The holidays are great for revisiting classic festive flicks, but you don't need to limit yourself to options from Christmases past.Streaming servicesare loading up the sleigh with merry movies about human-snowman romances, Santa Claus rescue missions and letters to the North Pole gone terribly wrong.With Jack Black, Danny DeVito, Dwayne Johnson, Lindsay Lohan and other big names featured in the holiday fare, there are enough stars to top a ton of Christmas trees. If you plan to spend time in front of the TV this season, check out this list of 2024 Christmas movies you can stream right now.New streaming Christmas movies for 2024 Sam Lothridge/Netflix Carry-On (out now on Netflix) It's Taron Egerton vs. Jason Bateman in this Netflix airport thriller with enough holiday energy to land it on this list. The showdown takes place when Bateman's enigmatic character urges Egerton's TSA agent to let a bag make it through security and onto a Christmas Eve flight. If you're up for a different kind of holiday flick, leave room in your suitcase for this one. See at Netflix Netflix Hot Frosty (out now on Netflix) A Netflix holiday release no one saw coming -- but that makes perfect sense -- Hot Frosty stars Lacey Chabert as a small-town woman who meets a hunk with snowman origins. The comedic outingalso features The Office's Craig Robinson and Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Joe Lo Truglio -- a sheriff and his deputy on the trail of a streaker who may or may not be the community's hottest (and also technically the coldest) new arrival. See at Netflix Amazon MGM Studios Red One (out now on Prime Video) After hitting theaters in mid-November, the action-packed holiday offering Red One has made its streaming service debut. Starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, the PG-13-rated movie involves a globe-trotting quest to rescue Santa Claus. You can tune in to the film on Prime Video to see if these two movie stars ace the mission. See at Amazon Disney An Almost Christmas Story (out now on Disney Plus) Want to spend Christmas with an adorable little owl? This animated short film on Disney Plus follows the journey of a young bird named Moon, who winds up alone in Rockefeller Plaza during the holidays and befriends a young girl who's also far from home. The voice actors include Jim Gaffigan, Mamoudou Athie, Natasha Lyonne and John C. Reilly. See at Disney Plus Chuck Zlotnick/Netflix Our Little Secret (out now on Netflix) Exes on less-than-merry terms are brought together by Christmas after a decade apart in this Netflix movie. Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding play former daters reunited when their partners -- who are siblings -- host them at a holiday gathering. Will they be able to keep their history a secret? You'll have to tune in to find out. See at Netflix Ryan Green/Disney Nutcrackers (out now on Hulu) This festive flick stars Ben Stiller as a big-city dweller whose life takes a turn. He leaves Chicago to temporarily look after his four orphaned nephews on a rural farm, and kid-fueled chaos ensues. Real-life siblings play the quartet of boys, and Linda Cardellini stars as a social worker. See at Hulu Adam Rose/Netflix The Merry Gentlemen (out now on Netflix) A Magic Mikechanneling crowd-pleaser, The Merry Gentlemen centers on a big-city dancer out to save her parents' struggling business. The strategy? An all-male revue led by Chad Michael Murray's chiseled handyman. All of this must be accomplished by Christmas, of course. See at Netflix Netflix That Christmas (out now on Netflix) Succession's Brian Cox voicing Santa Claus is one of the draws of this PG-rated animated flick from Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis. The film is based on three kids' books by Curtis, who co-wrote That Christmas, and it wraps multiple tales in a holiday package. See at Netflix Marni Grossman/Netflix Meet Me Next Christmas (out now on Netflix) Pop group Pentatonix and Christina Milian feature in this holiday rom-com See at Netflix Paramount Plus/Screenshot by Meara Isenberg/CNET Dear Santa (out now on Paramount Plus) Paramount Plus' first original Christmas movie, Dear Santa, has a star-studded cast and an envelope-pushing setup: What if a little boy unintentionally addressed a letter to Satan instead of the man with the bag? Jack Black stars as the kid's devilish new acquaintance, and Keegan-Michael Key and Post Malone appear in this unconventional holiday movie that didn't prove very hot with critics. See at Paramount Plus Lupus Films The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland (out now on Hulu and Prime Video) Gerard Butler's St. Nick encounters Emilia Clarke's Christmas-loathing Queen of Hearts in this animated musical film based on the book of the same name by Carys Bexington. This is a holiday pic that can entertain the kids. See at Hulu Notorious Pictures A Sudden Case of Christmas (out now on Hulu) Danny DeVito and Andie MacDowell star in this Hulu offering set in the Dolomites, Italy. In the merry comedy, a family holds Christmas at an unusual time of year as a 10-year-old girl tries to keep her parents from splitting up. See at Hulu Hallmark Media Hallmark Countdown to Christmas Movies (through Dec. 21 on Hallmark Channel and Peacock) When it comes to new holiday movies, Hallmark has the winter goods. If you don't have cable, you can use Peacock to catch the Countdown to Christmas lineup -- but you'll need to stay on top of the schedule. The streamer offers films live as they air on the Hallmark Channel on the East Coast or the next day on-demand. Just note if you go the on-demand route, the viewing window is limited to three days. See at Peacock

Our Experts Written by Russell Holly, Jared DiPane Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement How we test Why You Can Trust CNET 123456 Bikes Tested12345678910 Minimum hours testing per machine12 Researchers How we test Likeso many other things at CNET, we test exercise bikes as thoroughly as possible through rigorous examination and comparison. Each exercise bike in our list has been through at least 100 miles of riding, using as many of the built-in features as possible.Table of Contents It's always a good time to think about getting fit, and one good way to get in a full-body workout without leaving your house is by investing in a home-based exercise bike. An exercise bike is a more space-efficient option than a treadmill, allowing you to exercise to your heart's content even with a limited amount of room. One of the major players in this space is Peloton, renowned for its high-quality equipment and a diverse selection of on-demand classes. Peloton provides interactive virtual workouts led by experienced instructors, allowing you to connect with other users and stay motivated as you incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine.However, it does cost quite a bit to get into Peloton. But if you don't have the budget, you'll be happy to know there are exercise bike alternatives. If you're shopping for yourself or another cycling lover this holiday season, we have tested various exercise bike options to help you find the best alternative to the Peloton bike that fits your budget and fitness goals. Our Picks Best overall Peloton alternative BowFlex VeloCore View details $999 at BowFlex View details Best budget Peloton alternative Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX3 View details $620 at Amazon View details Best Peloton alternative with no subscription BowFlex C6 View details $799 at Bowflex View details Best Peloton alternative for full-body workouts Myx II Plus View details $399 at Myxfitness View details Best if money is no object Peloton Bike Plus View details $2,495 at Peloton View details Great for DIY cyclists Stryde View details $1,395 at Stryde View details FITNESS TRACKER DEALS OF THE WEEK Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm, Black, S/M 130-180mm, Sports Band): $349 (save $50) Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth, 44mm, Green): $243 (save $87) Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Smartwatch (Graphite): $300 (save $100) Amazfit Bip 5 GPS Smartwatch (Black): $70 (save $20) Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (Bluetooth 44mm, Graphite): $170 (save $160) Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. Table of Contents Why You Can Trust CNET 123456 Bikes Tested12345678910 Minimum hours testing per machine12 Researchers How we test Likeso many other things at CNET, we test exercise bikes as thoroughly as possible through rigorous examination and comparison. Each exercise bike in our list has been through at least 100 miles of riding, using as many of the built-in features as possible. Which is the best Peloton alternative?I've been testing indoor bikes for more than five years now, and while I don't think there's a single bike that's perfect for all people I would say the best overall Peloton alternative is the BowFlex Velocore series. If you're looking for a large display with a variety of options that Peloton does not offer, you will be pleased with this bike. However, if a giant screen is not a priority for you, there is a budget-friendly version available with a 16-inch display.Editors note, June 10: BowFlex filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year, and the brand is now owned by Johnson Health Tech, which also owns Horizon Fitness and Matrix. You can still buy BowFlex products through its website and via retailers such as Amazon and Dicks Sporting Goods.Best Peloton alternatives of 2024Filter by Showing 11 of 11 Results Photo Gallery 1/1 $999 at BowFlex $1,710 at Best Buy Pros Sturdy design without being loud Great display and speakers Versatile software package Cons Not enough training courses for full-body workouts Screen doesn't turn left or right Dimensions 59.8" L x 24.1" W x 55.3" HResistance Magnetic - 100 levelsScreen Size 16" or 22"Price $$$ Subscription $12/month or $99/year (optional)Type Full Body Workout

