It's officially the season of New Year's resolutions. Most people set goals for losing weight, getting a promotion or maybe even writing a book in the year ahead. But I think you should set a few 2025 resolutions to improve your sleep.Everything in our lives is tied to how well we sleep at night. From our ability to concentrate at work to how our doctor's visits go, sleep plays a part in it. Sleep deprivation also inhibits our ability to lose weight. So, if you think about it, focusing on your sleep in the new year is an effective way to ensure all your other resolutions come true. We all want to sleep better. Now's the time to actually follow through on it.Below, you'll find my top recommendations for small New Year's sleep resolutions that will have a tangible impact on your health and happiness in 2025.For more on sleep, see why you need more sleep in the winter and how to take a nap like a pro.Stick to your bedtime routineThe average adult needs between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Some need more, while others need less. Still, it's a good goalpost to try to shoot for.Getting a good night's sleep isn't as easy as deciding you want to sleep well. It can take a little effort to make sure you're in the best situation to sleep. That can include adjusting your thermostat or adding blackout curtains to your bedroom.It also includes a bedtime routine. This is one of the most important and simple things you can do to prepare yourself for sleep at night. Our bodies crave routine. That's why it can be so hard to sleep when traveling or during a busy week; you're out of sync with your normal habits. If you can establish a bedtime routine that you do each night, you'll notice that you naturally start to feel tired as you progress through it.For example, each night, I follow the same set of steps to get ready for bed. First, I turn off the lights downstairs and head up to bed. Then I turn on my bedroom lamp (not my overhead light) and head to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Then, I moisturize. Then I crawl into bed with a book, and I'm asleep within 15 minutes most nights. It's gotten to the point where reading is so entrenched in my sleep routine that if I try to stay up late and watch a movie with subtitles, I often fall asleep. Reading puts me to sleep.Your routine could be anything. Like taking a warm shower or listening to music as you drift off. Whatever it is, choose something that you can stick to over time.Quick tips to make sticking to this resolution more realistic:Set alarms on your phone so you don't lose track of time.Add relaxing activities that help you destress and relax into sleep.Make it a ritual that you do every night. Before long, it will become a habit that you don't think about following.2. Set a bedtime and wake timeA big part of the bedtime routine I mentioned is a set sleep and wake time. It might be hard to hear, but all the times your parents nagged you about going to bed on time actually served a greater purpose. A consistent schedule is essential for quality sleep.Our sleep is based on our circadian rhythm, or the natural sleep-wake cycle in the body, which largely depends on the hormone melatonin. When the sun goes down, our brains are naturally flooded with melatonin, so we get tired. Then, as the sun rises and we're exposed to light, melatonin is cut off, and we wake up. That's how it's supposed to work, though things like screens and blackout curtains can mess up the natural process.Choosing a reasonable bedtime (that allows 7 to 9 hours of sleep) and sticking to it can help your body establish a routine. You'll notice you naturally get tired around the same time each night and might even wake up before your alarm.Quick tips to make sticking to this resolution more realistic:When you get in bed, you should be focused on sleeping. Put away your phone to avoid distractions.Abide by your bedtime, even on the weekends.Try a sunrise alarm clock if you don't want a traditional option.Add melatonin or a natural sleep aid to help. MTStock Studio/Getty Images3. Try to manage your stressYour stress levels will influence the type of sleep you get at night. Getting bad sleep while you're stressed can make matters worse because it's harder to regulate emotions while sleep-deprived. It can become a vicious cycle if you let it. That's why managing your stress before bed is one of the best sleep-related resolutions you can make.Read more: 6 Ways Your Sleep Habits Can Sabotage Your HappinessCombating stress can look different for everyone. For some, listening to music while winding down before bed can do wonders, while others might find that journaling before bed does the trick. Some might even need to seek professional help to get their stress levels. The first step to lowering your stress for better sleep is acknowledging that you're experiencing it.The cognitive shuffling method has recently become popular on TikTok for reducing nighttime anxiety. This hack is a cognitive behavioral therapy tool that helps you relax by disrupting your anxious thought patterns by focusing on words, images or phases. It's essentially a forced distraction that helps you ease into restful sleep.Read more: Your Guide to the Cognitive Shuffling Method for Anxiety Whatever you choose to manage your stress is a step in the right direction to getting better sleep.Quick tips to make sticking to this resolution more realistic:Try using mental health or meditation apps.Use a weighted blanket to calm your anxiety.Try meditation, intentional breathing or gentle stretching before bed to lower stress.4. Cut down on caffeineBesides the taste, many of us rely on caffeine to make it through the day as a Band-Aid for a poor night's sleep. Drinking too much late in the day can compromise your ability to sleep at night, furthering your dependence on caffeine. Caffeine survives in the body from 5 to 7 hours, meaning the effects of caffeine linger in the body hours after you get the initial uptick in energy. This is why you might not realize it impacts your sleep. Studies have found that caffeine before bed can decrease stages three and four of sleep, two of the most restorative stages.A good resolution for the new year is to cut down on the extra cups of coffee later in the day. Experts recommend having your last cup of coffee around noon or 8 hours before sleep. However, it depends on how your body responds to caffeine, so the exact time will vary.Quick tips to make sticking to this resolution more realistic:Slowly cut back over a few weeks on your caffeine intake.Pay attention to how much caffeine you're getting.Supplement with water.Switch to caffeine-free tea or decaf in the afternoon. Prostock-Studio/Getty Images5. Say goodbye to late-night snacksThere's nothing wrong with a late-night snack. Sometimes, it's the perfect treat to finish our day. That said, indulging too many times can compromise your ability to sleep, especially if you reach for highly processed foods. Everything is okay in moderation, though you're better off avoiding eating or drinking too close to bedtime. Generally, you should stop eating 2 to 3 hours before bed.Some foods can upset your digestive system or cause heartburn, making it difficult to get comfortable at night. You can relieve heartburn at night by sleeping on your left side, which naturally angles the stomach to create an air pocket between the acid and the esophagus.Drinking anything -- water or alcohol -- might be good at the moment, but in the middle of the night, it can backfire and wake you up at night. Whether you have to run to the bathroom or your body has metabolized the alcohol, it's a safer bet to avoid it directly before bed so you can sleep soundly.Quick tips to make sticking to this resolution more realistic:If you must snack, choose sleep-promoting foods like whole grains, milk, yogurt, nuts or fruit.Avoid sweets like candy, donuts and ice cream.Many of us fall into the trap of planning elaborate resolutions that aren't realistic for our lifestyle. Starting with sleep for 2025 may seem basic, but it's one of the most effective ways to reach your goals in the new year.

