Step into the amazing world of Dune: Prophecy as Important Looking Pirates (ILP) reveals the visual magic behind. This VFX breakdown explores the intricate worlds of the Great Houses, revealing ancient traditions, power struggles, and mysteries that shape their destiny.ILPs work primarily focuses on environmental VFX, creating breathtaking CG landscapes that capture the essence of Arrakis and its surrounding territories. From vast desert vistas to intricately detailed palace exteriors, every frame is brought to life with a meticulous eye for detail. The breakdown also highlights dynamic particle effects, enhancing the atmosphere and action sequences with realism and impact.This behind-the-scenes journey of discovery celebrates the art and innovation of ILPs team, giving fans an insight into the seamless marriage between visual storytelling and technical mastery that characterizes Dune: Prophecy.The post Dune: Prophecy VFX Breakdown by Important Looking Pirates appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Wood panelling and glossy floor tiles bring a nostalgic feel to this chocolate shop in London's Covent Garden, which design practice Morrisstudio and architecture firm Built Works have designed to invoke a golden age of confectionery.Barnaby produces gourmet chocolate bars inspired by childhood favourites and the shop on St Martins Lane aims to reflect the sophistication and timeless appeal of the products.Morrisstudio and Built Works have completed a chocolate shop in Covent GardenFounder Barney Goff approached Tom Morris's studio to work on the interiors and creative direction for the new brand, with Built Works providing architectural services and Irving & Co working on the brand identity."We tried to create something relatively serious but high on charm," said Morris, who set up his studio after working as design editor at Monocle magazine and branding agency Winkcreative.The interior design draws inspiration from Arts and Crafts architecture"A lot of current confectionery brands are aimed at Gen Z big on colour, bling, shiny things," he added. "We wanted to appeal to a slightly older crowd someone for whom the nostalgia of a typical chocolate bar would resonate to create a longer lasting consumer base."The interior design references Arts and Crafts buildings and the Edwardian model village of Bournville, which was built around the turn of the 20th century to house workers at the Cadbury chocolate factory.The pendant lights reference a copper-verdigris clock tower"Bournville is an incredible relic of practical, clever Arts and Crafts architecture," Morris explained."While we never wanted to pastiche it or create anything that felt too themed, it was a great research tool to help steer our design and give us a few design codes to work with."The colour palette of the tiles used on the shop's floor was informed by vintage 1930s posters promoting Bournville as a place to live, while the pendant lights above the counter reference a copper-verdigris clock tower in the middle of the town.The colours of the floor tiles are drawn from vintage postersMorris told Dezeen that the Bournville references contribute to an overall scheme rooted in British tradition in order to differentiate Barnaby from other brands on the market."Although it's become a bit of a dirty word now, we wanted it to feel peculiarly 'British'," he suggested."The chocolate industry is quite binary either in a colourful, playful kitsch American way or in a more sober, luxe Swiss way," he suggested. "Taking the British route felt a bit more natural."The shop features stained oak cladding and tiled flooringThe shop features joinery and a remodelled facade developed by London studio Built Works, which involved removing the existing shop front and rebuilding it entirely in solid wood.The revamped facade features tusk and tenon joints that enhance the traditional feel as well as an oriel window housing a display counter that evokes the look of a classic sweet shop.Morris brought Built Works into the project after seeing a woodland sauna the firm completed in East Sussex using similar construction methods.Read: Funamachi Base cafe and sweet shop designed as "extension of the park"The stained oak cladding used for the shop's interior was informed by Japanese joinery as well as Edwardian panelling. The material choice aims to bring a sense of warmth and historical detail to the space.The flooring also evokes the chocolate-making process, with tiles hand-made by ceramics studio Common Objects to evoke the image of Barnaby bars lined up to be glazed.The machinery for enrobing the chocolate bars is visible to customersThe compact 33-square-metre shop features plenty of storage alongside the machinery for enrobing the chocolate bars, which is visible to the customer and brings a performative element to the space.The interior forms part of a project that includes the brand strategy, naming and concept design. Morrisstudio oversaw every aspect and commissioned a team of specialists to develop the different elements.The identity was led by food and beverage branding experts Irving & Co, who drew inspiration from Victorian confectionery brands and traditional signage as well as post-war Americana typography.Timba Smits designed the crocodile that acts as Barnaby's mascotThe logotype was created by calligrapher Peter Horridge and Melbourne-based illustrator Timba Smits provided Barnaby with its crocodile brand mascot, influenced by familiar characters such as Frosted Flakes's Tony the Tiger and Japanese yurichara mascots.The Covent Garden shop is Barnaby's first retail space, with further sites in London and Paris currently in development. According to Morris, these outlets will feature signature details such as the wood panelling, tiled floors and a cohesive colour palette.Other confectionery shops that have been featured on Dezeen include a cafe and sweet shop in Funamachi that is "an extension of the park" and a sweet shop with a courtyard in Maebashi.The photography is by Ollie Tomlinson.The post Barnaby opens London chocolate shop with "peculiarly British" interior appeared first on Dezeen.

