If you thought Stardew Valley was popular, you probably didn't realise just how popular, as the indie game hits a pretty massive sales milestone. Read more

November 2024 was a transformative month in the 3D printing industry, marked by significant product launches, strategic corporate acquisitions, insightful market analyses, and noteworthy industry collaborations. Formnext Frankfurt 2024 served as a central stage for unveiling cutting-edge technologies, while data from CONTEXT highlighted a stark contrast between the booming entry-level 3D printer segment and a subdued industrial market. This review is a rundown of the months notable happenings.Formnext 2024: Defining Innovations in Additive ManufacturingIn November, Formnext attendees were introduced to the CBAM 25 from Impossible Objects, marking its European commercial debut after a global unveiling in June. Built on Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM), the system offers speeds up to fifteen times faster than certain existing polymer 3D printing technologies. Company founder Robert Swartz indicated that the CBAM 25 printed a 60-micron layer every four seconds, targeting high-throughput markets like aerospace. CEO Steve Hoover reported strong interest from manufacturers seeking to produce high-strength parts without the warping or shrinkage challenges found in conventional methods.A composite part 3D printed using the CBAM 25 in just 10 seconds. Photo via Impossible Objects.November also saw Prusa Research launch the CORE One, a fully enclosed CoreXY 3D printer featuring active chamber temperature control of up to 55C. Designed to handle materials such as PLA and PETG behind a closed enclosure, the system integrated a 250220270 mm build volume with an exoskeleton design for increased rigidity. Josef Prusa emphasized the CORE Ones all-in-one versatility, which aimed to reduce the need for multiple specialized machines. Prusa Research planned to begin shipping in January 2025, with a conversion kit for MK4S owners following in March 2025.The new Prusa Core One. Photo via Prusa Research.At Formnext, nLight unveiled the Corona AFX-2000 beam-shaping laser intended to significantly enhance laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 3D printing. According to nLight, one aerospace and defense client had already used the AFX-2000 to 3D print aluminum components at three times the speed of typical large-format 3D printers. The lasers dynamic beam-shaping technology allowed for ring-shaped profiles, which reportedly enabled high build rates while maintaining precision in the melt pool.A render of a ring-shaped laser beam profile. Image via nLight.Visitors exploring high-performance materials encountered Fiberthrees F3 PA ESD filament. Developed through more than thirty formulations, it boasted a surface resistance of 1010/cmmeeting DIN EN 61340-5 requirementswhile delivering an 84MPa tensile strength. The filaments electrostatic discharge capabilities were expected to serve industries needing both conductivity and mechanical durability.3D printed tray using F3 PA ESD filament. Image via Fiberthree.Formlabs introduced its Creator Series, a safer, more affordable resin line for hobbyist LCD and DLP 3D printers. Priced at $45/kg, these resins avoided ACMO, a chemical often linked to harmful odors in budget photopolymer materials. The initial offerings, Tough Resin and Super Clear Resin, were validated for machines from Elegoo, Anycubic, and other desktop brands. This launch sought to give cost-conscious users greater material quality without incurring health or safety trade-offs.Another highlight at Formnext was Renishaws updated RenAM500 series metal AM system, augmented by TEMPUS technology. By allowing multiple lasers to operate simultaneously across the entire powder bed, build times could drop by up to 50%. Renishaw aimed these improvements at manufacturers in aerospace and automotive seeking higher throughput without sacrificing part integrity.Renishaw has expanded its RenAM 500 series with the RenAM 500 Ultra. Photo via Renishaw.Wayland Additive featured its NeuBeam process via the Calibur3 machine. Operating with a stabilized electron beam, NeuBeam minimized residual stress through a hot-part approach, simplifying powder removal. Waylands Head of New Technologies, Martyn Hussey, presented advancements in speed, stability, and powder morphology, emphasizing how these improvements could benefit industrial customers requiring consistent metallurgical properties.The Calibur3s powder bed. Photo via Wayland Additive.Lastly, Sheffield-based Fyous demonstrated its PolyMorphic 28K, a mold-making system using 28,000 adjustable pins that formed custom molds in about 20 minutes. The company claimed this technique was up to fourteen times faster than using conventional 3D printing to fabricate molds, reducing both cost and storage overhead for applications such as vacuum forming, composite layup, or polyurethane molding.Strategic Developments and Market DynamicsAmid the flurry of Formnext news, Siemens announced the planned acquisition of Altair Engineering Inc. for approximately $10 billion in November 2024. CEO Roland Busch stated that the merger aims to integrate Altairs advanced simulation and AI-driven computational tools with Siemens Xcelerator platform, creating the worlds most complete AI-powered design and simulation portfolio. Founder James Scapa highlighted the complementary strengths of both companies, emphasizing the enhancement of digital twin technologies and AI-based optimization for defense and industrial applications. Siemens projected an 8% increase in its digital business revenue, adding around 600 million to the 7.3 billion reported in FY 2023, and anticipated cost synergies of $150 million in EBITDA within two years post-acquisition. