Some pokemon shouldn't join their owners at the restaurant table.

If youre new to PlayStation (or just looking to try a new game) youre absolutely spoiled for choice with PlayStation Plus, which will let you dive into games which helped define PlayStation over the past 30 years. There are far too many games to cover in this humble feature, but heres an extensive selection that is available for you to enjoy right now via PlayStation Plus. Over 30 games from 30 years? Better charge up your controllersPlayStationJumping Flash | Sony Computer Entertainment | Exact & Ultra | 1995True revolutions in gaming dont come around too often, but when a cute looking robotic rabbit by the name of Robbit leapt onto our screens, it helped pave the way for the future. Jumping Flash holds the Guinness World Record as the first platform video game in true 3D, which is even more impressive given its entirely from a first-person perspective. A real game changer.Twisted Metal | Sony Computer Entertainment | SingleTrac & Sony Interactive Studios | 1995Demolition derbies in games werent all too common when Twisted Metal crashed onto the scene, mixing aggressive high impact driving with vehicular combat that redefined the entire genre. Between its deathmatch-style gameplay and the introduction of everyones favorite demonic ice cream truck driver Sweet Tooth, Twisted Metal paved the road for many others to follow.Tekken 2 | Namco | Namco | 1996True, the original Tekken helped set the stage for the then fresh genre of 3D fighting games, but its sequel established the series as something that could truly go toe-to-toe with its rivals. Its hard-hitting cast and tight gameplay have become a staple of the genre. Not to mention the franchise holds the world record for the longest running story in video games without reboots, retcons, or revisions thats a lot of people being thrown from, off or into something from a great height.Resident Evil Directors Cut | Capcom | Capcom | 1997Horror has always had its place in gaming as far back as 3D Monster Maze in 1981, but it was Resident Evil which crafted the crimson blueprint for horror and all of its sub-genres, since. In particular, Capcoms classic merged American horror movie schlock with innovative puzzles and genuinely brilliant and now iconic jump scares, all set against bleeding edge pre-rendered backgrounds. Survival horror has never been the same, and thats exactly the way we like it. The original captivated and terrified players back in 1996. The Directors Cut, featuring some gameplay tweaks, launched one year later.Ridge Racer Type 4 | Namco | Namco | 1999A juggernaut amongst racing games, Ridge Racer had already established its rapidly earned credentials by the time Type 4 hit the track. So this particular entry solidified what everyone had already known or suspected with one of the best entries across the entire series. From its coin-op roots to a now expertly amalgamated engine of arcade driving and realism, Type 4 was Ridge Racer perfected.Ape Escape | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 1999Not many knew what to make of this quirky and colorful platformer when it was first unveiled, but once it was in players hands, everything became wonderfully clear. Introducing the possibilities of the DualShock analog controller, Ape Escapes innovative control scheme, playful visuals and downright cuteness stole the hearts of everyone who played it, just like the peppy primates of the series itself.PlayStation 2Fantavision | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 2000How many real-time firework themed puzzle games have you played? Chances are, when Fantavision first exploded into view, very few, if any at all. Still enchantingly novel after all these years, Japan Studios game was an unforgettable and spectacular showcase of particle effects on PS2.TimeSplitters | Eidos Interactive | Free Radical Design | 2000First-person shooters were in somewhat of a renaissance by the time TimeSplitters arrived, in no small way due to the team behind it. Free Radical Design had the pedigree and talent to skilfully refine the punchy gameplay style and split-screen multiplayer modes that they already popularized, igniting the spark of a new fan-favorite franchise.Dark Cloud | Sony Computer Entertainment | Level-5 | 2001Seeing the stunning looking Dark Cloud for the first time raised many questions was it an RPG? A city builder? An action game? The answer? Yes. Inventively mixing genres with procedurally generated dungeon-crawling, Dark Cloud was ahead of its time, and a great demonstration of what PlayStation 2 could bring to our swiftly evolving medium.Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2001Its easy to take for granted how much Jak and Daxter was doing under the hood of its bright, bold and brash sci-fi fantasy platform adventuring. But crafting an expansive and open 3D world full of puzzles, distinctive characters, and collectibles, without loading screens was no easy task. Naughty Dog not only pulled it off, but created a popular series with an incredibly dedicated audience.Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus | Sony Computer Entertainment | Sucker Punch Productions | 2002Stealth games had become a massively popular genre in the early 2000s, but very few were deviating from the military espionage formula that had helped make it so big. In crept Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, with its creative toon shaded visuals and slick gameplay, proving it was possible to be seriously sneaky and stylish, without being solemn.PlayStation 3Resistance: Fall of Man | Sony Computer Entertainment | Insomniac Games | 2006Alternate World War II history, interstellar invaders and an engaging narrative there was plenty to enjoy in Insomniacs fan-favorite first-person shooter. Resistance: Fall of Man impressed not just as a launch title, but as the springboard for a number of superb sequels which followed.Play VideoGod of War III | Sony Computer Entertainment | Santa Monica Studio | 2010*Note: GoW III Remastered released in 2015 on PS4Before he became a dad, Kratos was chopping it up with the Greek Pantheon, his quest for vengeance arriving at its brutal third-part climax. Here, everything was bigger the set pieces, violence and even the characters. The latter literally, given the immense visual spectacle of the games opening where Kratos fights a veritable army while on the back of the titan Gaia. The 2015 PS4 Remastered version is available to enjoy on PlayStation Plus.Play VideoHeavy Rain | Sony Computer Entertainment | Quantic Dream | 2010*Note: Heavy Rain released in 2016 on PS4As a striking combination of impressive visual flair and arresting interactive cinematic gameplay, very few games were doing what Heavy Rain was doing when it launched on PS3. The thriller marked Quantic Dream as a developer to watch, handily helped by a horrifyingly brilliant in-game scene where one of the four protagonists is told to choose between a selection of sharp tools and then well, if you know, you know.Play VideoAssassins Creed Ezio Collection (PS4) | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2016(Includes Assassins Creed 2 | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2009, Assassins Creed Brotherhood | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2010, Assassins Creed Revelations | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2011)Ubisofts stealth series has become legendary thanks to the deeds of one Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the protagonist of the franchises many entries. Capturing three of his major escapades from the PS3 era, Assassins Creed Ezio Collection is a series hitting its parkour platforming stride across rich open worlds and fascinating historical settings.Play VideoFar Cry 3 | Ubisoft | Ubisoft Montreal | 2012*Note: Far Cry 3 Classic Edition released in 2018 on PS4Mixing the first-person shooter genre with an open world setting is a staple of the Far Cry series, but this sequel is where its potential became clear for its sequels. A densely crafted world of hostile wildlife, reactive human enemies, engaging missions, and smart progression systems all made for an impressive experience, elevated via an outstanding performance by Michael Mando as the games demented antagonist, Vaas.PSPPlay VideoLocoRoco | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 2006*Note: LocoRoco Remastered released in 2017 on PS4Its impossible to describe LocoRoco without using the word adorable. Sure, its puzzle platforming, charmingly cartoony visuals and well-thought-out controls which used the shoulder buttons to help control the titular LocoRoco were all wonderful. But have you ever had colorful, wide-eyed blobs of joy serenade you as you play? Me neither.Play VideoPatapon | Sony Computer Entertainment | Pyramid & Japan Studio | 2008*Note: Patapon Remastered released in 2017 on PS4While were on the topic of song, the wonderfully compelling pata-pata-pata-pon drum beat that accompanies this rhythm-based strategy signals one of the most delightfully weird games on PSP. Its endearing uniqueness earned two sequels and a PS4 remaster, so I know Im not alone in my admiration.Echochrome | Sony Computer Entertainment | Will & Japan Studio | 2008Its not often youll see modern day visual and gameplay innovations in the puzzle genre, but the striking perspective changing, environment shifting mechanics of Echochrome not only achieves that feat, but remains one of the few games directly inspired by both artists M. C. Escher and Oscar Reutersvrd.PS VitaPlay VideoGravity Rush | Sony Computer Entertainment | Japan Studio | 2012*Note: Gravity Rush Remastered released