LatestMachine LearningQVQ-72B: The Ultimate Visual Reasoning AI You Can Run Locally 0 like December 25, 2024Share this postLast Updated on December 26, 2024 by Editorial TeamAuthor(s): Hasitha Pathum Originally published on Towards AI. This member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Imagine having the power of a cutting-edge visual reasoning large language model (LLM) installed locally on your own machine. Its no longer just a dream the QVQ-72B, released under the permissive Apache 2.0 license, is here to make it a reality! Developed by the brilliant Qwen team at Alibaba, QVQ-72B is not just another AI model; its a game-changer for anyone seeking high-performance multimodal reasoning without relying on cloud services.This article dives deep into what makes QVQ-72B unique, why its revolutionary, and how to set it up locally. Whether youre an AI enthusiast, a developer looking for advanced capabilities, or an organization prioritizing data privacy, this guide will equip you with everything you need to know about QVQ-72B.QVQ-72B is a state-of-the-art visual reasoning LLM with 72 billion parameters, specifically designed for tasks that require understanding and reasoning across both text and images. Unlike traditional language models, QVQ-72B integrates advanced visual processing capabilities, enabling it to interpret images, generate contextually relevant text, and solve complex multimodal problems.Key Features:Multimodal Mastery: Combines visual and textual reasoning seamlessly.Scalable Deployment: Fully operable on local hardware setups.Open Source: Released under Apache 2.0, ensuring flexibility Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

Our Experts Written by Aly Lopez Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 120130140150160170180190200210 Mattress Tests 0102030405 Testers 9509609709809901,0001,1701,2701,3701,470 Hours Tested How we test With 5+ years of mattress testing experience, we use our different sleeping position and body type perspectives to offer well-rounded, honest reviews.Table of Contents Back to selection

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Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earplugs Best budget earplugs for side sleepers $4 at Walmart Eargasm Squishies Best earplugs for side sleepers $16 at Amazon Mack's Slim Fit Foam Earplugs Best sleep earplugs for small ears $15 at Amazon Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs Best sleep earplugs for travel $29 at Amazon Loop Quiet Earplugs Best adjustable earplugs for sleeping $28 at Amazon Happy Ears Earplugs Sustainable earplugs with comfortable fit $37 at Happy Ears Leave restless nights behind and start sleeping better when you block out all the noise that may keep you from the perfect shut-eye. While there are plenty of products to help you wind down, getting some earplugs is the finishing touch. They allow you to lie comfortably even if you're a side sleeper, and once you're sleeping better, you'll likely see an improvement to your overall health.Read more: Best Smart Home Gifts for 2024 Watch this: First Impressions: Loop Dream Earplugs 01:17 There are countless options to consider when shopping for earplugs to wear while sleeping. You'll want a pair that fits snugly without irritation and helps cut out ambient noise so you canfall asleep with ease. We've compiled various options, including traditional foam earplugs and models with different materials, like silicone, that filter noise.At CNET, our experts have years of experience testing sleep-related products. From thebest mattressestosleep trackers, we know what it takes to actually help you sleep better at night. Check out our picks for the best earplugs for sleeping below.Read more: Best Mattress Deals: Save Hundreds on Top Mattresses BrandsBest earplugs for sleeping Mack's Like Affordable Effectively seals the ear Don't like Earplugs cover the ear canal instead of fitting inside, and failing to use them as directed could lodge them in your ear canal If you're strictly a side sleeper, Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earplugs are the best sleep earplugs for the money. They're made of soft, fully moldable silicone that conforms to your ear opening and forms an airtight seal that blocks out noise.Aside from the fact that they could be shaped for a perfect fit, these earplugs were soft and comfortable. They stayed completely flat on my ear opening, so they didn't hurt to wear. They also stayed in all night; a feat that many standard earplugs haven't been able to accomplish.Most importantly, these moldable earplugs did an excellent job at blocking snoring and any other ambient noise (like three large cats play-fighting in the middle of the night).The six pairs also come neatly packaged in a plastic carrying case, which keeps the silicone clean and free from debris between uses; a small but appreciated touch.Additional details:Price: Under $5Reusable: Up to five uses/nights or until earplugs are no longer stickyNoise reduction rating: 22 decibels NRRComfortable for side sleeping: Yes Ease of use: Don't fit like "regular" earplugs