The semiconductor industry enables advancements in consumer electronics, automotive systems, and cutting-edge computing technologies. The production of semiconductors involves sophisticated processes that demand unparalleled precision and expertise. These processes include chip design, manufacturing, testing, and optimization, each stage requiring deep domain knowledge. The field has traditionally depended on seasoned engineers whose experience has been built over decades. However, the industry faces a significant challenge: the rapid retirement of veteran experts, creating a knowledge gap that threatens innovation and efficiency. This growing concern has prompted companies to explore AI as a viable solution for capturing, scaling, and leveraging expert knowledge. Also, the cost and time associated with chip design and manufacturing must be minimized to meet market demands. These challenges highlight the limitations of traditional methods and emphasize the necessity of tailored AI solutions.Existing approaches to these challenges include generalized AI models and basic automation tools. While these methods have been beneficial in analyzing data and improving decision-making, they often fall short in addressing the unique complexities of the semiconductor industry. General-purpose AI tools, for instance, lack the domain-specific understanding required to analyze intricate manufacturing processes effectively. As a result, companies cannot fully bridge the gap between theoretical AI capabilities and practical industry needs, leaving room for specialized solutions to transform the field.Researchers from Meta, AITOMATIC, and other collaborators under the Foundation Models workgroup of the AI Alliance have introduced SemiKong. SemiKong represents the worlds first semiconductor-focused large language model (LLM), designed using the Llama 3.1 platform. This model was fine-tuned with extensive semiconductor-specific datasets, including industry documents, research papers, and anonymized operational data. Unlike generic AI systems, SemiKong is tailored to understand semiconductor processes unique terminology and requirements. By integrating this model with the AITOMATIC Domain-Expert Agents (DXAs), companies can effectively leverage AI tools to address specific industry challenges. These innovations aim to reduce costs, accelerate development timelines, and promote collaboration across the semiconductor sector.The technology behind SemiKong is built on advanced AI and neurosymbolic architectures. AITOMATICs DXAs operate through a structured three-phase lifecycle:Capturing domain expertiseTraining the model with synthetic and structured dataApplying the resulting system in real-world scenariosSemiKong plays a central role in this ecosystem, acting as the brain for complex reasoning and decision-making tasks. Lightweight model versions, such as Llama 3.2, complement the main system by enabling faster data access and analysis in resource-constrained environments. These models integrate seamlessly with manufacturing systems and IoT platforms, allowing companies to optimize workflows, predict maintenance needs, and improve decision-making.SemiKong has outperformed several closed-source language models in generating semiconductor-specific content and understanding complex processes. This has led to tangible benefits, including a 20-30% reduction in time to market for new chip designs and a 15-25% improvement in first-time-right manufacturing outcomes. These tools have also improved the onboarding process for new engineers, accelerating their learning curve by 40-50%. In one example, SemiKong-enabled DXAs reduced the time required for etching recipe formulation, which typically takes hours to minutes.The key takeaways from the research underscore the significance of SemiKong and DXAs in the semiconductor field:DXAs effectively capture and structure the knowledge of veteran engineers, ensuring that critical expertise is preserved and scaled for future use.SemiKong reduces chip design time-to-market by up to 30%, significantly cutting costs and improving operational efficiency.By simplifying and expediting the onboarding process, DXAs help new engineers become productive faster, reducing the industrys reliance on seasoned experts.Integrating IoT platforms enables real-time parameter calibration and predictive maintenance, enhancing equipment performance and reliability.In conclusion, the research highlights a pioneering solution to one of the semiconductor industrys most pressing challenges: the loss of critical domain expertise. By introducing SemiKong and DXAs, the researchers have provided a comprehensive framework that preserves knowledge and enhances productivity and innovation. These advancements can potentially reshape semiconductor manufacturing, offering scalable, cost-effective solutions to address the fields complexities. Integrating AI tools like SemiKong is crucial for a more efficient and resilient semiconductor industry.Check out the Details and GitHub Page. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our60k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences. [Download] Evaluation of Large Language Model Vulnerabilities Report (Promoted)

Even with Christmas over, there are still many great deals available that you can score before they're gone. Here are the best deals for Friday, December 27. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition for $44.99Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive EditionIf you recently completed the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, this is the perfect game for you. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Defintive Edition is the newest mainline title in the series, and there is so much it offers. For many, this is one of the best Dragon Quest games out there, and you can't go wrong picking this up for only $44.99.Gran Turismo 7 for $19.97Gran Turismo 7 - PlayStation 5Walmart has Gran Turismo 7 available for $19.97 today, and this is a perfect last-minute gift for the racing fan in your life. This is still one of the PlayStation 5's best games, with hundreds of hours worth of fun at your hands. You can test and drive over 500 cars in total. Plus, you can even play Gran Turismo 7 in VR with PlayStation VR 2!Persona 3 Reload for $24.97Persona 3 Reload: Standard Edition - PlayStation 5Persona 3 Reload is one of the best RPGs of the year. This remake recreates one of the most praised Atlus titles ever, with loads of new quality-of-life and gameplay features. An all-new voice cast debuted with this release, and each cutscene was remade with new assets for higher quality. If you've never jumped into the world of Persona before, this is a great place to start, especially at this price. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for $39.99PlayStation 5Final Fantasy 7 RebirthAmazon Exclusive EditionFinal Fantasy VII Rebirth was one of 2024's biggest games, continuing the story from 2020's Final Fantasy VII Remake. Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Barret, and Red XIII begin their journey outside Midgar, meeting characters like Yuffie, Vincent, and Cid along the way. This experience offers well over 100 hours of content, with 36 sidequests and a main story over 40 hours long. Plus, there are dozens of minigames to discover.Save on WD_BLACK Xbox Series X|S Expansion CardsWD_BLACK 2TB C50 Expansion CardWD_Black 1TB C50 Expansion CardBoth Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S cannot use standard NVMe SSDs. Instead, you can expand the storage of the internal SSD by plugging in an expansion card. Today, you can save on both a 1TB and 2TB model from WD_BLACK, which is perfect for downloading many more games to your system. If you find yourself quickly running out of storage, don't pass up this sale. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics for $34.99Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics - Nintendo SwitchYou can score Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics for only $34.99 this weekend at Amazon. This collection packs in seven different titles, including the beloved Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. At last, you can play these classic titles on modern platforms. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for $39.99The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HDThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is the long-awaited remaster of the classic Wii game. Set at the beginning of the Zelda timeline, Skyward Sword takes Link to the skies as he traverses across the world to save his childhood friend Zelda. You'll uncover the Master Sword was created as part of this journey, among other things. For $39.99, this is an excellent title to add to your Switch collection.Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven for $39.99Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the SevenRomancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is arguably the best entry point into the SaGa series at this time. Acting as a full 3D remake of the 1993 release, this game features English and Japanese voiceovers, rearranged music, retooled gameplay, and more. If you're still unsure about Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, you can check out the free demo across all platforms! Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for $44.99Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - Nintendo SwitchXenoblade Chronicles 2 follows the story of Rex and the Aegis, who aim to reach the fabled land of Elysium. This massive RPG takes place across the world of Alrest, a land covered in clouds, where there are only a few landmasses remaining. With incredible music, exciting gameplay, and a memorable story, this is a fantastic deal for only $44.99. Simply put, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is one of the best games available on Nintendo Switch. I've put over 600 hours into the massive adventure, with all sorts of quests and exploration to be discovered. WD_BLACK NVMe SSDs On SaleWD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSDWD_BLACK 2TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSDWD_BLACK 4TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSDFinally, you can save on WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSDs. These are perfect for any gaming PC, and you can even use one of these in a PlayStation 5, as long as you have a heatsink attached. The SN850X has speeds up to 7,3000 MB/s acoss all models, which is essential for quick and speedy load times. If you're purchasing for PS5, there are heatsink models available, though the sale on the standard models makes these SSDs much cheaper.