in 2016 on PS4Defying gravity? Just another day for Kat, a super powered amnesiac who simply wants to help the people of Hekseville and discover the mysteries of her past. Gravity Rushs novel use of vertical based gameplay in an open world was a refreshing change of pace from other action-adventure games, turning combat scenarios into thrilling topsy-turvy capers.Play VideoHotline Miami | Devolver Digital | Dennaton Games | 2013 also on PS3Do you like hurting other people? asks a mysterious man in a chicken mask, early on in Hotline Miami. Its a question that sets up one of the main themes of Dennaton Games frenetic, punishing and utterly compelling top-down shooter. Influencing many other titles in its wake, Hotline Miami remains one of the most successful indie games of all time, with an absolute all-timer of a soundtrack. The game eventually released on PS4 and PS5, which is available through PlayStation Plus.Play VideoTearaway | Sony Computer Entertainment | Media Molecule | 2013*Note: Tearaway Unfolded released in 2015 on PS4While Media Molecule made its mark with the iconic LittleBigPlanet, its step into the papercraft world of ValleyFold was as cute as it was creative. Tearaway delivered a parcel of delightfully different styles of gameplay, using the touchscreen, camera, and rear touch panel in a number of wildly inventive ways. This was mimicked via Tearaway Unfolded, an expanded version of the original launched on PS4, which used the DualShock 4 wireless controller in a similarly imaginative manner, and its this game that is available on PlayStation Plus.PlayStation 4Play VideoBloodborne | Sony Computer Entertainment | FromSoftware | 2015Bloodbornes gothic city of Yharnam is not one youd want to live in, with its terrifying beasts, cosmic horror, and otherworldly mysteries. And yet, theres not a single one of us which would turn down the chance to return to its dark streets. FromSoftwares classic and combat heavy action-adventure RPG stunned players on its arrival, and continues to draw acclaim via its masterful gameplay and unforgettable narrative.Play VideoThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | CD Projekt | CD Projekt Red | 2015Based on the hugely popular Andrzej Sapkowski fantasy novels and steeped in Slavic folklore, it didnt take long for The Witcher 3 to be recognized as one of the greatest games of all time. Its rich and changing open world, complex narrative and spectacular visuals still remain some of the best in the genre, as witnessed in its enhanced PS5 port, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition, which launched in 2022.Play VideoUncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2015*Note: The Nathan Drake Collection released in 2015 on PS4(Includes Uncharted: Drakes Fortune | PS3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2007, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves | PS3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2009, Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception | PS3 | Sony Computer Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2011)You didnt think wed forget about Nathan Drake, did you? Naughty Dogs charismatic adventurer became a fast favorite with fans via his globe-trotting adventures that mixed shooting, stealth, combat, puzzles, platforming, exploration, massive set pieces, and wisecracks. This was one series that did it all, but never lost sight of the heartfelt storytelling that made it so successful. PS4s Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection collected the first three titles.Play VideoShadow of the Colossus | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Bluepoint Games | 2018Shadow of the Colossus was a technical marvel when it first hit PS2 in 2005. GenDesign stunned players with an expansive world inhabited by mysterious, towering creatures. Bluepoint Games remake in 2018 faithfully retold the tale for a new generation while capturing the beautiful melancholy of the original. The act of climbing colossi and puzzling out their weaknesses is still a wondrous experience today. The games twist ending and novel commentary on players habits for conquest help the understated narrative stand the test of time.Play VideoGod of War | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Santa Monica Studios | 2018Heralded by a near-deafening roar of the E3 crowd on its 2016 reveal, God of Wars triumphant return signaled a new era for Kratos. While retaining the bone-crunching violence the series was known for, the thoughtful consideration of its consequences and effect on families developed the series into something which had grown up with Kratos in more ways than one.Play VideoFinal Fantasy VII Remake | Square Enix | Square Enix Business Division 1 | 2020What would any list be without a Final Fantasy game? Returning to one of the