Please limit blog posts to one per week. Good luck with your communities, and welcome to gamedev.net.

I meant common as in always the same with a numberMyRTS Blog - #10MyRTS Blog - #11etc, etc. I suppose that could get dull if the content didn't make up for it. Get creative with a 'common name' once and then you're good to go.Can't run out of numbers.

Palworld features more than 100 creatures, titularly dubbed Pals. You can treat your Pals with love, or you can put them to work in a factory and even butcher them. With this many Pals in one game, it can be hard to tell which ones are worth keeping or employing your base.Pals have different elemental types and work skills, making it so no two Pals are exactly alike. One may appear similar, but it may be better at completing a certain task over another.In our Palworld guide, weve collated base information on all Pals in Palworld. Our guide provides the basic information youll need about every Pal, including their Paldeck number, work skills, and elements. And if youre curious about which ones to prioritize, see our list of the best Pals to keep you at your base.Palworld Pals listPalworld charts Pals in the Paldeck menu. Weve organized the Pals in the table below by their Paldeck number. Below is a list of all Pals in Palworld, along with information about the type and work suitability base skills for those Pals.#NameElementWork skills1LamballNeutralHandiwork 1, Transporting 1, Farming 12CattivaNeutralHandiwork 1, Gathering 1, Mining 1, Transporting 13ChikipiNeutralGathering 1, Farming 1 (eggs)4LifmunkGrassPlanting 1, Handiwork 1, Gathering 1, Lumbering 1, Medicine Production 15FoxparksFireKindling 16FuackWaterWatering 1, Handiwork 1, Transporting 17SparkitElectricGenerating Electricity 1, Handiwork 1, Transporting 18TanzeeGrassPlanting 1, Handiwork 1, Gathering 1, Lumbering 1, Transporting 19RoobyFireKindling 110PengulletWater/IceWatering 1, Handiwork 1, Cooling 1, Transporting 111PenkingWater/IceWatering 2, Handiwork 2, Mining 2, Cooling 2, Transporting 212JolthogElectricGenerating Electricity 112BJolthog CrystIceCooling 113GumossGrass/GroundPlanting 114VixyNeutralGathering 1, Farming 1 (Pal spheres, arrows, gold)15HoocratesDarkGathering 116TeafantWaterWatering 117DepressoDarkHandiwork 1, Mining 1, Transporting 118CremisNeutralGathering 1, Farming 1 (wool)19DaedreamDarkHandiwork 1, Gathering 1, Transporting 120RushoarGroundMining 121NoxDarkGathering 122FuddlerGroundHandiwork 1, Mining 1, Transporting 123KillamariDarkGathering 1, Transporting 224MauDarkFarming 1 (gold)24BMau CrystIceCooling 1, Farming 1 (gold)25CelarayWaterWatering 1, Transporting 126DirehowlNeutralGathering 127TocotocoNeutralGathering 128FlopieGrassPlanting 1, Handiwork 1, Gathering 1, Medicine Production 1, Transporting 129MozzarinaNeutralFarming 1 (milk)30BristlaGrassPlanting 1, Handiwork 1, Gathering 1, Medicine Production 2, Transporting 131GobfinWaterWatering 1, Handiwork 1, Transporting 131BGobfin IgnisFireKindling 2, Handiwork 1, Transporting 132HangyuGroundHandiwork 1, Gathering 1, Transporting 232BHangyu CrystIceHandiwork 1, Gathering 1, Cooling 133MossandaGrassPlanting 2, Handiwork 2, Lumbering 2, Transporting 333BMossanda LuxElectricGenerating Electricity 2, Handiwork 2, Lumbering 2, Transporting 334WoolipopNeutralFarming 1 (cotton candy)35CaprityGrassPlanting 2, Farming 1 (red berries)36MelpacaNeutralFarming 1 (wool)37EikthyrdeerNeutralLumbering 237BEikthyrdeer TerraGroundLumbering 238NitewingNeutralGathering 239RibbunyNeutralHandiwork 1, Gathering 1, Transporting 140IncineramFire/DarkKindling 1, Handiwork 2, Mining 1, Transporting 240BInceneram NoctDarkHandiwork 2, Mining 1, Transporting 241CinnamothGrassPlanting 2, Medicine Production 142ArsoxFireKindling 2, Lumbering 143DumudGroundWatering 1, Mining 2, Transporting 1, Farming 1 (high-quality Pal oil)44CawgnitoDarkLumbering 145LeezpunkDarkHandiwork 1, Gathering 1, Transporting 145BLeezpunk IgnisFireKindling 1, Handiwork 1, Gathering 1, Transporting 146LoupmoonDarkHandiwork 247GaleclawNeutralGathering 248RobinquillGrassPlanting 1, Handiwork 2, Lumbering 1, Medicine Production 1, Transporting 2, Gathering 248BRobinquill TerraGrass/GroundHandiwork 2, Lumbering 1, Medicine Production 1, Transporting 2, Gathering 249GoriratNeutralHandiwork 1, Lumbering 2, Transporting 349BGorirat TerraGroundHandiwork 1, Mining 2, Transporting 350BeegardeGrassPlanting 1, Handiwork 1, Gathering 1, Lumbering 1, Medicine Production 1, Transporting 2, Farming 1 (honey)51ElizabeeGrassPlanting 2, Handiwork 2, Gathering 2, Lumbering 1, Medicine Production 252GrintaleNeutralGathering 253SweeIceGathering 1, Cooling 154SweepaIceGathering 2, Cooling 255ChilletIce/DragonGathering 1, Cooling 156BChillet IgnisFire/DragonGathering 1, Kindling 256UnivoltElectricGenerating Electricity 2, Lumbering 157FoxcicleIceCooling 158PyrinFireKindling 2, Lumbering 158BPyrin NoctFire/DarkKindling 2, Lumbering 159ReindrixIceLumbering 2, Cooling 260RayhoundElectricGenerating Electricity 261KitsunFireKindling 262DazziElectricGenerating Electricity 