Call of Duty publisher Activision has confirmed plans to charge players extra to earn the best Squid Game crossover event rewards in a first for the series.In a blog post, Activision detailed the Squid Game event, which includes a Red Light, Green Light limited-time multiplayer mode for Black Ops 6, as well as new operator bundles based on characters from the hugely popular Netflix show for use across Black Ops 6 and Warzone.One controversial addition, however, is the new Squid Game Event Pass, which includes a free reward track and a premium reward track. Activision detailed all the rewards included in both tracks (the premium track includes the coveted Front Man Operator skin), and confirmed the premium track costs 1,100 COD Points ($9.99).Call of Duty's Squid Game event has a premium track. Image credit: Activision Publishing.Heres the official blurb on the premium reward track:While every player can progress and unlock items along the Free reward track, a second Premium reward track in the Event Pass offers even more. Purchase the Premium track to access the ability to unlock additional themed rewards, including the instant reward High Authority XM4 Assault Rifle Blueprint plus Blueprints for the Knife, GS45 Pistol, and Saug SMG as well as a Concussion Grenade Equipment Skin, a Finishing Move, the Throwdown Emote, the Whos Left Talking Gun Screen, and more!Complete the premium track to turn the tide on the other competitors:Ultimate Mastery Reward: Front Man OperatorBecome the leader of the Pink Guards with the Front Man Operator. Deploy as the ruthless administrator of the Squid Game and take your team to victory.Call of Duty players are used to battle passes, premium battle passes, and even more expensive versions of premium battle passes on top of the $70 cost of entry. However, this is the first time a Call of Duty event has launched with its own premium battle pass. Its fair to say reaction to this development is negative, especially considering the hardcore Call of Duty community isnt best pleased with the state of either Black Ops 6 or Warzone right now due to what appears to be rampant cheating, a failing anti-cheat, and various connection problems.Call of Dutys Squid Game Event goes live starting January 3 at 10am PT and ends on January 24 at 10am PT.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

As the mercury drops, nothing holds as much appeal as curling up in front of a crackling fire, hot toddy in hand and the nip of winter at bay. And while your fireplace might be the prime spot to cozy up, hearth and home (to borrow an old aphorism) obviously go hand-in-hand as far as decor is concerned. A mantel, be it bold or traditional, is, naturally, a glowing focal point for your living room, bedroom, or patio. So how do you go about transforming your existing fireplace or designing one from scratch in a way that feels at once functional but has that wow factor? Weve been seeing mantels trend bolder (dare we say hotter?) than ever before. Even so, says ELLE DECOR A-List designer Rayman Boozer, its best to keep things classic when designing a timeless fireplace. The key to any successful contemporary design is to limit the number of materials used and let them be the story, he says. In a Harlem duplex we showcased in our October 2024 issue, for example, the designer paired a bold Calacatta Viola surround with sky-blue trim that matched the rooms walls. Many of our clients don't want traditional mantels anymore, Boozer continues, noting he tends to steer clear of clichd materials like stone and brick. They opt for a flatter profile with nothing distracting from the hearth and surround; this allows the fire to be the focus. If youre working on a budget, there are plenty of DIY solutions to give your mantel that special spark. Any mantel can be gessoed to achieve a plaster finish. You can buy gesso at any art store, and it looks just like plaster, says Toronto-based interior designer Colette van den Thillart. Paint remains the cheapest way to refresh anything, affirms Boozer. If you have an old mantel, try painting it the same color as the walls. This will make it look fresh and new.And if all else fails, says van den Thillart, Place a basket of logs beside any gas or electric (or even empty!) hearth, as it renders the effect more cozy and inviting.For more ideas sure to ignite the imagination, weve turned to the ELLE DECOR archive for our 70 most stylish fireplace ideas. Now, fire it up!1Copper-Hued FireplaceStephen Kent JohnsonThe brief for this perfectly-rustic Montana winter home was a "kind of French boho ski chalet" and the Los Angeles-based designer firm Commune totally delivered. The living room got a unique folded chimney breast designed by artist Brian Robles and clad in copper plasterproof you don't need to rely on brick alone for a homey hearth. 2Art Deco-Inspired Marble FireplaceHelenio BarbettaWhen creating this sumptuous Milan apartment, ELLE DECOR A-List architect Hannes Peer looked to the Italian city's design heritage. That inspo was carried through in the gorgeous Giallo Siena marble fireplace, whose geometric lines of concentric rectangles were inspired by the Art Deco movement. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Sculptural Plaster FireplaceStephen Kent JohnsonThis is the New York furniture showroom of ELLE DECOR A-List designer Pierre Yovanovitch, but it's pretty much our dream home. Anchoring the room is an original fireplace, which Yavanovitch covered in plaster and gave a gorgeously curvaceous silhouette, a look that feels retro and fresh at the same time. 4Blue-Bordered FireplaceKelly MarshallIt's safe to say that ELLE DECOR A-List designer Rayman Boozer is the king of using paint color creatively and this living room, in a Harlem duplex we showcased in our October 2024 issue, proves it. Here, Boozer covered the walls in Benjamin Moore's Harbor Haze and painted the trim surrounding the fireplace in a slightly darker hue. The simple move makes it feel unified with the framed artwork that surrounds it. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Spanish Revival FireplaceKaryn MilletThis 1928 Los Feliz home, recently revitalied by Joe Lucas, featured beautiful Spanish Revival bones. Lucas left the fireplace intact, painted it white, and incorporated layers of texture and artwork. Above the mantel, he hung a sculpture acquired through the Los Angeles antiques dealer JF Chen. Instead of a painting, why not do something similar with the real estate above your mantel? 6Muted Blue FireplaceSam FrostDesign power couple Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus certainly knew how to set the mood in this Montecito, California estate. They painted the entire living areafireplace included! in a dusty shade of blue. Try the monochrome strategy for yourself by using Portolo Paints Sirene shade. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Mirrored Tile FireplaceStephan JuillardOne of the boldest moves designer Pierre Gonalons made in this 1970s-inspired Paris apartment was cladding the chimney breast in gradated glass panels that are backed in copper, brass, and silver leaf. My idea was to give the impression that a fire had burned the mirror at the bottom, he told us.8Beaded FireplaceElliott FuernissBeads arent just for your favorite bracelet. Here, in an Atlanta home, designer Jessica Davis brought the millegrain look to the plaster fireplace surround. We have a feeling this is a trend thats bound to bubble up...Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Midcentury Cone FireplaceRichard PowersFor a look as groovy as it is graceful, consider a cone fireplace, la this corner in designer Carol Egans midcentury-modern dream house. Because its freestanding, this fireplace (which is original to the house) allowed Egan to create a bold gallery wall directly behind it. 10Muted FireplaceOri HarpazMuted can be mighty chic, as designer David Lucido proves in this soft-spoken Los Angeles home. By matching the fireplace to the cream-colored walls and choosing warming, tan hues for the floor and ceiling, you feel like youre sandwiched inside the worlds most glamorous smore. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Raspberry Marble FireplaceEthan HerringtonBold Breccia Arrabida marble? Check. Bold raspberry paint job? Check. This idea, courtesy Alton Bechara, leans into a maximalist manteland then some. I told them that I really like pink, the homeowner says. Dreams do come true! 12Historic Hearth FireplaceFrancesco LagneseAlyse Archer-Coit amped up the country charm in her 1770 upstateNew York house by painting her kitchen hearth in a happy shade of blue. The shelf is the perfect venue to showing off her ceramics collection. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Room-Spanning FireplaceEma PeterFireplaces are typically reserved as a sitting rooms focal point, but we love how this one, in a West Vancouver, British Columbia, mother-daughter pad designed by PlaidFox, quite literally spreads the love with its room-spanning marble surround. 14Beaux-Arts FireplaceNoe DeWittWe cant all live in a home as grand as this (it used to belong to newspaper tycoon Joseph Pulitzer) but we can certainly admire its wedding cake levels of decoration. Designer Jean Liu, the owner of this unbelievable pied--terre, leaned into the aesthetic of the original marble mantel a vintage bust and a pair of antique candlesticks. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Lime FireplaceYves DriegheThis Belgian manor may have once been a medieval hunting lodge, but Jean-Philippe Demeyer injected it with plenty of color and whimsy. If youre feeling brave, why not paint your fireplace in a similar lime green? 16Midcentury Brick FireplaceChris MottaliniIf your home features amazing period featureslike this midcentury exposed-brick, asymmetrical fireplace in a home ELLE DECOR A-Lister Garrett Hunter designed for his parentsleave them be and let the decor do the work. Here, accessories like Francis Jourdain chairs, a rug by J. James Akston, and an artwork by Irmgard Arvin make the space feel refined, not retro. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Steel-Clad Fireplace Chris MottaliniLeave it to Andre Herrero, cofounder of the architecture and design studio Charlap Hyman & Herrero, to give us a fireplace thats as cool as it is cerebral. In his girlfriends West Hollywood apartment, he clad the fireplace in stainless steel panels, a move that hides the TV and also nods to the Paris home of Yves Saint Laurent muse Betty Catroux.18Wainscot-Backed FireplaceIbrahim OzbunarWhat could be cozier than a fireplace? A fireplace with wainscoting behind it! The designers at Istanbul-based firm Sanayi313 brought extra warmth to this stately sitting room via earthy plaster finishes and travertine floors. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Blue Marble FireplaceDouglas FriedmanIf you want your fireplace to be the glowing center of the room, try painting your surrounding walls in a dark hue, la Nicole Hollis in this San Francisco stunner. She selected a dazzling blue-veined marble slab and topped the look off with a tondo by artist Doug Aitken.20Pooch-Perfect FireplaceFrancesco LagneseAdding a few strategic accessories is a simple way to take your mantel to the next level. Here, designer Tom Scheerer used a matching set of plants, a trio of framed artworks, and a lean mirror to give the fireplace roof-raising impact. As if the adorable dog hadnt already won us over. Anna FixsenDeputy Digital EditorAnna Fixsen is the deputy digital editor of ELLE DECOR, where she oversees all facets of ELLEDECOR.com. In addition to editing articles and developing digital strategy, she writes about the world's most beautiful homes, reviews the chicest products (from the best cocktail tables to cute but practical gifts), and reports on the most exciting trends in design and architecture. Since graduating from Columbia Journalism School, she's spent the past decade as an editor at Architectural Digest, Metropolis, and Architectural Record and has written for outlets including the New York Times, Dwell, and more.