British ColumbiaHeadlights seem a lot brighter these days because they areIf headlights seem a lot more blinding these days, it's not just your bleary eyes. LED headlights create a more intense, concentrated light that can force people to squint. And while some parts of the world have taken steps to counteract the glare, Canada hasn't caught up yet.Light glare that's dazzling today's drivers can create a dangerous distraction on the road, experts sayYvette Brend CBC News Posted: Dec 24, 2024 7:00 AM EST | Last Updated: December 25Experts says headlights are getting brighter, smaller and bluer. A trio of things that increase so called 'discomfort' glare and distracts drivers. (Dillon Hodgin)Social SharingIf you feel a bit like a deer caught in the headlights every time you hit a dark road recently, you're not alone. Experts say the LED headlights on newer vehicles are, in fact, more blinding than what most people grew up with."It's not in everybody's head. It is real,"Daniel Stern, chief editor of Driving Vision Newsand lighting researcher, told CBC News."Headlights are getting brighter, smaller and bluer. All three of those things increase a particular kind of glare. It's called discomfort glare," he said.Experts like Stern say headlight glare is a serious issue across North America as vehicles transition from warmer old-style halogen lights.NewerLED headlights createa more intense, concentrated light that's bluer and can force people to squintin discomfort.Canada's regulations have been adjusted but researchers say they have not yet caught up to headlight technology common in other countries.So night drivers end up blindedespecially if their eyes are olderandlooking for their own solutions that can only help so much.LED headlights are common in newer vehicles, but pose the risk of blinding drivers if their aim is off, experts say. (Ben Nelms/CBC)What is LED?LEDor light-emitting diodeheadlights use semiconductors or microchipsinstead of filaments found in halogen or incandescent lights. The diode converts energy into a bright white light. LED headlights last longer and are more intense. But LEDs are expensive and, if their aim is off, can blind oncoming drivers.Stern believes that's a safety issue."If you feel as though you can't see, that's very disorienting."WATCH | More on new headlights:Blinded by the light? New LED headlights are extremely bright 1 day agoDuration 2:00More new cars are being equipped with LED headlights that are extremely bright, producing something experts describe as discomfort glare.While the first LEDs wereinstalled on cars in the '90s, Stern said the lights didn't become standard until the 2000s. They allowed a smaller light to deliver a crisp, cool glowthat feels closer to natural daylight.Now LEDs are showing up on more and more vehiclesand, even when they don't come standard,many people replace regular bulbs with LEDs, despite advice not to do so.Although the human eye can adapt to a wide range of light from sunlight to darkness, it takes some time to adjust.Especially for aging eyes, LEDs can be too bright, too blue and too concentrated.Toronto researcher Bruce Haycock has created a simulator that mimics what it's like to drive into oncoming LED lights."People can't even believe that it's accurate if you haven't seen it recently, because it really is quite debilitating and it's a big distractor. [It's] very hard to see the world around those oncoming headlights because it's such a huge contrast with the really bright lights compared with the very dimly lit areas around that."A staff scientist at the KITE research institute, Haycockwas the lead engineer for the DriverLab simulator in Toronto. It'sbeen used to studythe impact of various factors on driving, includingmonocular vision, opioids, motion sickness and inattentional blindnessa failure to notice a hazard due to lack of focus.Headlight glare is a growing issues for drivers as vehicles transition from warmer halogen lights to newer LED headlights that create an intense glow that disconcerts many oncoming drivers. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Haycock's research determined that the impact of glare on driving safety while important is understudied, and could potentially be improved with better headlight, vehicle roadway and lighting designs.Haycock said Germany has been ahead of the curve researching car lighting, and has for years been using automated LED arrays that can turn individual lights on or off to control glare."They could light up, direct the roadway ahead without throwing light into the eyes of oncoming drivers."Canadian headlight regulationsMost of the world outside of North America has more stringent regulations to control glare from low beams and fog lamps, according to experts.In fact, Canadian headlight regulations do not even mention the word glare or dazzle or any synonym. Transport Canada regulates safety under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and headlight manufacturers must comply witha set of standards around lighting systems and retroreflective devices.Transport Canada told the CBCthat its rules were updated in March 2018 to allow new lighting technologies to increase visibility without affecting other drivers, and to add requirements around headlight height and automated levelling devices that adjust the lights to avoid driver's eyes.But Stern said Canada continues to play catchupwhen it comes to headlight glare issues.Daniel Stern, chief editor of Driving Vision News, says people who think headlights are brighter are not imagining things. (Dillon Hodgin/CBC News)He said Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) or glare-free high beams a system that automatically dims a person's headlights when other vehicles are nearbyiscommon in Europe and other parts of the world, and has been for 15 years or so. That's not so in the U.S. or Canada.Canada only just beganto permit such technologies in 2018, but few vehicle models use expensiveauto-levelling systemshere yet.So there are a lot of vehicles with bright LED headlights and no protections for the eyes of other drivers.To make matters worse, consumers who want their headlights to shine like newer models often swap out halogens for LEDs.That can change the beam pattern, casting more glare, according to Stern.Federal regulations specify the safety of a vehicle, as delivered by the original manufacturer, but don't apply to alterations. So when people add fog lamps or swap out halogen bulbs for LEDs, that falls on provincial and territorial governments to deal with.Stern said cars are not routinelyinspected, so a lot slips by.Drivers, especially older ones, are left looking for eye protection. By 60, most people need three times the light to see, compared to a 20-year-old, and are more sensitive to glare, according to the National Institute of Health.Sunglasses are not asafe options for night driving.Jaspreet Paul Singh of Prestige Optical in Vancouver, said some anti-reflective glasses can protect a person's eyesby shining a beam of light through the lenses and cutting off certain wavelengths of light."They do work," said Singh, "but there is only so much that the lenses can do."Jaspreet Paul Singh of Prestige Optical and Optometry in Vancouver, says many of his customers complain about the impact of bright headlights on their eyes. (Yvette Brend/CBC News )The eye's pupil dilates wider at night as the eye tries to gather as much light as possible, making a sudden stab of LED light all the more painful.Singh said a lot of customers complain about it."If there were a regulation on how bright a light can be, I think that would definitely be helpful. I think some of the aftermarket lights can be even more dangerous because they are not properly calibrated. The ones that come directly from the manufacturer, I think they are thinking about it, but the aftermarket ones are really bright."Until Canada rolls out more regulations, drivers are left squinting or shelling out for anti-glare lenses, to try to cut down on excess of brightness on the road.ABOUT THE AUTHORYvette BrendCBC journalist Yvette Brend works in Vancouver on all CBC platforms. Her investigative work has spanned floods, fires, cryptocurrency deaths, police shootings and infection control in hospitals. My husband came home a stranger, an intimate look at PTSD, won CBC's first Jack Webster City Mike Award. A multi-platform look at opioid abuse survivors won a Gabriel Award in 2024. Got a tip? Yvette.Brend@cbc.ca You can follow Yvette Brend on Twitter hereRelated Stories