Even if you eat a healthy diet, you may also use vitamins and supplements to boost your overall health. The top vitamins foreye health are probably already in the foods you regularly eat -- like broccoli, salmon and carrots -- but you might also use supplements to fill any existing gaps.Remember, before taking anything, you should speak with your doctor. Your eye doctor can also provide insight into your eye health during your regular exam, so ensure you have that on the calendar.Whether you have vision problems or spend your days staring at a computer screen, here are the best vitamins and supplements for healthy eyes and where you can find them in food. Plus, there are somebad habits for your eyesto avoid.The best vitamins and supplements for eye health Getty Images Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. In addition to a balanced diet, here are the best vitamins and supplements for your eyes. Luckily, you can get most of these added supplements for less than $10.Vitamin AVitamin A supports your vision,immune system, heart, lungs and overall growth and development. Specifically, vitamin A helps you see a full spectrum of light, as the vitamin produces pigments in the retina. It can also keep your eyes from drying out. You can find vitamin A in foods such as salmon, broccoli, eggs, carrots and fortified breakfast cereals.You have probably heard of the magic of carrots. Yes, it's true: Carrots are great for your eyes. Carrots (and other vividly colored fruits and vegetables) are high in beta-carotene, which is a compound that your body uses to make vitamin A. Beta-carotene is also available in a supplement form, although it isn't as common as vitamin A and is often more expensive.Foods with vitamin A- Salmon- Broccoli- Carrots- Eggs- Fortified breakfast cereals$8 at AmazonVitamin CVitamin C is like sunscreen for your eyes: It helps protect them from UV damage. The more time you spend outside and under the sun, the greater the risk for damage. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, too long in the sun can cause irreversible damage. Vitamin C can also lower your risk of cataracts, a disease that causes the lens of your eyes to become cloudy.While a recent study found that vitamin C supplementation was effective in patients who were already vitamin C deficient, more studies are needed to truly understand the relationship between vitamin C and a lower risk of cataracts. In addition to getting enough vitamin C, avoid tanning beds, and if you are outside, wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes.Foods with vitamin C- Kale- Broccoli- Oranges- Lemons- Strawberries- Brussels sprouts$11 at AmazonOmega-3sOptometrists regularly recommend their patients consumeomega-3s, and if a patient isn't getting enough of these fatty acids in their diet, try a supplement. Omega-3s are mainly found in fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel or herring and some nuts and seeds.The American Optometric Association points to omega-3s as a nutrient that can slow the progress of age-related macular degeneration. Studies have also found that they can help prevent dry eye disease. These nutrients are great for both conditions due to their anti-inflammatory effects.Foods with omega-3s- Tuna- Salmon- Herring- Mackerel- Chia seeds- Flaxseed- Walnuts$9 at AmazonRead more: Best MultivitaminsVitamin EAnother powerful antioxidant, vitamin E is vital to all our cells and cell functions. It helps to protect our bodies from cancer-causing free radicals and plays an important role in vision.Studies have shown that vitamin E can help protect the retinas from free radicals that can cause eye disease.Vitamin C, another antioxidant, has more properties that help regeneration. Vitamin E can only help to protect the cells already there. But vitamin E can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The American Optometric Association recommends 400 IU of vitamin E a day.Foods with vitamin E- Sunflower seeds- Almonds- Peanuts- Collared greens- Red bell peppers- Mangoes- Avocados$27 at AmazonZincZinc is found in almost all multivitaminsbecause it is such an essential nutrient to the body. It is used to boost the immune system and help the body heal from wounds quickly. Zinc also aids in eye health.Zinc helps vitamin A create melanin (a pigment that protects the eyes) and may shield the eyes from age-related macular degeneration. The American Optometric Association recommends 40 to 80 mg a day to slow the progression.Foods with zinc- Meat- Shellfish- Chickpeas- Lentils- Pumpkin seeds- Cashews- Almonds- Eggs- Cheese- Milk$11 at AmazonRead more: Best Zinc SupplementsLutein and zeaxanthinLutein and zeaxanthin are known to be important to our eyes. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids found in red and yellowish fruits and vegetables, as these compounds give the produce their vibrant colors. Carotenoids, also powerful antioxidants, are vital to eye health. They protect the eyes from free radicals that can cause damage. Lutein and zeaxanthin, specifically, have been found to prevent damage to retinas.These carotenoids can also slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The American Optometric Association recommends a daily amount of 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin. While you can find lutein and zeaxanthin in supplement form, one bottle is on the pricier side. You may find it better, easier and more affordable to just eat more fruits and vegetables.Foods with lutein and zeaxanthin- Kale- Spinach- Peas- Broccoli- Orange juice- Red peppers- Honeydew melons- Grapes$66 at AmazonVitamins and supplements found in foods Vitamin/Supplement FoodsVitamin A salmon, broccoli, eggs, carrots and fortified breakfast cerealsVitamin C kale, broccoli, oranges, lemons, strawberries, and Brussels sproutsOmega-3s tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel, chia seeds, flaxseed and walnutsVitamin E sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, collared greens, red bell peppers, mangoes and avocadosZinc meat, shellfish, chickpeas, lentils, pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds, eggs, cheese and milkLutein and zeaxanthin kale, spinach, peas, broccoli, orange juice, red peppers, honeydew melons and grapes What to considerMost vitamins and supplements are generally considered safe for people to take, as they're nutrients your body naturally requires. You should always talk to your doctor before starting any supplements. Some vitamins and supplements can interact with various medications. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new vitamins or supplements in conjunction with certain medications. Especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a medical provider first. Your doctor should be able to safely guide you to the best vitamins and supplements for eye health, as well as proper dosages.Eye health tipsIn addition to the best vitamins and supplements for eye health, there are other ways you can protect your eyes and preserve your vision health:Wear sunglasses:Sunglasses block harmful UV light, decreasing your risk of cataracts, eye cancer and sunburn.Screen breaks: The American Optometric Association recommends the 20-20-20 rule, which states that every 20 minutes, you look away from your screen at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.Physical activity: The American Academy of Ophthalmology reported on a study that found a correlation between exercise and eye damage prevention, though more studies are needed.Avoid smoking: Smoking cigarettes can lead to eye diseases that result in vision loss and blindness, according to the Food and Drug Administration.Get regular eye exams: Even if you have perfect vision, it is important to regularly get an eye exam to catch potential issues early. How often you should get an eye exam depends on your age. For instance, people ages 20 to 39 should get an eye exam every five years, while those ages 65 and up should get an eye exam every one to two years.Remove your makeup: Before bed, always remove your makeup to prevent eye irritation and inflammation.Best vitamins for eyes FAQs What is the best vitamin for the eyes? Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3s, zinc and lutein and zeaxanthin are all important vitamins for the eyes. If you are curious as to which vitamins you need more of, consult your doctor. What vitamin is lacking for your eyes? This can vary from person to person, but the best way to find out what vitamin is lacking for your eyes is to consult your doctor. Your doctor can schedule tests to help determine whether you are lacking a certain vitamin that could be beneficial for your eye health. Does vitamin B12 improve eyesight? According to Eye MD Monterey, vitamins B12 and B6 can improve eye health, support the optic nerve, reduce your chances of having blind spots and reduce the chances of having age-related macular degeneration, which causes blurred vision. Do vitamins for the eyes really work? Vitamins for your eyes are especially helpful when you are deficient in any essential vitamins for vision. These include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3s, zinc and lutein and zeaxanthin. Studies have found that these vitamins and nutrients can help protect your eyes and even slow the process of age-related eye diseases. While these supplements are not a cure, they support eye health. What supplements can I take to improve my eyesight? You can take vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3s, zinc and lutein and zeaxanthin. While all are available in supplement form at various prices, you can naturally obtain these vitamins and nutrients in a balanced diet.