After 12 months of big hitters such as Helldivers 2, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Dune: Part 2 and Shogun, its not unreasonable to consider 2024 a good year for pop culture. But the smooth always comes with the rough, and the past year really has been a rocky one for the things we love and the people who make them. From layoffs and studio closures to costly consoles, underwhelming adaptations and struggling sequels, these are the biggest disappointments in 2024. Gaming Industry Layoffs and ClosuresThe games industry found itself facing a crisis in 2023 as many publishers and studios, both large and small, made scores of staff redundant in an effort to cut costs. But the pains of that year would be repeated in 2024, which has seen an estimated 14,600 job losses - a 39% increase year-on-year. The cuts have seen thousands of talented studio staff thrown into the most difficult job market the games industry has ever seen, with developers attempting to find new roles in a landscape where companies are slimming down. Among the major companies cutting staff loose have been Riot, Microsoft, Bungie, Unity, TakeTwo Interactive, EA, and PlayStation. Such businesses have reduced their staff numbers for a variety of reasons and factors, be that rising development costs, shifting player habits in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Whatever the reasons, remaining staff at these publishers and studios must continue to work in uncertain times without the aid of their former colleagues. That is if their studio still exists. Adding to the dismal picture are several studio closures. Perhaps the most prominent among them is Arkane Austin, Bethesdas immersive sim specialist responsible for the acclaimed Prey. Sadly its most recent release, Redfall, was a critical and commercial bomb a situation that seemingly sealed its fate. Arkane Austin was shuttered by parent company Microsoft, along with Alpha Dog Games, Roundhouse Games, and Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks. Somewhat miraculously, Tango was rescued by Krafton in a last-minute turn of fate, but such good news is rare. Also suffering closure this year was PlayStations London Studio, Galvanic Games, Avalanche Studio Groups New York and Montreal studios, as well as others. To say it's been a tough year is an understatement. Trend-chasing FailuresConcordAnother developer closed for good is Firewalk Studios, the team behind what is certainly PlayStations biggest disaster of the generation: Concord. A PvP hero shooter, its long and costly development meant it arrived long after the genre had peaked in popularity. But, despite being developed by many FPS veterans hailing from the likes of Bungie and Activision, what could have been PlayStations next big multiplayer phenomenon struggled to stand out from the likes of Overwatch and Apex Legends thanks to its lacklustre character kits and standard fare objective design. From the outside Concord simply looked like another typical hero shooter, which meant few wanted to see what was going on inside. Its not an exaggeration to say that almost no one turned up for its August release it achieved a high of just 697 concurrent players on Steam during its first week. Less than two weeks later, Sony pulled Concord from sale, refunded players, and shut the game down. By the end of October, Firewalk Studios was closed for business. It all sadly means Concord is gone without a trace. Well, almost an episode of Amazons Secret Level animated series serves as a prequel to the ongoing Concord in-game story that never happened. A similar, thankfully less tragic story also happened earlier this year with Rocksteadys Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. After months of poorly-received marketing, Sucide Squad launched as a critical and commercial bomb. As with Concord, much of Kill The Justice Leagues failings were due to chasing trends that players have long since largely tired of in this case, the Destiny-style live-service shooter grind. It didnt help that Suicide Squad resembled Crystal Dynamics ill-fated Avengers game from a few years back, which similarly annoyed players for being a repetitive multiplayer PvE game. In Suicide Squads case, it was a shattering fall from grace for a studio that previously made beloved single-player Batman games. Many of us just wanted more of that best-in-class superhero action with a villainous twist, but sadly Warner Bros chase of live-service revenue seemingly got in the way. Not that it paid off - an initial lack of sales and dwindling players has contributed to a significant revenue decline for the company. Hardware HiccupsPlayStation 5 ProThe time-compressing effect of the pandemic years has disguised the fact that, yes, were already at the midpoint of the current console generation. Right on cue, Sony delivered its mid-cycle refresh PlayStation 5 Pro, and its safe to say that practically no one was pleased by its $700 price tag. Thats not just down to the cost of living squeezing everyones wallets Mark Cernys presentation that apparently showcased the consoles ability to render The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered so much better than the base console was basically the Theyre the same picture meme from The Office in action. While theres definitely time for the PS5 Pro to prove why it costs $200 more than the regular PS5, the initial results have been pretty disappointing. Rather than eliminate the need to decide between quality and performance modes, developers have added even more options to Pro-patched games, with confusing names such as Fidelity Pro and Versatility. Remember when you just plugged in a console and it worked? Halcyon days. Plus, all the Pros extra power cant even make Bloodborne look any better. At least Sony fans got a console, though. After months of rumours that Nintendo was due to announce its successor to the Switch, the company announced a brand new piece of hardware: an alarm clock. Yes, the Alarmo is a $100 clock with game-themed alarms and a motion sensor that can detect when youve got out of bed. Its hardly the Switch 2 we were hoping for. And even when it comes to Nintendos history of weird hardware, Alarmo is far from the most interesting or bizarre. A true disappointment from the house of Mario. Unreliable ReliablesStar Wars: The AcolyteOver in the realm of television, things have largely been bright thanks to the likes of Arcane, Shogun, and Fallout. But 2024 also saw some traditionally reliable shows struggle to maintain their quality. Season 3 of The Bear certainly wasnt bad it once again provided some solid character drama and beautifully-shot kitchen nightmares. But, compared to the incredible highs of the first two seasons, this third chapter fell significantly short. Its frustratingly slow pace clashed with the lightning speed of previous years, and the focus being almost entirely on Carmys inner crisis forced valuable characters like Sydney into the sidelines.Similarly, we saw this years Star Wars project struggle to hit the highs of The Mandalorian and Andor. The Acolyte was built on a fascinating premise that delved into the galaxys past, exploring the late High Republic era. It was packed with Jedi and featured one of the coolest lightsaber battles in the entire franchise, but even that couldnt save the series from its sloppy and often infuriating storytelling. The Acolytes saving grace could have been Manny Jacintos Sith lord The Stranger, who sports one of the most menacing helmets in all of Star Wars. But while deeper exploration of his character could have resulted in a much-improved season two, well never get to see that thanks to Disney axing the show entirely. This isnt just a Disney problem Netflix has also continued its habit of cancelling shows after barely giving them a chance to realise their full potential. 