Whether you're a first-time renovator or you count remodels as one of your love languages, undertaking a bathroom renovation requires a fair amount of patience. A walk-in shower is a smart design move that will optimize square footage while creating that at-home spa feel. Whats more, these steamy spaces offer unending design possibilities. For a playful vibe, combine colorful floor tiles with chrome fittings. Or pair a matte black showerhead with white marble for a high-contrast, glamorous feel. Trends like built-in seating and shelving are also catching on for homeowners in their walk-in showers, says Anna Karp, the CEO of design-build company Bolster. It has become quite common if people are staying in their home for a very long time, she tells us. Drawing inspiration from saunas and spas is de rigueur too,ELLE DECOR A-List designer Pamela Shamshiri. With that in mind, weve curated the best walk-in shower ideas from the pages of ELLE DECOR to suit every taste. Heres to making self-care a priority in the year ahead.1Neutral-Toned Walk-in ShowerDavid MitchellWhen the standing shower is this chic, who needs a bathtub? In this Paris-inspired apartment designed by Omar Aqeel, the 1854 bathroom was brought into the 21st century with total elegance. The room was completely gutted and the ceilings were raised to 11 feet, ready to be clad in Zia Earth tiles. The marble and hand-hammered brass sink, Bower Studio mirror, and Astep sconce by Gino Sarfatti are lovely finishing touches. 2High Contrast Marble BathroomSam FrostIn the bathroom of a recent Montecito, California project, design power couple Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent brought in bold, veined stone that creates a striking visual impact. These electric Calacatta Viola Rose marble slabs, broken up by a stunning large swivel window, make for a walk-in shower that is as as luxurious as it is eye-catching. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Sculptural Shower NicheJean-Francois Jaussaud/Lux ProductionsBig on shower performances? Take notes from ELLE DECOR A-List designer Pierre Yovanovitchs bathroom, which offers plenty of staging space for your next loofah-mic gig. Whether you, too, inhabit a 17th-century chteau in Provence, or perhaps something more modest, plenty of inspiration can be gleaned from this stunningly stark space. 4So PauloInspired Walk-in ShowerKelly MarshallOpt for a fresh take on couples bathing with dual rainfall showerheads. That's just what ELLE DECOR A-Lister Mark Grattan did in the primary bathroom of this lush New York apartment, salaciously flanking the space in floor-to-ceiling windows and glass tile walls. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Tile Mural Walk-in ShowerMaureen M. EvansThe Lisbon apartment of jewelry designer Matthew Harris features hand-painted Portuguese tiles that depict a man in 18th-century garb, just in case you have a particular phobia of showering alone. The bathtub, rain shower, and fittings are by Roca, and the vintage footstool is a practical addition for a stack of extra fluffy towels. 6Warm Tones Mirrored Walk-in ShowerNicole FranzenThe design studio Husband Wife outfitted this petite bathroom with mirrors to create a grander sense of scale, while the striped marble pattern and touches of brass add to the Art Deco vibes.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Moroccan Tile Walk-in ShowerTrevor TondroIn the outr Paris pad of fashion designer Marc Valeanu, the primary bath features a substantial tub alongside a discreet walk-in shower, framed by a narrow archway. The pendant is by Fortuny, the tiles are by Mauricio Scianna, and the wall paint is Dove Tale by Farrow & Ball.8Open Air Walk-in ShowerRyann FordWhy settle for one walk-in shower when you can have two? The primary bath in this Austin project by interior designer Paul Lamb has two of almost everything, from sinks to showerheads. Think Texas ranch vibes...but make it chic. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Open Air Archway Walk-in ShowerNathalie KragSometimes it pays to take the minimalist route and let the architecture speak for itself. In this Capri home by architect Giuliano Andrea dellUva, the sweeping arches create a sculptural, less-is-more walk-in shower unlike any other. 10Glamorous Walk-in ShowerAnnie SchlechterWe love a primary bathroom thats just as glamif not more sothan the rest of the house. In this Florida abode, ELLE DECOR A-Lister Rodney Lawrence created drama by adding a chandelier that frames both the walk-in shower and the Waterworks tub. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Modern Farmhouse Walk-in ShowerMarco RiccaIn the primary bathroom of a Michelle Gerson project in New York City, the shower is enclosed by doors that mimic those seen in the homes dining room. The high-contrast trim and hexagonal tile flooring provide geometric appeal.12Industrial Chic Walk-in ShowerNicole FranzenThe primary bathroom of a Connecticut beach house was designed by the firm Jesse Parris-Lamb, which clad the walls in two sets of Waterworks tile for an industrial feel with a modern edge. The shower partition is custom, and the fittings are also by Waterworks.