most beloved RPGs ever made could have been a massive mistake, but Final Fantasy VII Remake put all fears to rest with a stunning and well considered version of the PlayStation original, expanding its story in surprising new ways. An enhanced version, Final Fantasy VII Intergrade, also hit PS5 a year later.Play VideoGhost of Tsushima | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Sucker Punch Productions | 2020*Note: Ghost of Tsushima: Directors Cut released in 2021 on PS5Visually gorgeous and narratively ferocious, Sucker Punch crafted an open world action-adventure that felt both fresh and lived in. It captured the flavor of classic Akira Kurosawa samurai movies, blending beauty with brutality, not being afraid to let you indulge in its quieter moments. Humanity, hot springs and haikus, slicing against swords, samurai and standoffs.PS5Play VideoDemons Souls | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Bluepoint Games | 2020Remaking the PS3 action role-playing classic was a tall order that Bluepoint Games surmounted, enhancing its finely honed gameplay with new weapons, items, armour and features, while utilizing the power of PS5. Although still technically a predecessor to the likes of Dark Souls and Bloodborne, Demons Souls held its own in this modern revisit.Play VideoMarvels Spider-Man: Miles Morales | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Insomniac | 2020Leaping onto PS5 to help the consoles launch back in 2020, this new adventure captured the spirited freedom and unbridled joy of web-swinging, and its confident storytelling, spectacular set pieces and amazing combat made for an experience that fans and newcomers alike just couldnt put down.Play VideoRatchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Insomniac | 2021The adventures of the universes best Lombax and his robotic companion reached an outstanding high point showcasing the hardware grunt of PS5 via its near instantaneous portal travel and creative use of the DualSense wireless controller. Bright, breezy and offbeat, Insomniacs bouncy shooter platformer was a delight for all.Play VideoReturnal | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Housemarque | 2021When narrative form and gameplay function merge into a seamless whole, the result can be utterly captivating, as seen in Returnal. Taking an ever-repeating-yet-different roguelike shooter structure and encasing it within a story about an astronaut trapped in a time loop, Housemarques casket of mysteries is a compelling voyage of literal self-discovery.Play VideoThe Last of Us: Part I | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Naughty Dog | 2022Humanity. Trauma. Forgiveness. Naughty Dogs powerful and haunting tale of a post-apocalyptic world stays with anyone who experiences it and bringing it up to date on PS5 with enhanced visuals, combat, and enemy AI only made an action-adventure classic all the more essential. If youve only watched the staggeringly good TV series but not played the game, well, now theres no excuse.

After over a year on hiatus due to health issues, professional wrestler Kenny Omega made his much-anticipated return to the ring at Wrestle Dynasty on Jan. 5. He marked the occasion with a brand new entrance theme featuring two legends of the video game industry.Before my return tomorrow, I want to announce that Im debuting a new entrance at the Tokyo Dome, Omega shared on X (formerly Twitter). A new song created by the amazing Final Fantasy 14 & 16 composer Masayoshi Soken, with vocals by Jason Miller and a special voice by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu. I hope you enjoy.New Japan Pro Wrestling, one of Wrestle Dynastys five co-producers, shared footage on X of Omegas entrance from the events live, pay-per-view broadcast.WRESTLE DYNASTYBest bout Machine @KennyOmegamanX https://t.co/CcdQ1X9P52#NJPW #AEW #njpwworld #njWD pic.twitter.com/qj2HSeKrMT NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2025Its hard to make out, but what can be heard over the cheers of the crowd is classic Soken. Orchestral melodies swell and subside behind dramatic vocals, resulting in a piece of beautiful music that wouldnt be out of place in the background of a Final Fantasy 14 raid or a pivotal story moment in Final Fantasy 16. And while Im not familiar with Nobuo Uematsus voice, Id like to believe that was him hyping Omega up over loudspeakers as the generational talent made his way down the ramp.Omega is no stranger to this kind of nerdy crossover. One of his finishing moves is known as the One-Winged Angel, after Sephiroths theme from Final Fantasy 7. He entered the ring at Wrestle Kingdom 12 decked out in full Destiny 2 cosplay, and hes known for entering fighting game tournaments when time allows.Oh and, spoilers, but Omega won his match. Cant beat a power-up like Final Fantasy music.

