MacworldTwenty-five years ago, Steve Jobs took the stage at Macworld Expo in San Francisco and unveiled Mac OS X, ushering in a new era for the Mac and the world of desktop computing at large. That sounds like hyperbole, but after watching the keynote for a second timethe first time was from the front row, thank you very much!its remarkable what an enormous moment this was for Apple and the Mac.Its funny. Whats remarkable about the moment is actually how uneventful it seems. When I watch the video back, its almost surreal how Steve Jobs keeps doing utterly normal, boring things in Mac OS X while the crowd completely loses its collective mind. Viewed by someone without any historical context, it would seem like a cult being whipped into a frenzy by its leader.But I was there, and I can tell you that it wasnt that. This was the moment, after 16 years of classic Mac OSand lets face it, the last five of those were pretty roughwhen all the failings of the Mac were swept away and replaced with something modern, ready for the challenge of the 21st century.How did that work out for Apple? The keynote seems so weird now because almost everything in it is just how the Mac works, even 25 years later. Yes, interface styles have changed over time, but that moment on stage in January 2000 redefined the Mac for 25 years and counting.The thick of itLet me provide a little of that historical context. The original Mac OS, released in 1984, was revolutionarybut its underpinnings were from the earliest era of personal computers. Its revolutionary graphical interface was famously black and white, and it ran one program at a time. Fifteen years later, it was clear that modern operating systems should have protected memory, solid multitasking, and powerful graphics functionalitybut the classic Mac OS had been unable to achieve any of that. Apple had tried a few different OS update projects, but theyd all failed.The final Hail Mary was buying Steve Jobss NeXt, which was strugglingbut owned an operating system, NeXtStep, that had all of the features that the Mac didnt. And hey, Steve Jobs gets to work with Apple again! Not a bad package deal. Worth every penny, if you ask me.NeXtStep wasnt Mac OS, though. It had some features youd recognize today as being Mac-like, but for the most part, its interface seemed quite alien. It was built for a super niche audience, unlike the broad Mac audience that would need to be migrated over for the transition to be successful.During the three years between Jobss return and the unveiling of Mac OS X, Apples software effort was devoted to squaring the expectations of Mac users with what could be done with NextStep. At the same time, there was a culture clash, with former NeXtStep developers not necessarily understanding what those expectations were.The developers and designers at Apple had to go through every feature of both operating systems and decide what would happen: do it the Mac way, do it the NeXt way, let users choose from those two ways, or choose an entirely new path. Each of those decisions had huge consequences. If things werent familiar enough for Mac users, switching to Mac OS X would be as alien as switching to Windowsand during the late 90s, Apple couldnt afford to give any of its customers an excuse to join the rest of the world in giving in to Microsoft. But Apples development team couldnt reach the finish line if it didnt re-use large portions of what NeXt had built.Those decisions would affect the path of Mac users for the next quarter of a century.Lick itOne of the design goals was when you saw it, you wanted to lick it. And so we call it Aqua. And this is the architecture for Mac OS 10.Steve JobsApple managed to introduce Mac OS X numerous times, from the first Steve Jobs appearance on stage at Macworld 1997 through to the ship day of Mac OS X 1.0 in the spring of 2001. That makes it hard to celebrate an anniversary date, but the introduction of Aqua on January 5, 2000, is a pretty good one.So much of what we take for granted today is there in that initial Steve Jobs demo, getting rapturous applause. The Dock made its debut that day, complete with the genie effect for minimizing and maximizing windows. Of course, that Dock was kind of a messyou could drag files into it, and they disappeared from the Desktop! And you could drag them back off, and theyd reappear on the Desktop. (Files actually lived in the Dock folder in your user folder! But that Dock was rewritten a bunch before it ever shipped.)The OS X Finder itself was unveiled that day, as well. Some consider this a day that shall live in infamy, but its definitely the same Finder we use now! It offers the classic Mac icon and list views, as well as a column view imported from NeXt and favored by Steve Jobs. Jobs loved the new feature that let you navigate through your filesystem in a single window, rather than having every double-click of a folder spawn a new window, as well as the addition of a web browser-style back button.Its a bit of a head trip to watch Jobs explain how windows now have three buttons in the top left corner, colored like a stoplight, with symbols that appear when you roll the mouse pointer over them. Those buttons have become as much symbols of the Mac as the menu bar itself, but this was the first time anyone saw them.The list goes on. Jobss favorite NeXtStep app was an email client, and that explains his glee in introducing Mail, a brand-new (cough) Apple app that would be included free with Mac OS X. He seems especially giddy about the fact that the app knows who youve emailed with and will suggest names as you type, something else weve taken for granted the last 25 years.And, of course, underpinning all of this was the open-source Unix base that still runs the base of all of Apples platforms. Jobs got applause for things like dropping a menu while video continued to play and running a badly behaved app that crashed without bringing down the whole system. The audience gasps in amazement when a The app has unexpectedly quit alert appears, something that today would be a minor inconvenience at best. (Also, an amazing bit of trivia: the QuickTime movie Jobs uses to demo Mac OS X is the trailer for Mission Impossible 2. How does Tom Cruise do it?!)The original Mac OS X was a groundbreaking advancement of the Mac thats still felt today.AppleIts also worth noting the new, mind-boggling features that Jobs introduced that day that went nowhere. There used to be a button on the far right edge of a windows title bar that entered you into single-window mode, to simplify using the Mac. While modern Macs have a full-screen mode that