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AndorDisney PlusI do not usually do full-on follow-ups to articles, but my last one, Disneys $645 Million Andor Budget Shows How Its Lost Control Of Star Wars, was so badly misread (or not read at all) and misrepresented my position and point, I feel the need to step in and go over this again, perhaps more clearly.The main argument here is somewhere along the lines of This is stupid, Andor is the best thing Disney Star Wars has ever done, why do you care if Disney spends money? along with a string of insults about me being beholden to corporations or something along those lines.That is correct, I have no personal stake in what Disney spends money on and I am glad that Andor exists. The idea that I think Disney should have never made Andor is ridiculous and not an argument I made.But at the same time, yes, it does matter when a company like Disney overspends on projects like this, and keeps overspending, because that can result in less of the things you like if these costs are not managed in relation to potential viewership. And I wrote this article because this has now happened with a number of Disney Star Wars shows in particular. Though you can see examples of this elsewhere, of course.To start with Andor, it is almost impossible that Andor would have gotten a second season with its initial budget well over $200 million if it did not secure its two-season deal ahead of time. If that hadnt happened, it would have almost certainly been a case of a beloved show being cancelled too soon.MORE FOR YOUAndorDisney PlusWhy? Because unlike some other big-budgeted productions, at the time, Andor was the lowest-viewed Star Wars series Disney had done. Of course that was not because it was bad, but because it started at baseline with no known Star Wars characters except a co-star of Rogue One. This may have been a what could have been situation, given that we are getting the second season, but its easy to see how this may not have happened at all, and a massive budget would have been among the chief things to blame.We can move on to The Acolyte, a series that no, is clearly not as good as Andor, but it was a very important project for Disney given that it was a major attempt to expand their Star Wars universe past the Skywalker era, heading into the High Republic which they have devoted an incredible amount of other media to. It failed miserably in that regard. It had lower viewership than Andor, and cost again, over $200 million. And unlike Andor, it seemed pretty clear a series like this did not need to spend money like that, where the most compelling parts of that series was a single lightsaber fight or some people talking in a cave. The Acolyte did have its fans and was important for Disney, but that huge budget made it impossible to continue, ending the show on a series of cliffhangers.Skeleton CrewDisneyNow this is again happening as we speak. The latest show facing this same fate is Skeleton Crew, probably the actual best Star Wars Disney Plus series besides Andor. It initially sounded like it could be a grounded, cheaper production and while it was cheaper, cheaper than insanely expensive is still expensive, and the series cost $136 million. It is, again, likely going to be the least-watched Star Wars series Disney has made, if early data is correct. A series that seems like it could have and would deserve a season 2 may not get one because again, the budget is not matching the potential viewership. Id argue none of these shows could have produced results to justify those huge budgets in terms of viewership. And yes, all of this adds up to what I would call Disney losing control of Star Wars, in more ways than one.For fans, luckily, for series like Andor we got something extremely high quality out of all this, but its clear we are going to miss out on other projects, be they more seasons of good shows or cancelled ideas we never even know about, if Disney does not figure out how to stop pairing huge budgets with projects that are never going to get the viewership to match. I am not looking out for Disneys balance sheets, I am looking out for the could-have-been projects that suffer as a result of these sky-high figures.Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram.Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.

Forward-looking: One of the advantages PlayStation 5 consoles have over the Xbox Series machines is their fantastic DualSense Wireless controllers, which feature advanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. However, a newly discovered patent suggests Microsoft could be working on a controller that might be just as good, or even better, than Sony's offering. The new patent, titled "Tuning haptic feedback of a device," was discovered by Tech4Gamers. It describes haptic motors within a controller's housing that move rather than being rigidly attached in place within the grips, which is the current design in the Xbox Series controllers.The haptic controllers described in the patent utilize advanced actuators, such as linear or voice coil motors, which move within their housing to generate precise tactile feedback. These actuators are mounted on mechanisms that allow them to vibrate or shift along specific axes. By controlling the direction and amplitude of these movements, the controller creates a wide range of sensations, such as impacts, textures, or environmental effects, enhancing user immersion.The movement of the haptic motors is carefully calibrated to simulate realistic forces and vibrations. For example, small, rapid shifts might replicate the sensation of walking on gravel, while larger, slower movements could simulate the recoil of a weapon.The controller also features adaptive triggers that alter resistance dynamically, enabling realistic sensations like drawing a bowstring or the click of a gun trigger. Sensors detect user inputs and adjust feedback in real-time, while software integration allows developers to program specific haptic responses for different scenarios. The system is designed for power efficiency, providing extensive feedback without significantly impacting battery life, thereby enhancing the overall gaming experience.The patent suggests that the haptic motors could be smaller than those used in current controllers without lessening the force of their haptic response. That means they could be cheaper to manufacture. // Related StoriesThe system described in Microsoft's patent certainly sounds like something that could challenge Sony's DualSense controllers. Unfortunately, it's important to remember that companies file patents all the time, most of which never become real products. Only time will tell whether Microsoft decides to develop this into a functional controller.

