The idea of a massive video game world that demands dozens upon dozens of hours of investment from the player can be a daunting one, especially with so many games competing for your attention, but at the same time, theres an undeniable allure to that promise. From open world experiences to those adopting different structures but still crafting massive worlds for players to explore, weve had plenty of games in 2024 that have delivered exactly that kind of experience. Here, were going to speak about a few such games that stand out in memory.FINAL FANTASY 7 REBIRTHFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthwent full open world, and boy did it do so in the most thorough manner possible. Across this epic odyssey, you travel to a vast number of locations throughout the Planet, which means there are several large open world maps to explore, each completely different from the other in their biomes, design, and more. A barrage of optional activities and side quests, unique traversal mechanics to each area, and more allow each area to feel yet more distinct, with all of it coming together in whats easily one of the most massive (and impressive) games of 2024.S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYLIn the lead-up toS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2slaunch, GSC Game World promised one of the biggest open worlds ever made, and boy does the game deliver. At over 60 square kilometers,S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of ChornobylsExclusion Zone is a gargantuan play space, and brimming with things to see. There are over 20 distinct areas comprising the map, featuring a healthy mix of new locations and locations that will be familiar to fans of past instalments (many of which have been expanded or overhauled). Huge doesnt begin to do it justice.DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARDBioWare failed to nail the open world formula withDragon Age: InquisitionandMass Effect: Andromeda, as a result of which the developer reverted to a semi-linear mission-based structure withDragon Age: The Veilguardthis year- but that doesnt mean this game is small in scale by any means. Though story missions are decidedly linear, between such missions, the game lets you explore a number of semi-open world maps that are not only sufficiently large, but also hide no shortage of optional content and hidden secrets. Even thoughThe Veilguardisnt open world, this is still the largest Thedas has ever felt in a game.ONCE HUMANPost-apocalyptic survival game Once Humansopen world design is different from some of the games weve spoken of so far, primarily thanks to the fact that this is a multiplayer-centric game. Regardless, in terms of size, its definitely one of the largest games of the year.Once Humansmap is 16 kilometers by 16 kilometers, all of which is split into four separate zones, each of which brings its own unique biome. Whether its size youre looking for or variety, Once Humansworld doesnt disappoint.ELDEN RING: SHADOW OF THE ERDTREEElden Ringdelivered a mind-bogglingly huge world when it launched in 2022, and though the new map initsShadow of the Erdtreeexpansion wasntquiteas large, it was still a much bigger map than most had expected from an expansion. Exploring the Land of Shadow fully and seeing everything it has to offer is not something youre going to be able to do if you dont have plenty of time on your hands. More importantly, the incredible level design exhibited throughout the map ensures youll never have a dull moment as you explore every nook and cranny.LIKE A DRAGON: INFINITE WEALTHLike a Dragon games never fail to deliver dozens upon dozens of hours of content, but they generally tend to do that through density rather than size. The same is true forInfinite Wealth. The eighth mainline entry in the series takes players to Hawaii, and though the map is definitely a large one (certainly much larger than anything else weve seen from the series in the past), its not nearly on the same level as some of the other open worlds weve discussed here thus far. Still, the game does a great job of encouraging you to explore every inch, not only because of the immaculate vibes, but also the abundant content on offer (most of which is a heck of a lot of fun).STAR WARS OUTLAWSTheres plenty thatStar Wars Outlawsgets wrong, but even many of its critics will tell you that as far as its open world is concerned, its one of Ubisofts best productions in years.Star Wars Outlawsavoids the pitfalls of open world bloat, which weve grown more familiar with over the years than wed like to admit, by ensuring that none of its maps ever feeltoolarge, and that exploration always feels organic. Its a compelling open world experience, and one that makes great use of its impressive scope.BLACK MYTH: WUKONGHeres another example of a game that manages to achieve a sense of scale in spite of being a non-open world level-based game. No, its nowhere near as big as most other games on this list, but with a mix of linear levels and larger, more open-ended areas, it does manage to craft a sizeable world nonetheless. This is a game you can easily spend over 50 hours in (depending on how extensively youre engaging with the optional content), which tells you that theres plenty to explore for players.SONS OF THE FORESTAfter spending a year in early access, Endnight Games highly anticipated open world survival gameSons of the Forestcelebrated its 1.0 launch this February, and it didnt take long for players to fall in love with it- which didnt come as a surprise, after the games early access period. Theres a lot to love inSons of the Forestshorrific world, of course, and its sizeable map is high on that list. Not only is it significantly larger and much more detailed than the map in its predecessor, its also a constant thrill to explore, with the game doing a remarkable job of making exploration feel consistently terrifying and yet rewarding.SATISFACTORYAfter five and a