1, Handiwork 1, Transporting 163LunarisNeutralHandiwork 3, Gathering 1, Transporting 164DinossomGrass/DragonPlanting 2, Lumbering 264BDinossom LuxElectric/DragonGenerating Electricity 2, Lumbering 265SurfentWaterWatering 265BSurfent TerraGroundGathering 166MaraithDarkGathering 2, Mining 167DigtoiseGroundMining 368TombatDarkGathering 2, Mining 2, Transporting 269LovanderNeutralHandiwork 2, Mining 1, Medicine Production 2, Transporting 270FlambelleFireKindling 1, Handiwork 1, Transporting 1, Farming 1 (flame organs)71VanwyrmFire/DarkKindling 1, Transporting 371BVanwyrm CrystIce/DarkCooling 2, Transporting 372BushiFireKindling 2, Handiwork 1, Gathering 1, Lumbering 3, Transporting 272BBushi NoctFire/DarkKindling 2, Handiwork 1, Gathering 1, Lumbering 3, Transporting 273BeakonElectricGenerating Electricity 2, Gathering 1, Transporting 374RagnahawkFireKindling 3, Transporting 375KatressDarkHandiwork 2, Medicine Production 2, Transporting 275BKatress IgnisDark/FireKindling 2, Handiwork 2, Medicine Production 2, Transporting 276WixenFireKindling 2, Handiwork 3, Transporting 276BWixen NoctFire/DarkKindling 2, Handiwork 3, Transporting 277VerdashGrassPlanting 2, Handiwork 3, Gathering 3, Lumbering 2, Transporting 278VaeletGrassPlanting 2, Handiwork 2, Gathering 3, Medicine Production 3, Transporting 179SibelyxIceMedicine Production 2, Cooling 2, Farming 1 (high quality cloth)80ElphidranDragonLumbering 280BElphidran AquaDragon/WaterWatering 3, Lumbering 281KelpseaWaterWatering 1, Farming 1 (Pal fluids)81BKelpsea IgnisFireKindling 1, Farming 1 (flame organs)82AzurobeWater/DragonWatering 383CryolinxIceHandiwork 1, Lumbering 2, Cooling 384BlazehowlFireKindling 3, Lumbering 284BBlazehowl NoctFire/DarkKindling 3, Lumbering 285RelaxaurusDragon/WaterWatering 2, Transporting 185BRelaxaurus LuxDragon/ElectricGenerating Electricity 3, Transporting 186BroncherryGrassPlanting 386BBroncherry AquaGrass/WaterWatering 387PetalliaGrassPlanting 3, Handiwork 2, Gathering 2, Medicine Production 2, Transporting 188ReptyroFire/GroundKindling 3, Mining 388BReptyro CrystIce/GroundMining 3, Cooling 389KingpacaNeutralGathering 189BKingpaca CrystIceGathering 1, Cooling 390MammorestGrassPlanting 2, Lumbering 2, Mining 290BMammorest CrystIceLumbering 2, Mining 2, Cooling 291WumpoIceHandiwork 2, Lumbering 3, Cooling 2, Transporting 491BWumpo BotanGrassPlanting 1, Handiwork 2, Lumbering 3, Transporting 492WarsectGrass/GroundPlanting 1, Handiwork 1, Lumbering 3, Transporting 392BWarsect TerraGroundHandiwork 1, Mining 3, Transporting 393FenglopeNeutralLumbering 294FelbatDarkMedicine Production 395QuivernDragonHandiwork 1, Gathering 2, Mining 3, Transporting 395BQuivern BotanDragon/GrassHandiwork 1, Gathering 2, Mining 2, Planting 2, Transporting 396BlazamutFireKindling 3, Mining 496BBlazamut RyuDragon/FireKindling 3, Mining 497HelzephyrDarkTransporting 397BHelzephr LuxDark/ElectricGenerating Electricity 3, Transporting 398AstegonDragon/DarkHandiwork 1, Mining 499MenastingDark/GroundLumbering 2, Mining 399BMenasting TerraGroundLumbering 2, Mining 3100AnubisGroundHandiwork 4, Mining 3, Transporting 2101JormuntideDragon/WaterWatering 4101BJormuntide IgnisDragon/FireKindling 4102SuzakuFireKindling 3102BSuzaku AquaWaterWatering 3103GrizzboltElectricGenerating Electricity 3, Handiwork 2, Lumbering 2, Transporting 3104LyleenGrassPlanting 4, Handiwork 3, Gathering 2, Medicine Production 3105BLyleen NoctDarkHandiwork 3, Gathering 2, Medicine Production 3105FalerisFireKindling 3, Transporting 3106OrserkDragon/ElectricGenerating Electricity 4, Handiwork 3, Transporting 3107ShadowbeakDarkGathering 1108PaladiusNeutralLumbering 2, Mining 2109NecromusDarkLumbering 2, Mining 2110FrostallionIceCooling 4110BFrostallion NoctDarkGathering 4111JetragonDragonGathering 3112BellanoirDarkHandiwork 2, Medicine Production 4, Transporting 2112BBellanoir LiberoDarkHandiwork 2, Medicine Production 4, Transporting 2113SelyneDark/NeutralHandiwork 3, Medicine Production 3, Transporting 3114CroajiroWaterGathering 1, Handiwork 1, Transporting 1, Watering 1115LulluGrassGathering 1, Handiwork 2, Medicine Production 2, Planting 2116ShroomerGrassGathering 2, Lumbering 2, Handiwork 1, Planting 2116BShroomer NoctGrass/DarkGathering 2, Lumbering 2, Handiwork 1, Planting 2117KikitGroundMining 1118SootseerDark/FireGathering 1, Kindling 3, Handiwork 2, Mining 2, Farming 1119PrixterDark/GroundGathering 1, Lumbering 3, Medicine Production 1120KnocklemGroundGathering 3, Mining 3, Transporting 4121YakumoNeutralGathering 2122DogenNeutralGathering 2, Lumbering 2, Handiwork 3, Medicine Production 1, Transporting 2123DazemuGroundGathering 2124MimogNeutralGathering 1125XenovaderDarkLumbering 2, Transporting 2126XenogardDragonMining 3For morePalworldguides, weve got you covered. If youre just starting out, weve got abeginners guide, a list ofall Pals, and atype chart. We also have explainers onbreeding,eggs, and a rundown of howmultiplayerworks.On the hunt for resources? Check out our guides on how to getore, coal,polymer,leather,sulfur,wheat seeds,pure quartz,Ancient Technology Points, andancient civilization parts. For advanced players, consult our lists of alltower boss locations, allpassive skills, allflying mounts, and thebest base locations.