2024 Reckoning2024 was a stellar year for games, whether you wanted to hang out with shooty McSpace fascists, or fall in love with gamings most eclectic mix of genres2024 may not immediately feel like it brought us gigantic, industry-shattering releases, but looking back, almost every month had a gem of a game.Image credit: VG247 Article by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Published on Dec. 25, 2024 2024 has been a year of massive, perhaps irreversible change for the games industry. The games media space, which has employed me for over a decade, has itself fallen on the hardest times Id ever witnessed.You simply couldnt exist in/around the industry without the layoffs, studio closures, website shutterings, and game cancellations having some effect on your psyche or your gaming habits. And though I know Ive played fewer games in 2024 than I may have ever done in recent memory, I still found enjoyment in several, and I want to highlight a couple of my favourites here.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Youre hopefully familiar with the VG247 format by now, but if this is somehow the only GOTY piece youre reading from the site (or first?), Im going to talk about three games that I consider to be the high points of 2024. Only one of which is the ultimate Game of the Year, whatever value that may hold.No Rest for the Wicked To the Moon (Studios). | Image credit: Moon Studios, Private DivisionI am genuinely quite surprised I havent seen much talk about No Rest for the Wicked in the end-of-year discourse. Its not been nominated for any Keighleys, and It almost feels as if many of us dont know it exists. Considering its studio pedigree alone, that is quite surprising.No Rest for the Wicked is the new release from the Ori games Moon Studios, and its easily the teams most ambitious undertaking ever. This is a game that flirts with different genres and does the work to make each of them work within the context of its world. Its part ARPG, isometric action game with Soulslike elements, a light town management sim, a survival/crafting game, and there was even room for a loot element. Somehow, it also manages to deliver easily some of the most compelling character work of 2024.Though things have been improved since, the initial launch had a scattering of ideas, many of which couldnt quite find harmony in the (admittedly difficult) genre medley Moon is going for. This is an early access release, so some of that is to be expected. But no matter how unsuccessful some of these ideas were, you came to No Rest for the Wicked to bask in its gloriously grim art, feel the heft of one of the most satisfying combat systems in any game, and be immersed in the goings-on of your hamlets denizens in between dungeon delves.No Rest for the Wicked is a game thats hard to quickly pitch to someone, regardless of how long that elevator ride is. If you havent heard/seen much of it, its best to get into it blind, because youre going to be taken aback by its depth and clever blend of genres. I can tell you this, however, its probably not what you think it is.Dragons Dogma 2 Riddle me this. | Image credit: CapcomIf I were to be an ostentatious games media asshole, Id probably make a grand declaration that the feeling Dragons Dogma 2 is going for, above all else, is to be a reflection of the real worlds inexlipcable frustrations. Ive already wrote that one of the most attractive things about it is how little it cares about creating a "video game-y" experience, in the traditional sense - so you could say that I already have!Dragons Dogma 2 is not a game thats willing to meet you halfway. Its a game that wants to deliver a specific kind of unforgiving experience, both in its challenging combat as well as the oodles of missable content its world hides. Its so eager to abandon many standard video game conventions in the pursuit of a really specefic experience.If you played the first game, the sequel is almost exactly the same game. In fact, the 2 in the title doesnt appear until youre into the post-game. Its almost an admission on the part of Capcom that there may no be nowhere else to go, no other limits to push. I wish other 2024 releases - and real life BS - didnt cause me to fall off, but Ill always be fond of how it made me feel as I played it, and long after I was done creeping up on some big fellas to chip away at their gigantic health bars.Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 The eyes have it. | Image credit: Saber Interactive, Focus EntertainmentIn a year as fraught with layoffs and unprecedented uncertainty about job security, is it any wonder that simple game from a bygone era is the sort of thing that stuck out the most to me in 2024? Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 really is an uncomplicated game whose whole schtick can be summarised in one sentence, and everyone reading that would know exactly the kind of experience theyre in for. Its been called the best Xbox 360 game of 2024 for a reason.Space Marine 2 is obviously more than a lost record from a bygone era; its a confident, incredibly competent game that doesnt promise much, but delivers on its premise as often as youd expect, and like it to. Theres a really nice balance between standard shooting and melee combat. Its done so well, in fact, youd have to wonder if more games should copy it. The campaign is short enough that, on a first playthrough, you may not always notice any of its shortcomings. Theres just enough panache and production value to distract you. Multiplayer replicates the simplicity of all those lost multiplayer modes from the many, many Xbox 360 games that didnt need them, but had them anyway. And co-op, well, it exists as a fairly compelling reason to explore a side of the narrative the main campaign doesnt cover.Like many games from that era, however, theres a lot to criticise here, too. The narrative is entirely straightfaced, and isnt remotely interested in challenging the fascist underpinnings of its fiction in any way. In fact, anyone unfamiliar with the source material would rightly assume Space Marines are the heroes of this story, because of the way theyre portrayed. Even aside from its narrative challenges, Space Marine 2s gameplay sequence are often safe, without much in the way of encounter design or mechanical innovation. Theres decent variety, but again, you sort of wish it had just a little bit more.While that is consistent of its character as an old game, it leaves a lot of room for experimentation. More than anything, it makes me look forward to the inevitable sequel even more. Think of all the growth! I just hope it doesnt take 13 years to come out!

Image: Gemma Smith / Nintendo LifeHo ho holy moly, it's Christmas already!?Welcome, welcome - come on in and take the weight off! Grab a mug of warm cocoa, pull up a chair, and join us as we open up the Nintendo Life Mailbox for the holidays.Got something you want to get off your chest? We're ready and waiting to read about your game-related ponderings, musings, and high/low-falutin ideas. And drawings! We'd love to see some hand-drawn, wholesome Nintendo-related art, so feel free to snap a pic and send it our way.Each month well highlight a Star Letter, the writer of which will receive a months subscription to our ad-free Supporter scheme. Check out the submission guidelines at the bottom of this page.Okay, the mood is right, spirit's up. Let's crack on.Nintendo Life Mailbox - December 2024Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life"I would" (***STAR LETTER***)I have been a fan of Nintendo games and consoles for a while now, and while I like pretty much all of them (save for the Virtual Boy of which I have never played) I believe they still haven't made a better piece of hardware than the DSi XL. Not only does it play the incredible DS lineup of games (one of Nintendo's best imo) in great quality on the sharp screen, but it also alongside the normal DSI introduced DSiWare, which I think was great.If Nintendo ever makes another dedicated handheld, would you like them to revisit smaller and cheaper digital games? I would.CaseySwitch could easily host more smaller-scale games like Jump Rope Challenge and it would be fantastic to see Nintendo get back into publishing experimental things in the $2-8 range. The eShop is full to the brim with quality games for that price, but a little more first-party variety is always welcome. Nintendo's fairly good in that department certainly better than the other platform holders but I'd love to see internal teams putting out inventive, micro-scale games.The DSi XL is a lovely bit of kit. You can play those games on a 3DS XL, but you're missing out on the sharpest possible pixels that way, and I like my pixels crispy. I got a Wine Red one with a temperamental cart slot a few years ago, but I'd love a mint yellow or green DSi.Pricey these days! - Ed."love to hate"Why does everyone get so hyped for remasters? People love to hate on copy / paste sequels (another full priced sports game but with a different roster!) but happily buy the exact same game but with slightly better graphics.KeithRemasters appeal in the same way I'd be interested in the 4K version of a film I watched to death on VHS. It's not just a roster update, it's a new way to view an old favourite. Metroid Prime Remastered? It's like Singin' in the Rain in UHD, Keith. Maximum def, colour, hype.For me, it's more often a chance to catch up on something I missed with a few mod cons. I could dig out my DS and get hold of a copy of Ghost Trick but having it on Switch is far more convenient. If a remaster sands off some rough edges, all the better. - Ed."I'm laughin' at clouds so dark up above..." Image: Nintendo"playing those Rhythm games"Dear NintendolifeI wonder if some of Nintendolife staff have interest with Rhythm Games Arcade such as Dance Dance Revolution, Beatmania IIDX, Sound Voltex, MaiMai Deluxe by SEGA, etc.Those Rhythm games are very popular in Japan and other Asia countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.I don't see a lot of users on Nintendolife have any interest to talk or playing those Rhythm games on Arcade except me myself. From: Anti-MatterFrom my British perspective, it's less a lack of interest than of access. Outside the big cities, UK arcades (or my experience of them) were much less varied and exciting than in other countries. Growing up, I might see a Time Crisis, a House of the Dead, or a Daytona but that was about it.Arcades in major cities had the latest and greatest, but a DDR unit crammed in amongst the 2p machines on the end of the pier would have been an event. Perhaps that's a factor that affects the conversation around these parts. We could all do with more DDR in our lives! - Ed."breakdown and understand"Heyo!Are there any musicians on the NL team? As a musician and VGM artist myself, a huge part of how I enjoy video games is using my musical knowledge to breakdown and understand what makes the soundtracks and sound design sound so good.I think a basic