so may take some getting used to $4 at Walmart Eargasm Like Comfortable for side-sleeping You can cut each earplug/seal for a better fit Don't like More expensive than Mack's product, but a similar product The Eargasm Squishies are another moldable silicone option similar to Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earplugs. The biggest difference, besides the color, is in the directions. Mack's silicone earplugs must be used whole; you can't break them or cut them apart.Eargasm says if the earplugs are too big, you can break off a piece to get that perfect fit. This is helpful if you have small ears and find that using the entire silicone earplug feels too intrusive.The comfort level was also similar, although the Eargasm Squishies had a slight advantage since I could break off a piece and make it a little smaller. The Eargasm Squishies also comes in a convenient carrying case with eight reusable pairs.Additional details:Price: Under $20Reusable: Yes, but it's unclear how many uses you'll get per pairNoise reduction rating: 22 decibels NRRComfortable for side sleeping: YesEase of use: Easy to use $16 at Amazon Mack's Like Great for small ear canals Effectively reduce sound Don't like May not work for larger ear canals Not designed for multiple uses The Mack's Slim Fit Foam Earplugs look like any regular old foam earplugs, but if you have small ears, you may feel the difference in quality immediately. They quickly formed an airtight seal and muffled sound instantly. Loud snoring went from a roaring thunderstorm to a minor distraction that was easy to tune out. These particular earplugs have a noise reduction rating of 31 dB. For reference, most earplugs on the market have a rating of 0 to 30 dB, and the higher the number, the more effective they are.Mack's Slim Fit Foam Earplugs are specifically made for small ear canals. Finding the right earplug size makes a huge difference in effectiveness, so keep that in mind. If you don't have small ears, you can still take advantage of Mack's advanced snore-blocking technology with its Snore Blockers or Original Soft Foam Earplugs. If you go with any of these options from our best sleep earplugs list, make sure you thoroughly read the directions before putting them in your ears. One of the most common reasons these types of earplugs get a bad review is because they're not inserted properly.Additional details:Price: Under $20Reusable: NoNoise reduction rating:31 decibels NRRComfort:Ease of use: Easy to use Vibes Like Great for reducing noise when you want to keep the quality of the sound Reusable Don't like Not that comfortable for sleeping unless you're a back sleeper The Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs are different from the others on this list. They're actually designed for live music festivals, so rather than blocking out noise, the intent is to lower the decibels of the sound around you to make the noise more manageable. This makes them the ideal choice for traveling when the noise can get overwhelming but you don't want to be completely checked out from the world as you take a quick snooze. When tested at a store and coffee shop, they did an excellent job blocking out voices, reducing pitches and dulling loud music.You can also use them for sleeping at home, but only if you're strictly a back sleeper. The earplugs have a stem that sticks out straight from your ear canal, so not only are they uncomfortable when you're sleeping on your side, but they could also get pushed too far into your ear and cause problems.The earplugs come with three different ear tip sizes, so you can find the ideal fit for your ear canal and a small carrying case that makes them easier to travel with.Pros:Great for reducing noise when you want to keep the quality of the soundReusableCons:Not that comfortable for sleeping unless you're a back sleeperAdditional details:Price: Under $30Reusable: YesSound reduction: Up to 22 decibels (NRR is 15 decibels)Comfortable for sleeping: NoEase of use: Easy to use Loop Like Comes with four sizes of adjustable tips Has a loop you can grab and easily adjust in your ear Don't like Not very easy to switch tip sizes These reusable silicone earplugs come fixed with a "loop" for making easy adjustments once they're in your ear. Loop Quiet Earplugs come with four sizes of tips you can choose from to fit your ear canal, which is more selection than a lot of brands. Fixing a new tip size back onto the earplug isn't the easiest process and requires some focus and finesse. Hopefully, you'd only have to switch tips once or twice to find your size, and then only when you clean them.Based on reviews, these Loop earplugs seem to work well for some side sleepers. From our testing with side sleeping, they would require some getting used to for longer or everyday use. Due to their easy movement and sleek look, these earplugs would come in handy when you want to turn down the volume and focus.They're available in mint green and other fun colors. Additional details:Price: Under $30Reusable: YesSound reduction: Up to 27 decibels (14 decibel NRR)Comfortable for side