At first glance, this sunny 70s inspired villa looks like it might be the work of Eileen Gray or Le Corbusier. Its geometric structure, whitewashed faade, and huge openings suggest that it was built in the last century. In fact, its a new construction, designed by Margaux Fritz, an interior designer from Marseille, for herself and her family. Fascinated by post-war Californian architecture, she created this 1,722-square-foot house which can be found on one of Marseilles hills in the Endoume district. It is a unique architectural and design vision, complete with a view of the citys landmark Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica.The atmosphere around the homes pool, tiled in local stone, is a little slice of California on the Mediterranean. Armchairs by Axel Chay.We were renting an apartment overlooking an undeveloped site, and we fell in love with the location, explains Margaux Fritz. We bought the lot and I called in an architect to research all the planning regulations before designing the house. I thought about it, and then thought about it again. The project took five years. The genesis of Villa Bambi, named in honor of her childrens grandmother, was Fritzs desire to abolish the boundaries between inside and outside with large 13-by-10-foot bay windows and to live following the schedule of the Marseille sun. I love this relationship with the outdoors, especially in Marseille, Fritz says. She designed the villa with a mostly glass front while the rear is a solid, unbroken expanse of wall. In summer, we leave everything open and its like were living in a courtyard. Its pretty great, with the pool and garden very close to the house.Each room has its own color of curtains.The house has a stunning view of Marseilles emblematic basilica.Fritz was inspired by modernist California homesall open plan with large bay windows, where inside and outside merge. In particular, she saw the post-war Case Study Houses as a model. These celebrated homes were designed to be built quickly and efficiently to house the then rapidly growing population of southern California. I spent all my time looking at pictures of works by architects of the period, says Fritz, including Pierre Koenig, Eero Saarinen, and Charles and Ray Eames.Stone floors and lacquered okoum blend California and Mediterranean looks in this kitchen with a certain vintage charm. Wall lamp by Guy Bareff.Vincent DesaillyThe dcor blends pieces found by the interior designer with works by young artists, such as sculptures by Golec & Golec and a work in metal by Kas Dhifi.The houses Californian inspiration is blended with Mediterranean touches, another look that is a favorite of the interior designer who was keen to preserve local materials, such as the pool tiles made of a stone that comes from a quarry less than two hours from Marseille. The apartment has a nautical feel thanks to an abundance of wood elements, including the lacquered worktop thats very shiny, like youd find on some old boats. The faade has also been whitewashed. The windows, which take up three-quarters of the exteriors, were hung with colorful fabrics. I wanted the faade to have a different look when the curtains are closed. When theyre open, the house is white and transparent. When you close them, it changes completely.

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Piracy remains one of the biggest challenges to legal streaming services looking to monetize expensive sports game broadcast rights.Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesA segment of the online sports fan community mourned Monday as two popular websites known for pirating illegal streams of live sporting events displayed a messageostensibly from their anonymous ownerthat they would be taking a break from live streaming.Visitors to sites called Methstreams and Crackstreams were instead encouraged to join an existing Discord community for further updates. In a sign of the sites following, more than 80,000 accounts were part of the Discord groupwhich has been around at least since 2022as of Monday afternoon.Methstreams previously earned attention in November, when ESPNs Adam Schefter reposted a clip of NFL action that had originated on the site (hed grabbed the video from another poster, rather than from the now-defunct service).Two weeks ago, the Methstreams owner told Discord members that one of their domain names had been locked amid the ongoing battle between rightsholders and those circumventing distribution deals. Around the same time, anti-piracy organization The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) announced that it had helped shut down hundreds of websites, many based in Vietnam, that had attracted more than 800 million visits in the past year.A representative for ACE didnt respond to a request for comment about whether those domains were part of its crackdown.Media companies pay billions for exclusive rights to broadcast live sports, and advertisers in turn pay billions to reach the fans that are watching. The NFLs current media deals, for example, are worth more than $125 billion; the NBAs most recent round is worth $77 billion. The illicit streams often come via foreign feeds, meaning the broadcasts (and the ads) are frequently not intended for U.S. audiences. In severe cases, that lost revenue could threaten the solvency of sports organizers and the events they put on.A report from piracy-tracking firm VFT estimated that 17 million people watched the 2024 Super Bowl on illegally distributed streams.Although Methstreams and Crackstreams have not explained why they have been taken down, a plausible reason is they are accused of copyright infringement of live sports streams and that online service providers (OSPs) have acted in accordance with their legal obligations to order takedowns.American pro sports leagues are armed with limited tools to combat illegal streaming, which, as theHarvard Business Reviewrecently noted, costs the global sports industry about $28 billion in annual revenue. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is the key federal statute to combat privacy. However, it is from 1998, a time when many people accessed the Internet through dial-up modems and live streaming was not available.DMCA, leagues have argued, is too slow-moving in that it features a notice and takedown process that is ill-suited for live sports streaming. The gist of the process entails the content creator notifying an OSP (such as YouTube or Facebook) that it is running an illegal stream. The OSP is then obligated to investigate and, if necessary, act, but hours or days can pass before a stream is removed.With live sports content, action is arguably needed within seconds, or at least minutes, since the value of the content diminishes as time passes. UFC, as well as the NBA and NFL, have urged lawmakers and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to consider measures that would obligate OSPs to act quicker and to engage in more sophisticated verification measures before permitting a user to livestream.Blocking access to feeds distributed from overseas can be even more difficult, and often requires intervention from the internet service providers hosting or distributing said content.A recent study in France found that more than half of the viewers for a Ligue 1 match accessed the game via illegal means. Outgoing Professional Football League Media CEO Ben Morel described piracy reaching a dangerous tipping point moment for the sport. Frances laws allow rightsholders to demand tech companies engage in measures to prevent serious violations of their broadcasting rights.When Google was instructed to participate in one such push last summer, it reportedly expressed an intention to comply while pointing out that the efforts impact would likely be negligible.Worldwide, visits to unlicensed global video sites have risen 12% since 2019 despite attempts to slow their spread, according to anti-piracy analysis platform Muso.Unlicensed sites can profit from signing their own advertising deals or collecting valuable visitor data. Some services have also attempted to charge subscribers for access to private portals.It remains unclear whether enforcement or another motivation triggered Mondays announcement, as the Methstreams and Crackstreams owner also teased news of a return.While many users of the websites publicly saluted the operator for the service they provided, it wasnt long before commenters pivoted to discussing which remaining site offered the best way to continue watching unlicensed game streams.Read More About:

For months, the location information of around 800,000 electric Volkswagen vehicles was available online due to a data leak, according to a report from the German news magazine Der Spiegel. The leak reportedly stemmed from the software running inside Volkswagen vehicles and could've allowed a bad actor to trace a drivers exact movements, as noted by Electrek.A whistleblower first notified Der Spiegel and the European hacking association Chaos Computer Club of the vulnerability, which also affects EVs from Volkswagen-owned car brands on a global scale, including Audi, Seat, and Skoda.Der Spiegel found that Cariad, the Volkswagen subsidiary behind the automaker's software, made it possible for an attacker to find and access driver data housed in Amazons cloud storage service. The data, which could be linked to the names and contact details of the drivers, reportedly included details about when EVs were switched on and off, along with the emails, phone numbers, and addresses of drivers in some cases.RelatedIt included the precise locations of about 460,000 vehicles, as Der Spiegel says the data was accurate to within ten centimeters for Volkswagen and Seats vehicles, and within 10km (~6 miles) for Audi and Skoda models. Cariad has since addressed the issue, telling Der Spiegel customershave no need to take any action, as no sensitive information such as passwords or payment details are affected. The Verge reached out to Cariad and Volkswagen with requests for comment but didnt immediately hear back.If anything, this leak serves as yet another reminder of the immense amount of data collected by modern-day vehicles, which Mozilla has called a privacy nightmare.

Image: Tokyo Game LifeOver the holiday season, we're republishing some of the best articles from Nintendo Life writers and contributors as part of our Best of 2024 series. This article was originally published in October. Enjoy!The first generation of Pokmon games features some of the most iconic locations in the entire franchise. The eerie Lavender Town, the winding Viridian Forest, and the quaint Pallet Town where all players start their journey.Pallet Town isnt just a fanciful creation, but draws real-life inspiration from Pokmon creator Satoshi Tajiris hometown of Machida within the Tokyo Metropolis. While the Machida of today and of Tajiris childhood are very different, there are yet many elements within the city that evoke the adventurous feeling of Ash Ketchum's hometown.Pokmon Red / Green / Blue / Yellow was inspired by the populous Kanto region of Japan, hence its namesake in the game. Kanto is home to Tokyo, which may conjure up images of a bustling futuristic city, but the Greater Tokyo Area is also abundant with verdant natural beauty, sleepy suburbs, and other places that tourists may not stumble upon. Machida doesnt pop up in many travel guides, but its a wonderful excursion outside the citys centre that will delight Pokmon fans looking to experience a bit of the games in real life.Images: Tokyo Game LifeMachida itself does not outwardly promote itself as being the hometown of Satoshi Tajiri. Some have even argued that Pallet Town is actually in Shizuoka due to how the real map of the Kanto region lines up with the games map. However, Machida has recently solidified itself as the likely inspiration for Pallet Town due to the installation of six Pok Lids within Machidas Serigaya Park.Part of the Pokmon Local Acts project which promotes tourism in lesser visited areas of Japan, Pok Lids are Pokmon themed utility covers that have been installed all across Japan. There are over 300 utility covers, with the most recent one being a special Pikachu lid at the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto. Hardcore Pokmon fans often travel specifically to these Pok Lids to take photos. Since they are mostly installed to lure travellers off the beaten paths, Tokyo itself does not have many, but the first ones were placed in Machida in 2020, themed after Kanto Pokmon you find early in your journey.Images: Tokyo Game LifeAll six Pok Lids are within Serigaya Park, an expansive area filled with evocative sculptures, ponds with koi fish, and plenty of lush greenery. The park was created in 1982, so while its not likely Tajiri visited this location specifically to catch bugs and fish, which would later inspire him to create Pokmon, Serigaya Parks quiet beauty does capture the same feeling of Pallet Town and the early routes of Kanto.Images: Tokyo Game LifeEach lid features bright art of classic Kanto Pokmon such as the starters Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander. They are smartly placed throughout the park, such as the Poliwag lid next to a glistening stream, or Charmander next to a fire hazard warning. The parks towering seesaw sculpture in the Rainbow and Water Square is portrayed on the Pidgey and Rattata lid, and you might even spot a Leaf cameo on the Bulbasaur lid.Dont be surprised if you need to line up to take a photo, as they are highly sought-after spots by Poke Lid fanatics due to being the only lids in the country that showcase the Kanto starters.Machida is more than the Pallet Town-coded Serigaya Park, and its most famous tourist attraction is not Pokmon-related at all. Machida Squirrel Garden is a small petting zoo that features over two hundred squirrels that live in colourfully painted houses. You can even feed and pet the squirrels, though dont be surprised if they dart off after filling their bellies. Although its unlikely these specific squirrels went on to inspire Pachirisu, its fun to think about.Images: Tokyo Game LifeRight across from Machida Squirrel Garden is Yakushiike Park, a massive Japanese garden featuring arch bridges, hanging wisteria, and red maple leaves. The traditional Japanese trappings of this park might lean more towards Johto than Kanto, but it captures the feeling of exploring a beautiful environment like in Pokmon, keeping an eye out for anything that might pop out of the grass.The city centre near Machida Station is a fairly typical Japanese shopping hub, with plenty of restaurants and department stores to check out. For gamers, there are a few arcades and shops like Hobby Off and Book Off where you can find retro games. Machidas Book Off is especially impressive, as it does have decorations for its retro game area, including Pokmon themed ones. On my visit, I even managed to find boxed copies of Pokmon Red and Green. Luck, or destiny?Images: Tokyo Game LifeIn a 1999 TIME magazine interview with Satoshi Tajiri, he briefly spoke about the changing landscapes of Machida.The place where I grew up was still rural back then. There were rice paddies, rivers, forests. It was full of nature. Then development started taking place, and as it grew, all the insects were driven away [...] The change was so dramatic. A fishing pond would become an arcade centre.25 years after Tajiri talked to TIME about Machida, the city has undoubtedly moved even further into resembling a modern neighbourhood of Tokyo. Yet, with the Pok Lids drawing people to Machidas more natural scenery, the spirit of starting your adventure in Pallet Town is still alive today.Image: Tokyo Game Life Worth a trip to Japan?Eiji Aonuma? Drinking buddy. Shigeru Miyamoto?...Related GamesSee AlsoShare:018 Tokyo Game Life is a Tokyo-based video game podcast focusing on Nintendo and gaming culture in Japan's capital. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesBest Of 2024: The Company You Can Pay To X-Ray Unopened Pokmon Card Packs Speaks Out"The technology is not going away, and people know what it can do"Nintendo Reveals Japan's "Top 30" Most Downloaded Switch eShop Games Of 2024Suika Game takes out the top spotJapanese Charts: What Successor? Switch Hardware Sales Top 100,000Spare a thought for PS5 and XboxPokmon TCG Pocket: Mew EX Deck GuideMew EX is here to keep the meta in checkJapanese Game Creators Reveal Their "Top 20" Video Games Of 2024Here's the full list