Game File is a thrice-weekly newsletter about the culture and business of video games, written by longtime gaming reporter Stephen Totilo (Kotaku, Axios, MTV News, The New York Times). Subscribe here for scoops, interviews and regular updates about gaming with the authors nearly 8-year-old twins.You wouldnt know it from Ubisofts Twitter/X feed, their Instagram nor their official company news page, where they may have forgotten to mention it, but the publisher of Assassins Creed and Rainbow Six Siege released a new game this week.Its called Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. Its a top-down multiplayer shooter for PCs, and its a spin-off of a spin-off of a spin-off of Far Cry 3.It even guest stars Ubisoft mascot Rayman.The likely reason Ubisoft has been so mum is that its a Web 3 game, meaning CLTG.A.M.E. uses cryptocurrency and blockchain, those buzz technologies about digital ownership from three years ago.This isnt Ubisofts first time around the blockchain, but their past Web 3 gaming efforts went a way thatd make you hesitant to talk about the new ones.Back in 2021, when blockchain gaming was a magnet for millions of dollars of investment into the video game industry, Ubisoft was calling the tech an evolution of real-life possibilities in digital spaces. Digital ownership would be transformative, they said. Couldnt people already buy things in games? Not the really real way the blockchain would enable it, they and other proponents said.Fans panned Ubisofts early crypto gaming foray. In late 2021, the company started offering Web 3 guns and armor in its open-world shooter Ghost Recon Breakpoint, so players could sell those items to other players via the blockchain (which they barely did).No big deal. Ubisoft was merely in research mode for Web 3, company CEO Yves Guillemot would say in September 2022.It was easy to scoff, but it wasnt absurd to give them some benefit of the doubt. The open-minded optimist who was familiar with Ubisofts past had reason to expect Ubisoft could make something better, maybe even figure this Web 3 gaming thing out.In the past, when Ubisoft went into research mode involving odd, new tech, they produced some quality games. Ubisofts early zeal for the weird Wii U back in the day resulted in a (no snark) smartly-designed game about fighting zombies while managing your backpack on a second screen. They chased the trend of virtual reality gaming and generated a multiplayer game about piloting Star Trek spaceships. They hopped onto the bandwagon of toys-to-life-you-know-like-Skylanders and produced a nifty sci-fi game that, on Switch, doubled as a terrific new Star Fox adventure.What might Ubisoft cook up for Web 3 gaming, with ample time put into research mode?I discovered the answer after spending an hour jumping through the hoops needed to play my second* Web 3 game of 2024 (Disclosure: My first entailed a fully sufficient minute or two with the crypto-powered revival of Flappy Bird).Enter Captain Laserhawk (for $25.63)Ubisofts Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. crypto game is, unfortunately, the most basic top-down shooter imaginable.You are a contestant in a futuristic battle arena. Most kills wins.Use WASD to move. Move the targeting crosshairs with the mouse. Left click to shoot. Right click to rush-and-stun opponents. Deathmatch and team deathmatch modes available. Theres a weapon/gear/emote locker and a battle pass.Thats about it, though its technically in early access.Im not sure many people are playing, because, after three matches yesterday, I became the worlds 10th highest-ranking Captain Laserhawk playerout of a leaderboard showing 78 names (its showing 19th of 94 now).What about the Web 3 parts? Wheres Rayman?You need an NFT to play for now, at least. I learned this through Ubisofts parallel universe of Captain Laserhawk promotion, which involves a dedicated Twitter feed and some posts on Medium.On December 11, Ubisoft began offering 10,000 Niji Warrior NFTs. I think Im a Niji Warrior in this game. The NFT looks like a virtual ID card. Initially, you could grab one of these cards for free (minus Web 3 transaction fees).Then, between December 16 and 20th, people who own a Niji Warrior NFT ID card can access a virtual photo booth on the official Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. website (which, naturally, is edenonline.ubisoft.com) and use that to reveal the card.I confess that I missed the free NFT offer. So I had to buy one from the marketplace. I did so this week when I snagged the cheapest one available for .0055 ETH, which Google told me would not break my spending budget. I had never purchased anything crypto-related before, so I got to discover the joys of setting up my very own crypto wallet and then using a plain old Visa card to buy the NFT (total charge: $25.63).None of this was