performs that task, placing that mode on a windows title bar was weird and the feature was removed before OS X 1.0 shipped the following March.And then theres the strange case of the Apple logo. In Jobss demo, and indeed in the Mac OS X Public Beta released later that year, there was an Apple logo in the center of the menu bar. It didnt do anything. But by the time Mac OS X 1.0 arrived in 2001, the Apple menua standard of classic Mac OShad been revived and placed at the far left of the menu bar.However, the new Apple menu was not like the original one. (In the latter days of classic Mac OS, it was essentially a folder full of whatever you wanted to put there.) The new Apple menu more closely resembled the old Special menu in the Finder, which was where you could shut down or restart your Mac. Its pretty much the same to this day.25 years later, macos Sequoia still has elements of the first Aqua revealthough the Apple logo is no longer in the center of the menubar.AppleWelcome to the futureIts hard to believe that Mac OS X has been with us for a quarter of a century, a way longer run than the original Mac OS. From the interface design to the technical underpinnings, the longevity of OS X and all the operating systems it has spawnedmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, even watchOS and tvOSis a tremendous endorsement of the decisions Apple made in the late 90s and early 2000s.This is our foundation for the next decade of Macintosh operating systems, and we are thrilled with it, Jobs said on stage 25 years ago. He undershot a little bit. What he introduced that day is still the foundation of the Mac and almost everything else Apple does. No matter what comes next, no matter where Apple and the tech industry go from here, theres no doubt that Mac OS X has exceeded all of the expectations we had for it back on January 5, 2000.

Open-world games were a dime a dozen throughout the 2010s, with studios chasing that Skyrim success with almost reckless abandon. Advances in tech have since streamlined the process of making huge game worlds, giving studios a better reason to invest their efforts in them. While gamers still clamor for a satisfying open world to explore and immerse themselves in, interest has shifted to more focused and curated experiences. Linear games are on an upward trend, with platformers like Astro Bot and action games like Black Myth Wukong winning over gamers hearts and wallets this year. Here are the 15 best linear games of 2024.Arizona Sunshine RemakeThe original Arizona Sunshinefrom 2016 caused a bit of a stir regarding some of its content being locked behind Intel Core i7 CPUs. Now in 2024, you can play all of that content, including two large DLCs and numerous updates with a ground-up remake to match Arizona Sunshine 2s visuals. Youre mostly shooting zombies with your two VR hands throughout the linear narrated campaign, but theres also a lot of quirky environmental interactions that make this a classic VR experience; and best of all, it has three-player co-op to triple the shenanigans. If you own a VR set,Arizona Sunshine Remakeis a clear no-brainer.Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2Space Marine 2s multiplayer offerings are tremendous fun, but its the solo campaign where the core meat and potatoes of the game are found. The story kicks off where Space Marine 1 left off, with Captain Titus returning to command his squad against the Tyranid swarms after a mortal wound. With a runtime around 10 hours long, Space Marine 2s campaign is a riotous time filled with spectacular vistas and visceral combat. This is a hack and slash in a lot of ways, but Space Marine 2 emphasizes precise countering more than its predecessor, adding a bit of extra skill to the mix. Grabbing a partner to run through the separate co-op missions is a treat as well, but the AI companions arent bad either with their consistent healing and tanky defense. Space Marine 2 feels like a blast from the past with its fast-paced campaign density.Silent Hill 2 RemakeRemaking a horror masterpiece like Silent Hill 2 is no easy feat, yet Bloober somehow pulled it off with great success. A key ingredient in that success is the expanded environments. The atmospheric hallways and foggy outdoor areas greatly encourage exploration, leading the player to a host of new items and collectables that can be viewed from any angle. Helping you navigate the expanded areas is the new over-the-shoulder camera perspective, which gives further context to environments. The original Silent Hill 2 clocked in at around 12 or so hours, but the remake can easily take double that time from all the added exploration. Still, the remake maintains the dense pacing of the original in spite of this, making it one of the more impressive and scary linear games on this list.Black Myth WukongBlack Myth Wukong takes a rather unorthodox approach to level design, seesawing back and forth between corridor-like linearity to wide open environments. Most puzzling of all, theres no map or navigation tools to assist your exploration in the game. Despite this, we couldnt help but marvel at the variety of biomes and beauty of environments within the Journey To the West-inspired tale. But it isnt just some of the environments that proceed linearly, your weapons and armor automatically upgrade as you progress too. Black Myth Wukong is a masterclass in focus; it doesnt meander and bloat the players time with frivolous stuff, instead honing in on what makes it great.Stellar BladeIf youre familiar with the way Nier Automata handles level design, youll feel at home within Stellar Blade. One area that Stellar Blade expands upon its level design is the engaging collectibles scattered across its environments. You have everything from soda cans to posters and boxes of loot to collect, rewarding you with new costumes for Eve and her companions to wear. The wide-linear nature of the environments hits a sweat spot that always manages to make you feel like youre progressing forward while giving satisfying room for exploration as you do so. Parts of the story have you strictly going from A to B with collectibles nestled within secret routes off the beaten path, while others are open zones meant for questing and exploration. Stellar Blade excels in the way it mixes urgency and exploration with its wide-linear level design.Senuas Saga: Hellblade 2Hellblade 2 takes quite a different approach to linear level design. Due to the zoomed-in focus on very specific locations, Ninja Theory managed to go all-out decorating each hand-crafted environment and presenting it all with an unmatched cinematic