sleeping:So-soEase of use: Easy to adjust once in your ear $28 at Amazon Happy Ears Like Fit well and barely noticeable The company sells eco-friendly earplugs Don't like Not the cheapest on the list Happy Ears is a Swedish company known for its sustainable packaging and recycled material for its earplugs. Happy Ears makes earplugs from ocean plastics and recycled plastics. There is also an "original" earplug that isn't made from recycled plastics. Even if you don't buy recycled earplugs, the Happy Ears packaging is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.We tested the Original Discovery Pack, which means a package of earplugs comes in small, medium and large sizes for you to choose from. The earplugs are small and straightforward and fit inside the ear canal well. The recycled material earplugs come in black. The earplugs made from ocean plastics are green and reduce two additional decibels of sound.Additional details:Price: Under $40Reusable: YesSound reduction: Up to 25 decibels (original earplug)Ease of use: Very easyComfortable for side-sleeping: Mostly $37 at Happy Ears How we chose the best earplugs for sleepingWhen selecting the best earplugs for sleeping, we tested them the only way you can: by wearing them to bed. While testing, we noted each selection's fit, comfort and quality for the best earplugs for sleeping. We also considered how many decibels the earplugs could reduce, or noise reduction ratings when they were available. Official noise reduction ratings are usually slightly different (and lower) than the average decibel or sound reduction listed because they take into account other factors, Vibessays on its website.Factors to consider when choosing earplugs for sleepThere's a lot of variety in earplugs. What works for someone else might not be the best choice for you due to size, shape and material. Here are a few things to look out for.Safety: It's important to knowwhether you're a good candidate for sleeping in earplugs. People who have an ear infection, a build-up of earwax or other concerns about their ears should check with a doctor before wearing earplugs to sleep. To avoid an infection from wearing your earplugs, you should dispose of disposable earplugs as directed and follow the instructions for your reusable plugs on how to clean them.Material: This will determine the quality and comfort of the earplugs. Typical materials used are Silicone, wax, foam and cotton. Foam is typically the most common earplug material because it's the cheapest. On the other hand, Silicone is what you'll find most reusable options made out of. Wax earplugs give you the benefit of molding them to the shape of your ear.Noise or sound reductionThis is an important one. The noise reduction rating tells you how many decibels the earplugs block. The rating ranges from 0 to 33 dB. So, earplugs with a higher NRR score block out the noise the best.Whether they're reusable: Earplugs are available in either single-use or reusable options. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Single-use earplugs are typically cheaper and suitable for occasional use. If you're looking to use them regularly, it's best to invest in reusable options; they're better for the environment and way more durable.Price: We all know price is one of the most important parts of shopping for the best earplugs for sleep. A pack of disposable earplugs can seem like the obvious choice based on price, as most packs average around $10. Reusable earplugs may be better suited if you're looking for a long-term option. They cost a bit more, but you only need to buy them once. Best earplugs for sleeping FAQ What kind of earplugs are best for sleeping? The best kind of earplug for sleeping will depend on preference, although the good options will fit snugly in your ear canal without causing discomfort. During our testing, we found the best earplugs for sleeping to be:Macks Pillow Sock Silicone Putty EarplugsEargasm SquishiesMacks Slim Fit Foam EarplugsVibes Hi-Fidelity EarplugsLoops Quiet EarplugsHappy Ears Earplugs What earplugs block the most sound? No earplugs block completely block out sound. When testing, we found that Macks Pillow Soft Silicone Putty Earplugs did a great job blocking snoring and other ambient noise.Earplugs that you can cut or mold to your ear canal will have an edge on those that cant when blocking sound. Is it comfortable to sleep with earplugs? Your sleeping position may be a determining factor in how long it takes you to get used to sleeping in earplugs or whether you love them. Back sleepers typically experience the least amount of problems. Stomach and side sleepers may find that certain earplugs may backfire and make noise as they come in contact with the pillow. Selecting earplugs that don't stick out of your ears will help side sleepers avoid this. Is it safe to wear earplugs every night? Usually, yes, as long as you use them as directed. There are side effects you should be aware of. Earplugs may cause earwax buildup and cause ear canal damage if used incorrectly. You also shouldn't use them if you have signs of an ear infection, like drainage or pain.If you have reusable earplugs, make sure to follow the directions and regularly clean them. Always throw away the disposable earplugs. Using earplugs that have bacteria on them can lead to an infection. Other products for drowning out soundLoud or abrupt sounds can be harmful to your sleep quality, but not everyone will benefit from earplugs. Besides sleep earplugs, here are other products you can use to help drown out unwanted or disruptive noise and get a good night's sleep.