understanding of how music works is essential to truly enjoying all the aspects of a game soundtrack.What are some of your favorite game soundtracks and why?Keep on grooving!MetaCrystalI noodle on the guitar for my own satisfaction, and I think Ollie's got an axe or two. By far the most accomplished musician on staff is Felix from our video team. He plays several instruments, composes his own pieces, the works.Everyone except Jim ("Does Guitar Hero count?") is off being holly and jolly, but as for me, Grant Kirkhope's Banjo-Kazooie soundtrack has a joyful, bouncing, fairytale vibe that I associate with gaming like no other. It's a very specific sound from a huge palette of video game audio, but that's the one I always go back to when someone asks for my favourite.In terms of this year, we might have a soundtrack feature coming soon, if it comes together. Watch this space. (And also, if you missed it, check out our NL VGMFest from a few years back - it would be nice if more people read some of those!) - Ed. A mini-season of musical magicSubscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube789k"a GIF of Frozone saying 'I need to know!'"We Wish You a Merry Christmas!We Wish You a Merry Christmas!We Wish You a Merry Christmas,And a Happy New Year!That said, what do *you guys* wish? For a Switch 2 announcement on New Years Eve? For a new FZero game? [Should this be published, please replace this text with a GIF of Frozone saying "I need to know!"]CaleBoi25Merry Christmas, Caleboi! I wish for an ignominious end to the AI grift, a marked increase in respect and recompense for workers throughout the gaming industry, and a Switch 2 announcement so we can just bloody well crack on with it!Hmm, that came across a bit grouchy on this celebratory day. Oh, and let's have a Rhythm Heaven game while we're at it. - Ed.Bonus Letters"Dr Mario 64 was the best party game ever. Any chance we see an updated 4+ version of that game return?" - Brian HoughLet's say... sure! I've never been a big Dr Mario fan myself, although I own that one as part of Nintendo Puzzle Collection. Speaking of parties, I'm not a Mario Party fan, either.I do like some Mario games, I promise! Just, you know, the good ones. - Ed.Would you be ok if Prime 4 has voice acting for Sylux, Samus, etc. as well as having a powerful story? - Marshall GordeukYes, I would be okay with that. Make it so. - Ed."And another thing. Liza from Charicific Valley in Johto gets a new voice actor. It will be Erica Lindbeck." - Scottdevine53Does Erica know? - Ed."If Sportsmate are a thing in Nintendo Switch Sports, what happened if Sakurai add Smashmate as an answer to Mii Fighters in Super Smash Brothers?" - PluckTheDragonAaaaand on that note, it's time to call it a year! - Ed.Image: NintendoThat's all for this month! Thanks to everyone who wrote in, whether you were featured above or not.Got something you'd like to get off your chest? A burning question you need answered? A correction you can't contain? Follow the instructions below, then, and we look forward to rifling through your missives.Nintendo Life Mailbox submission advice and guidelinesLetters, not essays, please - Bear in mind that your letter may appear on the site, and 1000 words ruminating on the Layton series and asking Jim for his personal ranking isn't likely to make the cut. Short and sweet is the order of the day. (If you're after a general guide, 100-200 words would be ample for most topics.)Don't go crazy with multiple correspondences - Ideally, just the one letter a month, please!Don't be disheartened if your letter doesn't appear in the monthly article - We anticipate a substantial inbox, and we'll only be able to highlight a handful every month. So if your particular letter isn't chosen for the article, please don't get disheartened!How to send a Letter to the Nintendo Life MailboxHead to Nintendo Life's Contact page and select the subject "Reader Letters" from the drop-down menu (it's already done for you in the link above). Type your name, email, and beautifully crafted letter into the appropriate box, hit send, and boom you're done! Advert FreeShare:00 Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy. 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Ping-PongNintendo Life: How are things going for Atari since the recent acquisitions of Nightdive Studios and Digital Eclipse?Wade Rosen: The acquisitions have been great. I live in Minnesota, but I'm currently out in Emeryville in the Digital Eclipse basement, so I have all these arcade cabinets around me. I'm close with Mike [Mika, President of Digital Eclipse] and the whole team, they're just wonderful.The acquisitions are interesting; I'm sure it seems like since coming on board, people are like "Oh he's just an acquisition guy", but I'm actually not a big believer in acquisitions, holistically. I think buying IP and things like that is different, but buying operating companies is challenging. If you don't do it right, it gets really ugly. This is testament to how much I believe in Nightdive and Digital Eclipse and how great those teams are. We're super happy with how the acquisitions have gone so far.The industry got to a point where it was just growth for the sake of growth rather than thinking "How does this help us as an organisation and help us achieve the unique, special thing that we want to do"We definitely have a "one brick at a time" kind of mentality these days. We're not looking for moonshots that might suddenly turn us into the next Epic [Games] or something - no. We just try to wake up and make good decisions, and the folks over at Nightdive and Digital Eclipse are the exact same; how many great games have they made? Similar to us, they just strive every day to put out cool and interesting work.Sure, you see where things have perhaps gone wrong with a company like Embracer, but Atari's acquisitions certainly made sense on paper.Yeah, we had already worked together, so both felt like very natural, symbiotic relationships. I will say that people also don't give Embracer enough credit. It was a small Swedish gaming company, just Nordic, for a long time. Embracer has done some of the best acquisitions in the industry and then probably took that and ran with it a little bit too much. They wouldn't have even been in the position they were in if they hadn't acquired the likes of THQ, PlayOn, or Saber. They don't look back on those with regret, but sometimes when you get really good at something, you become a hammer and everything's a nail, and that then becomes the only way to grow. (Note: Since this interview, reports have emerged that Embracer is selling Saber Interactive to a group of private investors.)There's a time and a place for it. The industry got to a point where it was just growth for the sake of growth rather than thinking "How does this help us as an organisation and help us achieve the unique, special thing that we want to do". The only company that really resisted that and avoided it was Nintendo, and that's because it never loses sight of what makes it special and unique. We're certainly not Nintendo, but I do think we try to focus on what makes us unique. The goal isn't growth through acquisitions, but if there's a company that is a strong strategic fit and we all get along really well, then sure, it makes sense.Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Image: Nintendo Life / AtariWith Digital Eclipse specifically, it was mentioned that the team was still free to work on its own projects and collaborations. Are there any potential complications that could arise if it wanted to work with, say, Konami or Capcom?Definitely not, and we actually welcome that. I can't share anything specific right now, but we'll hopefully have more great projects that we can share in the near future with partners of that caliber. So far we haven't run into conflicts with anything, and in fact it may even open up opportunities. So for example we, Digital Eclipse, and Nightdive might be working with the same partner, but we can now have discussions as a single group rather than three separate companies trying to do their own projects, and I think that's more exciting for the partner in question.I think a lot of people weren't quite sure we'd allow Digital Eclipse to keep doing that, but that's absolutely the intent. Are we working together on Atari projects? Yeah, naturally, but that's only a fraction of the things that Digital Eclipse and Nightdive are working on. And they'll actually come to us with projects that they'd like to push forward on, and oftentimes it could be a surprising IP that we think is worth investigating. It'll simply be more of what people love from those teams, but unrestrained from some of the things that might hold back smaller companies.Looking back on what Digital Eclipse achieved with Atari 50, do you have any dream collaborations that you'd like to see them tackle in the future?I do, sure, some I can name and some I can't, but I'll name some of the ones that I can. I'm a big Sega fan - the Sega Saturn specifically - so I'd love to see a Panzer Dragoon Collection. Those games are so cool and beautiful so I'd would love to see those. I actually just bought a copy of Panzer Dragoon II Zwei this weekend. So I'm looking forward to digging back into that. Ogre Battle series would be another one, and possibly Final Fantasy.I think it would be really cool to do a retrospective on Iwata, looking at his life and career.Nintendo is the number one though, right? That would be incredible. It would be a tough one to crack, but if anything and everything was open, breaking down Mario or Zelda would be great. Satoru Iwata developed a bunch of games in his time, and with Digital Eclipse's Gold Master Series, we don't just look at game series and developers, but also sole creators like Jeff Minter. I think it would be really cool to