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary conditions.Siemens Munich-based corporate headquarters. Photo via Siemens.On the materials front, KIMYA, the additive manufacturing materials subsidiary of the ARMOR GROUP, ceased filament production and withdrew from the 3D printing market in November 2024. Hubert de Boisredon, Chairman and CEO of ARMOR GROUP, announced the closure, citing weaker-than-expected market growth and the economic crisis, which led to declining sales of new machines. KIMYA had invested around 15 million since its 2017 launch and supplied high-performance filaments to companies like Stratasys, Ultimaker, and AON3D. The exit affected 15 employees, who would receive support to transition to new opportunities; The decision followed similar strategic withdrawals by companies such as BASF.Close up of Kimyas PEKK filament next to 3D printed PEKK object. Photo via 3DGence.Novembers market data from CONTEXT revealed an explosive 65% year-over-year growth in shipments of entry-level 3D printers for Q2 2024, now accounting for 48% of global 3D printer revenues. This surge was predominantly driven by Chinese manufacturers, with Creality, Bambu Lab, AnyCubic, and Elegoo collectively representing 94% of all sub-$2,500 3D printer shipments. Bambu Lab achieved an unprecedented 336% shipment growth, securing 26% of the global entry-level market share, while Creality maintained the largest share at 47%. In contrast, the industrial 3D printer segment experienced a 25% year-over-year decline, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of reduced shipments. CONTEXT attributed this stagnation to high interest rates and delayed capital expenditures, which hampered investments in large-scale additive manufacturing systems. Chris Connery, VP of Global Analysis at CONTEXT, noted that affordability and advanced features fueled consumer-level adoption, while industrial segments awaited more favorable economic conditions for a rebound in 2025.3D printer system revenues and growth by price class. Image via Context.Recognizing Leadership and CollaborationIn November, Joe Allison, Principal of 3D Ventures and CEO of Gentle Giant Studios, was awarded the AMUG Innovators Award in November 2024, recognizing his 34-year career in additive manufacturing. Allisons contributions include leading significant advancements in stereolithography and selective laser sintering through his roles at Solid Concepts and Stratasys Direct Manufacturing. Under his leadership, Solid Concepts became the first third-party supplier to Boeing for flight-certified SLS parts and promoted Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) for prototyping and production. AMUG President Shannon VanDeren praised Allisons impact on the industry, while Bruce LeMaster, AMUGs Director at Large, highlighted Allisons mentorship and pioneering efforts in developing automated support generation software. Joe Allison, CEO of Gentle Giant Studios and recipient of the 2025 AMUG Innovators Award. Photo via AMUG.Meanwhile, SME and America Makes announced their strategic partnership to co-locate the Spring Technical Review and Exchange (TRX) with RAPID + TCT 2025 in Detroit, scheduled for April 8-10, 2025. This collaboration aims to unite key leaders and stakeholders from aerospace, defense, and consumer goods sectors, fostering deeper connections and accelerating the adoption of next-generation additive manufacturing technologies. John Wilczynski, Executive Director of America Makes, emphasized the partnerships role in driving innovation by bringing together industry experts, researchers, and practitioners under one roof. Steve Prahalis, COO of SME, highlighted the benefits of consolidating these events to facilitate the exchange of ideas and exposure to diverse additive manufacturing applications. This strategic move leverages Detroits strong manufacturing heritage, aiming to enhance the defense sectors manufacturing capabilities through additive technologies.America Makes and SME logos. Photo via SME.Conversely, Formnext Chicago 2025 was postponed due to scheduling conflicts with RAPID + TCT 2025 and the AMUG Conference, along with ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Sascha Wenzler, Vice President at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, explained that the decision aimed to avoid the clash of major industry events, ensuring better alignment with exhibitors commitments and market needs.Leading Formnext Chicago organizers on the Formnext Stage at IMTS 2024. Image via Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.Global Trends and Emerging ChallengesNovember also underscored Chinas growing role in AM, as consultant Dirk Simon presented insights on Chinas globalization of additive manufacturing at the Mobility Goes Additive Annual Meeting. Simon, with extensive experience working with Chinese AM companies like Farsoon Technologies, Bambu Lab, and Bright Laser Technologies (BLT), highlighted Chinas significant advancements in reducing AM part costs through innovations such as multi-laser setups, closed-loop powder handling, and user-friendly machine designs. He noted that Chinese firms are now entering large-scale series production, with companies like BLT exporting metal parts to major aerospace firms like Airbus. Simon emphasized the importance of Western companies forming partnerships with Chinese AM firms to leverage their cost-effective production capabilities while navigating cultural and technical challenges. He recommended robust purchasing processes, including benchmarking, acceptance tests, and comprehensive contract clauses, to mitigate risks associated with supply chain interruptions and intellectual property concerns.Dirk Simon Presentation at Mobility Goes Additive 2024. Photo via Dirk SimonReady to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Featured image shows the new Prusa Core One. Photo via Prusa Research.