The Nintendo community has been progressively losing its mind amid a torrent of Switch 2 leaks over the holiday break. With Nintendo maintaining its silence on its next console even as photos purporting to be of final hardware and internal components emerge and more and more questions get answers the community has been doing things like getting into heated debates about the merits of 8nm versus 5nm microchip manufacturing processes (a subject that everyone involved was definitely an expert in).So it wasnt a total shock to see someone on the increasingly hysterical Switch 2 subreddit pretending to use their Switch Joy-Con on its side like a little, skinny mouse. Sure, why not? The poster was responding to speculation that this will be a feature of the new controllers, and that Switch 2 will have a gimmick after all.In fact, theres enough to support this theory that its worth not rejecting it out of hand. The latest and most convincing evidence is a pair of new photos that emerged over the weekend showing what purports to be a finalized, production Switch 2 Joy-Con. The photos sure look convincing, and tally with whats already known about the Joy-Cons increased size and their new magnetic connection method (theres no rail clip in sight). And there on the edge of the Joy-Con, in between its connector port and the enlarged SL button, is something that looks exactly like the optical sensor on the underside of a mouse.Rumor: More images of Switch 2 Joy-Cons have immerged from China. Source: https://t.co/MplOUwKhRi pic.twitter.com/5ZdFmVlggl Stealth (@Stealth40k) January 5, 2025This laser sensor was previously reported by the leaker NextHandheld the same leaker who confirmed the Switch 2s name and provided new details about the Joy-Cons and dock back in December, then tortured the Nintendo community with convincing but apparently AI-altered photos of the Switch 2 itself over the holidays. (Its a long story.) NextHandheld speculated that the sensor might be used in a similar way to Lenovos Legion Go PC handheld, which allows a detached controller to be used as a mouse (albeit in a less elegant upright position).If you want to go full Charlie Day conspiracy meme, you could link this theory to the (never verified) reports from a few months back that the Switch 2s shoulder buttons would also operate as scroll wheels, or some shipping data unearthed months ago that mentions mouse sole components.Its a lot. And, at the moment, its all just connect-the-dots speculation rather than sourced reporting, so please take with the appropriate pinch of salt. Its a little surprising that Nintendo would add extra complication to the Joy-Cons; theyre complex, miniaturized and difficult to repair as it is, and it seemed likelier that features like the infrared sensor would be cut, rather than new ones added.But if that isnt an optical mouse sensor what is it?

