These were the inspiration for award-winning designer Patricia Urquiolas modular collection, Insula, presented by Kettal. The low, open seating and sturdy back foster less visual obstruction than traditional, more Western seating.And the most popular outdoorpostof 2024 is1. Lean Into the Comfort of IVY, an Outdoor Collection by OUTErgonomic studies are the main focus in the IVY Collection, seemingly hidden in plain sight by the rigid-looking metal tubes, even if it is in a cute powder coat finish. Fear not, angles have been carefully considered by the team at Objekte Unserer Tage (OUT) to create a stunning collection, well deserving of our number one spot. Expressive color is integral to the brand, all pieces designed in Berlin and manufactured to exacting German standards. Beautiful from the inside out, observing the highest environmental and social standards at every part of the process.

Forget beautiful designs, lets learn from the ugly and funny ones today.Continue reading on UX Collective

Design isnt just about looking nice: its about changing user behaviorContinue reading on UX Collective

After a month packed with holiday specials and live sports, Disney+ is starting the new year with a focus on its staples: sci-fi and superhero comics. The final two weekly episodes of the original series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew will air on Jan. 7 and Jan. 14, and there's a two-episode premiere of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (Jan. 29), an animated series that tells Peter Parker's origin story and first forays as Spider-Man. It takes place in an alternate timeline in which Parker is mentored by Norman Osborn, and the titular character is voiced once again by Hudson Thames (from last month's What If...? series). Also coming in January is Goosebumps: The Vanishing (Jan. 10), an eight-episode anthology series inspired by the classic R.L. Stine books. The show stars David Schwimmer as scientist and divorced dad Anthony Brewer, whose kids and their friends investigate a 30-year-old disappearance in New York. Here's everything coming to Disney+ in January, including season two of the National Geographic docuseries A Real Bug's Life (Jan. 15). Disney Plus series with new episodes weekly in January 2025Star Wars: Skeleton Crewnew episodes weekly on Tuesdays through Jan. 14Movies and complete series/seasons coming to Disney Plus in January 2025Arriving January 1Morphle: Shorts (S1, 10 episodes)Arriving January 9UFOs: Investigating the Unknown (S2, 6 episodes)Arriving January 10Goosebumps: The VanishingArriving January 11My Best Friend's An Animal (S1, 6 episodes)Arriving January 15A Real Bug's Life (Season 2)Americas Funniest Home Videos: Global (S30-31 and 12, 58 episodes)History's Greatest Mysteries (S5, 15 episodes)Arriving January 18Me & Winnie the Pooh (S2, 3 episodes)Arriving January 22Kiff: Lore of the Ring LightTo Catch a Smuggler: Tropical Takedown (S1, 10 episodes)Arriving January 29Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-ManDisney+ Original premiereFoods that Built America (S5, 12 episodes)Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup (S1, 8 episodes)Pirates: Behind the Legends (S1, 8 episodes)