Sigu90 January 5, 2025, 11:22am 1Hi, Im new to this forum. So, hello!I am here because Id like to ask for advice on switching careers from archviz to real-time VFX. Im 34 and have been working as a 3D artist for archviz for about 5 years. The problem is that I dont like my job; maybe because I never studied to become an architect and I never really felt like one. But at that time, I didnt know how much there was to the world of 3D, and every day I want to quit my job because I cant stand it anymore. During my spare time, I try to study other things because I thought I wanted to learn FX for film, but after discovering real-time VFX, I fell in love with it.Honestly, I have the idea to start investing time in studying full-time and doing a mentorship because I want to learn not only how to create effects in general but also how game studios work.However, I want to learn real-time VFX in depth, and Im comfortable with the idea of spending at least 1 year to have the best chance of entering the industry. But that means Ill probably finish when Im 35.I read a post on Reddit that said there is massive ageism in the game industry. Is that true? Does age matter more than skill? It seems theres a lot of pessimism in that forum, but I prefer to ask people who are working in this industry (and in this specialization).For me, its not about money or rewards; its about doing something I enjoy out of passion (games, not only). Mostly i wont to do this for personal satisfaction. Any advice is welcome.Thank you for your attention.1 LikeManus January 5, 2025, 12:03pm 2I have a good friend that is 30 and also worked in Archviz for past 6 years or so. He started learning vfx in a free time for past year and did amazing progress! https://www.artstation.com/gabiruvfxAnd hes planning to start applying to studios soon. Though Im sure he will get it easily.I personally didnt meet with any ageism, its just a lot of people consider themselves too old to change, which is not true. I know also a VFX Artist that started at the age of 45 and got a job, so give it a try Just keep in mind its relatively hard now due to all layoffs and not as many studios hiring, but if you just learn in your free time while having other job, then you are safe! All the best to you

close Create custom visuals on your iPhone with Image Playground in iOS 18.2 Tool transforms simple text prompts into images or animations in seconds. Apple's new Image Playground feature is an excellent addition to the iPhone, allowing you to easily create custom visuals.This innovative tool transforms simple text prompts into images or animations in seconds, opening up a world of creativity right at your fingertips. Image Playground feature on iPhone (Apple)Ensure compatibility before you startBefore diving in, ensure your iPhone is compatible. Image Playground works on:iPhone 15 Pro and Pro MaxAll iPhone 16 models Image Playground feature on iPhone (Apple)How to update software to 18.2 or later on iPhoneTo access Image Playground, update to iOS 18.2 or later:OpenSettingsTapGeneralSelectSoftware UpdateTap Update NowEnter your passcode and agree to termsWait for theinstallation to complete Steps to update iPhone software (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How to use Image PlaygroundOnce updated, locate the Image Playground app icon on your home screen. It looks like a cute animal in a soap bubble. The app uses Apple Intelligence to combine concepts, text descriptions and people from your photo library to create stylized images. Here's how to use it:Open theImage Playground appWhere it says "Describe an image," go ahead andtype a prompt describing the image you want (e.g., "A cat wearing sunglasses") or add a suggestion from the listHitEnter and watch as Image Playground generates your imageSwipe through toselect the image you want to use Steps to use Image Playground feature on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)You can click thethree horizontal dots in the circle in the upper right of the screen tocopy,duplicate or add captionTapDone when satisfiedClick the share icon (up arrow in the square) in the bottom left to shareYou can share viaAirDrop,Message orEmail, orcopy orsaveimage to your iPhone. Steps to use Image Playground feature on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Want to make it even more special?You can create images based on your contacts. Heres how:Open theImage Playground appClick the plus sign in the app.Tap"Choose Photo."Click on thephoto you want to use.Customize it by typingwhat you want to add (like adding a hat) in the "Describe an image" field.Tap theup arrow.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? Steps to use Image Playground feature on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Swipe through the images tochoose the one you like.Tap the selected image and click Done.Tap the "share icon" (up arrow in the square box) in the lower left of the screen toAirDrop,message oremail the image.You can alsocopy it orsave it to your device.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE Steps to use Image Playground feature on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Kurts key takeawaysImage Playground allows anyone with a compatible iPhone to produce unique, personalized images in seconds. While the results may not always perfectly capture reality, the technology is likely to improve over time. This feature opens up new possibilities for digital expression and storytelling right from your pocket.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPWhat fun and creative things do you think you could make with Apple's new Image Playground feature? Let us know what you think by writing us at Cyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com. Related Topics