do a retrospective on Iwata, looking at his life and career. Who knows, right?Atari 50 did so well because I think at this point gaming history is not just about the games, it's about everything around it and the influence and effects that came as a result.Congratulations on the launch of qomp2. Can you talk about how this project came about?Thank you, yeah it's a great game. I loved the first qomp, so of course I was eager to bring it back and expose more people to it. The concept of a ball having a kind of existential crisis is kinda cool. It's funny, we thought a lot about what would be a fun kind of sequel to Pong; "should it be a buddy cop drama", things like that. But then I played qomp and I was like, wow, this isn't a sequel as such but it's an iteration of it and it's beautiful in its own right.We got the full support of the original developer of qomp, who is no longer in the business of creating games, but he was really helpful in developing the sequel, so the folks over at Graphite Lab took on the project and have done a wonderful job with it.qomp2 Image: Nintendo Life / AtariAtari has partnered with Graphite Lab on Kombinera, Mr. Run and Jump, and now qomp2. What is it about this studio that makes it such a great fit for Atari?First of all, how they operate is very similar to us, I think that's the main thing, we get along very well and we have shared values. The second thing is that a lot of their games are focused on core loops that are simple, but really tight and fun. You look at a game like Mr. Run and Jump, it's literally in the name. That one actually came to us as a 2600 game, they wrote it in classic 2600 fashion, and it's just a great run-and-jump game. So we started to talk about how cool it would be to have a simultaneous release on modern consoles; something like that had never been done before, right? So with that one, it was about taking that core loop, adding in beautiful aesthetics, and expanding on that.All of their games have that solid core foundation; they're not heavily narrative-driven or anything, but they have a simple, fun core loop. Ultimately, that's an Atari game. You can pick it up and learn it in about five seconds; you don't know why you're shooting centipedes, but you're blasting them and it feels good. All of Graphite Lab's games feel good to play, and like classic Atari games, the only barrier to progress is your own skill level, and that's Graphite Lab down to a T.Atari has put out a growing number of games in the 'Recharged' line. How do you decide which franchise gets the Recharged treatment and which should get its own, standalone game?So the Recharged line is pure, co-op arcadey action - that's kind of what we're going for. So just because the game's in Recharged doesn't mean it won't get a larger release. You know, something like Centipede or Asteroids or Berserk probably deserve larger releases. In a way, it's less about the individual games and more so looking at it as a set, kind of like a catalogue. So that's how we look at that, and of course, we'll continue to build it out and add more games. It's sort of a way to play the originals, but the key thing that's missing is that co-op play. So when I play something like Centipede, I always feel like I want to play it with a friend. A look at Atari's lineup of neo-retro revivalsI think the reason why, for example, Lunar Lander Beyond exists is just because we like Dreams Uncorporated [developer of Cris Tales] so much and they came and pitched us a great game. They've done really great work and they were really passionate about this. We always consider what the developer itself wants; if we went to a team and assigned them a specific project from our end, it would never work, it would be awful. So with that one and some of the other larger games we have coming out this year, they're oftentimes more narratively driven. It fleshes out the larger Atari universe, yet still retains the original classic gameplay. Yars: Recharged Image: Nintendo Life / AtariOne game that we've noticed hasn't really been touched yet is Adventure. Is there any desire at Atari to revisit that one?Oh, absolutely yeah. Without going into too many details, I think Adventure is a good example of a game that could be examined by Digital Eclipse because there's a lot of historical precedent around that and a really interesting story. It's also just a great brand, and it's something that could well be brought back in a similar way to Lunar Lander. Maybe we could bring it out as a game that is much more contemporary but still taps into a lot of those classic roots. So we're looking at both paths with Adventure and hopefully, there'll be more to share on that front.I think the reason there hasn't been another Adventure game so far is because it would have to be pretty unique. You know, something like a Gold Master Series entry could stand on its own, but as far as a modern Adventure game, how would it stand out from something like The Legend of Zelda or Dragon's Dogma? So there are a lot of questions around that, and we'll need to approach it in a way that is different and something that only we can do better than anyone else.Adventure (Atari 50) Image: Nintendo Life / AtariSpeaking of Zelda, we're now in the seventh year of the Nintendo Switch's lifecycle. Can you give your thoughts on the system and how fundamental it's been to Atari over the years?Yeah the Switch has been huge for us. You know, in terms of the importance of platforms, it's either the top or near the top. What's great about the Switch for us is that it lends itself really well to a game like qomp2, where you can pick it up, put it down, and pick it up again; it's perfect for those shorter play sessions and I know when I travel, my kids can play multiplayer on the Switch without having to dock it to a television. So I really cherish stuff like that.I think Adventure is a good example of a game that could be examined by Digital Eclipse because there's a lot of historical precedent around that and a really interesting story.It sounds funny, but when I picked it up for the first time, it reminded me of one of my favourite consoles of all time, the PSP. I was living in Europe at the time and I didn't have a television, so the PSP was my gaming outlet. It was such a huge generational leap over something like the Game Boy Advance and they made a tonne of great PS1 remasters. So I loved it and I'd never recaptured that feeling again until the Switch. It's like lightning in a bottle and Nintendo's got that niche carved up and they own it. I can't wait to see what they do next and, of course, we'll continue to support it wherever we can.Atari itself is in the hardware space too with the Atari 2600+ and the upcoming Atari 400 Mini. Did you take any influence from Nintendo's NES or SNES Classic with those?I'll touch on the 400 first because I think that one is the most similar. Our partner is Retro Games and they had done the C64 Mini. So that was more of a jumping-off point with the C64 being the natural competitor to the Atari 400. So we looked at that and said "What works? What doesn't? How do we expand on something like this and make it grow". So that was more of the genesis behind that, but the NES and SNES Classics were both amazing and the key takeaways there were from the UI, which was just really cool and intuitive.With the 2600+, that one is quite different in the sense that you're playing old cartridges. The plug and plays existed, but there hadn't been a way to play old carts. When I came on board at Atari, the one question we asked was "What can we do better than anyone else?", and the answer was retro games. So as someone who loves classic games, it always bothered me that companies look upon older consoles as these kinds of dead ecosystems. But they're not; people continue to make games for them, and oftentimes, some of the best games ever made are done after the console's official lifetime.You can of course find ways to play the older consoles, but it's often a pain. So the Atari 2600+ is for all the people who were approaching me and saying that they have a bunch of old Atari carts in the attic and they needed an easy way to play them. So that was the goal there, but it's also for people who may have played games when they were younger, but perhaps haven't touched them in a decade or two.Atari 2600+ Image: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life Home-brewing a winnerThis interview has been lightly edited for clarity.Huge thanks go to Wade Rosen and David Lowey at Atari for joining us, along with Brett Buren at berStrategist for assisting in arranging the interview.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:07 Nintendo Lifes resident horror fanatic, when hes not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. 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AMD has its work cut out for it at CES 2025. Competitor Nvidia has been sucking the oxygen out of every room it graces, as the chipmaker remains at the forefront of the AI boom. So, how will AMD compete with Nvidias reported RTX 5000 announcement? The company should show of its own next-gen GPU.As part of an ongoing rebrand, the RDNA 4 cards could arrive as either the RX 8000 or RX 9000 series. Regardless of the name and number the company lands on, AMD has its work cut out for it at this years show.The presser kicks off on the early side at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET on January 6. The company explains, AMD senior vice president and general manager of the Computing and Graphics Group Jack Huynh, along with other AMD executives will be joined by partners and customers to discuss how AMD is expanding its leadership across PCs and gaming, and highlight the breadth of the companys high-performance computing and AI product portfolio.The event will be streamed over on YouTube.