half long years in early access,Satisfactorylaunched in full this September, and though a a large map isnt necessarily something youd expect from a factory management simulation game, not only doesSatisfactorydeliver it, it also uses it to great effect. Exploring its vast and hostile world always remains one of the experiences highlights, and contributes significantly to the games engaging core loop.DRAGONS DOGMA 2Dragons Dogma 2is a wholly unique game, delivering a kind of emergent open world experience that you cant find anywhere else. A lot of that is down the games complete refusal to hold your hand and its systems-driven sandbox nature, but the size of its world is also a big part of the games success. Exploring the massive fantasy world ofDragons Dogma 2is always a blast, whether youre exploring the lush landscapes in Vermund or the harsh desert landscapes of Battahl. Though more environmental diversity would have been appreciated, at least theres plenty to explore, and consistently enjoyable, dynamic combat shenanigans to get into.DRAGON QUEST 3 HD-2D REMAKEDragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remakeis obviously a very different kind of experience from most other games in this feature, given the fact that it is deliberately designed as a throwback experience that harkens back to classic RPGs with its overworld exploration, town-hopping fantasy odyssey, dungeon crawling, and what have you. And though it is ultimately an old game made new, its also a sufficiently large experience- large enough, in fact, that theres plenty to whet the appetite of all intrepid explorers out there. Its world isnt colossal, but it feels large enough nonetheless, and exploration always remains gratifying.RISE OF THE RONINYes, weve mentioned a few rough-around-the-edges games here, butRise of the Ronincertainly does deserve its place here. Team Ninjas first crack at an open world game, though it suffered from formulaic design and cookie cutter open world content, it also wasnt without its strengths. For starters, the game deserves credit for bringing its 19th century setting to life, at least from a visual perspective (even if the locations can feel a bit too lifeless at times). More prominent, however, are the traversal mechanics, with the mix of horseback riding, gliding, and running around making for a fun loop that keeps exploration enjoyable.LIGHTYEAR FRONTIERSince its early access launch in March,Lightyear Frontierhas been praised by most who have played it, and its tranquil open world map in particular is something that many have shined a light on. Calm exploration and zen traversal are the name of the game inLightyear Frontier,owing to its very nature, which is a perfect fit for the pleasant, beautiful environments that you tend to find yourself in as you explore its world.MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024Recreating literally the entire planet Earth,Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024follows in the footsteps of its 2020 predecessor in going above and beyond with its open world map. That is, however, an important part of the experience here, just as it was in 2020, and once again, theres no shortage of things to see, and even more things to do. The world sports a much greater level of detail and boasts an even greater level of authenticity, which makesFlight Sim 2024a great experience for all the virtual tourists out there.

Despite its long runtime, The Game Awards offered a pretty impressive list of reveals, from The Witcher 4 and the return of Okami and Onimusha. Elden Ring: Nightreign is taking the beloved Souls-like into a standalone multiplayer space; Split Fiction looks to offer yet another incredible Hazelight co-op adventure. Even the rumored Virtua Fighter reboot was confirmed with an impressive new trailer.However, several existing titles also received release windows and trailers, including Crimson Desert from Pearl Abyss, which continues to impress. Its all the more interesting because the first trailer landed in 2019. We didnt know what to think then, aside from the developer promising a single-player prequel to its MMORPG Black Desert Online. Further details were also forthcoming.Things changed drastically at The Game Awards 2020 when Pearl Abyss debuted its gameplay trailer for Crimson Desert, noting it to be actual in-game and gameplay footage (albeit a work in progress). What we saw looked simply mind-blowing. Massive landscapes of differing climates, from mountain ranges and forests to plateaus and, yes, some deserts; settlements of varying sizes, including villages and massive cities with various NPCs roaming about; realistic-looking dialogue exchanges with excellent facial animations; and thats not even getting to the incredible visuals.However, the gameplay ultimately caught people off-guard, particularly in its sheer variety. Dungeons with different puzzles, swamps to boat through, visceral combat (with an admittedly excessive amount of screen shake), massive monsters you can climb onto, sieges, aerial battles with a dragon mountit all seemed too good to be true. In a Dev Archives video, the development team said it only revealed a third of everything that it actually shot into the trailer. Not a third of the game, mind you a third of whatever it captured. It even touted more content in development that players could look forward to.Given the number of games that could easily fool players, including a little-known upstart in the following year called The Day Before, many were understandably skeptical. The fact that Pearl Abyss touted a Winter 2021 launch also didnt seem viable. And no prizes for guessing, but Crimson Desert wouldnt arrive that year. There were no updates, and for all intents and purposes, it seemed like nothing more than an impressive showcase that Pearl Abyss couldnt deliver on.That is, until it re-emerged at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023, and somehow, in some way, the