Double-clickjack hack attacks strike.GettyUpdate, Jan. 5, 2025: This story, originally published Jan. 3, now includes an explanation of clickjacking as a threat surface along with additional information regarding the double-clickjacking hack itself and a warning from a security expert on how such attacks are evolving.Hundreds of millions of web users have been warned about a new and dangerous cyber attack that doesnt care what browser you useas long as you click twice. Heres everything you need to know about the double-clickjacking hack attack.Dont Click Twice Warning As New Hack Attack ConfirmedApplication security and client-side offensive exploit researcher Paulos Yibelo, with a long history of discovering vulnerabilities and novel security threats, has revealed what could be the new attack methodology with the biggest reach of them alleveryone using a web browser. In a blog post detailing what is referred to as double clickjacking, Yibelo describes in technical detail how hackers can compromise your credentials when you double-click in Chrome, Edge, Safari or just about any web browser client.This entirely new threat surface is exposed by the fact that hackers can trick the user of almost any website and almost any web browser into clicking something without even realizing they are doing it. Clickjacking became obsolete when browser developers built protections into their software to prevent just such an attack. Double clickjacking, however, gets around these protections by adding another layer of attack that relies upon mouse double-click timing to get the victim to validate a login or some other account authorization while thinking they are clicking something else, like a CAPTCHA, that is on the screen at the time. The TL;DR, in other words, is that a new window is opened, and the user is asked to double-click on a prompt while, in the blink of an eye, the hacker is switching context to a different window altogether.I have approached Apple, Google and Microsoft for a statement.What Is A Clickjack Hack Attack?A clickjacking hack attack, simply explained, is one that employs various methods to get users clicking on invisible or otherwise obfuscated, as in disguised as something else, web page elements. Such attacks were generally executed by using such an invisible HTML element, which could even be an entirely invisible web page itself, within something called an iframe. The whole point of an iframe is to display a web page within a web page, essentially. The point is that this element or page is displayed on top of another page, which the user sees, and so, while the user thinks they are clicking what they are looking at, they are actually clicking on an invisible element on top of it.Read More: Android Under AttackUsers Warned As FireScam Threat Evades DetectionA couple of different clickjacking variations seen over the years include, according to researchers at security firm Imperva, likejacking and cursorjacking. The first of these, likejacking, is when a like button is manipulated so as to trick a user into liking page without realizing they are doing so. The second, cursorjacking, is a user interface redressing method that changes the position of the cursor from where the victim thinks it is to somewhere else entirely. The dangers of this do not really need explaining. However, this is no longer an issue, as the various vulnerabilities that allowed it have long since been addressed. Indeed, as already mentioned, clickjacking itself has become all but obsolete thanks to protections applied by all the major browser client developers. There is, though, a test you can run to see if your site is vulnerable. This uses code that comes as part of the OWASP clickjacking defense sheet and looks like this:ImpervaWhy The Double Clickjack Hack Is So DangerousWhile it might sound like a small change, Yibelo said, double clickjacking opens the door to new UI manipulation attacks that bypass all known clickjacking protections, and seemingly affects almost every website, leading to account takeovers on many major platforms. Yibelo highlighted the following reasons why the hack attack is so dangerous:It can bypass existing clickjacking protections.It can impact more than just websites alone, with crypto wallets and smartphone attacks possible.Its an entirely new attack surface for hackers to exploit.All websites are, by default, vulnerable to this hack attack.It only requires the target to double-click, nothing else.Exploiting The Double Clickjacking Hack TechniqueIn the blog posting detailing the double clickjacking hack methodology, Yibelo provides two examples of how the technique can be exploited by attackers. The first is by way of OAuth and API permissions. Open authorization enables an application, or a website, to access resources hosted on a different site and related to a different user. OAuth is the industry standard secure way of doing this. Until it isnt. Attackers could trick targets into authorizing a malicious application with extensive privileges, Yibelo warned, this technique has unfortunately led to account takeovers in almost every site that supports OAuth - which is pretty much all major websites with an application programming interface support. Secondly, Yibelo said, there are the one-click account change attacks that are similar to clickjacking in that double clickjacking can be used to make the user click on account-setting changes, such as disabling security settings, deleting an account, authorizing access or money transfers, or confirming transactions, etc.DoubleClickjacking is a sleight of hand around on a well-known attack class, Yibelo said, by exploiting the event timing between clicks, attackers can seamlessly swap out benign UI elements for sensitive ones in the blink of an eye. This means that developers and security teams need to tighten their control over embedded or opener-based windows and be more vigilant about such things as multi-click patterns.Evolution Of Hack Attacks Create Additional Challenges For DefendersTotally unsurprisingly, reports of this double-clickjacking hack attack exploit have created great concern among users and cybersecurity professionals alike. The marginal decreases in ransomware and malware over the past year, Spencer Starkey, an executive vice president at content control and network security vendor SonicWall, said, should not fool people, hackers have just changed their tactics. There is no doubt that cyber attacks are constantly evolving, the proof is there in front of you in both articles that I write here at Forbes.com and the exploits that so many fall victim to. Due to the speed at which new attacks are being created, they are more adaptive and difficult to detect, Starkey said, which poses an additional challenge for cybersecurity professionals. From the high-level business perspective, this means looking to monitor their networks for suspicious activity constantly. The sooner teams can flag a potential issue, Starkey concluded, the lower the risk of an attack.When it comes to attack mitigation, Yibelo said, Ive reported this issue to some sites, the results have been mixed. Most have chosen to address it while some have chosen not to. As for end users, the advice for now has to be dont click twice if you want to be sure not to fall victim to this new hack attack until in-browser mitigations are available.