We may earn a commission from links on this page.While I typically shy away from promoting outright evil here at Lifehacker (unless it's Evil Week), I'd like to tell you about all the mildly evil things you can do with a gadget called the Flipper Zero. Despite its toy-like looks, this pocket-friendly multitool can be used for all kinds of hacking and penetration testing. It gives anyone an easy way to interact with the invisible waves that surround us, whether theyre RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, wifi, or radio. Think of it as a hacker Swiss army knife that you can buy for less than $200.You can use a Flipper Zero for many purposesto control your TV, cheat at Nintendo, replace your work ID, eavesdrop on walkie-talkies, open your hotel room door, play games, and more. Some of these are totally aboveboard, and others are a bit shady, or worse: Their nefarious applications were enough for the Canadian government to move to ban them (reportedly because they can make it easier to steal certain cars). On the other hand, a Flipper Zero is just a tool, and its ability to commit crimes is way overstated. Here are some of things you can do with a Flipper Zero, some more ill-advised than others.Is the Flipper Zero legal?Despite its potential to be used for illegal purposes, and despite what the Canadian government thinks of them, the Flipper Zero is legal in the United States. But it seems to have made some people here nervous, too: A shipment of 15,000 Flippers was seized by customs in 2022, but later let through. In April 2023, South Dakota Fusion Center alerted authorities across the country about the potential use of the device by domestic terrorists, and Amazon banned sales of the Flipper Zero on their site for being a card-skimming device.How does a Flipper Zero work? Credit: Stephen Johnson The Flipper Zero is basically a two-way remote control that can receive, read, store and transmit a variety of wireless signals. There are plenty of other devices that can do some of these things, but the Flipper puts them all together. Plus, its easy to understandanyone could pick one up and use it to read an NFC card, listen in on someone else's walkie-talkie conversation, or turn off the TV at their neighbors house. The Flipper Zeros gamified presentation (and actual games) and ease-of-use could be seen as a means to demystify the technology that surrounds us, or it could be seen as a way of giving people with limited knowledge a powerful tool to cause chaos. Its all about how you use it.What can you do with a Flipper Zero?This is anything but a comprehensive list of things you can do with a Flipper Zerothere are a lot of possibilitiesbut here are some common ways the device can be used. Flipper Zero $169.00 at Flipper Devices Shop Now Shop Now $169.00 at Flipper Devices Use it as a universal remoteYou can use the Flipper Zero to replace an infrared remote control, so your stereo, TV, air conditioner, and more can all be controlled from the same device. The Flipper uses brute force to send its library of IR codes wherever you point it, so you could use it to control devices with an IR remote thats in rangeunless theyre paired to their specific remote control. So you could use it to change the channel of the TV at a bar, or turn down your neighbors stereo at 2 a.m. (You shouldnt, but you could.)Listen in on walkie-talkie conversationsFlipper Zero lets you decode 89 sub-GHz radio protocols. These are unlicensed radio frequencies that anyone can use, so they're used for many walkie-talkies. If you're within 50 meters of walkies using the the frequencies a Flipper can access, you can play the audio directly from the Flipper's internal speaker. There's no mic, so you can't talk back. Take your pets temperatureIf youve had a microchip implanted in your pet, a Flipper can read your pets identification number and take its temperature if its a thermo chip. Just hold it near where the RFID chip is inserted for a few seconds and bamyour pets number. If you dont know where the chip was inserted, you can scan your pet with the Flipper and find it too. It cannot locate a lost pet, but neither can any scanner.Clone keyless entry cardsIf you have an ID that opens a door, you can (probably) clone it with a Flipper Zero, whether its your work badge or a hotel room key. That sounds like a security nightmare, but you have to have the original key to clone, so you cant open any hotel room lock, just the one you have a keycard for alreadyand theyll make you another copy at the front desk anyway.Read your credit card informationA Flipper Zero can read credit cards. This is the functionality that got the device banned from Amazon, but its really not as bad as it seems. If you scan a card with a Flipper, it can read the card number and sometimes the date, but it cant transmit the information or read the CVC number, so you wont be able to use it to make purchases or empty someones bank account.Crash smartphonesYou can use a Flipper Zero to crash nearby Androids by flooding them with Bluetooth messages. Its not exactly easyyou need to load a developer build of third-party firmware in order to run the crash my enemys phone appbut its possible, in theory. This used to be possible on iPhones too, but Apple removed the Flipper's ability to overload iPhones with spam Bluetooth requests. You can still send the requests, but it won't cause the target to shut down. Open a Tesla charging portYou cant use a flipper to steal a Tesla, but you can use it to troll a Tesla owner by opening their cars charging port (assuming this vulnerability hasnt been fixed.)Open garage doors or security gatesThis one is iffy. Some older garage doors and security gates can be opened with a device like this. Newer models have better security and use rolling codes, so storing a code on a device like this wouldnt work. Ring someones doorbell from a distanceThis will only work with some wireless, usually older, doorbellsRing or Nest doorbells are probably safeand you need to first read the doorbell to get the right frequency, but if you do that, you can hit the bell as you walk up to the porch or play ding-dong-ditch from a distance. Clone your Nintendo AmiibosNintendos Amiibos are basically RFID chips surrounded by figurines. You can use a Flipper to scan and emulate the code and feed it back to your Nintendo Switch. Or you can use this database of Amiibo codes and skip the middleman to unlock in-game extras without buying a vinyl doll.Test your car key fobWhile you can't use the Flipper Zero as a replacement for your car's key fob (more on that below) you can use it to test the range and strength of your fob. Explore the invisible energy fields all around youMany people who purchase a Flipper are no doubt disappointed by its limitationsits not a universal hack-anything device. It is, though, a tool for checking out all the invisible fields around you. You can use it to see where your wifi signal is weakest, or discover exactly how often your iPhone is shooting IR waves at your face. You can use it to test the security of all your devicesdoorbells, garage doors, locks, etc.to make sure no one else can use a Flipper to mess with you. Play video gamesThe Flipper Video Game Module, released in late 2023, is a Raspberry Pi-powered add-on that turns the Flipper Zero from a hacking/testing tool into a miniature game system. The Video Game Module adds motion sensing through a gyroscope and accelerometer, a controller port, a USB port, and a video-out jack, so you can use your TV as a Flipper Zero display. Read more of the details here.Things a Flipper Zero cant doTheres a lot of misinformation about the capabilities of the Flipper Zero. Its not a pocket device that can instantly hack anything, and there are safeguards in place to prevent the most obvious illegal uses. (This is not to say that Flipper Zero itself couldnt be hacked to offer darker possibilities, of course.) So here are some evil things the Flipper cant doat least right out of the box.Steal a carDespite TikTok videos that suggest otherwise, you cant use a Flipper to open and start a car, even your own. Keyless entry cars open when the fob sends a radio signal to a receiver in the car. Thats a piece of cake for a Flipper, except that all but the oldest cars with keyless entry use rolling codes that change every time you use one. So you might be able to use it one time, but thats it. Still, setting up a single-use car door opening is an easy way to impress your friends. (There may be exceptions, however.)Change the prices of gasolineThe TikTok videos that show a Flipper user changing the prices on a sign at a gas station are fake. Steal money from an ATMObviously, you cant empty an ATM with a commercially available handheld device. Change traffic signalsThis one is complicated, because you could use a Flipper to control a set of external infrared LED lights that mimics an Opticoma device that can change some traffic signalsbut its not really the flipper thats changing the signal, its the LED lights, and you could use something else to control them, too. Open someone elses hotel room doorWhile the Flipper can store and transmit the RFID signals needed to open a locked hotel room door, it cant do it without physically holding the card near the device first. So you cant open all the doors in a hotelunless the establishment has a master keycard that you somehow get your hands on. But then why would you need the Flipper?Is the Flipper Zero evil?The Flipper Zero is not evil. If anything, for evil hacking, its overrated. The Flipper is a collection of tools bundled together in an attractive packageits useful and cool, but its not going to let you break into a bank vault or steal someones identity. While a nefarious person could use a Flipper to do a limited set of nefarious things, they could also use a hammer to smash windows instead of driving nails. In other words: Its just a tool. The evil comes from how you use it.