flair. Its no exaggeration to say that Hellblade 2 is among the most graphically impressive games to date. This combination of chiseled graphical fidelity with cinematic flair help cement Hellblade 2s Norse-inspired locations into the players memory. It may be a straightforward game in all aspects of its gameplay, but Hellblade 2s psychologically rich narrative and impressive visual presentation punctuate its linear design with a bold exclamation point.Mario & Luigi: BrothershipDespite introducing a sailing ship into the Mario & Luigi series, Brothership still follows a more or less traditional critical path. The brothers overarching goal this time around is lighting the four Great Lighthouses throughout Concordias oceans. The developers made sure each of the four Great Lighthouse dungeons were top-tier, earning the top spot on my list of Mario RPG dungeons. When theyre not puzzling their way through the Great Lighthouse dungeons, Mario & Luigi are busy linking together the distinctly themed islands with the ship. Brothership threads its themes of connections brilliantly through the narrative and humorous writing, forming a cohesive story that impresses despite its basic appearance.The Plucky SquireThe Plucky Squire mashes together a bunch of different genres onto the framework of a top-down adventure game. A majority of your time is spent swinging around a sword defeating enemies, but the sheer amount of odd little minigames ranging from Punch-Out sequences, to Duck Hunt shootouts, and even some turn-based RPG fun, is chaotically enduring. And then theres the puzzles that ask you to rearrange sentences for new props to appear inside the picture book you inhabit. And yes, you even get to pop out of the book and into the real world several times. The pop-up book aesthetic puts a bow on the whole package, making The Plucky Squireone of the most enduring linear games of the year.NevaLike the studios previous game Gris, Neva does more than just offer up a compelling platforming game; its an emotional audio/visual art piece. The bond between Alba and her wolf pup Neva grows as the seasons change throughout the adventure, manifested in turn by more advanced platforming challenges. Neva differentiates itself from Gris with its emphasis on combo-based combat and precision platforming sequences, providing a punchy and satisfying linear adventure full of heart.AkimbotIf youre looking for an old-school action/adventure game thats as straightforward as it is fun, look no further than Akimbot. Like its Ratchet and Clankinspiration, you have a range of gun types to unload on enemies with through a linear story. The pacing of the action is non-stop, supplying a constant stream of action-platforming fun. And the best thing is its gameplay doesnt overstay its welcome thanks to a variety of activities and sequences breaking up the usual run-and-gunning (such as the bullet hell sections). Akimbot is one of the those games thats effortless to just drop in and play without too much thought or prep-work, and I still often get the urge to start up another playthrough many months after completing it.Lego Horizon AdventuresDespite its open world source material, the Lego-fied version of Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the most linear and straightforward Lego games to date. You play through the basic storyline of Horizon Zero Dawn through linear mission-based levels, returning to the Mothers Heart hub area in between your excursions. Theres not a ton of exploration in this game except for some smaller open areas and branching paths in the levels, but the hub does allow for some satisfying customization and personalization. Whether youre a Horizonfan or a Lego connoisseur, you owe it to yourself to play this unique take on the PlayStation IP solo or with two other friends.Princess Peach ShowtimeIf youre looking for a fun mish-mash of different gameplay ideas and themes presented in true Nintendo fashion, Princess Peach Showtimewill satisfy. Each stage has a unique theme that completely alters the gameplay and aesthetics, as well as, of course, Peachs outfit. From lassoing up bandits on a horse to swordfighting through hack and slash dungeons, the creative levels give you reasons to come back and replay them. Like previous Good Feel games, stages are absolutely filled with collectables and secrets, providing solid replay value.Astro BotUnlike Princess Peachor Akimbot, Astro Bottakes a more open approach to some of its levels, taking a cue from something like Super Mario Galaxy. Still, Astro Bots levels comprise mostly linear challenges, and oh how fun they are. 3D platforming never felt better than with Astro Bots high tech Dual Sense functionality it goes beyond a mere gimmick, being a primary function of gameplay. Every action in the game is accompanied by a signature rumble from the controller. Each stage is tailored specifically to the PS5 and its controller, providing a unique kind of console experience. Likewise, stages take full advantage of Astros abilities in creative and imaginative ways, proving that linearity can be an enormous strength in platforming games.The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through DaybreakI know, I know, an ongoing JPRG series with a dozen connected games is a hard sell for most folks. But you owe it to yourself to give Trails Through Daybreak the light of day. For one, it forms the beginning of a new arc with a fresh cast of characters set in a different province from previous games. Its also just a phenomenal turn-based RPG through and through. If you enjoy dialogue-heavy RPG stories with a linear structure that lets you explore its towns at your own pace, Trails Through Daybreak may be the surprise hit that gets you invested into the wider series.Indiana Jones and the Great CircleNot only is this the first Indy game in 15 years, its also a return for MachineGames after their run of successful Wolfensteinreboot titles. As previews have observed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circlefeatures a lot of stealth. Its core gameplay revolves less around well, revolvers than youd come to expect, supplying an experience more in line with the Thief series. Youre often hiding behind baddies to knock them out before finding that ever elusive key to the locked door down the hallway. What weve seen of the trailers has us reassured that MachineGames knows what makes Indiana Jones stories so fun charming. Hopefully, the stealth mechanics and story manage to reach the highs that the IP has been lacking in recent years when Indiana Jones and the Great Circlelaunches December 9th.