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Enclosed Walk-in ShowerDouglas FriedmanWhy settle for just one stone surface when you can have all of them? In this art-filled San Francisco home by ELLE DECOR A-Lister Nicole Hollis, the bathroom is swathed in a gorgeous veined marblefrom the tub and counters to the shower and flooring. Want to get the look? Everything you see here is Arabescato Corchia marble by Vaselli for Elementi.14Mosaic Tile Walk-in ShowerRead McKendreeColorful glass tiles? Sign us up! Interior design firm White Webb brought an array of sea-foam green and turquoise to this walk-in shower, creating an effect similar to fish (or mermaid) scales. This out-of-nature look pairs well with the rest of the home, which draws inspiration from the surrounding Woodstock, New York, flora and fauna. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Small Tile Design Walk-in ShowerDouglas FriedmanThe primary bathroom of this New York apartment features a walk-in shower with tile by Bisazza and sink fittings by California Faucet. The walls are painted in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball to make the diminutive space feel all the more nestlike and to provide a flattering backdrop for the artwork by Nan Goldin.16Traditional Walk-in ShowerDouglas FriedmanELLE DECOR A-Lister Ken Fulk designed this Sonoma Valley lake house, the primary bathroom of which features sinks and fittings by Waterworks, lighting by Visual Comfort, and wall and floor tiles by ASN Natural Stone. Dual sinks and an alcove shower make this an especially practical setup with trad bona fides.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Skylight Walk-in ShowerRichard FoulserIn the main bathroom of designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brents Montauk, New York, beach house, a holly olive tree in an Indonesian limestone planter takes center stage, while the pebble-floored shower creates a supremely relaxing space. 18Gold Walk-in ShowerJoshua McHughTheres a sense of Art Deco razzle-dazzle to this walk-in shower by Cochineal Design, which is part of an equally chic New York City apartment. The pairing of Cl tiles with gold hardware and marble is inspired; the light pink walls bring a bit of softness to the space. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Subway Tile with Gold Fittings Walk-in ShowerStacy Zarin GoldbergDesigner Zoe Feldman outfitted this primary bathroom in a Washington, D.C., residence with navy blue floor and wall tiles from Waterworks; the wall-mounted fittings are also from Waterworks. The half-height wall makes this design all the more private and a bit easier to clean.20Desert Modern Walk-in ShowerChad MellonDesigner Shannon McLaren Wilkins used contrasting tile patterns to add visual interest to the walk-in shower in this bathroom, with black fittings and blond wood millwork for contrast. Taking the shower tiling to the ceiling further wet-proofs the area and adds a nice sense of scale.Rachel SilvaAssistant Digital EditorRachel Silva is the associate digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers all things design, architecture, and lifestyle. She also oversees the publications feature article coverage, and is, at any moment, knee-deep in an investigation on everything from the best spa gifts to the best faux florals on the internet right now. She has more than 12 years of experience in editorial, working as a photo assignment editor at Time and acting as the president of Women in Media in NYC. She went to Columbia Journalism School, and her work has been nominated for awards from ASME, the Society of Publication Designers, and World Press Photo.Sean SantiagoDeputy EditorSean Santiago is ELLE Decor's Deputy Editor, covering news, trends and talents in interior design, hospitality and travel, culture, and luxury shopping. Since starting his career at an interior design firm in 2011, he has gone on to cover the industry for Vogue, Architectural Digest, Sight Unseen, PIN-UP and Domino. He is the author of The Lonny Home (Weldon Owens, 2018), has produced scripted social content for brands including West Elm and Streeteasy, and is sometimes recognized on the street for his Instagram Reels series, #DanceToDecor

Its the start of a new year, and many of us are trying to establish new habits. Heres why recent changes to the Journal and Fitness apps merit you giving Apples apps another try.Underused Fitness and Journal apps got big Apple upgradesApple doesnt share usage data, but I would expect that Journal and Fitness are two of the least used pre-installed apps on iPhone.But each app has a lot to offer, especially for users trying to build healthier habits and practices for the new year.Just a few months ago in iOS 18, Apple upgraded each app with a variety of strong improvements.Heres everything new, based on Apples own release notes and my personal findings.Journal apps new featuresJournal first launched in iOS 17.2 with several notable omissions, but the app got a lot better in iOS 18.New features include:State of Mind: Log your State of Mind right from within Journal, and emotions or mood logged in the Health app are included in Journaling SuggestionsInsights: Shows your writing streaks, a calendar, and other fun stats that help you track your journaling goalsSearch: Easily find past entries, and the ability to sort shows your entries in your preferred orderWidgets: Available on your Home Screen and Lock Screen, Journal can show your current streak or writing prompts that change throughout the day, so you can reflect in the momentRich text: Expanded text formatting options now include text colors, bulleted, dash, or numbered lists, and block quotesTranscripts: Audio transcripts are now available for recordings saved in the appSort: New sort option to sort by chronological moment rather than date writtenPrint: You can now export your journal entries as a PDF ready for printingI