2024s Netflix cull included Kaos and Dead Boy Detectives, which join last years Lockwood & Co in the cancelled after a single season club. Awful AdaptationsLike a Dragon: YakuzaThis years Fallout was a stellar exercise of how to adapt a video game for television, with Amazons wasteland show being among our TV highlights of 2024. But it seems like Fallouts success isnt a guaranteed indicator that every Amazon video game show will be fantastic, as proven by the dreadful Like a Dragon: Yakuza show that landed on the service several months later. Featuring no karaoke, far too little Majima, and far too much melodrama, Like a Dragon totally failed to capture the stark contrast between serious and silly that the Yakuza games thrive on. It wasnt just Japanese RPGs that were treated poorly for TV this year, though. Famed Japanese manga Uzumaki also received its long-awaited animated adaptation, and the results couldnt have gone any worse. The four-part Adult Swim show turned Junji Itos monochrome horror into a rushed mess that sprinted to the finale, undermining plot points, character arcs, and scares on the way. The biggest disappointment, though, was the severe drop in animation quality following a visually rich episode one. Uzumaki transformed from beautifully chilling into a low-budget nightmare in the space of a week it was a rug-pull scarier than anything Junji Ito could write. Box Office BombsBorderlandsUnfortunately, terrible adaptations werent limited to the small screen. One of the biggest box office bombs of the year came in the form of Borderlands. Gearboxs wacky looter shooter was transformed into a hideously miscast Guardians of the Galaxy rip-off for its live-action big screen adventure. Many of the games best-know qualities, such as its sweary sense of humour and love of turning humans into piles of goopy gore, were toned down to the point of vanishing completely. The result was bland, recycled MCU-ish ideas geared toward mass marketability. In short: a complete disaster. Unsurprisingly it died an unceremonious death when it launched in cinemas with Lionsgates CEO saying nearly everything that could go wrong did go wrong.Its arguable that an FPS like Borderlands was never going to survive the transition to cinema. A sequel to the most profitable comic book movie of all time and the first R-rated film to pass a billion-dollars at the box office, though? Surely a second Joker was going to be an easy win. Not so much. Joker: Folie Deux turned out to be a miserably dull follow-up, with director Todd Phillips undoing almost all the good he established in the first film. When not even Lady Gaga can save your kinda-sorta musical from its snoozefest courtroom drama scenes, you know youre in trouble. For the classic-mould movie buff, though, almost certainly the biggest disappointment of the year is Megalopolis. The years-in-the-making, self-financed magnum-opus from The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola was (perhaps, if were honest, somewhat predictably) an indulgent catastrophe. Some people have seen method in the madness (including our own reviewer, who gave it a 9/10) but for many this opulent fable set in a futuristic, Rome-like New York City was a bloated, pretentious, dull mess. Quite how the creator of the quintessential Mafia movie got here may prove to be one of the universes greatest mysteries. From studio closures to box office catastrophes, 2024 has had some real low points. Its hard to find a silver lining in some of them, and we continue to hope that the industries that make our favourite things will turn a better corner in 2025. But in other instances its the downs that make the ups shine brightly and you can find many of those bright stars in our roundup of the best reviewed games of 2025. Matt Purslow is IGN's Senior Features Editor.

This article contains spoilers for Squid Game.Netflixs Squid Game isnt a particularly subtle TV show. Its a screed against capitalism and wealth inequity to the point that characters say this all out loud, in the dialogue, in the very first episode. Yet since it premiered in 2021, both viewers and even Netflix itself have been gleefully engaging with the show as a capitalist enterprise. So why does everyone keep missing the point of Squid Game?There are likely a few reasons for this, but to spoil the eventual conclusion here: it proves the central thesis of writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuks series, that we are all ultimately trapped by capitalism. Its darkly funny, in a way, that the culture of fandom and corporate engagement that has grown around Squid Game is the same that leads the players in the show to play the Squid Game in the series But were getting ahead of ourselves.Squid Game Season 2 GallerySquid Game first hit Netflix on September 17, 2021 and it might be hard to remember now, given the show is a global sensation, but at the time at least in America, it was one of those classic drop it on Netflix and see what happens series that wasnt really promoted by the streamer. No screeners for the press, no rabid red carpets full of screaming fans And yet it caught on and grew almost immediately. On Nielsens report for the week of September 20-26, the show clocked 1.9 billion minutes and that was only on TV screens, and only in the US. The next week, it garnered over 3.2 billion minutes on Nielsens chart, growing to become a clear viral success.The show itself didnt seem like a likely breakout hit, given its ultra-violence and dark subject matter. Squid Game (in case you forgot over the past three years, or have yet to check out Season 2) revolves around a death game played by 456 players competing for cold, hard cash. Run by the mysterious Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), the games are framed as a way for the players to even the playing field. They can by majority vote decide to leave at any time and even do, in Season 1, Episode 2, before promptly returning to the game but whoever wins gets a sum of cash equal to the amount of people who died playing. Time and again, its clear the game is rigged for the enjoyment of the billionaire VIPs who bet on it from the safety of their cushy lounge. And in the middle of this all? The sometimes good-hearted, perhaps naive loser Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who goes on to spoilers here win the game, though perhaps at the cost of his basic belief in the goodness of humanity.Capitalism controls even the existence of democracy and freedom of choice,Season 2 widens things out further. We get to see what economically drives one of the Squid Game guards to join up and become a stone-faced murderer. We see a lot more of the outside world in Korea, and how every interaction, no matter how small, is a game driven by commerce. And the Squid Game itself changes to allow a majority vote to leave after every challenge. That latter tweak allows Hwang Dong-hyuk, throughout the seasons seven episodes, to dig into how capitalism controls even the existence of democracy and freedom of choice, and our divides (political, gender, monetary) are exacerbated by the very existence of money dangling over our heads. In this case, literally, thanks to the omnipresent piggy bank hanging over the room where the Squid Game contestants sleep and eat. While there was some international promotion for the series when it first launched, including an appearance by the Red Light/Green Light doll in a mall in the Philippines, and a replica of the jungle gym set in a Seoul subway station, for the most part, the show traveled by word of mouth. Netflix had to play catch-up over the next few months. In an interview with the New York Times in advance of Season 2, Marian Lee, Netflixs chief marketing officer, copped to as much. Everything we did outside of Korea was reactive, because we didnt know, she said. Even the content executives didnt anticipate that it would be such a global phenomenon.By the time Squid Game had become the most-watched Netflix launch in the streamers history a month after release (one month later, it would become the most-watched show of all time, period), there was a pop-up store in Paris, and a Red Light/Green Light game complete with actors dressed as Squid Game guards in the Netherlands.PlayWhat followed was total Squid Game domination. Dalgona, the honeycomb candy at the center of one of the games in the series, began showing up at homegrown candy stores and even official Netflix pop-ups in malls everywhere, alongside costumes from the show, just in time for Halloween. The press tour eventually caught up, too, leading to the stars of the series growing to international sensations overnight (check with your local Korean TV and movie viewer to hear them furiously explain how many of these overnight sensations have been celebrities in non-US countries for years). Then came the Golden Globes wins, SAG Award wins, and 14 Emmy nominations, of which the show won five. The Funko Pop!s followed the next year, and as Netflix proudly includes in all of its press releases about Season 2 of the series, based on the footwear of the mostly deceased contestants in the show, Vans slip-on sneakers sales increased 8,000%.While Dong-hyuk was mulling plans for a second, and third season of the series, Netflix began referring to a Squid Game universe as early as January of 2022. And they paid off on