Image: Nintendo LifeThe final wave of savings has arrived just in time for the new year. These all end on 12th January, so simply scroll through the list to find everything you need. And, as you can probably tell, there's a huge amount of new stuff on sale here.A reminder, some have a slightly different end date and will only be on sale until 6th January. Pay attention to all those flagged with the new date in the list below so you don't miss out!Nintendo has officially kicked off its Switch eShop Holiday Sale in Europe, bringing beefy discounts to thousands of games until 12th January 2024.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube790kWatch on YouTube And yes, we said "thousands". Indeed, there are so many games currently seeing a price cut on the eShop that it can be difficult to know where to start, but that's where we come in. Below, we've laid out every game in the Nintendo Holiday Sale that we've awarded 9/10 or higher, so you can filter through to the cream of the crop in no time.The list may seem a little shorter than usual for now, though Nintendo has announced that more games will be added to the sale on 24th and 30th December, so keep an eye out for more discounted delights in the coming weeks.Note. We've given sale prices in GBP followed by the percentage discount, but commensurate EUR savings can be found across European eShops.If you want to pick up some credit to assist in your eShop purchases, you can head over to the Nintendo Life store or see all available options in the links below.Buy Nintendo eShop CreditUSACANUKEURJPNSo, let's dive into some of the top discounted picks, presented below in alphabetical order...A Short Hike (Switch eShop)Publisher: Whippoorwill / Developer: Adam Robinson-YuRelease Date: 18th Aug 2020 (USA) / 18th Aug 2020 (UK/EU)3.77 (-40%)A Short Hike is a fat-free experience from top to bottom or should we say bottom to top? It's the kind of game that makes us sigh with happiness when we recall our time with it, and even having played it through to its ostensible conclusion multiple times, we know for a fact there are still things to see and do on that mountain.It's something of an apotheosis a milestone in indie games akin to Cave Story or Spelunky. The very best bits of multiple game genres, stripped of all padding and bloat, mixed perfectly into a delicious video game stew that only gets richer the more you play.An exploration in every sense of the word, A Short Hike is cute without being twee, challenging without being obnoxious, and emotional without being cloying. A landmark game for all ages. Don't miss this one.Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition (Switch)Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: Project AcesRelease Date: 11th Jul 2024 (USA) / 11th Jul 2024 (UK/EU)32.99 (-34%)Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the absolute pinnacle of the series and despite coming to Switch over five years after other platforms, this 'impossible' Switch conversion does very little to degrade the experience. Long-time franchise players and military aviation enthusiasts will be overwhelmed by the fan service at every turn, from craters on the ground to airplanes, liveries, callsigns, and emblems shouting out to previous entries.We understand the genre is uniquely niche, but if this is your first foray into the franchise, this conversion is a perfect gateway into this rich, revered series. You get tons of content and an epic single-player campaign wrapped up in triple-A presentation that delivers the most comprehensive portable experience ever from Project Aces.Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.AI: The Somnium Files (Switch)Publisher: Spike Chunsoft / Developer: Spike ChunsoftRelease Date: 17th Sep 2019 (USA) / 20th Sep 2019 (UK/EU)7.19 (-80%)AI: The Somnium Files starts out slow but once you've traversed a few of its delightfully surreal Somnium dreamscapes and got to an ending or two, working your way back through your flowchart and striking out in different directions, it becomes an engaging and tense affair.Fans of the Zero Escape games will feel right at home here, and director Kotaro Uchikoshis talent for putting the player into increasingly unsettling circumstances ensures everything takes flight in a very satisfying way as you work your way through the many strands of the loopy central mystery towards its various different endings.The excellent sequel, AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative, is also on sale for 21.59 (-60%)Alien: Isolation (Switch eShop)Publisher: SEGA / Developer: Creative AssemblyRelease Date: 5th Dec 2019 (USA) / 5th Dec 2019 (UK/EU)9.99 (-33%)Alien: Isolation is a survival horror masterpiece and straight-up one of the very best horror video games ever released. It's a nerve-wracking affair a slow, methodical game of cat and mouse against a brilliantly clever recreation of one of cinema's most infamous killers but if you're up to the task you'll find one of the most satisfying gameplay experiences in the genre; a brilliant and beautiful homage to one of the greatest Sci-Fi movies of all time. Feral Interactive has done a stellar job with this Switch port and the excellent motion controls and inclusion of all previously-released DLC only go to sweeten the deal. This is essential stuff for survival horror fans.Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: NintendoRelease Date: 20th Mar 2020 (USA) / 20th Mar 2020 (UK/EU)33.29 (-33%)*Sale ends 6th JanuaryAnimal Crossing: New Horizons improved upon every single facet of the series imaginable. There's more to do, more to see, more to change, more to mould, and more to love; fans and first-time players can find themselves losing hours at a time gathering materials, creating new furniture, and making their island undeniably theirs.Every moment is unashamedly blissful, with excellently written characters that truly feel alive and an island paradise that gives back infinitely more than you put in. Back when Animal Crossing: New Leaf hit the shelves all those years ago and created a whole new generation of fans, many people were wondering how Nintendo could possibly top it, but here we got our answer.This is a masterpiece that's worth buying a Switch (or two) to play.Ape Out (Switch eShop)Publisher: Devolver Digital / Developer: Gabe CuzzilloRelease Date: 28th Feb 2019 (USA) / 28th Feb 2019 (UK/EU)3.37 (-75%)The Nintendo eShop would be a considerably more exciting and interesting place if it were packed full of games like Ape Out. Its a refreshingly original experience that more than deserves a place in any Switch owners library.Difficult, frenetic gameplay, strong art direction, and an even stronger jazz drum soundtrack make this the sort of memorable game that youll likely keep coming back to over and over for another few runs in arcade mode. Ape Out gets a strong recommendation to anyone looking for a distinct and unforgettable game for their Switch collection; its a bit of an acquired taste, but well worth your time.Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Switch)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 25th Jan 2024 (USA) / 25th Jan 2024 (UK/EU)23.98 (-40%)We genuinely can't believe how lucky we are that the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy games exist, let alone that they've been lovingly polished up for the Switch. Here is some of the best writing you'll find on the console, and it's a steal for all three games plus extras.A couple of bumps here and there are to be expected with such a wealth of content (three games, DLC, and extras), but they barely leave a dent on the brilliance of this well-written and beautifully illustrated trilogy.All of the Ace Attorney games are on sale right now on the eShop, but The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is our next pick for the best on the system, and it's 13.49 (-60%)Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (Switch)Publisher: Koei Tecmo / Developer: GustRelease Date: 24th Mar 2023 (USA) / 24th Mar 2023 (UK/EU)27.49 (-45%)Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key ends Ryza's three-game run on a high note, serving up a heady mix of exploration, crafting, and combat that benefits greatly from a narrative arc that's had time to develop and grow. The new key mechanics add more depth to combat, synthesis, and exploration, the world is more seamless and diverse than ever before and the whole thing comes together to form a satisfying end for this hugely popular protagonist.We did have some issues with small text, no English dub, and a little fussiness in how information is relayed, but overall this is Gust's finest adventure to date and a JRPG experience that long-term fans and newcomers alike will find plenty to delight in.Axiom Verge (Switch eShop)Publisher: Thomas Happ Games / Developer: Thomas Happ GamesRelease Date: 5th Oct 2017 (USA) / 5th Oct 2017 (UK/EU)2.24 (-85%)Axiom Verge on Switch is truly an outstanding port of an outstanding game, no more and no less. We would strongly urge those of you who missed this game on other platforms to pick it up here; this is the full Axiom Verge experience and it's available in a format that supports both handheld and home play.For those of you who have played it before on other platforms, its ultimately a question of just how much you love this game. This is the exact same, excellent game that youve played before, so whether or not you want to buy it again is personal choice.Regardless of which side you fall on, Axiom Verge is a fantastic example of how to do a Metroidvania right.The sequel, Axiom Verge 2, is also on sale for 4.85 (-70%)Bad North (Switch eShop)Publisher: Raw Fury / Developer: Plausible ConceptRelease Date: 20th Aug 2018 (USA) / 20th Aug 2018 (UK/EU)2.69 (-80%)A slice of Viking strategic combat right out of the heart of Scandinavias indie development scene, Bad North was at the vanguard of a wave of smart yet intrinsically accessible real-time strategy titles.Swedish developer Plausible Concept calls it micro-strategy and it's the perfect encapsulation of a minimalist approach that covers everything from unit management to the Monument Valley-style isometric art style.With enough enemy variance to convince you youre playing an interactive episode of the Vikings TV show, this endlessly entertaining sea of bitesize battles will teach you to fear and love the sound of the oncoming horde.Balatro (Switch eShop)Publisher: PlayStack / Developer: LocalThunkRelease Date: 20th Feb 2024 (USA) / 20th Feb 2024 (UK/EU)11.51 (-10%)Balatro is a roguelike for gamers who don't like roguelikes... and then everybody else on top of that. It utterly nails what it sets out to do, providing an instantly accessible, satisfying, and addictive gameplay loop that anybody can grasp.It's an immensely enjoyable experience from the start, but as you get deeper in, there's really nothing else quite like it. Utterly sublime.BLUE REFLECTION: Second Light (Switch)Publisher: Koei Tecmo / Developer: GustRelease Date: 9th Nov 2021 (USA) / 9th Nov 2021 (UK/EU)19.99 (-60%)Blue Reflection: Second Light improves on almost every aspect of the original, with a mystery that feels more personal as the characters become closer. The relationship between the girls as they seek to discover why they were brought to this strange world is the star of the show; though the combat is fun, it is always a vehicle to get you more story rather than the driving force of the game. Second Light is a fantastic-looking anime adventure that you'll love, so long as you can accept that combat isn't the focus.Botany Manor (Switch eShop)Publisher: Whitethorn Games / Developer: Balloon StudiosRelease Date: 9th Apr 2024 (USA) / 9th Apr 2024 (UK/EU)17.99 (-20%)It looks like The Witness and it plays a bit like StreetPass Garden, but Botany Manor blooms into something that's not only entirely its own, but also something quite special.Don't let its cosy aesthetics fool you Botany Manor is packed with nicely challenging, well-designed puzzles, and isn't afraid to tackle heavy subjects, too.Braid: Anniversary Edition (Switch eShop)Publisher: Number None / Developer: Number NoneRelease Date: 14th May 2024 (USA) / 14th May 2024 (UK/EU)8.99 (-50%)Braid remains a landmark equally for indie game development and puzzle platformers. The time control mechanics are mind-bendingly satisfying to play with and the puzzles are wickedly inventive. This Anniversary Edition is an exquisite expression of the original concept, with everything spruced up to perfection.And, even on top of that, it includes interactive creators commentary that sets a high watermark for in-game analysis and represents a new key text for anyone interested in how games are made. In short: this package is an all-timer.Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle (Switch eShop)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 18th Sep 2018 (USA) / 18th Sep 2018 (UK/EU)7.99 (-50%)The Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle illustrates perfectly why the humble side-scrolling fighter was the toast of video gaming in the late '80s and early '90s. Addictive, enjoyable, and perhaps most important of all bloody good fun when played co-operatively with friends, all of the titles in this seven-strong compendium are worth your time, and by adding robust local and multiplayer support, Capcom has done its utmost to ensure they find favour with a whole new generation of gamers.If you're not a fan of the genre then you may well be wondering what all the fuss is about, but for everyone else, this is a must-have download.Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Switch eShop)Publisher: Finji / Developer: FinjiRelease Date: 15th Dec 2021 (USA) / 15th Dec 2021 (UK/EU)8.54 (-50%)As an adventure game, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is quite sincerely up there with the very best of the genre. Theres plenty to see and do and a full completion run will probably take you 25-30 hours. The characters and their travails are rich and likeable, the games sense of humour is generally inspired, and its all very sweet without being sugary-twee and talking down to the player. Its also an affecting little tearjerker that will definitely strike a chord if you make art, and almost certainly will even if you dont so long as youre capable of pretty basic empathy. Chicory is simple to play but impressively long and complex, with perfect controls, performance and visuals. Throw yourself into painting the world and youll be left with a game thats very much your own and speaks to you directly a beautiful marriage of mechanics, themes and visuals.Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony Anniversary Edition (Switch eShop)Publisher: Spike Chunsoft / Developer: Spike ChunsoftRelease Date: 3rd Dec 2021 (USA) / 3rd Dec 2021 (UK/EU)9.44 (-65%)It's difficult to get across exactly why Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is so good without spoiling vast swathes of it, so we'll keep it simple. You'll come into the game baffled as to what the writers were thinking with some of these characters, and walk away loving each and every one of them.There isn't a single moment of slack throughout the whole 40-hour playtime, it has the most extensive post-game of any title in the series, and one of the best endings to any game ever made. Go in blind and we promise you'll be in for the ride of your life.While the whole series is on sale, this is the game we scored a 9/10. So if you're interested, now is the time to buy the trilogy.Dead Cells (Switch)Publisher: Motion Twin / Developer: Motion TwinRelease Date: 7th Aug 2018 (USA) / 7th Aug 2018 (UK/EU)11.24 (-50%)Dead Cells is a masterclass in excellent roguelike design, mixing together nonstop intense action sequences, gorgeous vistas, and an addictive loop of unlocks and rewards into a beautiful experience that no Switch owner will want to go without.Theres dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of content available here, and though some sense of repetition can creep in every now and then, its remarkable how fresh Dead Cells can stay through all those hours.This game is a blast to play, full of visual splendour, and packed with things to do; dont miss out on this one - its a must-buy.You can also get the Return to Castlevania DLC for an excellent 4.49 (-50%)Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition (Switch eShop)Publisher: Capcom / Developer: CapcomRelease Date: 20th Feb 2020 (USA) / 20th Feb 2020 (UK/EU)7.99 (-50%)Even so many years after its 2005 debut, Devil May Cry 3 remains one of the very best action games ever made. It may have aged in places, but that turbo-charged, combo-heavy action feels as fresh today as it did back in the mid-noughties. The new Freestyle mode which lets players swap combat styles on the fly at any point during the action is a genuinely excellent addition to the package, and the ability to play Bloody Palace in local co-op is the cherry on top of a Switch port that should appeal to anyone interested in sampling the devilish delights of this all-time classic.Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (Switch eShop)Publisher: ZA/UM / Developer: ZA/UMRelease Date: 12th Oct 2021 (USA) / 12th Oct 2021 (UK/EU)10.79 (-70%)Disco Elysium's narrative and dialogue, which was already wonderfully compelling in the base game, was given a massive boost thanks to the excellent voice acting introduced for the Final Cut.The gameplay features a host of branching paths for you to explore, and while the slow, methodical approach may turn a few people off, this is nevertheless one of the most well-told stories in any medium from the last few years.The performance issues at the time of our review slightly took the shine off things, but even with them present, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was and is a triumph and stands as one of the best RPGs available on Switch.Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition (Switch eShop)Publisher: Larian Studios / Developer: Larian StudiosRelease Date: 4th Sep 2019 (USA) / 4th Sep 2019 (UK/EU)22.49 (-50%)From its opening moments upon a prison ship bound for Fort Joy to non-stop adventures that take you across the high seas to the Reapers Coast, Nameless Isle, and beyond, Divinity: Original Sin 2 simply dazzles. In its seemingly endless parade of well-written characters, hilarious narration, deep and rewarding physics-based combat, and the myriad ways in which it allows you to engage and toy with its systems, this is a truly epic RPG that revels in choice more than any other thats come before it.It takes the old-school isometric style of Baldurs Gate, layers it with an unparalleled level of attention to detail, and fuses it with a thoroughly modern take on meaningful player decisions, resulting in one of the greatest role-playing games available on any platform; and its all here, present and correct on a portable console.

Elon Musk had an eventful 2024, what with his hard push into right-wing politics and leveraging his X social media platform and considerable influence to help Donald Trump win the presidential election.Putting politics aside for a moment, its worth focusing on another Musk pastime: making promises for Tesla.The Tesla CEOs promises and repeated missed deadlines have become a primary thread in the Tesla storyline. And theyve always had an eye-popping quality that captured the imagination of investors and helped drive up the value of Tesla stock, giving the company a valuation of $1.3 trillion. There was his claim in 2015 that Tesla vehicles would be self-driving in two years, that cross-country driverless road-trips would be enabled by the end of 2017, and that Tesla owners would be able to earn money via a massive driverless ride-hailing network in 2020.And while Tesla has cemented its place in history books thanks to building and selling millions of electric vehicles, none of the above promises (nor many others) have come to pass.But that hasnt stopped Musk from making more promises in 2024. Heres an accounting of those promises and when he expects them to become reality.The $25,000 EVIn 2024 alone, Musk pledged to unveil a $25,000 EV, then scrapped it in April to prioritize a robotaxi prototype a decision that led to mass layoffs as Tesla pursued its next phase of growth.Musk has flip-flopped on whether the affordable EV would ever come to market. But during Teslas third-quarter earnings call, Musk said the idea of building a $25,000 car with a steering wheel and pedals is pointless and silly. He said the only car hed sell at that price point would be the Cybercab.During the call, an analyst asked if Tesla would make a lower-cost EV thats not the Cybercab, and Musk replied that all of the companys cars moving forward would be autonomous. He also said that of the 7 million vehicles Tesla has built to date, the vast majority are capable of autonomy, and that Tesla is currently making on the order of 35,000 autonomous vehicles a week. Musk is clearly using a loose definition of autonomy here, because Tesla still does not produce vehicles that are safe to use without a human behind the wheel.(Flashback: Musk originally promised in 2016, in a since-deleted post on Teslas website, that All Tesla Cars Being Produced Now Have Full Self-Driving Hardware, and that only a software update would be needed to turn regular old Teslas into self-driving cars. That didnt happen, and Tesla has had to upgrade cars with older hardware.)Its also worth noting that during that earnings call, Musk said that he expects vehicle growth to reach 20% to 30% in 2025 due to lower cost vehicles and the advent of autonomy.Start production on the Cybercab by 2025 or 2026Tesla unveiled 20 Cybercab prototypes at a flashy Hollywood event in October, and Musk took the opportunity to share some plans for the vehicles, as well as Teslas so-called Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. FSD is Teslas advanced driver assistance system that can perform many automated driving tasks, but still requires a human to remain attentive behind the wheel and take over if needed.Musk told customers they would be able to one day buy a robotaxi a two-door, two-seat vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals for less than $30,000. He also said that the average operating cost of the Cybercab will reduce over time to only $0.20 per mile. And he said Tesla would start production on the purpose-built AVs in 2025 or 2026.