intuitive, and I dont get the idea that the Captain Laserhawk experience is designed for people like me whove never dipped a toe into crypto nor desired to.The games website informs potential players they need to be 18, live in a part of the world where the game isnt forbidden. The requirement to connect with a crypto wallet assumes you know what that means and which wallet is worth using. Any failure to set up the wallet, buy the NFT and link everything correctly blocks Captain Laserhawk from loading.Back to the virtual photo booth part of this: You take your NFT and then reveal it, which means customizing it with a cartoon headshot (based on some selections of favorite aesthetics). You enter a gender, an age and, for some reason, your favorite pro wrestler (options include the real wrestler Kenny Omega and the slightly-not-real Diamond Dallas PeyJ).All these steps introduce scarcity, since the backdrop of any Web 3 project is that it will produce rare things for users to buy and sell. Were already working from a base of 10,000 user ID Niji Warrior IDs, which are limited at two per account. The photo booth ID process is available for just five days, after which Niji Warrior ID cards are customized randomly rather than by player choice.The push here is to get in early and set up something in a way that would make it stand out in the marketplace. Once you start playing, according to one of the games Medium posts, your progress in the game will further alter the card, potentially making it even more special:Moreover, your Niji Warrior NFT is dynamic it evolves by capturing your in-game accomplishments, growing in uniqueness and value, and showcasing your dedication and skill.The allure of this, as best I can tell, is that playing the fairly simple game and excelling it will result in a rarer Niji Warrior NFT which other people might want to buy because Im not sure why, honestly.Captain Laserhawk also has a battle pass or schedule of unlockable virtual rewards that are doled out as you earn experience points and rack up wins. Some of the rewards can be turned into NFTs, too. I unlocked a Happy 2025 emote that I can turn into an NFT. Anyone want to buy it?A perusal of the Captain Laserhawk menus and marketplace suggests some interest in the game but no gold rush. A Marcus Holloway (Watch Dogs 2!) alternate outfit for your character is obtainable today for 6750 virtual coins. Five out of 600 of them have been claimed.Some of the battle pass unlockable emotes, gun skins and outfits (such as a Santa Claus suit), can be minted into NFTs and sold to other players; so its not pay-to-win, but it can be pay-to-look-special.As for Rayman: Hes the announcer for the games deathmatches. Players can also grab a legendary Rayman profile pic for 7500 virtual coins and then attach it to their Niji Warrior NFT (9 of these have been claimed out of a supply of 425).Theres also a free side-scrolling runner game starring Rayman that you can play on Captain Laserhawks website while your card is in the process of being revealed.Underwhelming, so farWhen I first stumbled across this whole Captain Laserhawk project a couple of months ago, I was intrigued about what Ubisoft might do.I am skeptical of Web 3 games, but I hoped that the company that made a Wii U zombie backpack adventure and a Star Trek VR game might have a good idea in them for this tech. Otherwise, why bother?In the scant official descriptions Id found of Captain Laserhawk, Ubisoft didnt brag about any gameplay innovation, but they did talk about players shaping the narrative of the game, of having choices in its direction. They also promoted player governance, the idea that users will shape the future of the game.The projects description on the official website, and, buzzwords aside, sounded a bit interestingThe G.A.M.E. is a transmedia gaming adventure where the community drives the narrative through innovative governance.Players step into the role of a citizen in the dystopian world of Eden the totalitarian successor to the US. By overcoming challenges across various channels inside and outside the game, players can raise their citizen score and increase their power to shape the narrative.As the story unfolds, the entire community will have the opportunity to influence the plot and participate in key decision-making moments.Almost none of that is evident in the early access game that is playable now. The results, so far, are underwhelming.As with other Web 3 games Ive seen, Captain Laserhawks development seems to have focused more on the Web 3 ecosystem without necessarily finding a gameplay hook to make people want to play out of fascination with the game itself.I had hoped Ubisoft could do better. The company has bigger issues to resolve, but, so far, Web 3 research mode is not panning out.More from Game File:Fired Bungie developer who is suing Sony could have made $84 million from Bungie-Sony dealMicrosofts CEO: Being an Xbox fan means playing Xbox games on all your devices