The PS5 Pro (shown here) supports HDMI 2.1, as does the Xbox Series X.At CES 2025, the HDMI Forum, Inc. announced the next version of the HDMI specification, HDMI 2.2, with vastly increased bandwidth to 96 Gbps (up from 48 Gbps in HDMI 2.1). The extra bandwidth will ensure that cables, as well as any powerful gaming hardware equipped to support the spec, will deliver even faster frame rates while displaying high resolutions. HDMI 2.1 cables top out at 4K and below 200 frames per second (if you want more fps, your only option now is to use DisplayPort on a PC, or knock down the resolution), but new cables coming in the second and third quarter of 2025 with the new Ultra96 insignia support 4K at up to 480 frames per second. 4K is just the beginning. Whether the 5K or 8K revolution appears on the horizon first, HDMI 2.2 has enough bandwidth to display up to 240 frames per second in either resolution. In fact, it can display 12K at up to 120 frames per second, so its clear that this spec was built to last and to be useful across A/V industries where 12K is more in demand.There are limitations to what HDMI 2.2 is capable of without resorting to compression. For people who really care about uncompressed video, itll support 4K at up to 240 frames per second or 8K at up to 60 with full chroma formats at both 10-bit and 12-bit formats. Higher resolutions and frame rates will go through some sort of compression to fit within HDMI 2.2s 96 Gbps pipeline, but its still a massive improvement from the current specification in use across the industry.As good as HDMI 2.2 sounds on paper, its up to display and gaming manufacturers to implement the specification in their hardware. As such, its difficult to know when well see the first devices launch with support for HDMI 2.2. The HDMI 2.1 spec was introduced in 2017, and it took a couple years for it to appear in high-end gaming laptops, GPUs, and in consoles including the PS5 and Xbox Series X that launched in 2020. However, with gamings increase in popularity (especially on PC), its possible that the wait wont be nearly as long.But is this something you should wait for if youre in the market for a new gaming monitor or TV? In my opinion, no. Again, it could be a couple of years until it finds its way into displays, and its likely not the kind of update that the likes of Sony or Microsoft will support for a long time, as the 4K / 120 frames per second limitation of its current consoles with HDMI 2.1 support is still a high enough ceiling that most games dont come close to touching. Enthusiast PC gamers will almost certainly have the first crack at this tech, as Nvidia and AMD typically implement high-end display features into their respective graphics cards (although, HDMI 2.2 may have missed the boat for Nvidias rumored RTX 50-series launching during CES 2025).

Perched atop a bluff with sweeping views of Gardiners Bay, a new project on Long Islands East End reimagines modern living in the Hamptons. Frame House, designed by Worrell Yeung, defies local design conventions by blending geometric precision with minimalist artistry, creating a home that harmonizes transparency, privacy, and sustainability.Frame House stands apart from the shingled facades and sprawling estates typical of the region. Instead, it embraces a 2x2x7 modular steel grid that defines its striking silhouette and informs its interior flow. Drawing inspiration from iconic modernist structures such as Mies van der Rohes Farnsworth House and Le Corbusiers Domino House, the design balances openness with deliberate seclusion.Solid cedar-clad walls provide privacy on the street-facing side, while expansive glass panels open the home to uninterrupted views of the bay and surrounding natural beauty. This dynamic interplay between solid and void transforms the house into both a protective cocoon and a transparent lens onto its environment.Visitors are welcomed by a gradual stone staircase leading to a cozy foyer, where the designs rhythm begins to unfold. From the entry, sightlines extend through the home to the pool and water beyond, creating an immediate connection to the landscape.The right wing reveals a soaring double-height living area, framed by glazed walls that bring in natural light and highlight the sites picturesque surroundings. Clerestory windows above the kitchen amplify this effect, offering views of treetops while diffusing sunlight throughout the space. On the left, two serene bedrooms with en-suite baths provide direct access to the outdoors.Upstairs, a tranquil primary suite offers a private retreat with panoramic bay views, complemented by a sculptural floating concrete tub at the center of the bathroom. A flexible second room doubles as an office or guest suite, peeking into the living space below.Every material choice in Frame House underscores its minimalist ethos. Polished concrete floors, warm cedar accents, and steel-framed columns compose a subdued interior palette. In the bathrooms, travertine-like marble adds a touch of natural elegance. The exterior mirrors this restraint with black-clad steel and stained cedar, further blending the home with its coastal surroundings.The homes outdoor spaces echo its clean, intentional design. A linear pool extends alongside the house, surrounded by native grasses. A compact pool house dubbed the frame that got away offers a playful nod to the modular structure of the main building.The sloping site integrates seamlessly with the home, revealing a discreet carport embedded in the landscape. The minimalist approach extends to sustainable design elements, including rooftop photovoltaic panels and sedum trays to manage rainwater. The aluminum panels cladding the steel frame are recyclable, reflecting a commitment to environmentally conscious living.For more on Frame House and Worrell Yeung, visit worrellyeung.com.Photography by Rafael Gamo.