With BioWare focusing on the next Mass Effect after releasing Dragon Age: The Veilguard, new details have slowly but surely made their way out. Project director Michael Gamble confirmed it will feature a photo-realistic art style and maintain the original trilogys mature tone. However, his recent tweet may have convinced fans that the Paragon and Renegade systems are returning.Gamble recently said, Regarding Renegade and Paragon: Yes, its true that more people played Paragon. But, it would have been meaningless if Renegade had not existed. The ability to choose is stronger than the number of people playing any option, in my opinion. On its own, this seems innocuous.However, one user, Kala Elizabeth, reposted the official art of the potential new protagonist and pointed out how the Paragon symbol is somewhat discernible. While Gamble replied that he was talking about the trilogy in his original tweet, he also added, Youll just have to wait and seeRegardless of whether the next Mass Effect features the same Paragon and Renegade systems of yore, theres no denying the possibility of alignment-based choices. Dragon Age: The Veilguard received significant backlash for not allowing players any evil decisions, much less to converse rudely with companions. As always, however, time will tell.The next Mass Effect lacks a release date, though its rumored to launch in 2029. Head here for more details.Regarding renegade and paragon-Yes, its true that more people played paragon. But, it would have been meaningless if renegade had not existed. The ability to choose is stronger than the number of people playing any option, IMO. Michael Gamble (@GambleMike) January 3, 2025The renegade/paragon system is absolutely returning for Mass Effect 5 https://t.co/4OY9iUD2Cs pic.twitter.com/htjke2gz1C Kala Elizabeth (@kalaelizabeth) January 3, 2025I was talking about the trilogy. Youll just have to wait and see Michael Gamble (@GambleMike) January 3, 2025

The PS5 added a host of unmissable new titles to its growing library over the course of 2024, and though many of these were obviously pretty prominent and major releases that caught the attention of the industry at large, as always, this year also brought with it a number of remarkable games that havent got the sort of attention that they deserve. Here, were going to list out a few such titles.ANIMAL WELLThe golden age of Metroidvanias continues to deliver modern classics, andAnimal Well has surely joined that list. With no combat whatsoever and a striking pixel art aesthetic, it allows itself to stand out in a crowded genre, while its finely crafted and dense world, which remains a constant joy to explore from start to finish, is also a highlight. For fans of Metroidvanias, this one is unmissable.

Reelables is showing a new way to track shipped packages using inexpensive paper-based electronics that are on one side of a shipping label.Read More

Roborock has added an arm to its latest flagship robot vacuum. And this is no tiny appendage like the one the company debuted on its S8 MaxV Ultra at CES last year; its an actual articulating robotic arm. The arm rises from the middle of Roborocks latest flagship bot the Saros Z70 and can extend out to pick up items such as socks and tissues while cleaning your floors. While its mildly terrifying and currently extremely slow I can certainly see the potential in a robot vacuum that can clean up ahead of itself. The Vergegot a sneak peek at the Saros Z70 in action ahead of its launch at CES 2025 and can confirm the arm works as advertised, although, as mentioned, its laboriously slow. During our demo, it took about a minute to pick up and move each sock in its path. Its also limited to socks, tissues, small towels, and sandals that weigh under 300 grams. Roborock says more items will be added over time but hasnt promised increased weight capability. No pricing has been released, but the company says the vacuum will ship by June 2025.The Verge saw this demo last month of the Saros Z70. Roborock says its capabilities have improved since then. Well be checking it out at CES this week. Video by Owen Grove / The VergeThe Saros Z70s arm is the first-of-its-kind mass-produced foldable robotic arm with five axis, according to Roborock. Called the OmniGrip, it can unfold, extend, and twist horizontally and vertically to pick up items and move them out of the way. It includes a camera and LED light in the arm to see objects and has sensors that allow it to detect an objects weight and know its positioning including if theres anything above it, so the arm doesnt hit anything when it raises.Roborock says that during its first cleaning run, the Z70 will detect and mark any objects it can lift. It then returns to deploy its arm, moving items to the area it has already cleaned and cleaning the areas those items were blocking. Finally, it can be programmed to go out a third time to pick up the items and put them away in a place you designate on the map in Roborocks app, such as near a closet or in a basket. When not in use, the arm tucks into the robots chassis. Photo by Owen Grove / The VergeYes, this whole process will take a long time. Yes, it would be quicker (and quieter) to pick up the socks yourself (assuming youre at home). But also, its a robot that picks up your socks! We are truly living in the future.One intriguing feature Roborock says will come to the Saros Z70 via an OTA upgrade doesnt