The weekly GTA Online update for Dec. 19, 2024, is live with reward events, discounts, prizes, and plenty of festive activities for the holidays.Our GTA Online weekly update guide will tell you everything happening in Los Santos this week.GTA Online special eventsIts Christmastime in Los Santos, and youll be seeing snow around the town. Logging in anytime before January 1 will earn you:Festive Penguin OnesieGold Reindeer PendantGold Star Fitted Jacket and PantsFirework Launcher with 20 RocketsSnowball LauncherFull Snacks, Armor, and AmmoAlso keep an eye out for the Happy Holidays Hauler around town. It will be dropping GTA$, RP, snack and ammo refills. It also guarantees that youll pick up either the eCola Festive Sweater or the Sprunk Festive Sweater with each pickup. Meanwhile, several holiday events are returning to GTA Online, and each offers special rewards.Complete the Yeti Hunt to receive the Yeti OutfitTake out The Gooch to receive The Gooch OutfitDestroy all 25 Snowmen in yards around Los Santos to receive The Snowman OutfitComplete the Weazel Plaza Shootout to claim the WM 29 Pistol and the Seasons Greetings Pistol Mk II SkinWhat are the 3x GTA$ events in GTA Online this week?Taking part in the Entourage (Festive Remix) adversary mode in Legion Square this week will earn you 3x GTA$ and RP. Completing Entourage (Festive Remix) once will also earn you the Snowman Finish for the Combat Pistol. If you can win Entourage five times, youll pick up the Skull Santa Finish for the Special Carbine. And if you win Entourage as Santa, youll get the Santas Helper Finish for the Heavy Sniper.Winning any two adversary modes (including Entourage) this week will complete the Weekly Challenge and earn you another GTA$ 100,000.What are the 2x GTA$ events in GTA Online this week?If youve set up a Garment Factory, youll earn 2x GTA$ passive income from it.Doing Dispatch Work for Vincent, like Health Code Violations and Obstruction of Justice missions, will also earn you 2x GTA$.And finally, Pizza Delivery missions are also rewarding 2x GTA$ until January 1.What vehicles are for sale in GTA Online this week?Whats in Premium Deluxe Motorsports Showroom this week?Head to Simeons Premium Deluxe Motorsports showroom for:bermacht Revolter (40% off)Vapid Clique in limited-time Merry Cliquemas liveryVysser NeoDewbauchee JB 700 (30% off)Albany AlphaWhats in the Luxury Autos Showroom in GTA Online this week?At Luxury Autos over in Rockford Hills, you can pick up the following:Bravado Banshee GTSDinka Jester RR WidebodyWhats the Lucky Wheel prize car in GTA Online this week?At the Diamond Casino, spin the wheel for a chance to win the Western Powersurge motorcycle.What are the Salvage Yard Robbery targets in GTA Online this week?If youve set up a Salvage Yard to make money, youll be looking for:Lampadati CinquemilaPfister Comet SafariVapid CliqueWhich properties are discounted in GTA Online this week?There are no discounted properties this week.What is the Gun Van selling in GTA Online this week?Track down the Gun Van this week to pick up:El Strickler military rifle (free with GTA+)Battle rifle (30% off)Stun gun (40% off with GTA+)Railgun (50% off with GTA+)Candy Cane (free)Heavy sniperAssault SMGTear gasMolotovsProximity minesAnd if youre playing the main game, dont miss our list of GTA 5 cheats.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.The Pixel 9 Pro is the latest and most premium model in the Pixel lineup, and right now, the unlocked 128GB Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is discounted to $849 (originally $1,099). That's the lowest price it has ever been on Amazon, according to price-tracking tools. Prime Members can get it in time for Christmas in obsidian, porcelain, and hazel. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Operating System: Android 14, Ram Memory: 16 GB, Memory Storage: 128 GB, Screen Size: 6.8 Inches. $849.00 at Amazon $1,099.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal Get Deal $849.00 at Amazon $1,099.00 Save $250.00 This Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with 16GB of RAM, 128GB of memory storage, a 120 HZ refresh rate, and the Android 14 operating system. As Michelle Ehrhardt explained in her review of the Pixel 9 Pro, the phone's hardware is the best Google has made so far, but its AI features still have hiccups. The XL version is bigger than the regular Pro sizebut smaller than previous XL versionsat 6.4 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches.If you have the Pixel 8 Pro, you might not notice a huge upgrade to this version. However, if you're upgrading from an older version or doing a switch from a non-Pixel phone, the 9 Pro XL has a lot to love. One of my favorite things about Pixel phones is the ongoing support for many years. My Pixel 6A still gets all of the updates and tons of AI features that make the phone feel fresh many years later, with the latest ones dropping this month. With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, you'll be getting a quality phone with software updates for a while (as long as seven years).