development team crammed even more on top of everything from the previous trailer. Arm wrestling, real-time destruction of various structures, horse-riding and combat, hijacking wagons, tree-climbing, hot-air balloons, sky-diving, bullet hell bosses, first-person fishing, flute playing, sheep rescue, giant mechanical bosses, and yes, you could even pet various animals.Again, it felt simply unbelievable that Pearl Abyss could deliver such a wide range of mechanics in such a giant world with that level of visual fidelity. While there wasnt a release date, and you could argue for a drop in graphical quality, Crimson Desert was clearly more than a showcase trailer. The developer also confirmed that this was no longer a prequel to Black Desert but its own story in the same universe, further ensuring it stood on its own.2024 proved even more notable for the title since we received 50 minutes of early gameplay, alongside the demos playable at Gamescom and G-STAR. Attendees could go hands-on with various bosses, with the combat mechanics really coming alive. Along with the sword and shield play and explosive arrows, the overall visceral nature of encounters each looking unique with their mechanics is stunning. And yes, as ridiculous as it seemed in the initial gameplay trailer, you can still clothesline, body slam and RKO enemies out of nowhere.Ultimately, its the latest trailer at The Game Awards 2024 that sealed things, with its sheer abundance of killer techniques, different weapons, and even other playable characters. The world still looks incredible, whether its the floating islands and their secrets or just roaming the countryside and battling monsters. With everything new (including confirmation that you can indeed ride around on a dragon and rain fire down on enemies), its like we still havent even scratched the surface of what Crimson Desert has to offer.Yes, there are still areas which could use even more polish, like the footstep audio from that 50-minute gameplay video or some graphical issues like pop-in. However, the fact that its scheduled for late 2025 and not the first quarter, as initially rumored, also gives the impression of Pearl Abyss opting for a more realistic timetable and taking the time for proper polish. Plans can always change, but given everything weve seen thus far, its looking like one of the biggest games of next year, both in scale and hype. Thats no easy feat, especially considering some of the competition (especially if it clashes with Grand Theft Auto 6 in the Fall).One could look at the sheer number of influences for Crimson Desert and express skepticism beyond the visuals. Its compared to properties like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Dragons Dogma 2, and so on. Black Desert players could also likely spot similar mechanics and really question how in-depth the side quests will be and whatnot.Leaving aside the fact that almost every game iterates on mechanics from those that came before, Crimson Deserts biggest strength looks to be one all those other games have in common the thrill of discovery. Setting out into a massive, unknown world, meeting different characters and learning their stories, and unearthing all the many ways you can augment your character and further legend.Its also worth noting that its release timing works out pretty well. Not only is it filling the space before The Witcher 4 launches which will be a long time since full production only started in November 2024 but catering to fans of those other games who want something more. The sheer size and scale are already very impressive. Yet, it feels like the development team is hiding so much more as if waiting to surprise players.Based on its overall visual style and combat remaining mostly the same since that initial 2020 gameplay reveal, even with some graphical downgrades, Crimson Desert seemingly has a strong vision that its maintained over the years. Pearl Abyss has seemingly taken the time to optimize it for current-gen hardware, polishing everything so that it meets the lofty standards that have no doubt arisen, and the overall experience looks all the better for it.2025 is shaping up to be something special, with the sheer number of blockbusters and killer apps released across the board. Theres an entire other half of the year thats veritably uncharted, with publishers seemingly afraid of going up against Grand Theft Auto 6. Despite their differences, Crimson Desert could very well be the other side of the same coin a massive open-world action RPG that also leans into immersing players and making them feel like theyre a part of it. For that reason and many others, we cant wait to explore everything it has to offer.Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

The new model shows open-source closing in on closed-source models, suggesting reduced chances of one big AI player ruling the game.Read More

ChatGPT isnt working for many users right now. With numerous reports on social media, we also confirmed that the chatbot loads but isnt able to respond to queries, while others are seeing an internal server error message.It looks like the outage started around 1:30PM ET, which is when reports began to spike on Down Detector. At 2PM ET, OpenAI posted an update to its status page, saying ChatGPT, the API, and its text-to-video generator Sora are currently experiencing high error rates. An update posted at 2:18PM ET said the issue is caused by an upstream provider and that OpenAI is currently monitoring the situation. At 3:06PM ET, OpenAI said its continuing to work on a fix. Theres no mention of an ETA for when access will be restored.ChatGPT has gone down a few times in the past several months. Just days after OpenAI released Sora to ChatGPT subscribers earlier this month, the video generation tool and ChatGPT went down for hours. Meanwhile, a widespread outage affecting AI tools brought down ChatGPT in June.Update, December 26th: Added an update from OpenAI.