involve the arm. Instead, it leverages the robots new navigation and obstacle recognition, called StarSight Autonomous System 2.0, to let you train the robot to recognize specific objects say, a favorite teddy bear or your purse. According to Roborock, you'll be able to use its app to see where the robot last spotted that item, which could be handy for locating lost things. StarSight launched on theQrevo Slim and uses 3D time-of-flight sensors, RGB cameras, and machine learning to navigate and identify obstacles. The AI-powered machine learning allows the Z70 to detect and navigate up to 108 preprogrammed objects, according to Roborock. It also uses a new laser-powered obstacle avoidance technology called VertiBeam, which Roborock says can more accurately clean around extended cables and irregularly shaped walls and furniture.The Saros Z70 will pair with a new auto-empty dock. Photo by Owen Grove / The VergeOther Saros Z70 features include an impressive 22,000Pa of suction power, a dual anti-tangle system for the robots roller brushes, and dual spinning mops that can not only lift 2.2cm to avoid carpet but also automatically detach at the base station when mopping isnt necessary. The Saros Z70 is just under 8cm high, which should allow it to get under those low sofas, and has the AdaptLift chassis first seen on the Qrevo Curv. This helps the robot climb high room transitions and maneuver over high-pile carpets. The flagship robot pairs with Roborocks new Multifunctional Dock 4.0 to charge, auto-empty, refill and drain its water tanks, and maintain the mops with hot water washing and hot air drying; this model also introduces a 2.5-hour fast-charge feature. The Saros 10R has most of the features of the Z70, just with fewer appendages. Image: RoborockRealistically, as cool as the arm is, its clearly more of a proof-of-concept product (although Roborock assures me it will ship this year). So, alongside the Saros Z70, Roborock debuted two other flagship robot vacuums at CES. The Saros 10R and the Saros 10 will ship on February 10th and cost $1,599.99 each. Both feature a similar slimline body and the same AdaptLift chassis as the Z70, and they can both automatically detach their mop pads when not needed. The main differences between the two are in mopping and navigation tech. The Saros 10R has the same StarSight 2.0 navigation and obstacle recognition tech, the same mopping tech, and the same dock as the Z70. However, it has slightly lower suction power (19,000Pa). By contrast, the Saros 10 is an upgrade to Roborocks current flagship model, the S8 MaxV Ultra (our top pick for the best robot vacuum). With 22,000Pa of suction power, it uses the lidar navigation found on most Roborocks but can retract its lidar tower to fit under low spaces, bringing it to the same height as the other two Saros models. The S10 works with Roborocks RockDock Ultra 2.0, which features a new design and a tempered glass finish. Image: RoborockInstead of the oscillating mops on the Z70 and the 10R, the Saros 10 has a new version of Roborocks excellent VibraRise mopping feature. This uses a flat mopping pad that vibrates 4,000 times a minute to simulate scrubbing and can now soak dry stains before attempting to remove them. The 10 also comes with an improved version of Roborocks Reactive AI Obstacle Avoidance (version 3.0) and gets the new VertiBeam cable avoidance tech. It has Roborocks new DuoDivide anti-tangle roller brush, first seen on the Qrevo Curv, and pairs with the companys new Ultra 2.0 Dock.Roborock says all three new models will be updated to support Matter 1.4, allowing the vacuums to work with any Matter-enabled smart home platform. It looks like Apple is bringing support with iOS 18.3, and Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings already support robot vacuums through Matter. Out of the box, the robots are compatible with Alexa, Siri Shortcuts, Google Home, and Roborocks own Hey Rocky voice assistant.

Belkin has announced the Stage PowerGrip, a magnetic battery pack that doubles as a DSLR-style ergonomic grip for iPhone photography, a phone stand, and a spare wired charger for your other devices. Itll be available in May, with pricing info coming later on. The PowerGrip is an odd-looking accessory until you see it attached to a phone. Its clearly designed to evoke the look and feel of a traditional camera. It features Bluetooth pairing to enable the shutter button on the top of the grip to let you take pictures with the iOS camera app.1/9The Belkin Stage PowerGrip Image: Belkin1/9The Belkin Stage PowerGrip Image: BelkinBesides that, the PowerGrip has a built-in retractable USB-C cable for charging other devices and a 10,000mAh battery. It offers wireless 7.5-watt charging for the attached iPhone, and a small LED screen on the front will show how much battery it has left. Belkin says it will come in powder blue, sandbox (a grayish sandy color), fresh yellow, black, and pepper (a nearly black dark gray).Belkins take on this is similar to others you can find on Amazon, though mostly those are from brands with alphabet soup-style names. Apple sells one version of this concept called the ShiftCam ProGrip. Like Belkins devce, it adds a physical shutter button to your phone and doubles as a charger, but it costs $149.95. Belkin hasnt announced pricing for the PowerGrip, but assuming its cheaper, it could be well worth a look if youre into iPhone photography.