that promise. Squid Game: The Challenge, a reality game show that reproduced the initial TV series without all the killing hit the service in November 2023, though it was marred by multiple safety and health issues, as well as (per the point of this article) critics pointing out it vastly missed the whole thesis of Squid Game. Similarly, the online multiplayer game Squid Game: Unleashed is a 32-player party game for Netflix subscribers (currently free for everyone in time for the release of Squid Game Season 2) which the streamers own press outlet, TUDUM, describes as takes all the thrills of the hit Netflix show and puts them in your pocket. To be clear, there is no option in the game to hang yourself in anguish and shame after youre forced to take your wifes life in a deadly game of marbles, so perhaps not all the thrills.Why do people keep engaging with Squid Game as something fun? Why is Netflix able to make a cottage industry out of products sold around the show? How are there corporate retreats where actors dress up as the Front Man and Squid Game guards and have employees run through games from the show, ostensibly for team-building purposes? Theres even an official Netflix Squid Game Experience that claims its perfect for School and Camp Visits, and if the thought of children playing the games from the hyperviolent TV show Squid Game doesnt make you viscerally uncomfortable, you may be entirely devoid of human empathy.Part of the issue is that Squid Game, for all its cultural cache, is nothing new. Gladiatorial battles go back millennia. More to the point, everything from Battle Royale to Hunger Games thrives on the idea of people usually children fighting to the death for a possible prize, and rich peoples amusement. Those, too, are often misinterpreted by the public (see any of the Hunger Games theme park rides worldwide). Like how society gets dulled by repeated violence in the real world, so too are we inured to it on screen. Squid Game is perhaps not as shocking as it could be, because its not the first out of the gate; its just another death games series in a long line of series and movies. And like any genre, it has its fans, detractors, and culture that surrounds it.Theres the question of why we like to watch these things, though, with at least two major reasons. One is the broad sense of why we watch horror movies, violent action spectacles, or even ride rollercoasters: to confront our own real fear of death and overcome it. But to the point of the death game genre, it raises the question of what you would do in the situation, something that Squid Game confronts head-on. Squid Game Season 2: New Key Art and Teaser ImagesTheres a deeper, more horrifying reason why both viewers and Netflix are able to engage with Squid Game on the most surface level possible, though, and its that Hwang Dong-hyuk Is right. We are under the yoke of corporations and billionaires. They inure us into thinking that capitalism is a game we can win, but its rigged to their benefit, and not ours. Think about how the central action of the show features humans, reduced to numbers instead of names, forced to kill each other playing childrens games. Dong-hyuk distills it down even more simply in Seong Gi-huns first encounter with the Squid Game in the series premiere. Penniless, defeated, and beaten up, he encounters a clean-cut man in a business suit (Gong Yoo) on the subway. The man tells Seong Gi-hun he can play a simple childrens game (called ddakji), and after losing the first round is told that if Seong Gi-hun wins, he gets money. If he loses, the businessman gets to slap him. What follows is a series of increasingly harder, more humiliating slaps as the businessman beats down Seong Gi-hun. When he finally wins, Seong Gi-hun goes to slap the businessman back but no, the game is over. He gets paid. Its done.In Season 2, Dong-hyuk drives this home even harder, throwing any sort of subtly out the window in a desperate attempt to get his point across to the section of the audience who saw die for money as too opaque a metaphor. The businessman has graduated from ddakji to giving hungry homeless people the choice between bread, and a lottery ticket. Would you rather eat, or have the chance for money youll likely never receive? Guess which most of them choose (and lose)? As the second season continues, in small ways and big Seong Gi-hun is as controlling of the men he sends on a treasure hunt city-wide to find that businessman as anyone running the Squid Game. Theres a major sequence early in the season set on Halloween that is clearly pointed at anyone who thinks it might be fun to dress as a Squid Game guard. Once Seong Gi-hun is back in the game, his seeming heroism turns self-centered, and his vision of bringing down the game is less about saving people than redeeming himself for his own complicated actions. It muddies the waters of the conversation, but also turns the camera towards the audience, practically screaming that if you thought you were a hero like Seong Gi-hun Well, youre bad, too.But what can you do about it? The game is rigged. The billionaires are in charge of it all.But what can you do about it? The game is rigged. The billionaires are in charge of it all. Netflix is able to sell you those Funko Pop!s, the Vans, and the Red Light/Green Light Mattel doll for kids because the alternative you cannot beat the system, we will all die in here is too horrifying to contemplate. Netflix is worth nearly $400 billion. They are the VIPS in this scenario, seeing no repercussions for their actions. While theyre not literally making us walk a glass bridge until we plummet to our deaths, they are hiding behind their golden animal masks, and reducing us to streaming numbers controlled by the algorithm.As the Front Man explains early in Season 2 when Seong Gi-hun tells him he wants to end Squid Game once and for all, the key isnt killing one man, or even multiple men, as Seong Gi-hun has planned. Its so much bigger than that. If the world doesnt change, the game doesnt end, the Front Man says. So how do you change the world? How can anyone?To grasp that in any fashion is to know the system is everywhere, and its overwhelming. Thats what the contestants in the show realize during their brief sojourn back to Seoul in Season 1, that dying playing a childrens game is essentially the same as living in society. For us here in the real world, its easier to giggle about the actor dressed as the Front Man telling everyone on our corporate team that the Squid Games have begun, taking selfies and eventually heading back to our safe, identical hotel rooms, than contemplate were all trapped in one, large Squid Game ourselves, every day of our lives.

There are some Nosferatu spoilers in this article.Among the of the many impressive things about Robert Eggers Nosferatu is how the marketing team kept the look of its main monster a secret. In posters and trailers, Eggers and his team used shadows and silhouettes to suggest the presence of the vampire Count Orlok, building on the visual style set by German Expressionist F.W. Murnau, who directed the original Nosferatu in 1922.That sense of mystery pays off with the reveal of Orlok in the film. A grotesque beast, furs draped over his hideous body, Orlock glowers from under a thick mustache. Clearly by design, he looks as if the real Vlad Tepes had survived the grave as a ghoulish revenant for hundreds of years. Yet this cadaverous creature is just the latest monster brought to life by Bill Skarsgrd. The Swedish actor, a member of an impressive family of performers under father Stellan Skarsgrd, Bill has carved out his own place as a horror icon, one that recalls not just recent standouts like Robert Englund and Tony Todd, but the silent era great Lon Chaney Sr. or the Universal Monsters maestro, Boris Karloff.Scaring Without SoundShortly after the original Nosferatu in 1922, Universal released the first adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera in 1925. And like the recent Nosferatu, Phantom keeps its central monster hidden for much of the runtime. When the Phantom initially courts the ingnue Christine (Mary Philbin), he appears as a shadow on the wall or under a pale mask. But at the midpoint of the film, Christine unmasks her mysterious patron living within the bowels of the Paris Opera House, revealing a hideous creature beneath. The scene is the stuff of cinema legend. The Phantom has a skull-like visage with gaunt cheeks, sunken eyes, bared teeth, and a gap in place of a nose.The visage is still impressive today, a full century later. But its just one of the