Beware the FireScam Android threat.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesA new information-stealing Android malware threat has been revealed by security researchers who have warned that it exfiltrates sensitive data, including your notifications, and employs clever obfuscation techniques to evade detection. Heres what you need to know about FireScam.What Android Users Need To Know About The FireScam ThreatA technical report disclosing the FireScam Android malware threat has been published by researchers from threat intelligence specialists Cyfirma, and it looks particularly dangerous for a number of reasons. The report explores the mechanics of FireScam, which is described as being a sophisticated Android malware masquerading as a Telegram Premium app. The malware app has been noted as being distributed by way of a GitHub.io-hosted phishing site pertaining to be the genuine RuStore App Store, popular within the Russian Federation, which it most certainly isnt. Which doesnt mean that the attackers wont move to other distribution channels and regions, so please do pay attention wherever you are based as Russian cyberattacks have a habit of spreading beyond the border. By exploiting the popularity of messaging apps and other widely used applications, the researchers said, FireScam poses a significant threat to individuals and organizations worldwide.Key Findings Of The FireScam Android Malware ReportLike so much malware today, FireScam employs a multi-stage technique starting with a dropper mechanism and ending up with data exfiltration and on-device surveillance. By capitalizing on the widespread usage of popular apps and legitimate services like Firebase, the threat intelligence report said, FireScam exemplifies the advanced tactics used by modern malware to evade detection, execute data theft, and maintain persistent control over compromised devices.Please do go and read the report itself for the complete technical analysis, but here are the key findings of interest to Android users:The fake phishing app store website delivers a dropper to install the FireScam malware disguised as a Telegram Premium application.The malware exfiltrates sensitive data, including notifications, messages, and other app data, to a Firebase real-time database endpoint.FireScam then monitors device activities, including screen state changes, e-commerce transactions, clipboard activity, and user engagement.Notifications are also captured across various apps, including system apps.I have reached out to Google for a statement.MORE FOR YOUSecurity Experts Warn Of FireScam Dangers To Android UsersThe FireScam malware campaign reveals a worrying development in the mobile threat landscape, according to Eric Schwake, director of cybersecurity strategy at Salt Security, who warned that malware targeting Android devices is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Although using phishing websites for malware distribution is not a new tactic, Schwake said, FireScam's specific methodssuch as masquerading as the Telegram Premium app and utilizing the RuStore app storeillustrate attackers' evolving techniques to mislead and compromise unsuspecting users.As threats like FireScam continue to evolve, it is crucial for organizations to implement robust cybersecurity measures and proactive defense strategies, Cyfirma said. It recommends users exercise caution when opening files from untrusted sources or clicking on unfamiliar links, use reputable antivirus software, keep all software up to date and stay vigilant against social engineering attacks.I would add that all Android users should read this discussion regarding the best phishing mitigationsyou can thank me later.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsPerformance without a taxWho needs a power bank?A sum total of terrific partsDear brands, please pay attention to this!The curtain was about to fall for 2024, but before the year wrapped up for good, we got a glimpse of what is to come in 2025 for smartphone enthusiasts. So far, things look good. Batteries are getting bigger, the performance bar keeps rising, and cameras are leaning more into pro-grade and artistic wizardry.Yet, the rising costs are also a lingering concern. Of course, barely any innovation comes sans a handsome price. However, some outliers are still carrying the mantle once championed by the likes of OnePlus.The Red Magic 10 Pro surprised me with an all-out power-packed approach to sway mobile gaming fans. Yet, it was not without its own set of compromises. Enter the iQoo 13 from the house of Chinas Vivo.RelatedRocking the same $650 sticker price as its predecessor, the latest iQoo phone boasts everything that will shine atop this years flagship phones. Its so good that the current-gen iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones look like a bad deal.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsSoon after Qualcomm revealed the Snapdragon 8 Elite, we started hearing rumors of its successor and a slightly watered-down trim to offer a more affordable option to smartphone makers. The latter isnt an alien strategy for the chipmaker.The latest outing from Qualcomm was the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, which went for a less powerful core cluster, a slower cellular modem, and a few cuts in the camera capabilities.Geekbench 6 single-core and multi-core comparative test results. Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsIt has allowed the likes of Motorola to make less expensive foldable phones, while Chinese smartphone labels have been able to deliver fantastic midrange phones. Some brands, however, duck that cost dilemma and go all-in.iQoo is one of the wallet breavehearts.The iQoo 13 is one of the first phones with the Snapdragon 8 Elite to hit the shelves. Its not a gaming phone, mind you. As such, my expectations were pretty modest, especially with thermal management and performance throttling.Comparative results on 3DMark stress tests. Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsSurprisingly, this phone surpassed my expectations. Even under sustained load, the massive 7,000 square-millimeter vapor chamber did an admirable job of keeping the phone cool and running in the top brackets of its peak performance.Look at the throttling graph below after running the device at 40 threads. The phone only dropped to 85% of its peak processing power, but its the stability metrics that impress the most.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsFor comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S24 (which starts at $800) dipped as low as 60% of its peak performance, with a continued downhill trend. Also of note is that at no point did the iQoo 13 run hot enough that I would want to keep it aside.Seeing temperatures under the 50-degree Centigrade mark after running a 3DMark stress test is a rarity, but the iQoo 13 also managed to pull that off. As far as gaming goes, there are a handful of surprises in there, too.While I mostly killed time in Diablo Immortal and Devil May Cry at the best graphics settings they can offer, I also dipped into other titles. In Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile, Call of Duty: Warzone, and BattelGrounds Mobile India, I could easily play the games at peak graphics settings and revel in the glory of a smooth 60 frames per second (fps) experience.