I can't remember a recent instance in which the final amount I owed, whether it be for a hotel reservation or a concert ticket, didn't make my eyes bug out in shock. Now, a new rule from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should limit these bait-and-switch pricing tactics. The FTC has announced the Junk Fees Rule, requiring live-event ticketing and short-term lodging businesses to be transparent about the total price owed. Other companies will continue to be monitored on a case-by-case basis for deceptive pricing.The new rule, first proposed in 2023, should get rid of all those extra "resort" and "service" fees tacked on at checkout that often feel arbitrary. Companies can still technically include them, but they must be factored into the initial price shown. The required disclosure means the first amount you see on displays, advertisements and the like should also be the total amount you pay.The Junk Fees Rule also requires businesses to display that final amount "more prominently" than any other information. So, it can't say it will cost one thing in big font and then in really small print add that there's a lot of fees on top of it. People deserve to know up-front what theyre being asked to pay without worrying that theyll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they havent budgeted for and cant avoid, said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. "I urge enforcers to continue cracking down on these unlawful fees and encourage state and federal policymakers to build on this success with legislation that bans unfair and deceptive junk fees across the economy.The FTC claims the Junk Fee Rule will save individuals up to an estimated 53 million hours each year and more than $11 billion over the next decade. The rule will go into effect 120 days after it's published in the Federal Registrar.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ftc-bans-hidden-junk-fees-on-tickets-and-short-term-lodging-purchases-160702790.html?src=rss

The holidays havent even kicked off, but were already looking to next year when, almost immediately, some of the Engadget team will head to Las Vegas for techs biggest annual conference. The pitches from companies, both legit and unhinged, are already filling our inboxes and spam tabs, so what are we excited about?Getty ImagesExcited might not be the word, but we expect AI to become even more pervasive in good and overhyped ways. There will also be the usual slew of new processors and subsequent laptops. We expect NVIDIA to debut its long-awaited RTX 5000 video cards at CES, while AMD CEO Lisa Su has confirmed well see next-generation RDNA 4 GPUs early next year. While 2024 was a year of endless AI PC hype, 2025 might be a year of reckoning. Microsofts long-delayed Recall feature is slowly trickling out to more users, for example, but is still facing struggles. PC makers in 2025 will have to actually prove their new AI-laced devices can live up to their claims.There are also audio products, EVs, flying EVs (!) and more. Check out the full CES 2025 preview. Mat SmithThe biggest tech stories you missedGoogles new AI tool Whisk uses images as promptsAnkers Prime Power Bank with charging base is back at a record-low priceMeta is rolling out live AI and Shazam integration to its smart glassesGet this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Metas Threads has grown to 300 million usersMore than 100 million people use the site every day.Cementing its status as the fastest growing social network ever (with a heavy nepo-baby lift from Instagram), Threads has hit 300 million users, with over 100 million people using the site every day. We could see some big changes for Threads as Meta capitalizes on that growth. The company reportedly has plans to experiment with the first ads for threads in early 2025, according to a recent report in The Information.While its still a ways off, Zuckerberg has repeatedly speculated that Threads has a good chance of becoming the companys next billion-user app.Continue reading.TikTok asks the Supreme Court to delay upcoming banThe social media app is just a few weeks away from a potential ban.Its a tale of two social media networks today. After a federal court last week denied TikToks request to delay a law that could ban the app in the United States, the company is now turning to the Supreme Court to buy time. The social media company has asked the court to temporarily block the law. The company, which argues the law is unconstitutional, lost its initial legal challenge earlier this month. The company then requested a delay of the laws implementation, saying President-elect Donald Trump had said he would save TikTok. That request was denied on Friday. TikTok is now hoping the Supreme Court will intervene to suspend the law, otherwise, app stores and internet service providers will begin blocking TikTok next month.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121528225.html?src=rss

Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella has said the company wants to redefine what it means to be an Xbox fan.