Smart energy solutions company EcoFlow is debuting Oasis, its new AI-powered Home Energy Management System, at CES in Las Vegas this week. Designed to automate andsimplify energy management, Oasis features an AI assistant that can answer and even act on complicated questions about your homes energy using natural language, such as How can I maximize my solar energy usage today? The company also teased the upcoming launch of Ocean Pro, a new grid-tied whole-home solar battery solution for the US it plans to launch later this year.Energy management is a key use case for the smart home, but the infrastructure is expensive, and it can be complicated to set up and confusing to manage. With Oasis, EcoFlow is tackling at least two of those problems.Oasis works with EcoFlows home power technology to manage your homes energy through real-time monitoring of your homes solar energy production, energy storage to EcoFlow batteries, and energy use from third-party appliances and systems you connect to it through the EcoFlow app.Screenshots from the EcoFlow app, showing how Oasis provides an overview of your homes energy use. Image: EcoFlowPeter Linghu, EcoFlows director of product strategy and development, explained that Oasis uses predictive analytics and automations to do helpful things automatically, such as switch to backup power in the event of a power outage or charge up your batteries if theres a big storm coming. While these are features most home battery storage systems today offer, with Oasis, EcoFlow says its adding a more capable software layer to provide more granular whole-home energy management.The EcoFlow Assistant, an AI chatbot in the app, can answer questions for you, such as How much energy did I use today? But it can also suggest, create, and set up automations to manage energy use across your home. For example, you can ask it to set up the best power backup solution, and it will present options it can then implement (see video). Linghu says it does this by analyzing data such as past energy usage, local electric rates, home solar energy generation, and weather patterns.Oasis can also proactively offer suggestions, such as running your air conditioning or washing machine off stored energy rather than grid power when energy prices are high. Linghu says you can instruct Oasis to automate functions like this or choose to be notified about them and implement them yourself.The EcoFlow Assistant chatbot can set up automations for you based on weather and energy use, simplifying the process of programming your smart home.Intelligent management of your homes energy can save you energy and money without you having to run around turning off lights, fiddling with the thermostat, and unplugging the EV charger. But a big hurdle is finding a system that can talk to everything in your home and to existing infrastructure like solar panels. You also need an energy provider that offerstime-of-use ratesand demand response programs to get the most benefit. Additionally, many solutions today only work with proprietary equipment, making them better suited to new builds rather than retrofitting into your home. EcoFlows approach is more open.Today, Oasis works with EcoFlow products such as its portable Delta 3 Plus and River 3 Plus solar generators and its whole-home backup solution. Currently, that includes the Smart Home Panel 2, which offers circuit-level management of electrical loads and can be connected to your existing electrical panel. It can also work with the portableDelta Pro Ultra as a battery backup system. The new EcoFlow Ocean Pro system thats coming to the US later this year will bring a higher-capacity grid-tied option for whole-home backup. EcoFlow hasnt provided many details but says its similar to EcoFlowsPowerOceansystem, which is available in Europe. It looks like it will be a direct competitor to popular products in this space, such as the Tesla Powerwall and Anker Solix.RelatedOasis also works with third-party devices such as Ecobee and Nest thermostats, energy-monitoring products like smart plugs from Shelly and TP-Link, as well as any Matter-compatible device. While Matter is still in its early stages when it comes to energy management, high-energy use devices like appliances, heat pumps, solar panels, and EV charging equipment are now part of the Matter specification. So, there may soon be more products that can integrate directly with Oasis. All this helps bring more devices into the system to get a clear picture of your homes energy use.Several other companies are working on this type of home energy management solution. Schneider launched its Schneider Home system at CES last year;Savant Power, Anker Solix, and Generac also have interesting products in this space. The initial cost is still a major roadblock for many people, but if the complexity can be reduced through intelligent home energy management software, that feels like a big step in the right direction.

2025 is here, and for comic book fans, that means a whole new year of major releases from publishers of all types. And its shaping up to be a huge one for the industry. Marvel will soon be launching the One World Under Doom crossover and expanding its massively popular Ultimate Universe line. Not to be outdone, DC will be adding several books to its Absolute Universe line and kicking off the sequel to the iconic Batman: Hush storyline. And theres plenty to look forward to from smaller publishers as well, including Image Comics Bug Wars, Dark Horses Bowling With Corpses, and IDWs Star Trek: Lore War crossover.Read on to see our most anticipated comics of 2025, and be sure to let us know in the comments what you have on your to-read list this year. The Most Anticipated Comics of 2025One World Under DoomWith Doctor Doom poised to make his MCU debut soon, its only fitting that Marvel Comics put the spotlight back on this iconic villain. One World Under Doom is a crossover in the vein of 2009s Dark Reign. It explores what happens when Doom becomes the new Sorcerer Supreme and uses his power to declare himself emperor of the world. Naturally, the Avengers wont be too pleased about this turn of events, but what do they do when it turns out plenty of people are happier living under Dooms rule? The core crossover will unfold in Ryan North and RB Silvas nine-issue series One World Under Doom, which