"The FBI says you should stop texting" sounds like something your estranged uncle would post on Facebook about, but it's actually true: Both the FBI and CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) are sounding the alarm around certain texting platforms, and, in some cases, phone calls themselves. To simply leave it at that, however, would be massively misleading. America's security agencies don't think you should do all your communicating by snail mail. Instead, they're specifically concerned with citizens using insecure means of communication, and are encouraging them instead to use secure, end-to-end encrypted options. Here's why."Salt Typhoon" is compromising Americans' securityThis current wave of concern stems from Salt Typhoon, a hacking group thought to be run by the Chinese government. In recent months, Salt Typhoon has compromised the privacy and security of many Americans, both private and public citizens. The group is accused of hacking 80 telecom groups, including U.S.-based providers that the federal government relies on for wiretapping purposes. (Verizon and AT&T were both affected.) These hackers reportedly tapped the phones of President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance, as well as the phones of staffers for the Harris campaign.Through these attacks, the FBI and CISA say hackers stole "a large amount of metadata," including, in limited cases, phone calls and messages. It's not just Salt Typhoon, either. Insecure messaging has long been a concern of security experts and professionals. These hackers may have been the catalyst to get the FBI and CISA to warn Americans about it, but it's good practice to ensure your communications are always protected.Where encryption comes into playWhile it doesn't appear at this time that hackers are routinely scraping and monitoring everything you text or say on the phone, the reason they've been able to access the contents of these communications at all is due to a lack of end-to-end encryption.In brief, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) protects the contents of messages and calls between recipients. The contents here are scrambled through encryption, so to an unauthorized user, your text appears to be a jumble of meaningless characters. The only way to unscramble the message is to have the "key," which, in our case, lies in the apps of the recipients in question. So, when you send a message from an E2EE app to another user with E2EE, that message is only readable by the two of you. The same goes for messages in E2EE group chats, or E2EE audio calls.The issue is that traditional phone calls are not E2EE, and neither are SMS text messages. (When the FBI says "don't text," what they mean is don't use insecure texting methods like SMS.)You may already be communicating securelyThe thing is, many (if not most) of your communications may already be E2EE. If you have an iPhone and you only message other iPhones, you're using Apple's iMessage, an E2EE message platform. (The blue bubbles are a giveaway.) Android users who use recent versions of Google Messages are also likely communicating through RCS, not SMS, and are able to take advantage of E2EEjust look out for the little "lock" icon that appears when messaging. FaceTime, both audio and video calls, are encrypted, too. However, there are far too many instances where messages and call are not E2EE. Traditional phone calls, for example, are not E2EE. SMS, as noted above, is not E2EE. Even when you're trying to avoid SMS, it pops up: Since RCS requires an internet connection, for example, your phone might default to SMS when messaging in low-signal areas. The same goes for iMessage.But even when you have a good connection, RCS isn't always encrypted, either. Sure, if you have two Androids messaging through Google Messages, you're likely protected, but using RCS between Android and iPhone isn't encrypted. An Android using another messaging app with another Android using Google Messages is also not encrypted.When in doubt, use a dedicated appThe only way to guarantee your messages and calls are encrypted end-to-end is to use a service that guarantees the practice with all communications. While there are a number of messaging platforms that offer E2EE, the go-to recommendation is Signal. Signal's messages and calls are always E2EE, so there's no risk of your communications being interceptedas long as someone doesn't get a hold of the other person's device, of course. WhatsApp is also an E2EE platform by default. While Meta has plenty of privacy and security concerns as a company, WhatsApp is an exception. I understand some security-minded users' concerns in using a Meta product, but if you're one of the billions already using it, you can keep using it securely.There are apps with E2EE options that aren't E2EE by default. Messenger (formerly known as Facebook Messenger) now uses E2EE as the default, but existing chats (especially group chats) might still be unencrypted, so be careful. Telegram and Instagram also offers E2EE, but you have to choose to message with encryption. If you just download the apps and message away, you're not much better off than using SMS.Remember, too, that this isn't just about messaging and calling with your phone. All your devices need to be considered. If you message or call people from your tablet or computer, make sure the apps you use are E2EE by default.