Social network Bluesky said on Christmas day that it launched trending topics feature in beta. The trending topics are available on both desktop and mobile apps of the social network. On the desktop, you can see trending topics on the right sidebar, and on the mobile apps, you can tap on the search button to look at them.Bluesky said that trending topics would currently be available only in the English language. You can disable trending topics by going to Settings > Content and Media and then unchecking the Enable trending topics option. What Trending Topics feature looks like on Bluesky mobile Image Credits: BlueskyWhats more, your muted words are carried over to trending topics. That means if you have added a word or a phrase to the muted list, they wont appear in trending topics. The social network, which now has more than 25 million users, said this is just the first version of the feature, and the company will improve it along the way.While Bluesky has just introduced the trending topics feature, third-party Bluesky clients like Greysky already implemented it last year. Blueskys rival Threads started rolling out trending topics to all U.S. users in March and began testing the feature in Japan in October. However, Blueskys test is available in all regions across the world.

Taiwan has blocked Uber Technologies planned takeover on anticompetition concerns, thwarting the U.S. companys efforts to expand in Asia.

KKR and Bain Capital bid over $5 billion for Seven & i's non-core assets.Seven & i's non-core assets include superstores, baby stores, and Denny's Japan operations.Seven & i also received a $47 billion offer from Alimentation Couche-Tard.Some of the world's biggest private equity companies have joined the race to own pieces of 7-Eleven'sJapanese-owned Seven & i Holdings has a sprawling set of businesses, including 85,000 7-Elevens globally and a host of supermarkets. The $39.5 billion company, whose stock is up 30% this year, has been the target of numerous takeover bids in recent months for all of the business or parts of it.On Wednesday, Reuters reported that US private equity firms KKR and Bain Capital each offered over $5 billion in first-round bids for some assets of the company. Local private equity firm Japan Industrial Partners offered about $4.8 billion, per Reuters.The firms are reportedly looking to buy York Holdings Seven and i's non-core businesses, including superstores, baby goods chain Akachan Honpo, and the company that runs Denny's diner chain in Japan. All three firms were successful in the first round of bidding for these assets, according to Reuters, which cited people familiar with the matter.Private equity firms typically buy companies or subsidiaries they see as struggling and work to make them profitable before selling them as a whole or in parts after a couple of years.Representatives of KKR, Bain Capital, Japan Industrial Partners, and Seven & i did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Reuters reported on Wednesday that Seven & i aims to select the winning bid as early as February, and the decision could be finalized by spring.Rival convenience storeBesides the three buyout firms, the 7-Eleven parent also received a $47 billion takeover offer from Canadian multinational convenience store chain Alimentation Couche-Tard. Couche-Tard, which has almost 17,000 stores around the world, bid for Seven & i this summer.Unlike the private equity firms, Couche-Tard appears to want to buy the whole company, including the 7-Eleven stores.The deal would amount to the largest-ever foreign takeover of a Japanese company and would give the 7-Eleven chain North American ownership again.The chain partnered with Ito-Yokado, a Japanese supermarket chain founded in 1973, to build franchised locations in Japan. In the 1990s, Ito-Yokado acquired a majority stake in the company and completed a full acquisition in November 2005. That year, Ito-Yokado reorganized, becoming Seven & i Holdings. 7-Eleven had about 25,000 stores globally before the takeover in 2005, per a trade magazine.Couche-Tard did not respond to a request for comment.Seven & i familyThe company is also contending with a management takeover to fend off the Canadian offerIto-Kogyo owned 8.2% of Seven & i as of August, making it the second-largest shareholder, according to the company. Master Trust Bank of Japan is the largest shareholder, with a 14.7% stake.The privatization offer could be worth around $58 billion, Bloomberg reported in November.Seven & I said in November that it had formed a board of directors committee to consider Ito and Couche-Tard's offers.