Facepalm: Many of us have been guilty of it mindlessly streaming videos or taking calls sans headphones while waiting at an airport gate or on the plane itself. But that tendency is apparently driving fellow travelers crazy. Flight attendants are now even making pre-flight announcements pleading with passengers to use headphones, but the scourge of audio oversharing shows no signs of stopping. The Wall Street Journal reported on the annoyance caused by some travelers in the United States not using headphones when performing activities they're designed for. The problem has apparently grown so severe that people directly vented their frustrations to the publication.One airline employee said that inconsiderate audio sharing happens on every flight. He added that while disapproving looks sometimes shame offenders into using headphones, that doesn't always work.Ady Beitler, 43, recounted how she got so "emotionally invested" after hearing both sides of a couple arguing over speakerphone as she waited at the airport that she was forced to move to another area.Meanwhile, Brennan Smith, a 43-year-old who flies frequently for work, expressed bafflement at the lack of enforcement to the WSJ. He believes that airlines should put up signs and make announcements mandating the use of headphones.Thankfully, some airlines are indeed heeding that advice. Staff on American and Alaska flights announce reminders about headphones, and Delta added a message about it on their in-flight entertainment system.The lack of headphone etiquette isn't limited to planes. The report points out that audible conversations and videos can be overheard in all public settings as audio sharers remain oblivious to their surroundings. Plus, it's not like offenders are limited to a particular group they come from all generations and economic backgrounds. // Related StoriesSome have tried creative methods for calling out offenders, like when Joe Rojas, a 40-year-old Bostonian, started watching along with a woman's TV show until she put in headphones, though she gave him a dirty look.As for why such behavior is on the rise, WSJ points to multiple potential reasons, including changing tech and social standards. Bundled wired headphones were once ubiquitous but have become scarce. Many oblivious speaker users in airports also prefer to reserve wireless headphone batteries for flights.An analyst also theorized that we just watch a lot more video (obviously referring to the rise of short-video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels), which has led to a change in public behavior.So, remember to use your headphones next time, or be prepared for glares and confrontations from your fellow passengers.Image credit: Daniel McCullough, Lisanto

Were mere days away from Nvidia officially announcing the RTX 50-series. Many leakers have already shared information about the specs of Nvidias upcoming best graphics cards, but the pricing has remained a mystery until now. Vex, a YouTuber, just shared a claim about the pricing of Nvidias RTX 5080, and it looks like we might have a repeat of the previous generation on our hands, and then some.Before we dive in, heres the obligatory disclaimer: We have no way of verifying the credibility of this leak. Vex was reportedly contacted by someone who works for an Australian retailer, and that person provided a screenshot listing many Asus RTX 5080 graphics cards, along with some basic specs and pricing. It could be true, and it could be fake we just dont know right now. One thing is certain, though: If this is real, its not good news for gamers.Recommended VideosThe RTX 5080 is listed with 16GB of memory in the screenshot, which aligns with previous leaks, although its unclear if itll use faster VRAM modules as some have said. The full listing is for the Asus Prime GeForce RTX 5080 16GB OC, meaning an overclocked card.Then, there are the prices. The first row lists the purchase price meaning how much this Australian retailer had to pay to buy the card from Asus. The second row is the actual list price, meaning how much youd be paying to buy one of these GPUs. The purchase price is at 2,544 Australian dollars, and the list price sits at a staggering 2,799 Australian dollars.Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming Fortunately, exchange rates make that pricing sound a lot scarier than it actually is. Converting from Australian dollars to U.S. dollars reveals that the purchase price is around $1,581 at the time of writing, and the sale price is around $1,740. Its also important to note that these prices include sales tax, which wouldnt be included in the U.S.RelatedNo matter how you spin it, $1,740 for an RTX 5080 sounds like a lot. Some rumors pin the performance of the 5080 at around the same level as the 4090, but it might fall short of that expectation, which would make that pricing even harder to swallow.Weve already seen signs of the RTX 5080 potentially being a pricey affair. Take this leaked Acer Predator Orion listing, for example the version with the RTX 5080 was priced at around $3,640. However, not all hope is lost.Even if we assume all of the above is true and this unnamed Australian retailer will soon be selling the RTX 5080 for the equivalent of $1,740, we have to account for the fact that this is a card made by Asus, and an overclocked one at that. Nvidias recommended list price (MSRP) is likely to be set at a more conservative level; its board partners tend to push the prices up by an extra couple of hundred dollars. The Founders Edition, as well as non-OC versions, are bound to be cheaper.Nvidias RTX 4080 launched with a $1,200 price tag, and many thought that to be too much. The Super variant fixed that problem, pushing the price down to $1,000. Could Nvidia then turn around and bring it back up to $1,200 to $1,500 for the RTX 5080 Super? I hope not. Well find out more on January 6 when Nvidia officially announces the graphics card.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of Contents7. Juror #2 (2024)6. Love Lies Bleeding (2024)5. Civil War (2024)4. Longlegs (2024)3. Carry-On (2024)2. Conclave (2024)1. Rebel Ridge (2024)Looking back on an entire year through any lens is hard, and thats especially true if you love movies. Every year comes with a handful of masterpieces (were still not over Anora), a handful of total disasters (ahem, Kraven: The Hunter), and plenty of things that land somewhere in between.If youre looking for some of the years best thrillers, though, you should know that 2024 was actually a pretty good year for the genre. From Netflix originals to other titles that made it to theaters, heres a rundown of the seven best thrillers from the past year.Recommended VideosWe also have guides to the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu,the best movies on Max,andthe best movies on Disney+.RelatedClint Eastwood is well into his 90s now, and even so, he still seems to have an intuitive sense of how to put together a gripping narrative. Juror #2As he wrestles with his potential guilt, he also starts to wonder whether he should turn himself in and save an innocent man. If he does, hell abandon his pregnant wife and unborn child. Nicholas Hoult leads the cast in this remarkably complicated thriller, which challenges you to question your ethics and asks impossible questions with no easy answers.You can watchJuror #2on Max.Love Lies Bleeding | Official Trailer HD | A24What starts as a grounded thriller gradually becomes something more fantastical in Rose Glass genre-defying Love Lies Bleeding. The movie follows two women who fall in love with one another in the 1980s, and slowly work to extract one half of them from the criminal life that they have tried to leave behind.Anchored by rock-solid central performances from Kristen Stewart and newcomer Katy OBrien, Love Lies Bleeding is stranger and more intoxicating than you might expect. Its an excellent thriller, but it also works as a bizarre love story with an ending youll have to see to believe.You can watchLoves Lies Bleedingon Max.Civil War | Official Trailer HD | A24Set in an alternate version of modern America that has been torn apart by civil war, Civil WarWhile the movie doesnt offer much detail on the politics of the struggle, what it does is create a world where violence is constantly possible, and youre never certain about whether you can trust the people around you.You can watchCivil Waron Max.LONGLEGS | Official Trailer | In Theaters July 12A terrifying, exhilarating riff on The Silence of the LambsLonglegsFeaturing a genuinely unhinged Nicolas Cage performance (is there any other kind?) and a permeating feeling of menace throughout, Longlegsis one of the best serial killer movies of the past decade in part because it is genuinely terrifying. The revelations in its final moments may or may not work for you, but youre likely to be too invested to care.You can rent Longlegson Prime Video.Netflix was on a bit of a tear when it came to making excellent thrillers in 2024, and Carry-OnDie Hardin an airport much better than anyDie Hard sequel. The movie follows Ethan, a young TSA agent, who finds himself being blackmailed by a terrorist who wants him to let a dangerous package go through a security check. As he attempts to foil the terrorists, he finds himself outmatched and struggles to gain an upper hand.Carry-Onmay play