Author(s): Towards AI Editorial Team Originally published on Towards AI. Good Morning, AI Enthusiasts! This week, weve got a lineup of hands-on tutorials perfect for enhancing your portfolio projects. If you havent already checked it out, weve also launched an extremely in-depth course to help you land a 6-figure job as an LLM developer. You can take a look at the free preview here.Plus, this weeks issue is packed with exciting collaboration opportunities, valuable resources, and discussions. Enjoy the read Whats AI WeeklyFine-tuning is not a competitor to RAG but can complement it. By training the model on specific data, the retriever also finds more relevant documents, and the generator can give more accurate answers since both understand the topic better. This process cuts down on errors, making responses clearer and more precise. There are various techniques to fine-tune your model more optimally. This week, lets dive into some of these techniques and understand how they can enhance your RAG pipeline. Read the complete article here or watch the video on YouTube! Louis-Franois Bouchard, Towards AI Co-founder & Head of CommunityLearn AI Together Community section!AI poll of the week!I wont disagree with that, Towards AI is all about making AI accessible. But, all the rules of learning that apply to AI, machine learning, and NLP dont always apply to LLMs, especially if you are building something or looking for a high-paying job. Knowing what is NOT possible with LLMs is just as important as knowing what is possible. And with the pace of LLM development, you dont have the time to reinvent the wheel, thats where I personally reply on curated and tested paid courses. Would love to hear your thoughts on this and understand what your barriers are to paying for a course. Share it all in the thread, and lets talk!Collaboration OpportunitiesThe Learn AI Together Discord community is flooding with collaboration opportunities. If you are excited to dive into applied AI, want a study partner, or even want to find a partner for your passion project, join the collaboration channel! Keep an eye on this section, too we share cool opportunities every week!1. Urfavalm is developing an AI-based mobile app to help people with disabilities and is looking for one or two developers with experience in mobile app development and NLP or computer vision. If this sounds relevant and interesting to you, reach out in the thread!2. Lufofz__ is looking for 12 engineers to work on a multi-agentic project that is getting some traction. If you want to know more about this, connect in the thread!3. Shubhamgaur. is looking to collaborate with someone on an ML-based project deep learning, Pytorch. If this sounds exciting, contact them in the thread!Meme of the week!Meme shared by bigbuxchungusTAI Curated sectionArticle of the weekDecoding Latent Variables: Comparing Bayesian, EM, and VAE Approaches By Shenggang LiThe article presents a comprehensive analysis of three statistical methods for uncovering hidden patterns in data: Expectation Maximization (EM), Bayesian Estimation, and Variational Autoencoders (VAEs). It demonstrates how each method handles incomplete data and reveals underlying patterns using A/B testing scenarios in marketing campaigns. The study shows how EM iteratively refines missing information, Bayesian estimation incorporates prior knowledge with new data for confident results, and VAEs use neural networks to generate new possibilities and simulate outcomes. Through practical code implementations, mathematical intuition, and real-world examples, this article compares these methods strengths and limitations. It particularly highlights VAEs potential in A/B testing for handling missing data, simulating outcomes, and quantifying uncertainty, offering insights for future applications in marketing, healthcare, and recommendation systems.Our must-read articles1. Unveiling LLM-Enhanced Search Technologies By Florian JuneThis article examines the evolution of search technology, contrasting traditional keyword-based search with the emerging field of LLM-enhanced search. Traditional search returns lists of links, requiring users to synthesize information. LLM-enhanced search leverages Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and agent technologies to provide direct, concise answers through conversational interfaces. It explores several architectures, including Search with Lepton and MindSearch, highlighting their distinct workflows and components. Key features discussed include result reranking (using methods like OpenPerplex and custom logic) and knowledge graph integration for complex, multi-hop queries. The role of PDF parsing and text chunking is also addressed, showcasing LangChain and PyPDF2 implementations. While acknowledging limitations such as performance on location-based queries and the need for more sophisticated RAG modules, it concludes that LLM-enhanced search represents a promising, albeit nascent, area with substantial potential for future development.2. Gemini 2.0 Flash + Local Multimodal RAG + Context-aware Python Project: Easy AI/Chat for your Docs By Gao Dalie ()This article details creating a local, multimodal RAG-powered chatbot using Gemini 2.0 Flash. It highlights Gemini 2.0 Flashs speed and multimodal capabilities (handling images, audio, video) surpassing its predecessor. The chatbot leverages a knowledge graph built from uploaded PDFs processed via PyMuPDF and Pillow to create images and embeddings. A dual-agent approach uses Gemini to summarize and analyze PDF content, identifying relevant passages using embedding similarity. The system, built with Python and Langchain, provides a user-friendly interface (via Streamlit) for querying and receiving answers, demonstrating efficient handling of complex data.3. Building a Knowledge Graph from Unstructured Text Data: A Step-by-Step Guide By ANSHUL SHIVHAREThis article presents a step-by-step guide to constructing a knowledge graph from unstructured text data. It leverages OLLAMA for local LLM deployment, enhancing performance and privacy. The process begins by loading and chunking text documents, then using a custom function (graphPrompt) and the Zephyr LLM to extract entities and relationships. These are organized into a DataFrame, and contextual proximity edges are added to improve graph connectivity. The resulting data is used to create a NetworkX graph, which undergoes community detection for visualization. Finally, PyVis generates an HTML representation of the knowledge graph, showcasing nodes, relationships, and community structures.4. How to Summarize, Analyze, and Query Videos with Qwen2-VL Multimodal AI By Isuru Lakshan EkanayakaThis article explains how to use the Qwen2-VL multimodal AI model to analyze videos. It details setting up a suitable environment (locally or using Google Colab), installing necessary packages, and loading the Qwen2-VL model. The core process begins with structuring prompts that combine video input (specifying filename, maximum pixel resolution, and frames per second FPS to control processing load) with textual questions or requests for summaries. The article then details how to process this video data and prepare it for the model. Finally, it explains how to use the Qwen2-VL model to generate text outputs, including comprehensive video summaries or answers to specific questions posed within the prompts, along with techniques for optimizing performance and troubleshooting common issues like CUDA out-of-memory errors. Finally, it explores real-world applications across various sectors and offers best practices for effective video analysis with Qwen2-VL.If you are interested in publishing with Towards AI, check our guidelines and sign up. We will publish your work to our network if it meets our editorial policies and standards.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AI