Published December 25, 2024 10:00am EST close A Google Maps trick that can supercharge your ability to navigate directions Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shows how to save, view, remove and organize routes on Google Maps using simple steps. Google is rolling out significant changes to its Maps Timeline feature, which tracks your location history. As part of this update, you will soon receive notifications that your Timeline data will be automatically deleted after a specific deadline unless you take action to back it up. This transition represents a shift towards enhanced privacy as Google plans to store Timeline data locally on your device instead of on its servers. While this change aims to protect your data from unauthorized access, it also means that any unbacked location history may be permanently lost. Google Maps (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Whats changing with Google Maps Timeline?Google Maps' location-tracking feature, known as Timeline, is undergoing a major update. Previously, Google announced plans to shift this data to local storage. Now, the company is sending out emails alerting you to this upcoming change.Google will start deleting the last three months of Timeline data unless you take action. While this shift to local storage offers more privacy for those concerned about sharing location data with Google, it also means that if you dont act, your past location history may be permanently lost.After receiving the notification, you will have about six months to save or transfer your Timeline data before its deleted. The email will be sent by "Google Location History," with the subject line: "Keep your Timeline? Decide by [date]."Keep in mind that not everyone has received these notifications yet, so theres no immediate rush. But once you get the email, you'll have a six-month window to decide. A man using Google Maps on his phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Why save your Timeline data?There are several compelling reasons why users may want to save their Google Maps Timeline data.Personal memories:The Timeline feature allows you to revisit past trips and experiences, serving as a digital diary of places visited and routes taken. For many, these memories are valuable and worth preserving.Travel planning: Accessing historical location data can aid in future travel planning. You can analyze previous trips to make informed decisions about destinations, accommodations and activities based on past experiences.Safety and security: Keeping a record of locations visited can be beneficial for personal safety. In case of emergencies or disputes, having a detailed history of movements can provide crucial information.Data ownership:With the shift to local storage, you have greater control over your data. Saving this information ensures that it remains accessible and private without relying on cloud services that may be vulnerable to breaches.Avoiding loss:Google has indicated that any unbacked location history will be deleted after the transition. Those of you who wish to retain your data must act promptly to prevent permanent loss.How to back up your location historyIf you've received the above email or simply want to make sure your Timeline data is preserved, heres what you can do:1) Googles Timeline export tool:Visittakeout.google.comDeselect all options except forLocation History (Timeline)ClickNext StepChooseCreate Export. Youll receive a backup of your data and see this note at the bottom of the screen, "Google is creating a copy of data from Location History (Timeline)." This process can take a long time (possibly hours or days) to complete. You'll receive an email when your export is done.2) Google is rolling out a feature that allows you to export your Timeline data directly from your devices. To use it:On your phone or tablet:Open the Google Maps appTap yourprofile picture or initial in the top right corner.SelectYour TimelineTap thethree dots in the top right corner.SelectLocation & privacy settingScroll down and tapExport Timeline dataYou will likely be presented with various options for exporting your data, such as sharing via email, messaging apps or saving to a cloud service. Select the method that suits your needs best. 1) If you choose to share via email, tap on the email option, and it will open your email app with the exported data attached. Enter the recipient's email address and send it. 2) If you select amessaging app, follow the prompts to send the file through that app.On your computer:Go to Google Maps in your web browserClick the threehorizontal lines in the upper left corner of the screenSelectSavedClick theMaps tab.Scroll down and click Create a mapTapCreateIn the new window, click Import to upload your exported data.Keep in mind that this backup will be specific to that device, so you may need to repeat the process on other devices you use.Note:Some users have reported their data being deleted even after they requested not to lose anything. To avoid this, we recommend regularly backing up your Timeline data. Google reminder email (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)More ways to stay privateWhile this update may help you avoid sharing location data with Google, it's important to remember that Google collects personal data in other ways as well. Here are some additional steps you can take to protect your privacy.1) Turn off location data on Google: This prevents Google Photos from estimating where your photo was taken. Heres how to do it.On your phone or tablet:Open yourGoogle Photos appClick yourprofile iconin the top right corner of the screenSelectGoogle Photos settingsClickPrivacyClickLocation optionsToggle off next to where it saysEstimate missing locations.This will prevent Google Photos from estimating where your photos were taken based on location history data.2) Disable facial recognition: Sharing your facial data with Google puts you at risk of the company collecting information without your consent, potentially sharing it with third parties and using it in ways you may not be aware of. Heres how to turn it off.OpenGoogle Photos on your phoneTap yourprofile icon in the top right cornerGo toGoogle Photos settings and selectClickPrivacyDisable Face Grouping by toggling off next to where it saysFace Groups3) Delete your YouTube history:Google tracks your YouTube viewing history and suggests videos based on your past activity. While this can be convenient for discovering similar content, it can also feel like an intrusion on your privacy. Heres how to end it.On desktop:Go toYouTube.comSign in to your YouTube accountClick yourProfile icon in the top right cornerClick Your Data in YouTubeClickManage your YouTube Seach HistoryClickDelete, then clickDelete all timeIt will ask you to confirm your decision by clicking DeleteThen clickGot itOn mobile:Open theYouTube appon your phoneTap yourprofile icon in the bottom right cornerGo toSettings in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and give it a tapSelectHistory & PrivacyTapClear Watch HistoryConfirm your decision by clickingClear watch historyYou get a pop-up notice that your watch historyhas been cleared YouTube history example (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)4) Use a VPN:A virtual private network (VPN) can significantly enhance your privacy when using Google Maps and other online services. Here's how it helps:Masks your IP address: A VPN hides your real IP address, making it harder for Google to track your physical location.Encrypts your data:VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, protecting your data from potential eavesdroppers.Bypasses geo-restrictions:You can access Google Maps and other services as if you're in a different location, potentially avoiding location-based tracking.To use a VPN with Google Maps:Choose areputable VPNservice providerInstall the VPN appon your deviceConnect to a VPN serverbefore opening Google MapsUseGoogle Maps as usual, with added privacy protectionImportant caveat:While using a VPN can enhance your privacy, it may interfere with Google Maps ability to provide accurate directions. This is because a VPN may route your connection through a server in a different location, causing the app to misidentify your current position. If you need precise navigation or directions from your current location, consider temporarily disabling the VPN while using Google Maps to ensure accurate results.Pro tip: For maximum privacy, combine the use of a VPN with Google Maps incognito mode. This ensures that your searches and location data arent tied to your Google account, providing an added layer of anonymity.Recommended VPN Services:To find the best VPNs that work across devices like Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, check out my expert reviews of top VPN software. These reviews highlight options that prioritize privacy, speed and reliability.Kurt's key takeawaysGoogles decision to delete location history after three months is a big move toward giving you more control over your data and offering improved privacy by storing information locally. As privacy concerns grow, it's encouraging to see companies like Google take steps toward greater transparency and user choice.What other Google privacy concerns do you have?Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Why you need a new email address in 2025NurPhoto via Getty ImagesRepublished on December 25 with the implications of responses to a new U.S. government warning and advice on staying safe on Gmail and changing your email address in 2025.Your inbox is under attack. The FBI has issued yet another warning ahead of the holidays, highlighting an alarming surge in email and website threats, just as multiple cyber reports claim this is the most dangerous holiday season yet. Even though Google blocks more than 99.9% of spam, phishing and malware in Gmail, its not enough. But now change is on the way. And for Gmails 2.5 billion users, 2025 looks like being the year your email address should finally change.With more than 2.5 billion users, Gmail, the worlds largest email provider, is now deploying ground-breaking AI models [to] significantly strengthen Gmail cyber-defenses, including a new LLM trained on phishing, malware and spam. But as McAfee has just warned, that AI revolution works both ways. As AI continues to mature and become increasingly accessible, cybercriminals are using it to create scams that are more convincing, personalized, and harder to detect.Email remains an appallingly basic technology. Despite all its advances, the core architecture remains the same. Anyone can access anyone elses inbox with just an email address. Those addresses are basically given away for freeharvested, leaked, stored, searchable. This month, Mailmodo says, spam messages [will] account for more than 46.8% of email traffic.This is why enterprises are looking for new solutionsTeams, Slack, even instant messaging platforms. because even with all the advances and the outside sender and untrusted sender warnings, too many emails get through.The answer is to restore some semblance of address security and not give away real email addresses like confettia situation made worse given email address are often a primary user credential alongside passwords to log into sites and services. Apple has tried to address this with Hide My Email, to keep your personal email address private... you can generate unique, random email addresses that forward to your personal email account, so you dont have to share your real email address when filling out forms or signing up for newsletters on the web, or when sending email.MORE FOR YOUAnd as I reported in November, Google is developing something similar for Gmail. Discovered by Android Authority in an Android APK teardown, Shielded Email consists of a system to create single-use or limited-use email aliases that will forward messages along to your primary account.This is a major step forwards and you should make use of this when it arrivesas should Apple users now. Just look at one warning issued to marketeers when Hide My Email was released: Now users can create a limitless number of fake addresses they dont even check, dramatically reducing engagement. And, worse still, they can easily deactivate them without affecting their primary email, meaning marketing databases could be full of dead addresses. This is important because a low deliverability rate can affect sender reputation, meaning your carefully crafted campaign ends up in spam.While Google assures that by spotting patterns and responding rapidly, [its Gmail] LLM alone blocks 20% more spam than before and reviews 1,000 times more user-reported spam daily, the threat will get worse again in 2025. McAfee says that AI is giving cybercriminals the ability to easily create more personalized and convincing emails and messages that look like theyre from trusted sources, such as banks, employers, or even family members. They can craft these scams quickly and with precision, making them more difficult to detect and increasing their success rate. As AI tools become more accessible, these types of attacks are expected to grow in sophistication and frequency.Email must changeand not just by improving central screening technologies. We need a radically different approach to include the following:On-device AI to flag spam and malicious email that has made it through central screening to inboxes. Too many emails still make it though, even though the actual email address and the presentational sender address dont match, with the latter a clear impersonation. How is it possible in 2024 that my inbox contains emails from Apple Support or X verification, when the senders have random email addresses such as sayio[at]hosai.co.jp.A better opt-in, known sender solutionmimicking secure messaging. Even the differentiation of trusted and unknown senders is too basic. There needs to be better deployment of AI or an easy-button for user to opt into a trusted discussion and advocate for a sender.Rather than upping the ante centrally, email security needs to do a better front-end (device-side) job. This is where safe browsing and malware defenses are now heading, making use of new device AI processing. Email needs a complete rethink to do the same.When Elon Musk (again) teased that he may launch an Xmail platform to take on Gmail, the blending of email and messaging featured front and center. The sweet spot is the universal compatibility of email without the mess. When one X post suggested that cutdown approach, Musk responded: Thats exactly what we are going to do.But that opt-in or trusted sender filter remains critical, as its that which opens inboxes to the world and sets email apart from closed messaging alternatives.Gmail isnt the only such challenge facing Google users. The other is RCS, which has been making continual headlines this month following an FBI warning for users to stop sending insecure RCS texts between Androids and iPhones. As Android Police asked on Monday, did RCS messaging open up the spam floodgates?RCS is fast becoming a marketing sensation, just as with email the value is that you can access anyone with just their phone numbers. Theres no real universal marketing filter, and because this is a standard cellular protocol, no-one is really running the show, because its a collective. It then falls to the RCS compliant messaging apps to apply a front-end filterjust as with emailwhich should work but doesntyet.Mobile spam has evolved alongside messaging technology, and RCS may have worsened things, Android Police says, and while email scams were cheaper, easier, and more effective than SMS scams in the past, RCS has changed all that now. The answer, the report says, is that RCS spam can't be eliminated. We can only rely on good security and spam filtering. Unfortunately, thats just like email.This is interesting because it provides a timely parallel to email, pitching the standard (SMS/RCS) with its spam and security challenges with newer (albeit not new) alternatives that take control of the end-to-end experience, and provide a simpler, more secure user experience.And the scale of the RCS spam threat is hugethe risk being that it becomes just like email, making the underlying technology almost unusable as a daily messenger. Last month, Juniper Research reported a 50% year-on-year hike. RCS business messaging traffic will reach 50 billion messages globally in 2025; Apples first full year of support for the technology. This represents a single-year growth from 33 billion in 2024.WhatsApp and other over-the-top messengers are not immune from spam, but its significantly less of a problem. And the platforms can easily police whats sent out and by who, and the controls they provide users to filter this out. Moving from SMS/RCS to an over-the-top is exactly the kind of clean start you can attempt with a clean email address. But its much easier.RCS spam can't be eliminated, Android Police says. We can only rely on good security and spam filtering. Recent advancements in deciphering spam through AI have led to improvements, and there is potential for significant spam reduction in the near future. Fine-tuned large language models (LLM), along with natural language processing (NLP), are positioned to surpass current spam detection systems and will make their way to RCS messaging. There's more to RCS chat than E2EE and spam filtering, so seeing how Google and the GSMA tackle this still-growing problem will be interesting. Again, its just like the tinkering approach to spam on Gmail and the other leading platforms, rather than the fundamental rethink needed.And so, when Musk teases the idea of a new platform that zeroes out the slow evolution to the mess we have today with something that can start with privacy and usability and simplicity in mind, its interesting. In reality we don t need something this drastic, and the transition would be woefully complex.In the meantime, take control. Yes, you need to use Hide My Email or Gmails new Shielded Email as soon as its available to create new addresses. But if you have an email address that has been around for years, then it has become a honey trap for spam and worse. Its time for something new, a primary email address you will better protect through multiple throw-away, masked addresses, without giving that primary address away. You can slowly migrate from one account to the other, and in the meantime use folders, rules and forwarding to capture emails to your old address.Using new email masking technologies is undermined if the primary address they link to has already been extensively harvested, sold and leaked. With 2025 just days away and threats surging, perhaps make email housekeeping one of your New Year resolutions and think about the risks associated with the addresses youre using now.Its an unhelpfully tough environment these days, for regular users to determine right from wrong and to pick the right advice to follow. Just look at the latest advice on X from CISAs Jen Easterly, with a simple set of recommendations to help Americans stay safe as the holidays began: This holiday season, Easterly posted, Lock your devices, avoid public Wi-Fi, keep your accounts secure. Tis the season to stay safe online!A quick scan of the comments below her post tells us all we need to know. Theres nothing simple or straightforward these days. Even simply advice is open to question and criticism. And for non-expert users taking an interest and looking to do the right thing, its easy to become confused.So what approach should you take?Well, on the specifics of Easterlys comments. Public Wi-Fi in regular places is usually okay. But make sure you only access encrypted sites, use a VPN if youre at all concerned, and dont ever break any of the rules around links and downloads. That includes any links or installs from the internet access splash pages that might show up.Keeping devices locked and accounts secure is common sense. And thats the crux for everyone reading this and taking an interest. You will know whether your email address has run its course, whether you find your account tricky to use as you wade through countless spam and frauds hoping not to get caught outremember, they only need to catch you once, you need to catch them every time.We saw the same with the FBIs holiday season warning, which harped back to its phishing advice from a few years ago. The world has changed and the threat landscape is now much worseespecially with AI. But the need to apply common sense and trust your instincts remains the same.In the last few days, Google published its own list of the four steps you can take to stay safeand theyre worth keeping in mind, whether or not you elect to change