into plenty of clichs, but the movie is so gripping that you probably wont care. As Ethan, Taron Egerton makes for a fine everyman hero, and the film generates enough tension to keep you on the edge of your couch for most of its runtime.You can watchCarry-Onon Netflix.The only movie on this list that is headed toward the Oscars, Conclave is set in the aftermath of the death of the pope, and centers on the cardinal who has been given the responsibility of guiding his colleagues through the election of a new one.While that may sound like a rather dry premise,Conclaveknows how to mix in twists and reveals about its old, Catholic men to keep you hooked. The movie is, in the end, rather salacious and scandalous, a story of old men vying for power that seems entirely beneath the dignity of the position theyre all vying for. Ralph Fiennes heads the impressive cast, and you can see why many people think he deserves the an Oscar for his work. Hes terrific, and so is the movie.You can watchConclaveon Peacock.One of the sharpest thrillers not just of 2024 but in recent memory, Rebel RidgeThe movie is equal parts riveting and satisfying, and its anchored by a brilliant central performance from Aaron Pierre.Rebel Ridgeis a movie about systems of injustice, but its also a movie about one guy who just wants to save his cousin and finds himself pulled into a much larger story.You can watchRebel Ridgeon Netflix.Editors Recommendations

The New York Times has plenty of word games on its roster today with Wordle, Connections, Strands, and the Mini Crossword, theres something for everyone but the newspapers standard crossword puzzle still reigns supreme. The daily crossword is full of interesting trivia, helps improve mental flexibility and, of course, gives you some bragging rights if you manage to finish it every day.While the NYT puzzle might feel like an impossible task some days, solving a crossword is a skill and it takes practice dont get discouraged if you cant get every single word in a puzzle.Recommended VideosIf youre having trouble completing todays NYT Crossword, were here to help. Weve got all the answers for todays clues down below.Please enable Javascript to view this contentNew York TimesAcross1 Grandma Moses, for one : FOLKARTIST11 Turtles and turtle doves come from them : EGGS15 Accessory named for a British school : ETONCOLLAR16 Actress Kunis : MILA17 Stay tuned : MORETOCOME18 Like cricket fields : OVAL19 High kicks? : HEELS20 Article of Western wear : VEST22 Many a first responder, for short : EMT23 Supple : LITHE25 Sweets counterpart : SAVORY27 Lab container : FLASK30 Ones who might invade your space, for short? : ETS32 Emperor from 54 to 68 : NERO33 Word after legal or first : AID34 Drawer with knobs? : ETCHASKETCH38 Letters of relief : TGIF40 In the least : ATALL41 Leaf collector : RAKE42 Little warning : SHORTNOTICE45 Resident of the Mojo Dojo Casa House : KEN46 Peter or Paul, e.g. : TSAR47 Certain baseball positions: Abbr. : RFS48 Claims : AVERS50 Reception problem : STATIC52 Destination for the van that Kevin fails to board in Home Alone : OHARE54 V.P. candidate name in 16 and 24 : TIM55 Engine sound : PURR57 Get clean : BATHE60 In : AMID62 Place for a king and queen : ROYALCOURT65 Uber- alternative : MEGA66 Famous British rock group : STONEHENGE67 Place for a king and queen : PROM68 Zeus, in Greek mythology : THUNDERGODRelatedDown1 Like France in French: Abbr. : FEM2 Texters hedge : OTOH3 The stuff of legends : LORE4 Demonstrates reverence, in a way : KNEELS5 Impersonate : ACTLIKE6 Place to rest after a flight : ROOST7 Spa offering, in brief : TLC8 Trendy compliment with shady undertones : ILOVETHATFORYOU9 I totally relate : SAME10 Lock : TRESS11 Musical prefix with -core : EMO12 Approximately : GIVEORTAKE13 David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, for one : GLAMROCKER14 Like movie popcorn : SALTY21 Hot weather wear : TANK24 Be a pest to : HECTOR26 Take quite a turn : VEER27 Antoine Caliste Domino Jr., familiarly : FATS28 Antiburglary device : LIGHTTIMER29 See ya! : ADIOSAMIGO31 Language family of the Pacific Northwest : SALISH35 Like palomino horses : TAN36 Utah airport inits. : SLC37 Feathery layers : HENS39 People rush to get into it : FRAT43 Set off : TRIP44 Swimmers complaint : EARACHE49 Nay sayer : VETOER50 Distinctive mark : STAMP51 Put a hex on la Shakespeare : CURST53 Possessing a full range of physical and mental faculties : ABLED56 Veronica who wrote the Divergent series : ROTH58 Chilled : HUNG59 As a result : ERGO61 Prevent from running : DAM63 Author Patchett : ANN64 Ideas change everything org. : TEDEditors Recommendations

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