Boost your Local Business with Data Analysis and Web Scraping 0 like December 26, 2024Share this postAuthor(s): Lazar Gugleta Originally published on Towards AI. This member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Improving your business is a daily and tedious task, but using competition data can provide interesting underlying insights.Data analysis lets you know how you stack against the competition and how to improve your assets, such as a website, opening hours, extra equipment, etc.Today, we will explore how to collect, process, and analyze Google Maps data to your advantage and eventually improve your local business. We will use the Octoparse Web Scraping tool to obtain the data and Python to analyze it quickly.Lets jump right into it!Image generated and edited by AuthorThe tool we are building today has two components. First, we need to define the topic of our research. Lets say we want to analyze tapas bars in Madrid and all the features that data collection offers us. After preparing the Excel file, we analyzed it in Python to see how to improve it.Disclaimer: This article is only for educational purposes. We do not encourage anyone to scrape websites, especially those web properties that may have terms and conditions against such actions.We are using the Octoparse Web Scraping app for this part called Google Maps Listing and Details Page Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

This article contains spoilers through episode 5 of Star Wars: Skeleton CrewStar Wars: Skeleton Crew has had two major mysteries at the center of the story from the beginning. The first being what the hell is At Attins deal? And the second whose ship did the children find and what happened to its captain and crew? Episode 5 You Have a Lot to Learn About Pirates gives us important clues not only as to how these two mysteries are woven together, but also where this story fits in the greater Star Wars timeline.We already know that this adventure takes place during the New Republic era, 9 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin) to be precise. From the arrival of Republic officers at Khymms outpost and mentions of the Galactic Civil War to the appearance of pirates previously seen in The Mandalorian, theres enough to connect this show with all of the others happening during this time period. However, the nature of At Attin and the mysteries surrounding it keep asking us to look to the past. In some cases, very, very far back into the galaxys history.In this episode, we learn the name of the pirate who crash-landed on At Attin some time ago. Tak Rennod is the most infamous pirate the galaxys ever known, according to both Jod (Jude Law) and SM-33 (Nick Frost), who was ruthless in his pursuit of treasure. We also learn from Rennods logs that At Attin is the last Old Republic mint, which for a pirate is essentially an infinite treasure glitch, and would set him up for life. This made Rennod increasingly paranoid, according to SM-33, and led to a mutiny among his crew as they approached At Attin. SM-33 says that the captain was killed by his crew, and in turn he made sure they died crashing into the planet. But its hard to know how much of this story to believe as we already know that the droids memories have been modified before.Some fans (including myself) believe that captain Rennod, or potentially a member of his crew, actually survived the crash and somehow swindled themselves into becoming the mysterious Supervisor of At Attin. We conveniently still dont know what Rennod actually looks like thanks to his purposely corrupted data log, nor have we seen the Supervisor of At Attin. It would be the ultimate way to gain wealth and power without anyone threatening to take it away. At Attins citizens are forbidden from communicating or venturing out into the greater galaxy all the while encouraged to contribute to The Great Work, which all signs now point to being gold production.The main problem with this theory is we still dont know exactly when At Attin was founded nor when Rennods ship crash-landed on the planet. Given how deeply buried the ship is when the children find it, it seems like the ship has been stuck on At Attin for a while. But at the same time, none of the humans seem to know anything about it. Its discovery is a huge surprise to them, which means that either it landed before this society was created, or someone in charge has been burying its existence and making sure that no one finds it for generations. This would explain why the droids patrolling the area are so adamant about keeping people out of the woods.There are a lot of signs that point to At Attin existing as far back as the High Republic. Wims stories of the Jedi and Sith, references to The Great Work, Khymm calling it a jewel of the Old Republic, and now even the lightsaber found in Rennods lair point to a time way before the Republic we see in The Phantom Menace.This means that if Rennod or any member of his crew really did become the Supervisor and are responsible for turning At Attin into the almost totalitarian world we see in Skeleton Crew, they would likely have to be a species that lives an incredibly long time, or else have chosen a successor to keep up the ruse in their death.Skeleton Crew is doing a phenomenal job of weaving and crafting Star Wars history into the New Republic era. This story will not only likely have ramifications on the other shows happening during this time period, it could also impact how we see the galaxys past. Was At Attin intended to be a benevolent creation, or has greed and gold always been its purpose?Regardless of whether or not this theory is revealed to be true as the series goes on, its clear that At Attin and Rennod both have an important part to play in the Star Wars timeline. We may not yet know exactly how far back in time this mystery goes, but in Skeleton Crew, the past is just as important as the present.New episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew will premiere Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Disney+, culminating with the finale on January 14.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!