many onscreen transformations undergone by Lon Chaney, the Man of 1000 Faces. In a career that ran from 1902 until his death at age 47 in 1930, Chaney became not just one of the mediums first great character actors, as well as a master of makeup and practical effects.To portray the Phantom, Chaney pulled the flesh below his eyes and on his nose with string. In The Penalty (1920), Chaney played a man driven mad after losing his legs, Chaney used a bucket and straps to make his legs disappear. He donned sharpened false teeth and wrapped wires around his eyelids for the ghastly expression of the Man in the Beaver Hat in London After Midnight (1927), a pseudo vampire movie and one of the great lost classics of the silent era.Leaving aside the unpleasant stereotypes that conflate body type with moral goodness, Chaneys devotion to the craft of cinema still stands out. They stand the test of time because Chaneys character transformations werent just skin deep. Although the pulp writer Gouverneur Morris, who wrote the source material for The Penalty, suggests that the loss of his legs made Blizzard into a cruel crime boss (he reforms immediately after having new legs grafted onto his body), Chaney plays him as a man who held hatred deep inside, even before his body changed.No matter how extreme the external effects of his characters became, Chaney played the creation from the inside out. And this is demonstrated in how many of his creations, from the Phantom to his interpretation of Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) are referenced to this day.Modern Monster ActingTheres a lot to like in It, the 2017 adaptation of the Stephen King novel. Director Andy Muschietti, working from a script by Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga, and Gary Dauberman, captures the familiar King feeling of a summer adventure while also building off the recent 80s nostalgia in Stranger Things. But it isnt always scary. An over-reliance on CGI and shaky jump scares naturally handicap such things.The are exceptions though, and almost all of them occur when Skarsgrd is allowed to just act as Pennywise, the so-called Dancing Clown who lures children into the sewers beneath a New England hamlet where he feasts on their souls. Skarsgrd can be terrifying, too, and not only because of the great-looking makeup design by Janie Bryant. The actor is unrecognizable, but that is also because of the physical characteristics he brings to the dancing clown. Fully separating himself from Tim Currys delightful take in the otherwise flawed 1990 TV miniseries, Skarsgrd melds a child-like giggle with a ravenous hungry look. The way Pennywise freezes while talking with Georgie (Jackson Robert Scott) and then rolls his eyes backsomething the actor can do without makeupis far scarier than the false distended mouth Pennywise sports immediately afterward for the inevitable attack.These low-budget effects work so much better because they come from Skarsgrds full-body commitment to the character of Pennywise. Like Lon Chaney Sr. before him, he understands the external to be an extension of the internal. Pennywises insatiable hunger for fear doesnt just manifest in a spider form or a goofy, sped-up dance. Skarsgrd conveys it with the drool that drips from his lips, with the way he shudders when a victim comes close.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Similarly, whether playing the perfectly still and serene Kid in the Stephen King shared universe show Castle Rock or the affable, doomed housing renter in Barbarian, Skarsgrd makes the monstrous real in a way that so few actors have done before him in the 21st century.Evil Inside OutThe horror of Nosferatu doesnt come only from the plot. As a riff on an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stokers Dracula, it hits narrative beats familiar to anyone whos heard a story thats been told time and again for more than a century. But that makes Skarsgrds transformation all the more impressive. This isnt Gary Oldmans dapper romantic and elderly creep. Nor is it Bela Lugosis purring aristocrat. This is a beast who walks like a man. A proud, even vain ultra-masculine presence who nonetheless has rotted away to be little more than a self-described appetite.As such, every part of Orloks appearance is a cover, a human suit of long faded splendor and prestige thats now worn over the putrid creature that he has become. And it takes an actor like Skarsgrd to make the creature come to life, bringing a fantastic silent tradition into todays bombastic movie theaters.Read more Nosferatu is now playing in theaters.

While the holiday period is often considered a time for rest and reflection, we know what its really about finally having time to play some excellent video games. And what better match for the season than cozy games titles built for relaxation, lacking in stress, but just as inventive as their action-oriented cousins.Whether the cold weather has you peeking into a shameful backlog or browsing the Xbox storefront for something new, weve got a mighty fine selection of tried and tested titles that are great to cozy on up with divided into categories to ensure you find the exact right fit for your mood. So, grab yourself a hot drink in your favourite oversized mug, fetch a big ol blanket, and dive on in here.Fun on the FarmFarming sims are effectively the ancestral home of cozy gaming, offering respite in peaceful worlds where we can grow produce, hangout with friends, and adventure to our hearts content. Whether youre looking for a combat-free space or a light challenge to your adventures, weve got you covered.Stardew ValleyCloud, Console, and PCAfter inhering your grandfathers old farmland in Stardew Valley, youll embark on a journey to transform this overgrown plot into a gorgeous home. Along the way, youll level up key skills to improve your farming, fishing and fighting abilities, and unlock new items and recipes to craft and cook. Youll meet the locals of the town, make friends, and even fall in love. Stardew Valley also recently received the 1.6 update with lots of new content and features, the perfect time for both new and returning farmers to jump in, either alone, or with up to 8 friends via co-op mode.Lightyear FrontierCloud, Console, and PCIf youre looking for peaceful farming on a galactic scale, Lightyear Frontier has you covered. An open-world adventure that lets you build the interstellar homestead of your dreams, equipped with your fully customisable mech companion. Explore a mysterious world, discover the planets secrets and help the ecosystem in the process. Its the ultimate cozy simulator for farm and big robot enthusiasts alike, and up to three friends can join in your adventure via the online multiplayer.Coral IslandCloud, Console, and PCIn this vibrant, laid-back take on farming sims, ditch the bustling city life and put together a dreamy tropical paradise on Coral Island. Here, youll tend to crops, nurture animals, and become part of a lovely community of over 70 unique characters. The island also offers plenty of exciting outdoor activities such as insect hunting and fishing, as well as diving in the local coral reef to hunt for hidden treasures. Take life as it comes in this relaxing simulator full of charm.Comfy, Cozy PuzzlesIf the farm life isnt quite for you, perhaps this selection of lovely puzzle games will sate your interest. Were not talking brain busters here, just cozy exploration and peaceful, satisfying puzzling that you can take at your own pace, all bundled up in gorgeous art styles.Botany ManorCloud, Console, and PCThis quaint puzzle game sees places you in the wellington boots of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist on a quest to restore the gardens of her stately home. As you explore the manor, youll uncover clues that aid in growing forgotten flora and fauna, use your green thumb to solve puzzles to unlock more of the manors grounds, and uncover the tale of Arabellas life and research.A Little To The LeftCloud, Console, and PCSettle in for a calming time with this wonderfully charming puzzle game that makes tidying up fun. Stack and organise a wide array of household items, from loose screws to pantry shelves, in over 100 unique and intuitive scenarios. If youre someone that gets a burst of satisfaction from a well-organized space, A Little to the Left is for you.Strange HorticultureCloud, ConsoleIn this occult-themed puzzle game, youll assume the role of the proprietor of a local plant store on the hunt to discover new species of plants. Balancing calm and creepy in a way very few games can manage, youll