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.CES 2025 is right around the corner, which means that most tech companies are on the cusp of major releases to their lineups. Following what I predict to be a trend this year, Hisense announced this week that they are pushing their own smart platform that will cover all of their appliances. Moreover, the place youll most likely access this smart platform is on your television, which is the primary way most people know Hisense. Over the last year, I've had the chance to try a number of features that Hisense is promising in other brands, and many are more useful in theory than practice. Hopefully, however, small changes Hisense is making to each feature will show better results. Hisense is turning its TV into a hubHisenses platform, called ConnectLife will offer a 3D view of your smart home on Hisense television sets and allow you to access your entire smart home from the platform. I was struck, while listening to their presentation, how similar this felt to Samsungs promise at last year's Consumer Electronics Show. Last year, Samsung announced that it was integrating SmartThings, its smart platform, into their TVs with a similar 3D view. As someone with a Samsung TV, I was excited about the integration of SmartThings, a platform I also use. However, I cant help but notice that in the time since CES 2024, I have only used the television as my hub once, and that was simply because I was reminded in the menu it existed and wondered if it had changed since January (it hadnt). In truth, I dont know that I believe people will stop the program theyre watching to switch over to the hub interface and take the multi-step action to find the device they want and activate it, when, with a few swipes of your finger, you can do so more quickly on your phone, or ask your voice assistant for help. I dont think it's going to make a difference for Hisense, either. While it makes perfect sense to integrate TVs and hubs in theory, it just isnt all that useful in practice.That said, Amazon seems to have figured out a better system. While it doesn't have the same interface, all Fire TVs act as hubs given their Alexa integration. This feels like a much more practical integration of smart tech, since the voice assistant can be used to control the TV itself if you lose the remote, but also removes the need for a smart speaker in that room. The TV simply replaces the speaker.Hisense's plan for integrationEvery smart device you purchase requires an app and/or hub. In all likelihood, that hub only works with devices from that brand. In rare cases, like Google, Apple, and Amazon, those hubs can also integrate other brands, so we call them "multi-hubs." A trend I see evolving is that more brands are trying to turn their one-brand hubs into multi-hubs. Brilliant, Hubspace, even Aqara all allow other integrations using different connection technologies like Matter, Zigbee or Z-wave. Hisense is going in another direction. Their app, ConnectLife, will work with Hisense brands so you can control them. However, if you want to control other brand devices through Hisense, you can link the Hisense app to Google Home (Google Home works with almost every other brand), and through Google Home, you can bring those integrations back into ConnectLife. If you already use Google Home, this is just another integration into an app you already have, so no big deal. But if you're not using Google Home and want to use Hisense as a multi-hub, it would require you download both apps. Again, you can just download and use ConnectLife if all you want to control with it are your Hisense devices. The thing is, there appear to be integrations that allow you to control Hisense devices with Alexa or Siri. If you're already using a multi-hub with Alexa or Siri, it makes more sense to connect your Hisense devices to it, rather than to the Hisense multi-hub on your TV or phone.If that sounds overly complicated, that's because it isunnecessarily so. That's why, on some level, it's better to simply let existing multi-hubs handle integrations instead of trying to be a multi-hub. Hisense is adding AI and meal planning to fridgesAs part of the lineup of smart appliances it plans to roll out this year, Hisense introduced two new smart refrigerators: a jumbo side-by-side (promised to be the largest on the market) and a FreshVault French door fridge. These fridges will offer a meal planner that pulls from an AI-powered technology known as Dish Designer." Dish Designer, a duel effort from Microsoft and Hisense, can utilize your family preferences in combination with what is in your fridge to help craft menus for you.Personally, the ability to analyze what is in your fridge and utilize those ingredients in meal planning is exciting to me. I sometimes forget what is in my fridge, and despite being a good cook, am often unable to decide what I actually want to eat. These menu assistants can legitimately offer help by suggesting an endless array of ideas. I rarely use the recipe suggestions that I get from other smart appliances, like my Brava oven or Brisk It Grill, but neither of those utilize my preferences or what ingredients I have on hand, if they work. Hisense promises otherwise. An app that does already make suggestions based off my preferences and what I have available is Samsung Food, which uses AI and cameras in their fridge to assess what you have and make meal-planning suggestions. I havent tested either Dish Designer (which will deploy sometime around Q2 next year) or Samsung Food (Im eagerly awaiting my fridge), but I have talked to a number of people who own Samsung fridges with these features enabled. Most of them aren't using the meal planning, and the reason seems to be that the technology isn't great at identifying what's in the fridge, so the recommendations aren't accurate. The in-fridge camera can't see everything if the fridge is full, food in paper wrapping or plastic can't be identified, and labels have to be turned the right way to be perceived correctly. Hisense's press release doesn't imply they'll have in-fridge cameras, so I'm unsure how they'll take into account