2025 is about to begin, and Apple looks set to kick off the year with several strong product launches. Heres a look at five new products expected to arrive soon in early 2025.M4 MacBook AirApples most popular Mac is about to get its next upgrade. Heres what to expect from the new MacBook Air in early 2025:M4 chip16GB RAM standardNano-texture display option12MP Center Stage cameraLikely improved battery performance thanks to M4Same design with 13-inch and 15-inch sizesOverall it should be a solid update for the MacBook Air. As for timing, signs point to a March releaseright on schedule with when the M3 MacBook Air launched in early 2024.iPhone SE 4Apples next iPhone will be the one most people should probably buy. Its the new iPhone SE 4, which is expected to debut in March.The new iPhone SE will feature: an iPhone 14-style design, with OLED and no Home ButtonFace ID and a notchthe A18 chip just added to the iPhone 16Apple Intelligence support, which is otherwise exclusive to 16 and 15 Pro models8GB of RAM48MP main camera, likely similar to the iPhone 16sUSB-C portand the first ever Apple-designed 5G modemAll of this at a compelling, budget-friendly price pointlikely under $499.The product Im personally most excited about is Apples forthcoming HomePad smart display.Mark Gurman detailed the forthcoming product extensively in a recent Bloomberg piece, which should bring fresh energy to Apples Home product lineup. Expected features, per Gurman, include:Focus is on Siri, Communication, and Home controlRuns Safari, Music, Notes, and several other Apple apps but no App StoreDevice is touch, but will mostly be operated by voice through Apple Intelligences new App IntentsNew OS is a blend of watchOS and iOS StandBy mode; dynamic UI shifts based on user distanceSize is roughly two iPhones side-by-side, with about a 6-inch screenDevice has speakers, FaceTime camera, and batteryApple is working on wall attachments, plus a speaker base for desks, tables, kitchens, and nightstandsHeavy security focus as well as video/audio intercom feature that works with other home devicesHome Screen is customizable with the classic Apple widgets and Home controlsTaps into video doorbells and video cameras, with support for security alertsI cant wait to see Apples renewed push into Home products come to fruition. Gurman says the HomePad is coming in March, though one report says it might get pushed until later.After a barren 2023 for iPad, Apple was originally expected to update its entire iPad lineup in 2024. We did get new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models, but the base iPad has been left unchanged.In early 2025 though, the iPad will get updated to an 11th generation device. We dont know much about the new iPad, other than that it will get a faster A-series chip, likely one with 8GB of RAM that supports Apple Intelligence. It will potentially feature Apples new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networking chip too. Mostly, it sounds like a standard iterative update for Apples most affordable iPad.Finally, there are several other Apple products that could round out the companys early 2025 releases. While its possible we wont see any of these devices until mid-year or later, its highly likely at least one will be among Apples earlier waves of product launches.The last Apple Watch SE arrived in 2022, over two years ago now. Leading up to Apples September 2024 event, rumors pointed to a launch for the SE 3but it never materialized.Previous Apple Watch SE models have debuted in September, but there are two reasons to believe the new SE might arrive in March or April instead.if the device was indeed targeting September 2024 but just missed it, Apple has little reason to wait a whole extra yearan Apple Watch SE launch could pair nicely with the iPhone SE 4s releaseAs for the iPad Air, Apple just revved the device in May with the M2 chip, but rumors indicate an M3 upgrade is coming before long. We may have to wait until around May, but timing specifics are uncertain, and theres very little known about the new model.Two other options for early 2025 are the HomePod mini 2 and new Apple TV 4K. While we havent heard specific rumors about timing, Apple could target these launches to coincide with the HomePad as part of a broader new Home device strategy.Apples early 2025 products: wrap-upApples plans could always change, but if these five or more products do arrive in the early part of 2025, it will make for an especially strong start to the year for the company. All leading up to whats sure to be an exciting WWDC and fall product launch season.Which of Apples products coming in early 2025 are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. 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The Asus ProArt Display 5K, with an MSRP thats half the price of the Apple Studio Display, yields the same 5K resolution (51202880) in a similar 27-inch form factor. If youre looking for a more affordable 5K display when compared to the Studio Display, its worth your consideration. Watch my hands-on video review, and subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more.Display QualityThe biggest draw to the ProArt Display (PA27JCV) is that its a true 5K (51202880) panel, so you dont have to worry about any of the UI scaling issues that make 4K displays seem off when used with macOS. There exist utilities to help work around these issues, but I prefer to have a native 5K panel, and Asus display provides that.The ProArt 5K display boasts an IPS panel with standard 178-degree viewing angles. However, its an LED-backlit display so that you wont experience the contrast ratios and backlight control