wield your growing knowledge of flora and fauna to influence Strange Horticultures story, and unravel the dark mysteries surrounding the quaint but spooky town of Undermere.Light-hearted AdventuresPerhaps youre looking for something a little more interactive than a puzzle game but without the pressures of combat or big decisions? A place to explore fun environments, enjoy some light questing, and engage in some action is sometimes necessary to keep your mind occupied. Roam around a big city as a cat or challenge yourself to an atmospheric climb in these easy-going adventures!Lil Gator GameCloud, Console, and PCExplore a lovingly crafted island full of new friends and hidden secrets as a lil gator in this joyful, low stress platformer. Quests are nestled in every corner of the island, and youll make new friends as you adventure through forests and mountaintops. Its an adorable cozy time if youre looking for a joyful game to take on at your own pace.Dungeons of HinterbergCloud, Console, and PCDungeons of Hinterberg combines exciting dungeon delving with cosy social systems. As protagonist Luisa, youll venture to the picturesque town of Hinterberg that is, quite curiously, now full of perilous dungeons serving as tourist attractions. Each day, you can choose between exploring these locations or relaxing in town and spending with the locals. Theres no pressure to go either way, which makes for a lovely, relaxing experience with some light challenge here and there.Little Kitty, Big CityCloud, Console, and PCExperience the big city through a cats eyes in Little Kitty, Big City, a cozy exploration game with plenty of fun areas to discover. As a curious little kitty with a big personality, make your way home via the streets at your own pace, befriend stray animals, complete quests, and of course, leave a little chaos in your wake. You can even wear a little hat!SpiritfarerCloud, Console, and PCDespite its macabre theme, Spiritfarer is a cozy management affair that explores mortality. As Stella, youll sail across an atmospheric world and encounter new spirit friends to look after, before finally releasing them into the afterlife. All the while, enjoy farming, mining, cooking and crafting new discoveries thatll aid your journey. You can even invite a friend to play alongside you as Stellas pet, Daffodil the cat.JusantCloud, Console, and PCAscend to new heights in Jusant, a meditative action puzzle adventure game. Equipped with a trusty set of climbing tools, your goal is to reach the peak of a tall tower, but the real joy comes from the journey, not the destination. As you climb, youll uncover new paths, discover beautiful biomes, and master your abilities as you reach higher areas. Conquer the tower at your own pace (and without fear of falling), with plenty of freedom to take in the sights and relax to the atmospheric surroundings and music as you go.A Short HikeCloud, Console, and PCKeeping to the outdoor adventure theme, A Short Hike presents a peaceful jaunt through the mountainous landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park. As a little bird, enjoy a calming adventure though vibrant scenery, discover secrets and chat to other kind characters on the trial as you make your way to the summit.Disney Dreamlight ValleyCloud, Console, and PCIf youre looking for an adventure on the magical side, come down and meet the inhabitants of Dreamlight Valley! In this hybrid of life simulator mixed with exploration, youll befriend iconic Disney and Pixar characters and take on new challenges from heroes and villains. Youll also have the opportunity to decorate your own home, create custom designs, and help restore Dreamlight Valley to its former glory for all of your new friends.Cozy Narrative DelightsIf youre hankering for a good story alongside some low energy cozy gameplay, these narrative-driven titles may be for you. Jump into a hand-drawn journey as a photographer or a stylish claymation adventure in space theres stories to be found everywhere.ChicoryCloud, Console, and PCDiscover your inner artist in Chicory, a top-down adventure game full of vibrant characters. On the hunt for superstar artist Chicory, who has mysteriously gone missing, youll wield your creative powers to solve puzzles, help your friends, and discover the poignant story behind the mystery.ToemCloud, Console, and PCIn Toem, youll see the world through a new lens, literally. Pack your trusty camera and embark on a delightful expedition to uncover the hidden mysteries nestled inside a magical world that is all about finding the perfect angle. Meet quirky characters, flex your creative muscles taking photos, and enjoy a relaxed jaunt through a gorgeous hand-drawn landscape.Harold HalibutCloud, Console, and PCThis point-and-click adventure set under the sea places you in the squeaky shoes of its titular protagonist Harold, a lab assistant working aboard an underwater spaceship. As Harold, youll encounter numerous weird and wonderful creatures as you learn more about humanitys past, in a cozy narrative adventure brimming with retro futuristic charm.Satisfying CleanupsIf the validation of clearing up a big mess is your idea of a calming time, why not do it from the comfort of your sofa? Here, youll find a cozy selection of titles that will have you putting off your own chores in favour of scrubbing, sorting and styling a range of vibrant virtual worlds.PowerWash SimulatorCloud, Console, and PCIf youre searching for stress-free satisfaction, PowerWash Simulator has you covered. Suit up and embark on a cleaning adventure, blasting away every speck of dirt across levels ranging from a simple van to an entire subway platform. As you progress, youll unlock bigger levels and better equipment. Plus, if youre paying close attention, youll unravel a fun story about the town of Muckingham and its inhabitants as you make their surroundings sparkle.House FlipperCloud, Console, and PCBecome a one-person renovation crew in House Flipper. Take on a series of contracts to build up funds, then buy abandoned, rundown properties to transform into spectacular new homes. With a vast range of tools at your disposal, youre free to knock down walls, apply a lick of paint, and furnish every room down to the smallest details.UnpackingCloud, Console, and PCIn this cozy narrative puzzle game, youll follow the life of an unseen protagonist as they move through numerous homes. As you unpack possessions and place them mindfully around numerous environments, youll uncover their story, their memories, and other clues about their life as you curate satisfying living spaces full of personal treasures.Nostalgic Cozy FavoritesSometimes, nothing beats the warm embrace of familiarity, and returning to a beloved series from your youth is the perfect way to experience it. The holiday season is all about reconnecting and sharing memories, and this selection of reboots of seminal 90s games will have you reminiscing in no time, whether youre revisiting a favourite for yourself or introducing a loved one.Spyro: Reignited TrilogyCloud, Console, and PCSave the Dragon Realms from the clutches of evil in this stunning remastered collection of the original Spyro trilogy. As the titular purple dragon, glide across the world once more freeing your kin from crystal prisons, collecting treasure, and rescuing dragon eggs from peril. Its a cozy platforming adventure for all ages, and whats even better is youll now be able to explore these lovingly crafted remakes via Xbox Game Pass.Crash Bandicoot: NSane TrilogyCloud, Console, and PCRelive your youth and rediscover your favourite marsupial in this collection of the first three iconic Crash Bandicoot games. Packaged up with entirely remastered visuals, all three games offer a nostalgic platforming experience with a modern twist as you adventure to take down Dr. Neo Cortex and his villainous crew. Whether youre jumping back into an old favourite or experiencing Crash for the first time, youre sure to have a wonderful time jumping and spinning your way through this shiny new version of a classic trilogy.Return to Monkey IslandCloud, Console, and PCReprise the role of the iconic Guybrush Threepwood in this exciting return to the revered Monkey Island series. Melee Island has taken a turn for the worst, and is now led by the hip, young Captain Madison. This new entry to the series brings classic point-and-click gameplay to the modern day, with all the familiar elements that made the original games so special. Banter with friends old and new and uncover clever puzzles as you venture across the high seas and confront the new leaders of Melee Island.

