Microsoft Rewards has made an official statement on recent account suspensions that users reported receiving. The issue made many Microsoft Rewards users upset, as they hadn't done anything wrong that would warrant the suspensions.

Back in 2017, Apple introduced a new default photo format for the iPhone, HEIC (or "high efficiency image container"). I've got nothing against this highly efficient format, since it takes up less space than JPG and its compression helps power Live Photos and Apples excellent image post-processing. But it can be a headache at times.While HEIC works fine if youre sharing a photo with other Apple devices, you'll often run into a problem when you need to upload a photo to an online form or open it in Windows: it won't be compatible.There are a couple of ways to handle this. You can use a workaround to convert HEIC images to JPG (or JPEG) on your iPhone, or you can adjust your settings and switch back to shooting photos in JPG. If the photo is already on your Mac or Windows PC, you have some options there as well, including opening the photo natively on your PC. Here are your options to convert HEIC to JPG, or otherwise access your HEIC photos.Change your iPhone's default photo format Credit: Khamosh Pathak If you dont like the HEIC format, the first thing you should do is switch the default format for your iPhone's Camera app to JPG. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and switch to the Most Compatible option. Now, any new photos that you take will be saved in JPG, making it much easier to share everywhere.Theres also a special mode in Settings that automatically converts photos to JPG when sharing to Windows or Mac, but keeps them as HEIC on iPhone (helping save some storage space). To enable this feature, go to Settings > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC and choose the Automatic option.Batch Convert HEIC Images Using Mac Quick Actions Credit: Khamosh Pathak If youre using a Mac running macOS Monterey or higher, theres a quick image conversion tool built into the Finder app that supports multiple images at once. Select the HEIC photos you want to convert, right-click, and go to Quick Actions > Convert Image. Here, choose the JPEG format and click the Convert to JPEG option. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Convert HEIC Images using Preview Credit: Khamosh Pathak If you're using an older Mac, you might not have access to the new Quick Actions feature. In that case, you can use the trusty old Preview app to convert images to JPEG. First, open the image in the Preview app.Then, go to File > Export. Here, choose JPEG as the format and click Save. This will create a new file in the same folder as the original image.Batch Export HEIC Images from the Photos app Credit: Khamosh Pathak The Photos app on Mac seamlessly syncs all your photos from your iPhone to your Mac using iCloud. But all those photos are still in HEIC format. Thankfully, you can quickly export HEIC images from the Photos app. Select all the photos you want to export, then go to File > Export > Export [X] Photo(s). Make sure to use the JPEG format, and click the Export button.Alternatively, a simple drag and drop gesture is enough to turn an HEIC image to JPEG. Select images from the Photos app, then drag and drop them to the desktop or any folder in the Finder app. The resulting image will be formatted into JPEG format.Quickly convert an HEIC image to JPG on your phone using the Files app Credit: Khamosh Pathak A quick way to convert HEIC photos to JPG right on your iPhone is to use the Files app. Open the Photos app on your iPhone and select the photos that you want to convert. Then, tap the Share icon and choose the Save to Files option.Go to the Files app, find the image that you saved, press and hold on it, then go to Quick Actions > Convert Image. Choose the JPEG file format, then choose the image size (best to stick to the Original size option). The image will instantly be converted to JPEG. And yes, this works for either a single image or a huge batch of images. Open HEIC images in the Photos app on WindowsWindows does let you open HEIC images in Photos, but not by default. Youll need to download both HEIF Image Extensions (free) and HEVC Video Extensions ($0.99) from the Microsoft Storebut once you do, youll be able to open HEIC files in your Photos app, as well as convert them to JPG.With these extensions installed, you can open your HEIC photos using your PC's photo app, and even convert them to JPG by navigating to Three dots menu > Save as > Save as type > JPG. Alternatively, with the extensions installed, you can also open your HEIC photo in Paint and navigate to File > Save as > JPEG picture to do the same thing.Use Clop for Mac to Automatically Convert HEIC Images from Downloads Folder Credit: Clop For every roadblock, there's a Mac utility. For obscure image and video formats, there's Clop. Once installed, the app automatically converts images that you download or import to JPG. This is useful when downloading WebP images online, and when you're airdropping HEIC files to your Mac. The app handles image conversion in the background, and after the 14-day trial, you're limited to five conversions per session. You can remove all limits by upgrading to Clop Pro for $15.After installing the app, go to Settings > Images > Watch Paths and add /Downloads as a path, as this is where your airdropped HEIC images will show up. Now, whenever you Airdrop or transfer HEIC images to your Mac, they will be converted to JPG without you having to lift a finger. Ah, automation is bliss.Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows with a right-click using CopyTransYou can also use the popular CopyTrans for Windows app to more easily convert HEIC to JPG on a Windows computer. This app is free for personal use, and it has a direct integration in the File Explorer. All you have to do is select the HEIC file you want to convert, right-click, and choose the Convert to JPEG with CopyTrans option to automatically create a JPG version of the same image, in the same folder.Use online websites to convert HEIC photos Want to quickly convert a couple of HEIC photos, and dont want to bother setting up apps? There are free image converters all over the internet, although you'll want to be careful about which you use. A reliable option is Cloud Convert. Just drag in HEIC photos, hit the Convert button, and download the resulting JPG files.

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Loft-style bedrooms are common in tiny homes, but no one likes crawling into one and uncomfortably adjusting themselves there. Named the Sandy Tiny Home, this one-of-a-kind house attempts to deal with this issue by offering standing room in all three bedrooms. Designed by Indigo River Tiny Homes, the home is based on a triple-axle trailer, with a length of 36 feet. It features a finish of smart-engineered wood and two storage boxes on the outside.Designer: Indigo River Tiny HomesAs you enter the home, you are welcomed by the living area which includes a sofa for two, some storage space, and a TV. The kitchen is closely located, it contains solid mahogany countertops with a steel sink, a microwave, an electric oven with an electric cooktop, and a fridge/freezer. The kitchen also accommodates loads of cabinetry and a pull-out pantry. The bathroom is located next to the kitchen, and it is quite spacious with a washer/dryer hookup, a flushing toilet, a vanity sink, and a shower/bath unit which isnt very common in tiny homes.The master bedroom is located on the upper level of the home and can be accessed via a cleverly designed staircase that integrates storage solutions, maximizing functionality in a compact space. This staircase not only offers access to the bedroom but also provides valuable storage compartments for household items, ensuring an organized and clutter-free environment. The master bedroom showcases a unique architectural feature a lowered L-shaped floor area.This design innovation offers the room an impressive headroom of approximately 6.4 feet (1.95 meters), allowing occupants to stand comfortably uprighta rarity in many loft-style bedrooms. It also includes a queen-sized raised bed platform. This elevated sleeping area not only offers a cozy retreat but also enhances the rooms spatial dynamics.The second upstairs bedroom is similarly designed with accessibility and comfort in mind. It can be accessed via a short set of steps and features a lowered-standing platform, much like the master bedroom. The standing headroom in all the bedrooms allows the residents to stand upright with ease, ensuring the space is more livable and comfortable. The third bedroom is located on the ground-floor, although the owner uses it as a home office space. The room is pretty small and compact for a downstairs bedroom, but it can accommodate a double bed. The house is a part of Indigo River Tiny Homes Bunkhouse range and is priced at around US$161,000.The post This Unique Tiny Room Features Three Bedrooms With Sufficient Standing Room In All Three first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple has officially announced its first fiscal quarter 2025 earnings call will be held on January 30 at 5:00 p.m. ET.Apple earnings call to be held on January 30The biggest quarter of the year for Apple has historically been the holiday one as it combines the gift-giving season with the first full quarter of new iPhone sales. The results for the first fiscal quarter of 2025 will provide an idea of how the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10 have sold since their September launch.Apple shared that the earnings call will occur on January 30, at 5 p.m. Eastern via its Investor Relations portal. As always, the earnings call will discuss information from the earnings report, forward-looking statements, and include a short question-and-answer segment with analysts. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The Witcher 4sreveal trailer at The Game Awards in December was a lengthy one, but it had nothing to show in terms of gameplay, instead being billed as an in-engine concept thats meant to be representative of what the final game will look like. Even so, developer CD Projekt RED has teased out plenty of gameplay-related tidbits since the official announcement.Speaking in an interview with content creator Parris Lilly, for instance, game director Sebastian Kalemba spoke about CDPRs ambitions in terms of what it wants to achieve withThe Witcher 4sNPCs in particular. As per Kalemba, the goal is to ensure that every NPC in the game looks like theyre living their own, distinct life, with the aim being to heighten the players immersion as much as possible.We have this rule to make every single [The Witcher 4] NPC looking like theyre living, with their own story, Kalemba said (transcription via GamesRadar).Were definitely pushing the quality of NPC the way they look, their behavior, their facial performance as much as possible, because we want to make even more immersive experience than we used to, the director added. We are trying to push the bar here.SinceThe Witcher 4sannouncement, CDPR has also officially confirmed that though Ciri is set to star as the new protagonist (with a new actor playing her), Geralt of Rivia will still be returning, with Doug Cockle reprising his role. How extensive his role will be remains to be seen.The Witcher 4sopen world will be about the same size asthat of its predecessor, while fan-favourite card collecting and battling minigame Gwent also looks likely to return.

Many were surprised by Jim Carrey returning from soft retirement for his double role inSonic the Hedgehog 3as the villainous Dr. Robotnik and his even more villainous grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. And though some may have assumed that that would have been his final hurrah, as it turns out, the actor still may not be fully done with theSonicfranchise quite yet.Speaking in an interview with Cinema Today (spotted by @sonicstadium on Twitter), Carrey said that he remains open to the idea of returning to once again play Dr. Ivo Robotnik in futureSonic the Hedgehogmovies- depending, of course, on whether hes interested in the ideas presented to him.Im definitely open. Im open to the idea, he said. Generally, they come to me with the next idea, and if I go, that sounds fun, then Ill do it. I dont feel locked to anything in life unless its something that interests me.I certainly love this crew, Carrey added. I love this gang that makes these movies, and I love the fans. I think theres a lot of really great energy around it.Sonic the Hedgehog 3launched in theaters worldwide last month, and has enjoyed critical and commercia success since then. Shortly prior to its release, Sega and Paramount Pictures announced that a fourthSonicmovie had also been officially greenlit, and is due out in 2027.BREAKING: In an interview with the Japanese news site @cinematoday, Jim Carrey has confirmed that he is open to coming back for #SonicMovie4, and that hes not retiring but power napping between projects. #SonicNews #SonicMovie3 pic.twitter.com/qhcbIy3SnZ The Sonic Stadium 25 YEARS OF SONIC NEWS (@sonicstadium) January 3, 2025

Few companies in the games industry have the sort of treasure trove of IPs that PlayStation does, as evidenced by the vast amount of beloved Sony properties that have been dormant for prolonged periods. Demand for a great many of those franchises to come back rarely ever ebbs, and though its not often that we get indications that Sony might actually be looking to bring some of those properties back, interestingly enough, it seems like a couple such revivals might actually be in the works at PlayStation.Thats as per journalist Andy Robinson. Speaking during a recent episode of the VGC podcast, Robinson claimed that PlayStation has a couple of revivals in the works for deep cut properties. Though he did not name any specific names, he did also add that they will be smaller titles that Sony intends to use to supplement its release schedule.Whether that means Sony may have relatively fewer bigger releases planned for the coming years remains to be seen. As things stand right now, the company has titles such asGhost of YoteiandDeath Stranding 2: On the Beachlined up for release in 2025, while games such asIntergalactic, Marvelss Wolverine,and others are also in the works, so PlayStation fans do have notable releases to look forward to. The company has also said it intends to release major single-player titles every year going forward.Recently, PlayStation CEO Hermen Hulst also touched on the companys roster of inactive legacy IP, indicating that revivals for some of them might not be completely off the table. Read more on that through here.