launches in February. Look for the effects of that story to spill out into a number of Marvel titles in early 2025. That includes both ongoing books like Norths Fantastic Four and Joe Kellys The Amazing Spider-Man as well as dedicated tie-ins like Thunderbolts: Doomstrike and Doom Academy. Batman: Hush 2The original Batman: Hush is undoubtedly one of the most iconic Batman comics ever published, as it effectively established the look and tone for the franchise in the 21st century. So its a pretty big deal that DC is finally getting around to publishing a sequel 23 years later.Granted, its not as if DC hasnt published stories featuring Bruce Waynes childhood friend-turned-bitter enemy Tommy Eliot in the years since Hush wrapped, but this is the first one to bring back writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee. Hush 2 again puts Batman at the center of a vast conspiracy orchestrated by Hush, one that also involves many of his closest allies and greatest foes. As excited as we are for Hush 2, were also eager to see what comes after. Hush 2 kicks off in March with Batman #158 and runs for six issues. That means DC will be debuting the new regular creative team in Batman #164 the following fall. Whos qualified to follow up on Loeb and Lee and take over arguably the biggest title in the comic book industry? Well find out later this year. Mike Mignolas Bowling with CorpsesEven as Mike Mignolas beloved Hellboy and BPRD universe continues on through various one-shots and miniseries, Mignola himself has been busy establishing other, new shared universes with his collaborators. The upcoming graphic novel Bowling With Corpses and Other Strange Tales From Lands Unknown kicks off Mignola and Ben Stenbecks fantasy-centric Lands Unknown universe. Its not often we get an entire graphic novels worth of new stories written and drawn by Mignola, so this is well worth a look when it hits stores in January. The Ultimate Universe ExpandsAs weve recently argued, the Ultimate Universe is the best thing Marvel is currently publishing, so of course were stoked to see what the line has in store for us this year. The big news is that Marvel is adding a fifth monthly Ultimate title in January - Chris Condon and Alessandro Capuccios Ultimate Wolverine. In this distorted version of the Marvel Universe, Logan has become the Winter Soldier, a pawn of The Makers Council. But can even these shadowy overlords contain the beast within?Elsewhere, look for the entire Ultimate Line to continue progressing in real-time as these books count down to the inevitable return of The Maker. Well even see the first major Ultimate Universe crossover this summer, a storyline thatll be teased in one of Marvels Free Comic Book Day specials in May. The Return of Vertigo14 Comics That Defined DC's Vertigo ImprintComic fans the world over were crushed when DC folded the hugely influential Vertigo imprint in 2019, which is why it was so exciting to learn that Vertigo is making a comeback in 2025. Once again, the Vertigo line will serve as a haven for groundbreaking, mature readers-focused comics at DC. The only catch is that we dont yet know what books will comprise the Vertigo line. So far, DC has only revealed that James Tynion IV and lvaro Martnez Buenos The Nice House By the Sea is retroactively being released under the Vertigo banner. Will we see more creator-owned titles join the Vertigo line? Will classic franchises like Swamp Thing and Hellblazer find a home here? We hope to learn more soon. Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6: Exclusive Preview GalleryIDW relaunched their flagship Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic in 2024 with quite the star-studded creative team. But the catch is that the new series debuted with a rotating team of guest artists and a status quo that saw the Turtles scattered and alone. Only now is the family coming back together, as writer Jason Aaron and new series artist Juan Ferreyra chart the next great TMNT chapter.It all starts in Januarys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6, as the Turtles finally reunite and return home to their classic stomping grounds in New York City. But as if the psychological scars of their recent ordeals werent bad enough, the Turtles have to contend with the fact that NYC is now under the control of the Foot Clan. Deadpool/WolverineDeadpool & Wolverine is one of the highest-grossing superhero movies of all time, so of course Marvel is going to exploit that partnership for all its worth. Logan and Wade Wilson are back in action and joined at the hip in this new ongoing series. Better yet, Deadpool/Wolverine hearkens back to the X-Mens Krakoan era as it reunites the X-Force creative team of writer Benjamin Percy and artist Joshua Cassara. Expect a superhero comic thats as uproariously funny as it is dark and violent. Wed expect nothing less from these two anti-heroes.The Absolute Universe: Wave 2The Ultimate Universe may be the best thing Marvel is publishing, but its got some strong competition now in DCs Absolute Universe. DC launched this new line in Fall 2024 with Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Superman, books that fundamentally reworked many of the core tenets of these characters. Now readers can look forward to Round 2 in 2025.DC will be debuting at least three new Absolute comics in 2025. March 2025 will bring with it a second wave of releases, including Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsays Absolute Green Lantern, Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles Absolute Flash, and Deniz Camp and Javier Rodrguezs Absolute Martian Manhunter. Those are terrific creative teams, and we cant wait to see how they reinterpret some of DCs most iconic heroes for this exciting new universe.Bug Wars