Here at ELLE DECOR, we love reporting on home design trends, whether theyre the macro currents that well be seeing everywhere in the year ahead or the micro TikTok crazes that have us scratching our heads. But let us be real for a minute: bathroom and trends in the same sentence can feel a tad oxymoronic. After all, how many of us are staring at Bush-era plumbing fixtures (hey if it aint broke, dont fix it!) or are stuck with whatever horrific tile their landlord got on discount. Not to mention that, according to the latest data from Angi, a website that connects consumers with home improvement services, the average bathroom remodel in the U.S. costs just north of $12,000.Still bathroom design trends tend to tell us a lot about how we live, how we relax, and what we think is chici.e. they reveal a lot more than we tend to think. And 2025 is looking particularly interesting as the post-pandemic trend of self-care collides with an insatiable appetite for personalization. The idea of incorporating personal touches in bathrooms has become so important as people move away from generic designs and are now focusing on creating spaces that reflect their unique taste and style, explains Alex Yacavone, senior design studio manager at Kohler.Overall, I'm seeing a trend away from minimalism and towards bolder design moves and more drama, even in small spaces, adds Xavier Donnelly, creative director of New York interiors firm Ash.From vibrant arrays of tile to a renewed focus on showers, here are the top bathroom design trends experts are predicting will be everywhere in 2025.Skip SectionJump toHead-Turning Tile Patterns Cerruti & DraimeSquare format tile creates an eye-catching pattern in the Parisian loft of designer Fabrizio Casiraghi.Hyper-expressive slabs of stone have been ensconcing our water closets for the past several years now. But in 2025, were starting to see a shift back to tile according to nearly all of the experts we spoke to. But if you think were in for a resurgence of plain white subway tile, think again: tile in 2025 is bolder than its ever been before.Stone has been the staple for luxury bathrooms for a long time, but new gorgeous, vintage-inspired patterns with deep glazes and intricate shapes bring a sense of classic charm and timelessness, says veteran designer and leader of global design at LIXIL Americas Jean-Jacques LHenaff.Donnelly has been seeing square tiles that can be arranged in patterns come to the fore. So has interior designer Victoria Sass of the Minneapolis-based firm Prospect Refuge Studio, who has incorporated 1x1-format tiles in bright stripes and stacks. Its all part of a move towards what she dubs as retrospective futurism. As she tells us: The future of residential bathrooms seems like it will look a lot like the past.Brown Ori HarpazWarm mocha plaster walls warm up this powder room in a L.A. home designed by David Lucido. Organic shapes and materials keep the palette cozy and earthy. You cant have a powder room without a mood, right? the designer told us.Brown tones have gained momentum, and I believe this trend will persist with warm, earthy hues continuing to play a central role in interior design, says Kohlers Yacavone. These colors create a sense of comfort and grounding that resonate in the bathroom space. Sass also cites brown as a major color theme in the bathroom. But be careful, she cautions. Too much of a good thing goes the way of shiplap and poor boucl.If youre one to pooh-pooh this polarizing bathroom trend, consider other colors that designers are spying everywhere: I think we'll see nods to the past but with a new spin. Ye olde avocado becomes a modern day mint, harvest gold lightens up to a bright and bubbly blonde, Sass suggests.High-Contrast FinishesStephen Kent JohnsonIn a Montana home designed by Commune, gold hardware gleams amid a palette of cherry red and timber tones.With all of the bold hues designers are spying, it follows that fixtures will need to trend bolder to have impact. Weve been observing lustrous gold faucets, knobs, and hardware in the bathrooms weve showcased these last few yearsand the trend shows no sign of stopping. Goldsfrom yellow to redare still trending strong as they offer a gorgeous contrast with deeper wall decor," says LIXILs LHenaff. He is also seeing homeowners mix matte black with gold, and adds that Grohe, one of LIXILs brands, has collections with more subtle finishes like graphite in its pipeline. Seashells Noe DewittSeashells are making waves in virtually every space of the house, but they feel especially appropriate in the bathroom. Here, in a home designed by Redd Kaihoi, a prim shell-backed chair sits pretty in the powder room.The live-action version of The Little Mermaid in 2023 may have caused an uptick in all-things mermaidcore, butaccording to Pinterests latest trend reportage2025 will be the year of the sea witch. While the bulk of this trend will be seen in beauty and fashion (Gen Z and Millennials will dive head first into sultry siren makeup, wet wavy hair, and moody mermaid manicures from sun up til moonlight, the report foretells) its already making waves in the residential bathroom space. Were mainly spying it in elevated takes on shell shapes and nods to Rococo-style grottosbe it a chair, side table, or even an entire shell-encrusted ceiling. Ashs Donnelly, meanwhile, is spying seashell wall sconces everywhereso the year ahead might be a good time to make this under-the-sea theme part of your world, too.80s and 90s Redux Nicholas CalcottGlass brick, sleek finishesthis bathroom by Jett Projects demonstrates how minimalism is getting a glamorous 80s-inspired update in 2025.There are also 2025 trends a-plenty for minimalists. But rather than sterile all-white spaces or barely-there surfaces (remember Kim Kardashians sink controversy?), the experts are seeing a return to throwback materials that feel straight out of the 80s and early-90s.For those of us with a little Patrick Bateman in our blood (the style, not the murdering) what could be more appealing than a crispy clean bathroom chock-full of function? posits Sass. From stainless steel surfaces, glass block walls, maybe a mini-blind or two, I feel like the world has caught a minimalism bug and there's no telling how far it will go!Donnelly, for his part, predicts mirrors will be taking over our walls in the year ahead. Adds Sass: I recently completed a bathroom with wall-to-wall carpetand I'm here to say, I didn't hate it!Chicer Showers Kelly MarshallBeautiful mint-green mosaic tile covers the walls of this stylish wet room designed by Mark Grattan.While our obsession with a deep bathtub isnt going anywhere, residential experts predict there will be a renewed focus on showers in the year ahead. The shower has truly become the new centerpiece, says LHenaff. Performance showering with various experiences (waterfall, rain, mist, etc.) is key to a successful luxury bathroom design.According to Zillows latest, househunters are increasingly craving wet rooms, in particular. This luxurious design element most often found in high-end hotels is the latest spa-inspired upgrade to start showing up in homes. A wet room combines the shower and bathtub into one waterproof space without the usual shower curb or enclosure. Wet rooms are being featured 19 percent more often in listings on Zillow, according to the report.Theres also good news for DIYers looking to make a high-impact update in 2025: I think we're going to see a luxe upgrade to the shower curtain replacing the glass enclosure in some chic bathrooms, says Donnelly.Self-Care on Steroids William Jess LairdA tranquil spa in a Brazilian home designed by ELLE DECOR A-Lister Andre Mellone.Many post-pandemic trends have come and gone (were predicting home offices are out in 2025), but our lockdown obsession with self-care has now become the norm in residential bathroom design. In fact, according to Zillow, real estate listings mentioning wellness features were up 16 percent year-over-year in 2024.The bathroom is not just a functional space, but a sanctuary for relaxation and self-care. As wellness becomes more a part of daily life, people will continue to prioritize bathroom features that promote physical and mental well-being, says Yacavone.What exactly are those features? LHenaff is seeing saunas, rainfall showers, steam rooms, and more. These trends emerged during the pandemic to counteract the effect of limited social interaction, but it has been growing ever since, he says.The offerings are getting hyper-specific, too. At ELLE DECOR, weve observed everything from mani-pedi stations to champagne bars in home spas. Sass agrees. I think we are well past the tipping point on the self-care spectrum and everybody wants everything they can fit and afford in their personal bathrooms: salon-grade lighting, steam, and saunas galore, coffee machinesheck, I wouldn't be surprised if I put a microwave in a bathroom in 2025!Anna FixsenDeputy Digital EditorAnna Fixsen is the deputy digital editor of ELLE DECOR, where she oversees all facets of ElleDecor.com. In addition to editing articles and developing digital strategy, she writes about the worlds most beautiful homes, reviews the chicest products (from the best cocktail tables to cute but practical gifts), and reports on the most exciting trends in design and architecture. Since graduating from Columbia Journalism School, shes spent the past decade as an editor at Architectural Digest, Metropolis, and Architectural Record and has written for outlets including the New York Times, Dwell, and more.