(Flashback: Musk said in 2022 that Tesla would mass-produce robotaxis by 2024. Before that, in 2019, he said that Tesla would have a million robotaxis on roads by 2020. Musk has promised that Tesla would solve full self-driving next year since at least 2016.)A few weeks later, during Teslas third-quarter earnings call, Musk said Tesla would reach volume production in 26, and that the company was eventually aiming for at least 2 million units a year of Cybercab.Current federal regulations that require vehicles to be built with certain safety standards, like manual human controls, could be roadblocks for Tesla to mass produce its Cybercabs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently proposed new rules that would fast-track exemptions for such vehicles, but they would require companies to share more data with the agency, like crash reporting. Today, automakers are required to report crashes when ADAS or autonomous driving tech is engaged. Musk has railed against the rule before, and President-elect Donald Trumps transition team is reportedly exploring scrapping it.Robovan in developmentDuring Teslas robotaxi reveal, the company also showed investors a Robovan prototype. At the time Musk didnt share any concrete plans for the vehicle, but in November he posted on X that the Robovan is in development, along with some other things.(Flashback: In 2016, Musk said Tesla would start building a minibus using the Model X chassis in two to three years.)Unsupervised FSD and autonomous ride-hail in 2025At the event, Musk also promised that Model 3 and Model Y owners would be able to use an unsupervised version of FSD in California and Texas in 2025.It wasnt, and still isnt, clear what Musk meant by unsupervised FSD. Today, Teslas FSD is still not fully autonomous, and to dispel any confusion, Tesla this year began referring to the software as supervised FSD. Removing the supervision could mean that Tesla plans to remove the driver, or it could mean that Tesla plans to offer a Level 3 autonomous system that allows drivers to go hands-off, eyes-off for a portion of their ride.During Teslas third-quarter earnings call, Musk took the promise of unsupervised FSD a step further. He said he hopes to launch a service that will let people hail self-driving Teslas in California and Texas in 2025. He also claimed Tesla had begun testing the service in the Bay Area with employees.(Context: There are several tiers of permits required to test and deploy autonomous vehicles in California. Tesla has held a permit to test AVs with a safety driver in the front seat since 2015, but the Department of Motor Vehicles told TechCrunch in October that Tesla last reported using that permit in 2019.)Its not clear if Tesla plans to launch this ride-hail service with its robotaxis or with existing Tesla Model 3 and Model Y owners. Teslas first-quarter earnings presentation included a mock-up of a future Tesla ride-hail app, and the company has for years teased the idea of a ride-hailing network using Teslas that had been updated to drive fully autonomously. The idea is similar to Uber, only Tesla owners would add their properly equipped self-driving vehicles to the automakers ride-hailing app to make extra cash when the cars are not in use. Tesla would take 25% to 30% of the revenue.Finally, during Teslas first-quarter earnings call, Musk said Tesla was in talks with a major automaker to license FSD, but so far has not announced any such deals.Over a thousand Optimus robots working at Tesla in 2025Image Credits:TeslaMusk has made some out there promises about Optimus, Teslas humanoid robot. During Teslas annual shareholder meeting, Musk promised that Tesla would move into limited production of the Optimus next year, with over 1,000, or a few thousand, Optimus robots working at Tesla in 2025. He also said he expects Optimus to be on sale by 2026. In a post on X, the billionaire executive added that he expects to have more Optimus bots available for use by other companies in 2026.He did not specify if the bots would be working fully autonomously, or if they would be remotely controlled by humans, as they were during Teslas robotaxi reveal event in October.(Context: While humanoid robots are improving to the point of being able to autonomously complete specific tasks, many experts say generalized robotics is still years away due to a lack of training data.)Aside from manufacturing promises, Musk also predicted that Optimus could one day lift Teslas market cap to $25 trillion. Thats roughly seven times the current market caps of Apple and Nvidia. At the end of December, Teslas market cap was around $1.42 trillion, which is almost a 160% increase from the $550 billion market cap before Trump won the presidential election.Have we missed anything? Feel free to reach out to rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com.

On December 27, a Waymo robotaxi and a Serve Robotics sidewalk delivery robot collided at a Los Angeles intersection, according to a video thats circulating on social media. The footage shows a Serve bot crossing a street in West Hollywood at night and trying to get onto the sidewalk. It reached the curb, backed up a little to correct itself and started moving toward the ramp. Thats when a Waymo making a right turn hit the little bot.The person who posted the video said the Serve bot had run a red light before the collision, though thats not clear from the footage.One Reddit user commented on the video saying: Waymo computers: Doesnt appear to be a human or animal. No life form detected BAM!And while that comment was likely made in jest, the sentiment is not exactly wrong.Screenshot taken from video posted on Reddit.Image Credits:Reddit userWhen TechCrunch asked Waymo whether the robotaxi saw the bot, a spokesperson said that the Waymo Driver system correctly observed that the delivery robot was an inanimate object. The Driver is designed to be a cautious defensive driver that prioritizes the safest driving path with the information it has at any given moment, and its ability to classify and distinguish different types of road users and objects informs its behavior around them. For example, the Driver is programmed to be more cautious around children and pedestrians.This isnt to say that Waymos Driver will just bulldoze anything inanimate; in this case, the delivery robot had paused at the curb before driving into the vehicle turning lane just as the Waymo robotaxi entered the intersection. At that point, the Waymo Driver applied hard braking before making contact with the delivery robot at 4 miles per hour, according to the Waymo spokesperson.Neither AV was damaged, and the two remained locked for a minute before going their separate ways. But as more autonomous vehicles hit public roads, theres a question to be asked about what happens when they collide? How do the companies decide which robot, and therefore, which company, is liable in the case of damage?Based on previous information Waymo has given TechCrunch, when a collision occurs, the Waymo Driver notifies the companys Fleet Response and Rider Support teams. The Fleet Response team reviews the scene remotely and dispatches a road-side assistance representative if needed. The Rider Support team checks the status of the riders and, if appropriate, contacts first responders.In this specific instance, there was no passenger inside the robotaxi. Its not clear if the Fleet Response team was alerted to this collision, or whether either the Waymo robotaxi or the Serve bot required humans to assist in getting out of the jam remotely.A Serve spokesperson told TechCrunch that this is the first instance of one of its bots colliding with a robotaxi, and confirmed that the bot was under remote supervisor control at the time of the incident since that is still part of Serves playbook for intersection crossings.TechCrunch was unable to get more concrete answers from Waymo or Serve regarding specifics around liability in the case of future incidents that might result in more damage. Spokespeople from both companies have confirmed that they have been in touch to work to avoid similar issues in the future.