personally prefer to use a physical keyboard when journaling, so Im still waiting for an iPad app before fully committing to the Journal app. But these changes have made the app more appealing than ever.Redesign and upgrades to Apples Fitness appFitness got a big redesign in iOS 18 that not only makes the app more customizable, but it also greatly bulked up the Fitness+ features and navigation.Following a broader customization trend in iOS 18, the Fitness summary screen now includes a variety of content cards that you can remove, add to, and move around to your liking.To customize your view, just scroll to the bottom and hit Edit Summary. From there, hit the Add button in the corner to add new cards, or just move and remove the existing ones. Its easy to do and makes the Fitness app more of a hub for all your activity.Fitness+ benefits from new navigation options. There are now four dedicated Fitness+ tabs:For YouExploreLibrarySearchThese can all be found within the single Fitness+ tab on iPhone, while on iPad they make up your main tab bar options.Within these various new screens you can more easily find personalized suggestions, motivating award reminders, and a lot more.Ive used Fitness+ a lot since it first debuted as part of Apple One, and find it really well done. If youre looking to start new fitness habits, nows a good time to check it out.Do you use the Journal or Fitness apps often? What changes have been your favorites? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: the iPhone 17s display features and a possible new iPhone 16E branding for the iPhone SE. Here are this weeks Apple rumors.iPhone 17 lineups display featuresThis week, Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station posted the following about the iPhone 17 line:Judging from the supply chain materials, the standard version of the iPhone 17 series is likely to have a high refresh rate.Details here are pretty minimal, but the leak corroborates a Ross Young report that ProMotion and always-on would come to the base iPhone 17 and 17 Air.My takeawaysThis report is more interesting than it first appears, mainly for what it doesnt say.Apple could very well add high refresh rate to the base iPhone 17 and 17 Air, but not give them the full 120Hz ProMotion feature.Supply chain reporting cant tell us much about the software features that hardware will enable.Even if every iPhone 17 model includes many of the same display components, Apple could choose to reserve full ProMotion for the 17 Pro and Pro Max, and give a lesser 90Hz feature to the cheaper 17 and 17 Air.What will they do? Thats anyones guess. But we could very well see the iPhone 17 line continue being split into two different classes, even if the more affordable models do get some new display features.iPhone 16E as the new iPhone SE?Apples next iPhone will arrive this spring as a big revision to the iPhone SE. Leaker Majin Bu has claimed that Apple is changing the devices name, though.Rather than iPhone SE, he says the new name will be iPhone 16E.My takeawaysBus mixed track record with leaks gives me pause here. But as my recent overview of the upcoming 2025 iPhones shows, the new iPhone SE will have an awful lot in common with the iPhone 16.Shared features include:A18 chip8GB of RAMApple Intelligence support48MP main cameraUSB-C portThe design will be slightly different, with the SE sporting a notch rather than Dynamic Island. But otherwise, there are lots of similarities here.I dont expect Apple to actually make this change, since the SE name is established and even used for other products like the Apple Watch.But if there was ever a year to change the iPhone SEs name, this springs big overhaul would be the time.What do you expect from iPhone 17 display tech? Do you think the iPhone SE will get a new iPhone 16E name? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Hold onto your butts.Bolt from the BlueThe sophomore year of Kia's three-row electric SUV has come to a pretty inauspicious conclusion.This week, the Korean automaker issued a recall for nearly 23,000 EV9 electric cars for the 2024-25 model year after discovering that some of them had seats that weren't fully bolted down and all purportedly because of a single employee. Whoops.According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last month, the second and third-row seat mounting bolts may be missing in EV9 cars manufactured between September 2023 and October 2024 at the Kia Autoland Gwangmyeong assembly plant in South Korea. As many as 22,883 vehicles may be affected."Seats with missing seat mounting bolts may not properly restrain an occupant during certain collisions, thereby increasing the risk of injury," the recall report states.My BadBut the most eyebrow-raising detail, as spotted by TechSpot, is the scapegoat for the huge screw up.In the recall report, Kia places all of the blame on an "error" made by a single "plant assembly worker," who apparently didn't make sure all the seat bolts were properly mounted.Kia didn't specify if the employee was working on a Monday or Friday when the costly flubs were made though it did make sure to mention the employee in its manufacturer notice sent to car dealers, just so they know who to blame.HoldfastAccording to a chronology report filed with the NHTSA, the issue was first raised in a customer complaint back in September. In an inspection of 90 randomly selected EV9 SUVs performed by Kia North America, no loose or missing seat mounting bolts were found.Subsequent inspections uncovered only three total cases of missing seat bolts all leading back to the same employee, apparently, as of mid-December. And so in reality, the issue may be far less pervasive than the size of the recall suggests, though you can never be too careful.Kia says that dealers will inspect the recalled EVs and perform the adjustments and installations needed free of charge.More on EV recalls: Thousands of Cybertrucks Recalled for Bricking While DrivingShare This Article