If I told you The Claw was being redeemed, would you first think of the Inspector Gadget villain or MSIs hard-pressed handheld from earlier this year? Gizmodo and many other reviewers derided the MSI Claw A1M model for its lackluster performance and controls that didnt match up to other handheld PCs. In my mind, its worst sin was its price. At the top end, the old 7-inch claw demanded $800. Thats what you currently pay for our pick for the best Windows-based handheld, the Asus ROG Ally X. So how does the all-new, bigger, pricier MSI Claw 8 AI+ stack up? First off, the Claw 8 AI+ costs $900. It now has to justify being one of the most expensive gaming handhelds from a major PC OEM. For that ballooning price, the Claw now has a bigger screen at 8 inches (the same size as the $750 Lenovo Legion Go), a completely renovated design, and an all-new chip, the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V. Compared to the Core Ultra 7 155H, the new Intel Arc 140V graphics is much better than the previous generation. Adding to the fun is the Claw 8s 80 Whr battery capacity, like the Ally X, plus 32GB of RAM. It still demands a big chunk of change, especially considering the Steam Deck OLED is $250 cheaper than the new Claw with the same 1 TB SSD storage. MSI Claw 8 AI+ The MSI Claw 8 AI+ has solid performance in some demanding games and fair battery life, though its software still needs work. Pros Cons Intels Lunar Lake chips have the added benefit of being largely better on battery life than many other x86 CPUs on the market. In our tests, the 258V also proves that it can get better framerates at 30 TDP than the AMD Z1 Extreme chip thats so prolific among 2024s gaming handhelds. The difference will be more stark in some games compared to others. If youre looking for the most powerful handheld with a big screen, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a contender. Then again, theres the OneXPlayer Onexfly F1 Pro with up to a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 floating about if you want to spend upwards of $1,600 or $1,700 on a handheld. At a point, theres a hard limit to what a reasonable price for a handheld PC is. If the large ergonomics are for you, then know the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a few updates from being a truly solid handheld. The Center M software has been modified from its original rendition, and its now far easier to access your games and change user scenarios than before. Unfortunately, the system keeps reverting to desktop controls and ignoring all the controllers buttons. Sometimes, it would require a quick restart before the device remembered it was a handheld.I have average-sized hands, but something about the Claws design lands too close to its namesake. If I was getting a handheld for my fathers sausage fingers, I might consider the Claw 8 first. If you want to use your talon-like hands to scrape every last frame from your handheld, the new Claw will do the job. As for how long that crown will stick atop MSIs head, that may depend on how 2025s APUs shape up. Despite all that, the Claw is indeed redeemed, though, like all good anti-villains, it still has its rough edges. The Claw 8 AI+ is currently up for preorder and will ship on Jan. 15, 2025.MSI Claw 8 AI+ Review: Design and Controls Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo The first thing youll realize about the Claw 8 is that its a heavy and extra thick handheld. Youll want to work on your forearm muscles, as the Claw 8 weighs 795 grams or 1.75 pounds. It doesnt sound like much until youre holding it up for minutes or hours at a time. It is a solid slab of gaming potential, but to keep it aloft when lounging back on the couch, I felt the need to let it rest on my lap during a multi-hour gaming session. Thats where the ridges on the back edge of the device come into play. The previous claw had an issue where your fingers would sit on the rear vents, which is no longer true on the Claw 8. The back buttons are also flatter, and each has a clicky-er feel than before. The triggers on the Claw 8 are much more trigger-like than you would find on the Ally or Steam Deck. Due to the size of the handles, it can actually feel slightly uncomfortable to reach around and grip them when playing any kind of shooter. At the same time, the left and right bumper buttons feel much, much better than the original Claw. MSI redesigned the shoulder buttons to click downwards, instead of inwards, and the result is a better time in games like Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 which demands you smack the the shoulders for all your melee attacks. Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo From top to bottom: the Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw 8 AI+, and the Asus ROG Ally X Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo The face buttons are more rounded than the Ally X, but thankfully MSI maintained the RGB lights behind the A, B, X, and Y. The d-pad has also been made far more pronounced, which makes it far easier to use without looking. The controls are a mixed bag. I appreciate the feel of the Hall effect thumbsticks and most buttons save for the triggers, but everything also feels like its spaced too far apart for my fingers. The controls werent the only thing to receive an overhaul. Center M, the software that papers over the flaws when using a Windows 11-based handheld, now sports a more clean look. Theres easy access to all the most popular launchers and a new quick settings menu that lets you change power settings, keyboard, WiFi, and Bluetooth settings on the fly. Additionally, the new menus incorporate Xbox Game Bar and Xbox Social.The connection to Xbox could be great news for those who like to switch from Xbox to PC, but Im mostly interested in what other widgets we may eventually be able to add from the built-in widget store. Its all a significant improvement on what came before, but as I mentioned, Ive come across several issues with the device automatically switching to PC controls and not recognizing my face buttons. This may occur if I accidentally tap the screen, but with an 8-inch display that seems a likely scenario for most users. Ive also encountered random glitches with Center M that made it unusable and required I restart the program. These issues are something that will likely be patched in time, but it goes to show how much extra work these Windows handhelds require to make them usable. Theres a reason the Steam Deck remains so popular. Asus and Lenovo have head starts, and both their software suites do a fair job of letting you access your games and ignore the Windows desktop. MSI is almost there, but it still needs some more TLC.MSI Claw 8 AI+ Review: Performance Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo MSI really needs the Claw 8 to hit high benchmarks to justify its price tag, and at least in that way, the companys handheld delivers. If you compare the Claw 8 to the Claw A1M, the new device manages to beat its older brother by a little less than 700 points in 3D Mark Time Spy and by around 800 points in 3D Mark Steel Nomad tests. While plugged in running at max 30W TDP, the ROG Ally X will do 3,538 on Time Spy with the latest updates. The Claw 8 hit 4,437. Those benchmarks take a backseat to in-game performance. In Cyberpunk 2077 benchmarks, running on Steam Deck settings with either Intel XeSS or AMD FSR, the Claw 8 managed to hit 52 FPS while running at the Allys max 1920 by 1080 resolution. You get slightly less at the Claws max 1920 by 1200, but not enough to make a difference in scores. Its a similar story to benchmarks in games like Assassins Creed Valhalla and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, where the Claw 8 could outperform the Ally X by between 5 to 10 FPS with the same settings. Then comes true in-game performance, and thats where the lines between handhelds start to blur. You will get solid performance in all your typical 2D action titles. A game like Hades II looks incredibly vibrant on Claws large 8-inch display. Modern 3D games are a mixed bag. Remedys Control on medium settings would sit around 30 to 35 FPS in large arena areas. Baldurs Gate III under high settings could still do 30 to 40 FPS in Act I with AMD FSR. You may have to dial graphics back slightly to get playable framerates in the city of Act III.I did not have the time to test loads of different games on MSIs latest handheld, but what I could test was a mixed bag. Unfortunately, you wont get a very demanding new title like Indiana Jones: The Great Circle to run above 30 FPS on the Claw 8, even when dialing back the resolution. Then you have to consider how youll give up mobility for the sake of playing games at their top level. A game like Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 will run at just above 30 FPS with low settings at the max resolution. Thats not much better than the Ally X. Those framerates are always why I tell people to curb their expectations with handheld PCs. Sometimes, that extra power makes a difference. In other cases, you are still limited by the lack of discrete GPU. The Claws $900 asking price is already way too close to a good, budget-end gaming laptop. Taking