your address our even to make use of the new Shielded Email feature when its available, likely within the next few months.Gmail has a very high rate of success combating these types of scams, but scammers are persistent. Whether its during the holidays or otherwise, users should follow these golden rules:Slow it down. Scams are often designed to create a sense of urgency, and often use terms like urgent, immediate, deactivate, unauthorized, etc. Take time to ask questions and think it through.Spot check. Do your research to double-check the details of an email. Does what its saying make sense? Can you validate the email address of the sender?Stop! Dont send. No reputable person or agency will ever demand payment or your personal information on the spot.Report it. If you see something suspicious, mark it as spam. Youll be making your Inbox cleaner and helping billions of others too.Google also provides a list of the most common scams targeting its Gmail users. Again, for the sake of ten to fifteen minutes, you should take a read. Its worth keeping it all in mind.This holiday season, Google is drawing attention to three scams in particular:Invoice scams: This method involves scammers sending fake invoices to unsuspecting users, typically trying to solicit phone calls to dispute the charges and using this connection as a way to convince victims to pay them. These scams arent new, but are persistent and incredibly prevalent this holiday season.Celebrity scams: Over the past month, many of the most common scams popping up reference famous people, either pretending to come from the celebrity themself or claiming a given celebrity is endorsing a random product. The associations dont always make much sense, but the goal of these campaigns is to use the association to build trust and trick people into engaging with too good to be true scenarios.Extortion scams: This brand of scam is vicious and scary. Victims receive emails with details on their home address, sometimes even including a picture of the location. There are a few different versions of the messages, but they generally either include threats of physical harm or threats of releasing damaging personal material they say they acquired through a hack.The common denominator is your email address. If a scammer doesnt have it, then they cant email you. A protected primary address and a set of temporary addresses you can disable or redirect resolves this. At which point you needy to ask how does your email address find its way onto their lists. Per EasyDMARC, its pretty obvious where the data comes from:Lists bought from dark web or data providersOpenly available email addresses on social mediaEmail harvesting (using bots to search the internet for standard format email addresses)Social engineering posts and online multiplayer gamesTake a look at that list and ask yourself where your email is currently available and how you can change that. The advice is to be careful where you leave your email address, especially with websites you dont completely know and trust. But in reality, even the websites you trust can seller leak your data. As soon as your email address gets out into the wild, theres no telling where it will end up.And so lets return to that common sense point. Im guessing you are careful where and with who you share your phone number. You likely dont publish it on your public facing social pages or provide it to everyone who asks. But youre still inundated with cold calls. The reason its even worse with email is the scammers dont need to try very hard to find your details and add you to their lists. You much more willingly share a communications address that reaches you directly.Which takes us back to the email address theme for 2025. At some point something needs to change. We need to be mindful of who can contact us and how easily they can do so. With McAfees warning ringing in our earsthat its so much easier now to successfully trick us using AIthat time is now.Yes, its painful to change an email address or open a new Gmail accountits also painful to change a cell number. But if you were being hit by dozens of fraudulent cold calls per week, youd do so.

With the prevalence of long-term monogamous relationships worldwide, jumping from one to another may ... [+] seem like the normbut that doesnt always mean its healthy.gettyIf youve watched the popular 2005 sitcom How I Met Your Mother, you might remember Ted Mosby and his potential date, Maggie Wilks. Maggie was the dream girl-next-door that Ted wanted to date for years, but never got the chance to.She moved from one serious relationship to another, with very short periods of singlehood in between. She eventually entered yet another (and final) relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Adam, before Ted could pursue her.Maggie seemed to be a serial monogamistsomeone who moves from one long-term monogamous relationship to another with very little time for herself in between. Its possible her relationship with Adam was serendipitous, but the question remainsis it healthy to date people for one, two or more years, and then quickly move on to someone else?While there is nothing wrong with enjoying monogamous relationships, it is crucial to be able to function independently without relying on a relationship. But for some, being in a relationship feels more comfortable due to societal expectations or a possible fear of loneliness or abandonment.Here are three signs that you might be a serial monogamist, and why you might need to take some time out for yourself.MORE FOR YOU1. You Are Rarely (If Ever) SingleWhen was the last time you were truly singlewith no relationship, situationship or unresolved feelings for your ex? If these periods in between relationships are rare or fleeting, its possible youre a serial monogamist.Jumping from one relationship to another with little to no time for healing can be a definitive sign that its difficult for you to be single. For instance, If you crave the high that comes from being in love, you may be pursuing relationships for the wrong reasons.Research also shows that many individuals settle for less in their relationships out of a strong fear of being single. This can trap them in unhappy, stagnant or even harmful relationship dynamics.If this sounds familiar, ask yourself if you would be truly comfortable being by yourself and not dating for at least a year. If the answer is no, you may need to reflect on what singlehood means to you, with curiosity and self-compassion.Ask yourself, what specifically makes you anxious about being alone? Do you tend to overthink, fear the future or look down on yourself? These answers bring you one step closer to being kinder to yourself and learning to embrace time alone.2. You Dont Take The Time To Truly Heal From HeartbreakImagine dating someone who just got out of a relationship. Theres a good chance they might bring up their ex in conversations, even unintentionally, which could make you uncomfortable. Hearing about a partners past can often lead to feelings of comparison and inadequacy.While its important to keep an open mind when discussing past relationships, if youre the one constantly bringing up your past with someone new, it may indicate youre still emotionally attached to your ex. This can hinder the development of emotional intimacy and trust in your current relationship.When we dont fully understand how our life experiences, traumas, previous relationships and families influence us, the way we show up in romantic partnerships will likely be a continuation of whatever role we played in those previous relationships, says Moe Ari Brown, LMFT, therapist and Hinges Love and Connection expert.If youve ever wondered why Maggie from How I Met Your Mother was a serial monogamist, its possible that she was playing the same role in every relationship. Without much time to explore her own hobbies, interests and needs between relationships, she couldnt break the cycle.If youre trying to heal from a past relationship, its crucial to acknowledge your emotions and focus on self-care. Take time to rediscover your hobbies, pursue new goals and reconnect with loved ones. These steps will help you rebuild your sense of self and ensure youre entering your next relationship from a place of emotional wholeness.3. You Find Yourself Overly Romanticizing LoveWhen someone begins to fall in love, it can activate reward systems in the brain, which is why love has been scientifically likened to an addictive drug. Humans are naturally wired to enjoy feelings of love and affection, but for some, these feelings can extend beyond a healthy interest in relationships. When this happens, it is referred to as love addiction.Consequently, serial monogamists often seek fulfillment through romantic relationships, idolizing romantic love to the point where it involves excessive and unrealistic expectations. This means placing romantic attachments on a pedestal and believing that love is the ultimate source of happiness. This can lead to constantly seeking out relationships that they believe will finally meet their expectations, while leaving no room for healthy conflict or personal growth in the process.However, this mindset is dangerous, as it often sets you up for constant disappointment and lowers your commitment to making a relationship work. Even the healthiest relationships have flaws, and accepting this is crucial to making love last.One way to counter this pattern is by taking an extended break from the dating scene. Stepping away from the cycle of romantic relationships allows you to reset, reflect and focus on building a healthier relationship with yourself, and form a more balanced perception of what relationships with others should look like.Some people naturally gravitate toward long-term relationships without ever spending much time on their own. Serial monogamy is not inherently harmful, but it becomes a problem when it prevents you from exploring your own individuality or healing from past experiences.If you recognize these signs in your own dating experiences, it may be wise to take a step back before you jump back in. Ultimately, the goal is not to avoid love, but to love in a way that nurtures both you and your partner in the long run.Is a fear of being single driving you toward serial monogamy? Take the science-backed Fear Of Being Single Scale to find out.