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsThis is also where Vivos custom Q2 chip comes into the mix. It performs an interpolation and upscaling trick to boost the resolution and frame rate of certain optimized games to 2K and 144 fps figures.There are only a few titles that can take advantage of the extra oomph at the moment, but when the Super Resolution and Frame Interpolation tools are enabled from the game center panel, you can clearly feel the added dash of fluidity and fidelity in the games. Even the likes of Apple or Samsung havent gone that far.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsOne of the best trends I saw in 2024 was the innovation in battery engineering. The development of semi-solid state batteries and those with silicon carbide anode has yielded benefits such as improved longevity, better heat management, enhanced safety, and most importantly, higher energy density.The net benefit for an average smartphone shopper is larger batteries in a smaller package, with faster charging being the optional perk. The iQoo 13 eagerly laps up all those benefits and serves them atop a platters worth 6,000 mAh capacity.For reference, the Galaxy S24 offers only a 4,000mAh battery and much slower charging. On the iQoo phone, you get support for blazing-fast 120-watt fast charging.A 120W charger comes bundled in the box.To give you an idea of just how fast this charger is, even against a massive 6,000mAh battery, it filled up an empty tank in just 36 minutes. That figure is still slow as trickle charging ensues in the latter phase.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsWhen you start, the rate is quicker. This battery can reach the halfway mark with just about 15 minutes of plugged-in time. Thats insanely fast and a lovely reassurance that even if youre in a rush, this phone can offer enough electrochemical mojo within a few minutes to last at least half a day.Of course, the per-change endurance is fittingly fantastic. I fall in the heavy user class. I juggle between Teams and Slack, almost all-day music listening over wired headphones, frequent texting, intermittent Instagram Reels bingeing, an hour or two of gaming, and loads of Gemini AI usage.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsThat should give you an idea about my questionably over-engaged phone habits. Thankfully, I havent had a single day where I felt the need to charge the iQoo midway.The only reason I ever carried a power bank was for the iPhone 16 Pro in my other pocket. I am desperately hoping the next wave of top-tier phones we get in 2025 at least make a respectable jump in battery capacity and top-up pace.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsAs I mentioned above, the iQoo 13 is quite a surprise firecracker of a phone. The looks arent exactly a head-turner, though the halo light around the camera module does deliver a functional side as a notifications blinker.What matters more here is the phones certified resilience. It comes with an IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance rating. Thats the best you can get in the smartphone industry right now.I spend an unhealthy amount of time digging into user reports on Reddit and official product forums. They are littered with tales of users running from pillar to post to get water damage and dust ingress fixed. Im looking at you, Nothing!Spillproof is not enough. Every time you see a brand making tall claims about liquid exposure resilience, reduce your real-life expectations by a whole notch.With IP68/IP69 ingress protection on the iQoo 13, you have the peace of mind that the phone can survive an accidental drop in the pool or a tumbled glass on your work table.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsI would take this structural tenacity over an extra camera or any other fancy trick that smartphone brands often spend waxing poetic about. Talking about cameras, though, iQoo isnt dealing with weak cards in the imaging department.You get three 50-megapixel cameras at the back, and they click nice shots with steady hands. Notably, the iQoo 13 has inherited the imaging engine and algorithm from Vivos impressive phone cameras, and it shows.The weaknesses are situational overprocessing, aggressive denoising in lowlight frames, and a modest zoom output. The latter isnt exactly garbage, as you can see from this 4x (digital zoom) shot of an eternally restless cat.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsAnd heres a macro shot, which is rich in surface details, but the exposure is slightly off the mark. On the positive side, it did better than the iPhone 16 Pro, which delivered a macro shot in which the white balance was noticeably haywire.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsThe iQoo 13 is yet another signal that phones with a sticker price of around $700 (hey, Apple) can and must offer a high-refresh-rate panel. If its an OLED screen, even better.What you get here is a 6.82-inch OLED panel with QHD resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The brightness figures are respectable, while the UI interactions feel silky smooth. It isnt going to set any vibrance records, but you can safely scroll webpages and social videos in daylight.Prakhar Khanna / Digital TrendsThe iQoo 13 is not without its weaknesses. But if you view them from a $650 spending lens, almost all of them appear reasonably redundant. The lack of wireless charging, limited optical zoom range, and UI bloatware issues are there, but they are not nuclear red flags.Four years of assured OS upgrades and an extra year for security maintenance arent the best available, but its not alarming either, especially when compared to the top-tier phones that big dogs like Apple and Samsung have to offer.But more than just being a fantastic phone, the iQoo 13 is a template of what is to come in 2025. Its just a surprise that a brand with barely any notable presence in the West has managed to outpace the upcoming shift.Lets just hope the top labels get the hint!Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsCarolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons start time, channel, and live streamWashington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys start time, channel, and live streamChicago Bears at Green Bay Packers start time, channel, and live streamJacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts start time, channel, and live streamBuffalo Bills at New England Patriots start time, channel, and live streamNew York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles start time, channel, and live streamNew Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers start time, channel, and live streamHouston Texans at Tennessee Titans start time, channel, and live streamSan Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals start time, channel, and live streamKansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos start time, channel, and live streamSeattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams start time, channel, and live streamLos Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders start time, channel, and live streamMiami Dolphins at New York Jets start time, channel, and live streamMinnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions start time, channel, and live streamAfter 17 weeks, the NFL regular season comes down to one final day. Its Week 18 of the NFL season, and most of the playoff teams have been finalized. There is one playoff spot up for grabs in both the AFC and the NFC. One wild card spot is available, while the NFC South division will be determined.14 NFL games will be played inWeek 18on January 5. The No. 1 seed in the NFC will be decided on Sunday night when the Vikings play the Lions. Today would be an ideal time to haveNFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Below, check out the NFL Week 18 schedule, with times, channels, and streaming information.Recommended VideosCarolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons start time, channel, and live streamAll black for Week 18 pic.twitter.com/RFYs2ZIyxK Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 2, 2025Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Heading into Week 18, the Carolina Panthers (4-12) hold the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft. Carolina would be better off losing this game to improve their draft position.RelatedBy losing in Week 17, the Atlanta Falcons (8-8) no longer control their own destiny. Atlanta can only qualify for the postseason with a win over Carolina and a loss by Tampa Bay.Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys start time, channel, and live streamAn NFL-record five games with a TD pass in the final 30 seconds@JayD__5 is always coming up clutch pic.twitter.com/Dhg1KU2T4h Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 3, 2025Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , With a win over the Falcons in Week 17, the Washington Commanders (11-5) now have an opportunity to secure the No. 6 seed with a win over the Cowboys. If Washington loses and Green Bay wins, then the Commanders are the No. 7 seed.Will this be the final game for Mike McCarthy? The Dallas Cowboys (7-9) head coach will become a free agent this offseason. Will Jerry Jones re-sign McCarthy, or will he want to find a new head coach?Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers start time, channel, and live streamCounting down 'til Sunday pic.twitter.com/HGDqXdqeWx Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 3, 2025Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , Its been a season to forget for the Chicago Bears (4-12). The Bears started with high expectations because of Caleb Williams and a good defense. However, Williams has been disappointing, and the team needs a new head coach.The Green Bay Packers (11-5) lost a hard-fought game to the Vikings in Week 17. Despite the loss, the Packers will either be the No. 6 or No. 7 seed depending on the days results.One more at home. pic.twitter.com/h7uycfhBY1 Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 2, 2025Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , After their win over the Titans, the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) moved to the No. 5 spot in the 2024 NFL Draft. With Trevor Lawrence on the roster, the Jaguars could take the best available player or trade back for a team that needs a quarterback.The Indianapolis Colts (7-9) needed to win in Week 17 to stay alive for the postseason. However, the Colts were a complete no-show last week.Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, The Buffalo Bills (13-3) are locked into the AFCs No. 2 seed. Most of the Bills starters will not play on Sunday. However, Josh Allen will start the game and at least take one snap to keep his consecutive starts streak alive.This is arguably the most important game in the New England Patriots (3-13) history since Super Bowl LIII. If the Patriots lose on Sunday, they will secure the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.Joe Glorioso / All-Pro ReelsStart Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, The New York Giants (3-13) held the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft heading into Week 17. Then, the Giants played their best game of the season, beat the Colts, and moved back to No. 4. A win on Sunday would be the Giants worst-case scenario.The Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) will be the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Despite being 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickersons single-season rushing record, Saquon Barkley will rest and not play in Week 18.One last time taking in the sights and sounds from Week 17 before moving on to the Saints #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/dNYj7TcMZY Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 3, 2025Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , The New Orleans Saints (5-11) did not qualify for playoffs in the NFC. All New Orleans can do is play spoiler and prevent the Bucs from making the postseason.With the Commanders win over the Falcons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) now control the NFC South. If the Bucs beat the Saints, Tampa advances to the playoffs.2025 vibez pic.twitter.com/TD38hAzVIc Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 2, 2025Start Time: 1 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, The Houston Texans (9-7) will be the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Therefore, Houston may rest some of their starters in Week 18. However, that will be a game-time decision from head coach DeMeco Ryans.Like many teams on Sunday, the Tennessee Titans (3-13) are better off losing this game. The Titans have the No. 2 spot in the NFL Draft. Lose, and the Titans will have a chance to select one of the top quarterbacks in this years class.Hobbytoy / FlickrStart Time: 4:25p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , The San Francisco 49ers (6-10) desperately want this season to end. After making the Super Bowl a season ago, San Francisco will not have a chance to defend its NFC crown.The Arizona Cardinals (7-9) cannot make the NFC postseason. The Cardinals will likely be selecting between No. 12-18 in the 2025 NFL Draft.Start Time: 4:25 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, The road to the Super Bowl in the AFC runs through Arrowhead. The Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) are the best team in the NFL and have secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Chiefs have earned a first-round bye.Its do-or-die for the Denver Broncos (9-7). If the Broncos defeat the Chiefs, Denver will advance to the postseason. If the Broncos lose, Denver will only get in if the Dolphins and Bengals lose.Not done yet. pic.twitter.com/4xyg0hlsO8 Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 30, 2024Start Time: 4:25p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , Despite winning in Week 17, the Seattle Seahawks (9-7) will not be headed to the postseason. The Seahawks have an interesting decision to make this offseason regarding quarterback Geno Smith.The Los Angeles Rams (10-6) started the season 1-4. However, the Rams won nine of their last 11 games to win the NFC West and will host a home game during the Wild Card Round.new yr same vibes pic.twitter.com/inDm6QAChU Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 2, 2025Start Time: 4:25 p.m. ETChannel: CBSStream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, After missing the postseason in 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) are heading back to the postseason in 2024. The Chargers will be a wild-card team and hit the road in the opening round.The Las Vegas Raiders (4-12) have many difficult decisions this offseason. First, the Raiders must decide if they will keep head coach Antonio Pierce. Then, Las Vegas must find its quarterback of the future.Start Time: 4:25p.m. ETChannel: FoxStream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , The Miami Dolphins (8-8) still have a chance to qualify for the AFC playoffs. The Dolphins will secure a wild-card berth with a win over the Jets and a Chiefs win over the Broncos.The New York Jets (4-12) must be looking forward to the offseason after a disastrous season. With a new head coach and potential quarterback change, the Jets will look different in 2025.Start Time: 8:20 p.m. ETChannel: NBCStream: NFL+, , YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, , The best game of the day will be on Sunday Night Football, featuring a matchup between the Minnesota Vikings (14-2) and the Detroit Lions (14-2). The winner of the game secures the NFC North, the No. 1 seed, and a first-round bye. The loser drops to the No. 5 seed.Editors Recommendations