Were looking for reliable, talented freelance writers who love writing about a wide range of topics, including legal topics.Most of our work is on legal topics. All topics related to legal are entry-level and not at an academic level.Youll be writing about everything from why a certain legal contract is required for a business to writing a checklist article of best tools to use for an e-commerce store to increase sales.About The WorkWe understand the value of quality content. Were not looking for plain text articles, but well-researched articles to educate our customers: articles with images, links, quotes from research papers, experts quotes etc.Our articles are often 1000+ words, generally around 2,000 words. Some articles are beyond 10,000 words.Were not looking to game search engines, but rather educate our customers about the legal contracts theyre searching for. We aim to be a teacher to our customers.We are looking for writers available for a minimum of one day/week. We have as much work as you can handle. We dont micromanage.We are very clear on what we want for every article. We provide topics with a proposed structure including due dates and the minimum required length. There is sometimes communication back and forth during the revision session. But for the most part: you write the article, turn it in, we review and ask for edits if necessary and then publish it.Writers get paid every other week, in US dollars by PayPal or bank transfer.Depending on where well publish your work, and for as much as we can, well show your bio byline to give you author credits.Important! We review all submissions for plagiarism and AI usage. While AI tools can assist, content must reflect authentic human creativity. Flagged submissions may be rejected, and repeated issues could end our collaboration.Job RequirementsNative English speaker with strong writing skills. We can make an exception on this if you have English Proficiency qualification.Exceptional online research skillsWell-organized and reliableSome degree of technical proficiency (Google Docs, taking screenshots)Its a major plus if you have any of the following:Legal degree or paralegal experienceHow Do We Work?We work remotely. We dont need to sync time zones.We work over Google Docs and email.How To Apply?Please send an email to [emailprotected] with:A 4-5 sentence introduction explaining why you think you would be a good fit3 URLs showcasing your work related to internet laws or technologyYour freelance writing rates (per word, please!)Important! Please format your subject line as follows: Your Name | Freelance Writer | WeWorkRemotely (example: John Doe | Freelance Writer | WeWorkRemotely). The subject line format is important, otherwise our editor wont get your email.We look forward to hearing from you!

Samsung is bringing the $200 Galaxy A16 phone and the $60 Galaxy Fit 3 fitness tracker to the United States, with the A16 getting six years of updates. This makes the Galaxy A16 one of the lowest-cost phones to get a software and security update commitment longer than five years, which could be a benefit for someone looking to buy a simple phone that will be updated.Samsung's Galaxy A16 has already been released in other territories, but it'll start selling in the US on Jan. 9, according to the company's Thursday announcement. The phone costs 129 in the UK and AU$349 in Australia. This year's phone gets a slight refresh over last year's A15, including a larger 6.7-inch display (compared with the A15's 6.5-inch display) with a 90Hz refresh rate. It'll also move to using Samsung's own Exynos 1330 processor, instead of a Mediatek processor like the one the Galaxy A15 included.The Galaxy A16 appears to have a similar camera system to the A15, including a 50-megapixel wide lens, a 5-megapixel ultrawide, a 2-megapixel macro lens and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. Also carrying forward from last year will be a 25W wired charging speed, a 5,000mAh battery and 128GB of storage alongside 4GB of RAM. A microSD card slot allows for expanding storage up to 1.5TB.The Galaxy A16 continues Samsung's line of entry-level handsets, which are among the most popular phones sold in the states. Last year's Galaxy A15 ranks as the fifth best-selling smartphone in the US as of Sept. 2024, according to research firm Counterpoint Research, behind four of Apple's iPhone models. In my Galaxy A15 review, I was particularly impressed by the promise of four years of software updates and five years of security updates, but I did find the phone to run slowly. We'll have to test the Galaxy A16 to see if its new Exynos 1330 processor can speed things up, but the promise of a longer software and security update window does set a new support standard among phones in the $200 price range.Meanwhile, the Galaxy Fit 3 fitness tracker is being touted as a lower-cost, simpler way of tracking fitness and health than the$300 Galaxy Watch 7 or $650 Galaxy Watch Ultra. Samsung said the Fit 3 is rated for 13 days of battery life and includes exercise and sleep tracking along with an always-on display option and 100 digital watch faces.