Apple TV 4K gets better every year through regular software updates and even the occasional hardware bump. But it truly shines when paired with other Apple devices. Here are four Apple TV 4K features youll gain when using the device alongside Apples other products.Hands-free playback controls with HomePodOne of my favorite demonstrations of Apples ecosystem magic moments involves the Apple TV 4K and HomePod.When a HomePod and Apple TV 4K are in the same home, you can control playback on your Apple TV simply by speaking to your HomePod.Just ask Siri on your HomePod to play, pause, skip back or forward, or other standard playback controls. No need to press the Siri button on your Siri Remote.Siri will know that youre referring to whats playing on your Apple TV, and act accordingly.Another convenient way to control your Apple TV 4K via another Apple device is with the Remote app.Apples Remote app is available for iPhone, iPad, and even Apple Watch.It provides the same basic functionality found with the physical Siri Remote, but using one of your other devices.The Remote app can go even further though. Once youve used the app on your iPhone, for example, youll be able to track playback of what youre watching via the iPhones Lock Screen. This is especially great on modern devices with an always-on display.I love being able to glance at my iPhone to quickly see how much longer a given show or movie has left. Its an easy way to track runtime without messing with the Apple TV 4K itself.InSight on iPhone, right where you want itInSight is a new tvOS 18 feature that works especially well when used from an iPhone.InSight provides similar functionality to Prime Videos X-Ray feature. It will show you info for the actors on-screen at any given time, and whatever music is playing.You can use InSight on the Apple TV 4K itself, but I find its much more convenient and less distracting on the iPhone. InSight is available when using the iPhones Remote app, and allows you to check the relevant info without covering your TV screen with the InSight overlay.HomePod speaker experienceFinally, Apple TV 4K can not only be controlled via HomePod requests. It can also make HomePods your designated speakersand get a bonus feature as a result.On your Apple TV 4K, open the Settings app, then Video and Audio Audio Output and select your HomePod or HomePod stereo pair as your Default Audio Output.You can get Dolby Atmos support this way, and also benefit from a brand new tvOS 18.2 feature:Enhance Dialogue on HomePod (2nd generation) when paired with Apple TV 4K gives you the option to hear speech more clearly over background sounds using real-time audio processing and machine learning.I love the standard Enhance Dialogue feature offered by tvOS 18, but with the HomePod 2nd generation that feature gets even better in tvOS 18.2.Apple TV 4K features: wrap-upApples hardware and software ecosystem has long been at the core of the companys success. And Apple TV 4K is a great demonstration of why that ecosystem can be so compelling. Its a solid product on its own, but when paired with other Apple devices, its truly at its best.Which of these Apple TV 4K ecosystem features do you like most? Let us know in the comments.Best Apple TV 4K and home 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. 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

Did you just unwrap a new pair of AirPods Pro this holiday season? If so, there are a surprising number of AirPods Pro features to make sure youre taking advantage of. Here are some of my recommendations for new users. AirPods Pro fit testOne thing youll want to do right away is make sure youre getting the best fit possible while wearing your AirPods Pro. Luckily, theres an easy way to do just that. With your AirPods Pro in your ears and connected, open the Settings app and tap their name at the top. Tap Ear Tip Fit Test in the menu and tap the play button. Now, your AirPods Pro will run a test to determine if youve achieved the best fit possible and inform you if you should try one of the other ear tip sizes. AirPods Pro 2 come with four sizes of ear tips that you can easily swap between. AirPods Pro listening modesAirPods Pro offer multiple different listening modes, including Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode: Active Noise Cancellation: An outward-facing microphone or microphones detect external sounds, which your AirPods Pro then counter with anti-noise, canceling the external sounds before you hear them.Transparency mode: Your AirPods Pro let outside sound in, so you can hear whats going on around you. Adaptive Audio: Adaptive mode blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode together to control the level of noise you hear in your headphones based on the changing noise conditions in your environment. As of iOS 18, you can personalize Adaptive Audio to better fit your needs and allow more or less noise. In the AirPods menu in the Settings app, you can move the slider left to allow for Less Noise when using Adaptive Audio or to the right to allow for More Noise.ControlsAirPods Pro 2 feature a touch-sensitive Force Sensor in their stems that let you perform common tasks without reaching for your iPhone. Here are the default controls: Play and pause audio: Press the stem. To resume playback, press it again.Play the next track: Double-press the stem.Play the previous track: Triple-press the stem.Answer a call: When you receive a call, press the stem.Adjust volume: Lightly swipe up or down on the stem.You can customize what the force sensor does in the AirPods menu of the Settings app. Find My integration AirPods Pro also integrate with the Find My app on your iPhone. This means that if you ever misplace or lose your AirPods Pro, you can locate them on a map in the Find My and even make the case play a sound. In the Devices section of the Find My app, you can locate your AirPods Pro, enable notifications if you lose them, and more. Hearing Test and Hearing AidThis year, Apple supercharged AirPods Pro 2 with new hearing health features. Now, you take a hearing test with your AirPods Pro to find out if you have hearing loss. You can then use AirPods Pro as a hearing aid if you have mild to moderate hearing loss. Learn more: With iOS 18,AirPods Pro users can interact with Siri and incoming notifications by nodding their heads up or down.Accept a call or reply to notifications and messages: Nod your head up and down.Decline a call or dismiss notifications and messages: Shake your head side to side.You can enable this feature in the Settings app by navigating to the AirPods menu and tapping Head Gestures in the list of features. You can choose which gesture is linked to Accept, Reply and Decline, Dismiss.Voice IsolationVoice Isolation is a new feature for AirPods Pro that helps ensure the callers voice is heard in loud or windy environments. Apple says this feature isolates and enhances voice quality while removing significant background noise for the listener. While on a call, swipe down from the top of your screen to access Control CenterTap the Controls button at the top of the interfaceTap on Voice IsolationOne of my favorite AirPods Pro features is audio sharing. This lets me share what Im listening to with someone else wearing AirPods or Beats headphones. You can activate audio sharing by tapping the AirPlay button in the Now Playing screen, the Lock Screen, or Control Center. Just tap the Share Audio button and bring the other persons headphones close to yours, and you can seamlessly pair the two together. Audio sharing works with all generations of AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Theres also support for several different Beats products as well. Best AirPods accessories Finally, there are a number of ways to upgrade your AirPods Pro experience with accessories. Here are some of my favorites: Follow Chance:Threads,Bluesky,Instagram, andMastodon.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

Bill Lawrence has been behind three of the most successful Apple TV+ shows to date. Hes co-creator of Ted Lasso, Shrinking, and Bad Monkey. In a new interview with The Los Angeles Times, Lawrence has spilled new details on the upcoming Ted Lasso season 4 and Shrinking season 3.What to expect from Ted Lasso season 4Lawrence was asked about why Ted Lasso was returning for a fourth season when the show had always been conceived as a three-part story.one thing that [Sudeikis] was always very clear about, without divulging anything, is that the story that we came up with for the first three seasons was Ted Lasso had a beginning, middle and end; without a doubt it had an end, you saw him jumping around and go home. With that context, though, Lawrence defers to co-creator Jason Sudeikis as he teases what to expect from season four:I dont want to speak for him, but itd be interesting to see that theres always another story to tell with characters that people like, but its a different story. Its almost a self-reboot. I think that he [Jason] always had in his head another story he wanted to tell.It sounds like the plan for Ted Lassos continuation isnt altogether new, then, but rather an existing idea that Sudeikis has carried for some time.Shrinking tidbits for season 3 and beyondApple TV+ just aired the Shrinking season 2 finale this week, but Lawrence and team are already hard at work on the upcoming season 3.we pitched this show where the first year is about grief, second year is about forgiveness, third year is about moving forward.Lawrence mentions the following season 3 tidbits:how much hed love to get Michael J. Fox on the showhe teases the return of Cobie Smulders as a Jimmy romantic interestplans for Alice and Sean to move away, and Jimmys adjustment to that new realitySeveral of Lawrences comments involve spoilers for the Shrinking season 2 finale, so I wont include those here but you can read more in the interview.Another exciting detail involves the possibility for a fourth season of Shrinking:One of the fun things that weve done, because were in the writers room already for Season 3, is were putting Easter eggs in it as to what the new story that starts Season 4 is about. One of the cool things about streaming, what you can do now, is do a three-season story that has a beginning, middle and end. If people love those characters, theres plenty stories to tell.It sounds like Ted Lassos playbook of a three-part initial story that sets up new adventures in season 4 and beyond may be followed by Shrinking as well.What do you think of the Ted Lasso and Shrinking news? 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. 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