in OLED or miniLED displays. Asus does include a dynamic dimming feature, but I suggest disabling it as there arent enough dimming zones to avoid it becoming a distraction. Overall, I found the panel to be of good quality; it was uniform, and there was minimal backlight bleed in my sample unit provided by Asus. For full transparency, Asus has zero say over the contents of this review and was not able to view it before publishing. These are my thoughts after a few weeks of usage.Asus ProArt Display 5K video reviewSubscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videosWith its typical brightness of 400 nits and peak brightness of 500 nits, this monitor isnt ideal for editing and creating HDR content. However, its sufficient for watching movies through the Apple TV app. For reference, its brightness rating is lower than the 600 nits of Apples Studio Display, but keep in mind that these values are not perceived linearly, so the figures are much closer than what they might seem to be on paper.The unit features a 60Hz max refresh rate with a response time of 5ms. Given the pedestrian refresh rate, its probably not the best option for high-end gaming, but it paired well with my Nintendo Switch. Display specificationsModel name: ProArt Display 5K PA27JCVSize: 27-inchBacklight: LEDPanel: IPSFinish: MatteViewing angle: 178/ 178Aspect ratio: 16:9Resolution: 5K (51202880)Refresh rate: 60HzColor space: 99% DCI-P3Brightness: Typical: 400cd/ HDR, Peak: 500 cd/VESA DisplayHDR 500Contrast: Typical: 1500:1 Max: 3000:1Response time: 5ms(GTG)Colors: 1073.7M (8bit+FRC)Ambient brightness/color tempDynamic dimmingLike most third-party monitors, Asus display features a matte coating to reject ambient light. While matte display technology, particularly the high-end nano-texture used by Apple, has its merits, Ive long preferred glossy displays. Due to the diffusion layer, matte displays reduce text sharpness, clarity, and contrast. This may not be a significant issue for those accustomed to matte displays. Still, it becomes noticeable when comparing them to glossy displays like those found on Apple Studio Displays, MacBook Pros, or iPads.I think Asus did a fine job with its matte display, and I started to second-guess myself about its merits versus glossy. In other words, its very good, and it made me realize how much I tend to dismiss the reflections caused by a glossy display, even in an area where I can largely control ambient light. After a while, I started getting used to the matte diffusion layer, even when working with large amounts of text, such as this review.Design & Build QualityThe Asus ProArt 5Ks build quality is typical of a third-party display. Its usually a combination of plastic and metal, with plastic comprising most of the materials. However, lets start by highlighting the positive aspects.The included stand boasts many ergonomic adjustment features, which feel like a luxury compared to the base Apple Studio Display, which only offers tilt functionality. In contrast, Asus goes all out, providing an extensive range of adjustments and then some.The ASUS ProArt Display 5K features the following adjustment capability:Tilt: +23 ~ -5Height Adjustment: 0~130mmSwivel: +30 ~ -30Pivot, aka Tate mode: +90 ~ -90)Now, consider that Apple charges a $400 premium to add height adjustment capability to the Studio Display. This highlights the value of Asus approach. While Apples stand design is fully integrated, made of high-quality aluminum, and features butter-smooth adjustment, the end result is essentially the same.The ProArt Display 5K also features a 100x100mm VESA mounting option, which you must configure during the build-to-order process if you want the same thing on Apples display. Converting the Studio Display to VESA after the fact is possible, but that requires taking the device into the Apple Store and paying a fee.Speaking of VESA mounting the Asus 5K Display, it might be worth exploring mounting options because, like virtually all third-party displays Ive used, there is a bit of wobble when typing. Asus 5K Display performs better than some displays Ive tried, but there is still a noticeable bobblehead effect when typing on my Magic Keyboard. You can reduce the amount of wobble by keeping the height adjustment on the lower end of the scale, but it wont outright eliminate the wobble.This is one of the main problems that I have with third-party displays. The stand and build materials arent designed to absorb the shock of your fingers pounding away on a keyboard. Apples Studio Display performs admirably in this area. Although it, too, isnt 100% immune to wobble, the Studio Display is by far the best in this area when using a standard monitor stand.ConnectivityAnother feather in the Asus ProArt Display 5Ks cap is its wealth of connectivity options. First, thank you, Asus, for keeping the power supply internal. This means no unsightly power bricks to litter my workspace. I also appreciate the cable management channel built into the stands stem, making it easy to route all cables in an organized way.Apple users connecting to any modern Mac will appreciate the simplicity of DisplayPort Alt Mode via a single USB-C connection. In addition to display input, this single cable connection provides up to 96W of power to an eligible MacBook or iPad and connectivity to the USB hub built into the display.Connectivity optionsUSB-C x 1 (DP Alt Mode)DisplayPort 1.4 x 1HDMI(v2.1) x 1USB Hub : 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (4.5W)USB Hub : 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (15W)3.5mm headphone jack96W USB-C Power DeliveryUnlike Apples display options, which feature a single upstream