After years of controversy and behind-the-scenes turmoil, the Golden Globes return for 2025 with a new host.This years Golden Globes will air live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, January 5 at 8PM ET. Nikki Glaser will serve as emcee.The Globes, formerly a production ofthe Hollywood Foreign Press Association (which wasdogged for years by assorted accusations of impropriety), are now owned byDick Clark Productions (whove produced the live TV version for ages) and Eldridge Industries.In addition to the typical assortment of categories for the best in film and television, the new-look Globes also have a prize for Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. Those sound like two totally different and only loosely connected things, but what do I know? The nominees in that category includeWicked,Deadpool & Wolverine,Inside Out 2, andBeetlejuice Beetlejuice.Here is the full list of Globe nominees this year. This post will be updated live as the winners are announced.Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series DramaDonald Glover, Mr. & Mrs. SmithJake Gyllenhaal, Presumed InnocentGary Oldman, Slow HorsesEddie Redmayne, The Day of the JackalHiroyuki Sanada, ShgunBilly Bob Thornton, LandmanBest Original Score Motion PictureVolker Bertelmann, ConclaveDaniel Blumberg, The BrutalistKris Bowers, The Wild RobotClment Ducol, Camille, Emilia PrezTrent Reznor, Atticus Ross, ChallengersHans Zimmer, Dune: Part TwoHBOHBOloading...Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionBaby Reindeer Disclaimer Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story The Penguin Ripley True Detective: Night CountryBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or ComedyJesse Eisenberg, A Real PainHugh Grant, HereticGabriel LaBelle, Saturday NightJesse Plemons, Kinds of KindnessGlen Powell, Hit ManSebastian Stan, A Different ManBaby ReindeerNetflixloading...READ MORE: The Best Movies of 2024Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Television SeriesLiza Colon-Zayas, The BearHannah Einbinder, HacksDakota Fanning, RipleyJessica Gunning, Baby ReindeerAllison Janney, The DiplomatKali Reis, True Detective: Night CountryBest Motion Picture Non-English LanguageAll We Imagine as Light Emilia Prez The Girl with the Needle Im Still Here The Seed of the Sacred Fig VermiglioBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Television SeriesTadanobu Asano, ShgunJavier Bardem, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez StoryHarrison Ford, ShrinkingJack Lowden, Slow HorsesDiego Luna, La MaquinaEbon Moss-Bachrach, The BearDreamWorksDreamWorksloading...Best Original Song Motion PictureBeautiful That Way, The Last ShowgirlCompress/Repress, ChallengersEl Mal, Emilia PrezForbidden Road, Better ManKiss The Sky, The Wild RobotMi Camino, Emilia PrezBest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series Musical or ComedyKristen Bell, Nobody Wants ThisQuinta Brunson, Abbott ElementaryAyo Edebiri, The BearSelena Gomez, Only Murders in the BuildingKathryn Hahn, Agatha All AlongJean Smart, HacksHBOHBOloading...Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion PictureCate Blanchett, DisclaimerJodie Foster, True Detective: Night CountryCristin Milioti, The PenguinSofia Vergara, GriseldaNaomi Watts, Feud: Capote vs. The SwansKate Winslet, The RegimeBest Motion Picture AnimatedFlow Inside Out 2 Memoir of a Snail Moana 2 Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl The Wild RobotWICKEDUniversalloading...Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion PictureAriana Grande, WickedSelena Gomez, Emilia PrezFelicity Jones, The BrutalistMargaret Qualley, The SubstanceIsabella Rossellini, ConclaveZoe Saldaa, Emilia PrezBest Screenplay Motion PictureJacques Audiard, Emilia PrezSean Baker, AnoraBrady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, The BrutalistJesse Eisenberg, A Real PainCoralie Fargeat, The SubstancePeter Straughan, ConclaveFXFXloading...Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Musical or ComedyAdam Brody, Nobody Wants ThisTed Danson, A Man on the InsideSteve Martin, Only Murders in the BuildingMartin Short, Only Murders in the BuildingJason Segel, ShrinkingJeremy Allen White, The BearBest Performance by an Actor in a TVMLimited Series, Anthology Series or Motion PictureColin Farrell, The PenguinRichard Gadd, Baby ReindeerKevin Kline, DisclaimerCooper Koch, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez StoryEwan McGregor, A Gentleman in MoscowAndrew Scott, RipleyAmazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime Videoloading...Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series DramaKathy Bates, MatlockEmma D'Arcy, House of the DragonMaya Erskine, Mr. and Mrs. SmithKeira Knightley, Black DovesAnna Sawai, ShgunKeri Russell, The DiplomatBest Director Motion PictureJacques Audiard, Emilia PrezSean Baker, AnoraEdward Berger, ConclaveBrady Corbet, The BrutalistCoralie Fargeat, The SubstancePayal Kapadia, All We Imagine as LightFXFXloading...Best Television Series DramaMr. and Mrs. SmithThe DiplomatShgunSquid GameSlow HorsesThe Day of the JackalBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion PictureYura Borisov, AnoraKieran Culkin, A Real PainEdward Norton, A Complete UnknownGuy Pearce, The BrutalistJeremy Strong, The ApprenticeDenzel Washington, Gladiator IINeonNeonloading...Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or ComedyAmy Adams, NightbitchCynthia Erivo, WickedKarla Sofa Gascn, Emilia PrezDemi Moore, The SubstanceZendaya, ChallengersMikey Madison, AnoraBest Television Series Comedy Or MusicalAbbott ElementaryThe BearThe GentlemenHacksNobody Wants ThisOnly Murders in the BuildingBEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICEWarner Bros.loading...Cinematic and Box Office AchievementAlien: RomulusBeetlejuice BeetlejuiceDeadpool & WolverineGladiator IIInside Out 2TwistersWickedThe Wild RobotBest Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on TelevisionJamie Foxx, What Had Happened WasNikki Glaser, Someday You'll DieSeth Meyers, Dad Man WalkingAdam Sandler, Love YouAli Wong, Single LadyRamy Youssef, More FeelingsA24A24loading...Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture DramaAdrien Brody, The BrutalistTimothe Chalamet, A Complete UnknownDaniel Craig, QueerColman Domingo, Sing SingRalph Fiennes, ConclaveSebastian Stan, The ApprenticeBest Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture DramaPamela Anderson, The Last ShowgirlAngelina Jolie, MariaNicole Kidman, BabygirlTilda Swinton, The Room Next DoorFernanda Torres, Im Still HereKate Winslet, LeeUniversal PicturesUniversal Picturesloading...Best Motion Picture Musical or ComedyAnoraChallengersEmilia PrezA Real PainThe SubstanceWickedBest Motion Picture DramaThe BrutalistA Complete UnknownConclaveDune: Part TwoNickel BoysSeptember 5Get our free mobile appThe Most Absurd Golden Globes Nominations