what food you have on hand. To Hisenses credit, the technology that will best help reduce food waste isnt AI based, but engineeringthere are vacuum-sealed drawers, adjustable bin sizes, and ultra-thin foam insulation to extend the life of your ingredients.While using AI seems like it could lead to really useful meal planning in the future, so far, it doesn't appear to have met the mark and will only do so when it can get more accuracy on personal taste and inventory. AI might make laundry combo machines betterOne high point is the announcement of the LuxCare Mini Washer-Dryer Combo, which promises to be fast, efficient, and quiet. All-in-one machines arent new, but theyve never been particularly well-reviewed. However, that has changed in recent years with smart-enabled combo machines from LG, GE, and Samsung. These all-in-ones allow people in small spaces to purchase washing machines. I know three people with new combo machines, and all speak highly of them. Its reasonable to believe that the additional AI technology thats been added to these machines, allowing them to treat fabrics differently based on sensors, has made a sizable difference on how well the machines work in practice.Hopefully Hisense surprises meI'm excited for any brand to invest in more smart tech, but it has to make sense in practice. I love Hisense's enthusiasm, and as it happens, their TVs. I love ideas like the combo washer/dryer, which create more accessibility. I have to hope that other ideas, like the TV as hub, AI-based meal planning, and expansion into a multi-hub are executed better here to make the results more useful than previous attempts by other brands.

It looks like Lenovos next ThinkBook Plus laptop is going to have a rolling screen. According to images shared by prolific leaker Evan Blass, Lenovos sixth-generation ThinkBook Plus will have an extendable, rolling display that builds on the rollable laptop concept the company first introduced in 2022.The leaked images show a laptop with a traditional, if slightly taller than average display, that can extend and unroll until you effectively have two screens stacked on top of each other. Lenovos images show a video call open on the top part of the display, and what looks like a PowerPoint presentation on the bottom, but one imagines the possibilities for what you can use the extra screen space for are pretty limitless. Blass didnt share any other technical details about the new ThinkBook Plus, but with CES 2025 weeks away in January, it seems highly likely the new laptop could make an official appearance soon.Lenovos been toying with the concept of a rollable laptop for a few years at this point, and this new ThinkBook Plus seems like a direct descendant of the companys earlier concept device. Lenovo is no stranger to making weird laptops, either. The Lenovo Auto Twist from CES 2024 featured a display that could rotate and fold on its own, and the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i from 2023 joined two separate touchscreen displays to give owners even more screen space to play with.Evan BlassUp until this point, rollable displays have mostly existed in smartphone concepts and expensive televisions, so if Lenovo can sell a laptop with a unique screen at an approachable price, and guarantee it wont suffer from hardware issues, it might have a hit on its hands. Then again, the previous fifth-generation ThinkBook Plus a Windows computer when you attached a keyboard and an Android tablet when you didnt started at $2,000, so it might be wrong to expect affordability.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovos-extendable-thinkbook-plus-laptop-accidentally-unrolled-early-193056769.html?src=rss

Earlier this year, Meta previewed Movie Gen, an AI video editing tool that looked impressively realistic (at least in the sample clips it released). At the time, though, Meta said it was still a research project with no immediate plans to make the features available to users.But it now seems that Movie Gen could arrive on Instagram sooner than later. Instagrams top exec Adam Mosseri posted a short video previewing the kind of seamless AI edits that will eventually be possible, saying that the company is hoping to bring this to Instagram next year.In the clip, Mosseri says that Meta is working on some really exciting AI tools for video creators. You should be able to do anything you want with your videos, he says. "You should be able to change your outfit, or change the context in which you're sitting, or add a chain whatever you can think of. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) During the short clip, Mosseris backdrop and outfit changes several times, including a brief shot where he looks like a Muppet-inspired character. Throughout the clip, the transitions look pretty seamless without obvious AI artifacts. Of course, that wont necessarily be the case once Movie Gen is actually available and videos of its abilities arent entirely controlled by Meta. But if it works anything like Mosseris teaser video, it could open up some interesting possibilities for Instagram creators.Its probably not a coincidence that Meta is teasing the feature just days after OpenAI released its video generation model to subscribers. Meta has repeatedly said it wants its AI assistant to be the most used in the world and in an update that was also published today, the company said Meta AI has nearly 600 million monthly users.Unfortunately, Mosseri didnt indicate exactly when Movie Gen features may actually arrive on Instagram, other than some time in 2024. But he did say that there would be more to come from the company.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/metas-ai-video-editing-features-are-coming-to-instagram-next-year-191501418.html?src=rss