USB-C connection, the Asus ProArt 5K Display comes with HDMI 2.1 and a standard DisplayPort 1.4 connection. This monitor can be connected to more than just Macs, including game consoles, set-top boxes, etc.But the Apple Studio Display gets a win in this area as well. For starters, Asus display outright lacks a built-in webcam and microphone. It has integrated 2W speakers on the rear, but theyre so puny that they might as well not exist. Even the Mac minis speaker sounds better, which should tell you everything you need to know about the displays speakers. Thankfully, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack to connect headphones or a set of powered speakers, like the Yamaha HS4 Powered Studio Monitors.Asus Pro Art Display 5K vs Apple Studio DisplayIs the Apple Studio Display much better than the ASUS ProArt Display 5K? When it comes to build quality, yes, without a doubt. But it gets more interesting if youre only singling out the panels. If matte displays are not to your liking, and you prefer a glossy screen with text that pops, then the Studio Display might be the better choice. But if youre okay with a matte display, the two are much closer than their respective prices may indicate.The Apple Studio Displays most significant advantage is its build qualitycomprised entirely of glass and aluminum. It features no prominent chin, logo, or buttons on the front of the panel. Aesthetically speaking, its a much more pleasing product to the senses. The second advantage is its integration and simplicityit features a built-in ultrawide 12MP Center Stage Camera, a surprisingly decent six-speaker array with support for spatial audio, and a three-microphone array with directional beamforming for high-quality FaceTime calls and such. All of that works via a simple USB-C upstream cable. The Studio Display also features a trio of USB-C downstream inputs on the rear.Is the Apple Studio Display worth twice the Asus 5K Display? It depends on how much you prioritize capturing the Apple aesthetic in your workspace. For many, a display is merely a tool; the answer will be a resounding no. However, the Studio Displays price premium might seem justified for those who have meticulously crafted their workspace around a minimalist aesthetic.My thoughts? This might surprise you, but if I had $1600 to splurge, Id go with Asus 5K and save the other $800. Its just a better value. If I were rating it, Id give it a 4.5/5. What do you think? Sound off in the comments.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Our Experts Written by Caroline Igo Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 120130140150160170180190200210 Mattress Tests 0102030405 Testers 9509609709809901,0001,1701,2701,3701,470 Hours Tested How we test With 5+ years of mattress testing experience, we use our different sleeping position and body type perspectives to offer well-rounded, honest reviews.Table of Contents Our Picks How we sort our mattresses Filter by Firmness Select all Soft (1-4) Only Medium (5-8) Only Firm (9-10) Only Clear Sleep style Select all Back Only Combination Only Side Only Stomach Only Clear Mattress type Select all Hybrid Only Memory foam Only Air mattress Only Clear Best organic mattress Avocado Green View details $1,999 at Avocado Mattress View details Best organic hybrid mattress Birch View details $1,874 at Birch Living View details Best organic mattress for couples PlushBeds Botanical Bliss View details View details Best budget-friendly organic mattress Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress View details Save up to 50% off mattresses View details Best organic mattress for side sleepers WinkBed EcoCloud View details $300 off all mattresses View details Table of Contents An organic mattress is a bed made of at least 95% organic materials such as wool, cotton, latex and steel coils. Organic mattress brands must also follow tight sustainability regulations during the farming and manufacturing processes. If they dont, mattresses can only be labeled as natural, not "organic." These eco-friendly mattresses, made without harmful chemicals, can boost your sleep quality while helping you make greener choices. Additionally, these organic materials are antimicrobial and hypoallergenic and aim to deter household allergens like mold, bacteria and mildew.As a sleep and mattress expert, I've spent years personally testing beds. My team of experts and I have put together this list of the best organic mattresses that utilize natural and organic materials, suit various body types and sleeping positions and meet various certifications. Whether you're looking for a new mattress for yourself or as a holiday gift for a loved one, we've got picks for everybody. Here are the top picks for the best organic mattresses.Video: Best Organic Mattress for 2024Watch CNET'sOwen Poole review the best organic mattresses for 2024.What is the best overall organic mattress? Dillon Lopez/CNETDuring our testing process, we found that the best organic bed is the Avocado Green mattress. Avocado's reputation and seven certifications cant be beat. It utilizes certified organic cotton, certified organic wool, certified organic Dunlop latex foam and heavy-duty recycled steel coils. In addition to its several organic certifications, the bed has an endorsement from the American Chiropractic Association.The Avocado Green mattress is a comfy, eco-friendly bed suited for firm-bed lovers and back and stomach sleepers. It's one of the best organic mattresses for back pain that you can get. A queen Avocado Green mattress retails for $1,999, although it's often on sale. It may also be HSA/FSA eligible. Best organic mattresses for 2024