Taylor Swift played it safe at a 2015 Golden Globes after-party.Jaime King, Lorde, and Taylor Swift attend a 2015 Golden Globes after-party. Jason Merritt/Getty Images She wore a yellow Jenny Packham gown with a strapless sweetheart neckline and a floor-length pleated skirt.Though the dress was vibrant, its silhouette was extremely simple. Swift paired it with an updo hairstyle and her signature red lipstick. Her red-and-black gown at the 2014 Golden Globes was a little more fun.Taylor Swift attends the 2014 Golden Globe Awards. Christopher Polk/Getty Images Carolina Herrera designed this strapless look, which had a black bodice and a dramatic, high-waisted red skirt.Though the dress wasn't daring, it did evoke an old-school Hollywood glamour vibe especially when paired with Swift's red lipstick and curly updo. Swift experimented with bold patterns at the 2020 awards show.Taylor Swift attends the 2020 Golden Globe Awards. Steve Granitz/Getty Images Her sleeveless, teal gown was custom-made by Etro. It had a low back, a triangle cutout above its skirt, and an all-over yellow flower print.The outfit was fresh and bright, and Swift perfected the look with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and a wispy bun. The musician's first Golden Globes gown was one of her more daring looks.Taylor Swift attends the 2013 Golden Globe Awards. Christopher Polk/Getty Images Swift's plum-colored Donna Karan dress looked elegant from the front, with a square neckline, form-fitting bodice, and mermaid skirt that fanned out around her knees.But when she turned around, you could see that the dress also had a plunging back and nude-illusion side panels. Years before entering her "Reputation" era, Swift stunned in a netted black minidress.Taylor Swift attends a 2014 Golden Globes after-party. Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images She wore the Julien Macdonald design to attend a 2014 Golden Globes after-party.It was sheer with long sleeves, an above-the-knee skirt, and a knit design that showed some skin. Swift wore it with strappy sandals, silver earrings, and red lipstick. The musician made a bold, sparkling statement at the 2024 event.Taylor Swift attends the 2024 Golden Globe Awards. Amy Sussman/Monica Schipper/Getty Images Dressed by Gucci, Swift stepped onto the carpet wearing a metallic green gown with daring details.It had a form-fitting top with cutouts at each side of the chest, a floor-length skirt, and a deep back held together with thin straps.The outfit was eye-catching and accessorized to perfection. Swift wore it with green Louboutin heels and over $108,000In addition to being one of her most daring Golden Globes looks, the ensemble was one of the most expensive Swift wore in 2024. Swift wore her most daring Golden Globes look to an after-party in 2019.Taylor Swift attends a 2019 Golden Globes after-party. Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images Versace custom-made Swift's sparkling black gown. It had off-the-shoulder straps, a structured bodice with a deep plunge, and a floor-length skirt with a thigh-high slit.The outfit was bold in shape and fabric, as its mesh-like material was semi-sheer. Swift completed the look with black sandals and diamond earrings.

My twins are teenagers, and they still love going on family vacations.We recently went to Saint Martin, and they loved every moment of it.I hope they continue to love our family trips as they grow up.When I was pregnant with twins, people would say, "You're not going to be able to travel anymore." But I proved them all wrong.My twins are now 19 years old, and we have been going on yearly family vacations since they were born. When my younger daughter came along 16 years ago, we kept traveling.Most people assume that once your kids turn 18, they won't want to travel with you anymore, but that hasn't been the case with my children. I hope it stays that way.Our most recent summer adventure was to Saint MartinThis summer, we visited the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin. The reason there are two similar names listed with different spellings is that it's actually one island with two countries that have open borders. The Dutch side is called Sint Maarten, while the French side is Saint Martin.One of my kid's favorite aspects of our family vacation was that they had their own room. Every night, they bonded by watching YouTube videos everything from cats being groomed to gamers playing Observation Duty.While I didn't relate to their late-night entertainment choices, I loved hearing them recap the videos over breakfast each morning, laughing about the details. Even now, six months later, they still talk about how much fun they had watching YouTube videos together.One of our favorite activities during the trip was a nighttime swim in the hotel pool something we've done on other vacations, too. The pool, usually crowded during the day, was completely ours at night. Swimming after sunset meant that we didn't need to worry about sunscreen or sunburns. My daughter used to be on the swim team, but we all love our time in the pool. It's definitely a memorable bonding experience and a cherished family tradition.I try to include my teens in the planning processDuring our trips, I'm usually the one who plans and researches everything. But I always provide options or ask for feedback from my teens and husband.One experience in St. Maarten (the Dutch side) that kept popping up in my internet searches was a zipline course. I was hesitant to mention it due to safety concerns and the steep price, but when I did, my adventurous teens immediately wanted to go. They justified the cost by suggesting it could be an early Christmas present. Since it was hard to know what to buy them, and it did seem like a unique experience, I gave in and let them go.It turned out to be a highlight of the trip. My kids said it was one of the best experiences on any of our vacations.I hope that by including them in the planning of our family vacations, they will stay interested in traveling with me.We are already planning our next tripMy three teens loved Sint Maarten/Saint Martin and said it was the best family vacation and their favorite travel destination. Whether it's swimming under the stars, laughing over YouTube videos, or braving a zipline, it's the shared moments that matter most.My daughter plans to study abroad in Italy next year. We've already begun researching where we can stay when we visit her. I hope that even when they graduate from college, they will still want to travel with us.Who knows? Maybe one day, they'll invite me along when they have their own families. Of course, I'll join as long as they agree that I can have my own hotel room so I can watch weird YouTube videos, too. A mom can dream.