Samsung Galaxy S24: $580 Save $120 $580 at Best Buy Apple iPhone 15: $680 Save $50 $680 at Best Buy Motorola Razr Plus: $800 Save $200 $800 at Best Buy OnePlus 11: $500 Save $200 $500 at Best Buy Motorola Moto G Play (2024): $110 Save $40 $110 at Best Buy Apple iPhone 16 and 16 Pro at T-Mobile Save up to $1,000 with trade-in See at T-Mobile Apple iPhone 16 Plus at Boost Mobile Get it for free See at Boost Mobile Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 at Verizon Up to $1,000 off with trade-in and new line See at Verizon Apple iPhone SE (2022) at T-Mobile Free with trade-in, 50% off with new line See at T-Mobile These days we rely on phones for a lot more than just calls and texts, and you more or less need a smartphone to survive in the modern world. But not everyone wants to spend $1,000 or more upgrading to the latest high-end Apple or Samsung model. Fortunately, there are tons of deals out there that can score you a flashy new phone for hundreds off -- or even put one in your pocket for free. Whether you're looking for an iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel or something a little more affordable from a smaller brand, CNET is here to help you find it for less. Hey, did you know?CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. We've rounded up some of the best bargains on the internet right now, so you can focus on buying the phone that best fits your needs and meets your financial requirements. If you aren't sure which plan or carrier you should go with, you may want to go for an unlocked model from a retailer like Amazon or Best Buy and sign up for service later. If you know which network works best for you, you can take advantage of discounts, trade-ins or new lines through major carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Best unlocked phone deals right now Shopping for a new phone from a carrier comes with all kinds of red tape and fine print that can be a headache to figure out. If you're looking for an easier alternative, you can pick up an unlocked model instead. Opting for an unlocked phone means you won't be immediately locked into a multiyear contract or service plan, and you can always activate it with your preferred carrier after the fact. Plus, there are plenty of no-strings-attached deals to bring down the starting price. These deals won't save you as much as the carrier deals below but don't require a trade-in or a new line of service. Below, we've rounded up some of the best discounts on unlocked phones that you can shop right now. Samsung/CNET For Android users, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is the best phone on the market right now. This is the basic model from Samsung's latest flagship lineup, featuring a 6.2-inch display, 128GB of storage and a substantial 4,000-mAh battery. This deal also comes with one free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and you can save even more with a trade-in or by opting for same-day activation. $580 at Best Buy Apple/CNET You won't find any straightforward discounts on Apple's latest flagship phone, but you can grab the previous-gen iPhone 15 for less at Best Buy. This deal also comes with three free months of Apple TV Plus, Apple Music and Apple Fitness Plus, and four free months of Apple Arcade if you're a new subscriber. Plus, you can save even more with an eligible trade-in or if you sign up with AT&T or Verizon. $680 at Best Buy Motorola/CNET 2024 With a 3.6-inch cover screen and a stunning 6.9-inch pOLED interior display, the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus is our favorite flip phone on the market. Even at full price, it's $300 cheaper than the similar Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, and this deal drops it even lower. As with almost all Best Buy phone offers, you'll get an extra $100 off if you sign up with AT&T or Verizon, and you can trade in an old phone for even steeper savings. $800 at Best Buy OnePlus/CNET Though its phones might not be as popular as Apple's or Samsung's, OnePlus' devices have continually impressed our reviewers here at CNET. Its flagship OnePlus 12 is one of the best phones of 2025, and right now you can snag this previous-gen model at a great price. $500 at Best Buy Motorola This is as cheap as it comes for a new smartphone from 2024. The Motorola Moto G Play has 64GB of storage, a sleek sapphire blue color design, a 6.5-inch screen as well as a 50-megapixel rear-facing camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. It's unlocked and ready to go.If you let Best Buy help you connect to a carrier you can snag this phone for as low as $30. $110 at Best Buy Best phone deals from carriersYou can also save by trading in your old device or activating a new line of service at major carriers, meaning you have plenty of places to look for phone deals. That's why CNET is working withNavito help cut through the confusion. Navi is an independent marketplace that aggregates information on service plans and phone deals to help consumers find the best choices and prices on the market. Below you'll find some of the best deals out there for both new and existing carrier customers who are adding lines, trading in phones and more. Read more:Best Phone Plan DealsCarrier contracts as we knew them may not be around anymore, but these newer phone deals from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and others are similar in many ways. Through monthly bill credits, you can get a phone for next to nothing in many cases. The stipulation is that you must remain a customer for a set length of time in order to keep receiving the credits. Otherwise, you're responsible for the remaining costs and potentially more, depending on the carrier. In addition, some carriers will allow you to take advantage of these deals only on specific plans, which are usually some of their more expensive 5G plans. So be sure to understand the monthly costs associated with switching before taking advantage of that "free phone" deal you see advertised. Read more: Cheap Phone Plans, Compared Apple/CNET T-Mobile is offering a few