the Claw off power, the system was running at around 30 W of CPU power but was doing a total of 45 W to handle the fans. It may still play fine, but with those fans going youre going to lose out on battery. MSI Claw 8 AI+ Review: Battery Life Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo Along with the Intel chip, the Claw 8s other headline feature is the 80 Whr battery and support for 64W charging through twin Thunderbolt 4 ports. The capacity is equivalent to the Ally X. The Intel Lunar Lake chips have proved theyre relatively power efficient. MSI claims you should get around four hours of battery life in extended use, but anybody with handheld experience knows this will drastically change depending on the game you play. In my session of Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, I played it off power continuously at 30W for a little more than one hour and 30 minutes before I was sitting at 10%. Thats already a relatively strong lifespan for a demanding game. At the same time, you may be better off streaming these titles to your handheld, which in my experience not only grants you far better framerates but can push the battery life well past the four-hour mark.I continued my game of Metaphor: Refantazio Ive been happily playing through on my Steam Deck OLED over the last several months. On its automated AI engine scenario, the Claw 8 managed to hold out for three hours from full before demanding I plug it in. I can normally get around two hours of the same game at lower-detailed settings with Valves handheld. Even with the larger screen, the Claw 8 can hold its own with the larger capacity of the Ally X. Just remember that just because its running with a 80 Whr capacity doesnt mean it will get twice as much battery life as those with a 40 Whr battery, especially when youre trying to get every ounce of power from this small-form gaming platform.MSI Claw 8 AI+ Review: Screen and Sound Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo I dont have that burning need for a larger display on my handhelds, but at least the MSI Claw 8s IPS LCD screen is a fine thing to look at. Its plenty bright as well. The Claw 8s VRR display goes up to 120 Hz, which was especially handy in a game like Hades II which can actually hit those framerates. Whats more is you do get a fair amount of screen on the Claw 8. The bezels are, on the whole, slightly smaller than a Steam Deck or ROG Ally, at least on the top and sides. Its closer to the bezels on the Lenovo Legion Go, and if the point is to maximize screen real estate, then MSI has done the job admirably.What surprised me most about the Claw 8 AI+ was the sound quality. The dual 2W speakers arent going to hold their own to full, dedicated speaker setups, but the Ally is still loud for its size. The handheld blasted sound to a room-filling degree. Is it what you want to listen to for $900? Probably not. Youll still hear some hollowness from high-frequency pitched sounds. It wont be nearly as good as a pair of headphones paired with the visuals. Still, the production is quite good for its size. While listening to the impeccable soundtrack of Metaphor: Refantazio, I didnt feel the express need to dive for my earbuds like I usually do playing on some other handhelds. MSI Claw 8 AI+ Review: Verdict Photo: Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo The MSI Claw 8 AI+ makes up for many of the mistakes of the Claw A1M. Its a big handheld, but its solid if big is what youre looking for. The Center M software will need to improve with time, but even when it does, Im not sure if 8-inches is the right size for me. The 7-inchers like the Ally X and Steam Deck feel more ergonomic in my hands. Even better, the smaller handhelds are more portable, and I prefer to travel light. Theres talk about the AMD Z2 APU launching next year. The Z1 is already plenty powerful enough for most gamers needs, so theres hope a redesigned APU will be the new benchmark. Recent leaks mention the new Z2 Extreme chip could have 12 RDNA 3.5 cores with architecture based on the quality Strix Point series. We might guess that chips performance, but the real reveal requires some more patience from consumers.If you dont want to wait, and you specifically demand the biggest handheld screen, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is one of the few devices that I can say is close to the peak of whats currently available. Knowing the rumor mill going into 2025, that may not last. I dont suggest you live your life based on FOMO, though it wouldnt hurt to wait until we see what new kinds of rumored Lenovo handhelds may arrive soon.