ways to save on the iPhone 16 lineup right now. If you have an old phone to trade in, you can save $1,000 if you're on a Go5G Plus or Next plan, $300 if you're on a Go5G plan or $200 if you're on other qualifying plans. T-Mobile also offers special discounts for military members, first responders and people over 55 years old. See at T-Mobile Apple/CNET The iPhone 16 Plus is part of Apple's latest lineup of smartphones. Though prices normally start at $900, you can score the 128GB model for free at Boost Mobile if you get a qualifying line. Its plans start at $65 per line.The iPhone 16 has an A18 chip that supports intense gaming, a 6.7-inch screen and a 48-megapixel Fusion camera, among other improved specs over its predecessors. $0 at Boost Mobile Google/CNET Google Pixel 9 at AT&T Save $454 with installment plan Google's latest flagship phone -- the Pixel 9 -- is the best model out there for Android purists. And right now you can get your hands on one for just $11 per month when you purchase it on an installment plan at AT&T. There's no new line or trade-in required, but you will need to have or switch to an eligible unlimited plan. Samsung/CNET Trade in your old Galaxy phone to Verizon and get up to $1,000 off your new Galaxy Z Fold 6 when you sign up for a new line on an Unlimited Welcome, Plus or Ultimate plan. The credit is doled out over 36 months, and if you cancel service before the 36 months are up, you'll have to pay the remaining balance. Also, be aware that credits begin within three bills and require that you pay all taxes and associated fees on the retail price up front. See at Verizon Apple If you've got an older phone to trade in, you can score the third-gen iPhone SE for free at T-Mobile, as long as you're on a Go5G Next or Plus plan. If you don't have an eligible trade-in, you can still save up to $215 when adding a new line on a qualifying plan. The discount will be applied as bill credits over a 24-month period. See at T-Mobile Do you get the best phone deals when you switch carriers?To attract new customers, carriers often reserve their steepest discounts for switchers. That means you may find a more appealing phone deal if you consider moving carriers. It's a straightforward process for individuals but can be a little complicated for those with multiple lines. Ultimately, it's worth shopping around when it comes time to upgrade your phone in case another offers some kind of switcher bonus or switcher-exclusive phone deal. Unlocked vs. carrier: Which phone deals are the best for most people? Whether you want to get your new phone on a carrier deal or unlocked will depend on your preferences and circumstances. For a lot of folks, being able to spread the cost of the phone over two or three years makes it much easier to upgrade to one of the best phones on the market. For others, being locked into a long-term plan is less ideal. While carriers often compete with each other for and offer some steep discounts or added freebies, manufacturers now tend to offer their own trade-in and financing programs to make it more affordable to upgrade without involving a carrier in the process. These Impulse Buys Under $25 Actually Make Great Gifts See all photos

A Moscow-based nonprofit closely associated with Russia's main intelligence division used AI to spread disinformation online during the 2024 presidential election, with servers based in the US, the Treasury Department said in a press release Tuesday.The agency says the Center for Geopolitical Expertise used AI tools to spread disinformation about candidates in the US presidential campaign and that it created deepfake videos of a vice presidential candidate. The agency didn't specify the candidates by name.With financial support from Russia's GRU intelligence agency, the department contends, the Center for Geopolitical Expertise "used generative AI tools to quickly create disinformation" for distribution across "a massive network of websites designed to imitate legitimate news outlets to create false corroboration between the stories, as well as to obfuscate their Russian origin."The department says the GRU helped the nonprofit use a "network of U.S.-based facilitators" to "build and maintain its AI-support server; maintain a network of at least 100 websites used in its disinformation operations; and contribute to the rent cost of the apartment where the server is housed."No names were given for individuals or entities who served as "facilitators," nor were any details provided about the network of websites. It's uncertain to what extent these sites are still showing up via Google, social media or some other online mechanism.The Treasury Department, the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC, and the CGE didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.For the past decade, Russia has been engaging in online election misinformation campaigns around the world. That's included leaking email from the 2016 Bundestag hack in Germany to push negative information about Chancellor Angela Merkel's policies, promotingsocial media bot activity during Britain's Brexit referendum, and spreading false stories about French President Emmanuel Macron and elevating far-right candidate Marine Le Pen during France's2017 election.In the lead-up to the 2016 US presidential election, Russia's Internet Research Agency created thousands of fake social media profiles to disseminate divisive content online, often favoring Donald Trump, according to a report released by the US Senate in late 2018.The use of AI is a more recent evolution. During the 2024 presidential election, Russia began using AI to spread election misinformation at a more rapid pace with greater targeting, according to Bellingcat journalist Chriso Grozev. The US government has worked todisrupt AI-driven Russian disinformation campaigns, which will continue to be a major topic for countries around the world.The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control said the department has placed sanctions on the Center for Geopolitical Expertise and its director, Valery Korovin.