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.I do a lot of things on a regular basis that people might classify as good habits. I go for a walk every morning. I hit the gym nearly every day. I prep my meals on the weekends so I always have something healthy to eat for lunch. But I didnt arrive at these behaviors solely through habit stacking or some other clever hack. Because the truth is, most habits are really skills that take work and time to developnot simple set-it-and-forget-it hacks. Most habits arent that simplePsychologists define habits as things we do automatically in a specific situation. For example, the act of hair twirling may eventually occur without the individuals conscious awareness, reads the definition from the American Psychological Association.But when we talk about building a habit, we usually mean something that we do on a regular basis. Maybe it happens automaticallythat may be the goalbut it isnt a reflexive reaction to our environment. For example, people commonly say they want to build habits like: Going to the gym Eating more vegetablesReading booksFlossingGetting to bed on timeNone of these are simple, reflexive, or unconscious behaviors. A few are relatively simpleyou could probably use classic habit hacks like stacking to make sure you floss after you brush. But most habits take a lot more work to develop. What we really want is behavior changePsychologists have a different term for things like eating healthy, getting more sleep, and reading a book instead of doomscrolling social media. They call it "behavior change," and there are countless studies and theoretical models exploring how people actually end up changing their behaviors. What theyve found is that adopting a new behavior (what weve been calling a habit) requires us to invest time and effort, and we go through several mindset shifts as we evolve from a person who doesnt do the thing, to a person who does the thing all the time. See if you can spot yourself in one of these: Precontemplation: You are not interested in doing the thing (lets say: going to the gym).Contemplation: Youre thinking about starting to do the thing on a regular basis. You might have started reading articles about what it would be like to visit a gym for the first time.Preparation: Youre taking steps toward doing the thing. This is where you visit your neighborhood gym for a tour, or buy a pair of running shoes. Maybe you try a workout or two, but youre not committed yet. Action: Youre doing the thing. Note that this is not the first stage, nor the last. At this point, you still have a lot of questions, you may feel uncomfortable in your new routine, and if something goes wrong, you may give up. Maintenance: This is you once youve finally built the habit. Like maintaining a car or a relationship, keeping up a habit takes work. Things will turn up that disrupt the habit; you might take a vacation, or get injured, or get discouraged in your progress. While youre in this stage, you need to learn to anticipate and deal with those potential problems in order for the behavior change to stick.It takes work, time, and mindset changes to move from each stage to the next. And the process isnt always linear: Maybe you move to a new city and miss a few weeks worth of workouts, and then you have to find a new gym. That knocks you back a few steps on the chart, but it doesnt have to push your off of it altogether.Every habit has its own learning processA lot goes into even the behaviors that seem straightforward. For example, if you want to eat more fruit, you could set out a fruit bowl. But thats not the beginning or the end of it. You need to know what fruits you like. You need to buy them regularly. You need to know how to shop for them, avoiding the berries that are about to turn moldy and the bananas that are so underripe theyll still be green for days. (It would also help to know that the berries will last longer if you store them in the fridge, and that you can buy green and yellow bananas in the same shopping trip so you have a weeks worth of perfectly ripe fruits.) Or to take another example: You might think of go for a run every morning as a simple habit. But there are a lot of things that go into becoming the sort of person who actually finds it simple to go for a run every morning. Here's what I mean. The best book Ive ever read on becoming a runner is not one that centers around hacks like stacking your running habit with walking your dog. Its The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer, which at first sounds like it will offer a training program. But of the books 300 pages, the training plan only takes up half a page (the bottom half of page two, to be exact).The rest of the book is what teaches you to be a runner. Before the introductory chapter is over, youve heard anecdotes from people who hated running and found it satisfying to train for a marathon, because its important to know that that dichotomy of thought is perfectly normal and does not need to stop you.Other chapters explain why you want to buy sweat-wicking clothes, how to prevent bloody nipples, how fast to run, what to tell yourself when you get tired and want to quit, how to recognize common injuries, how to track your weekly mileage, why you should increase your carbohydrate intake and what foods will help you do that, how to set appropriate goals, what to pack in your bag on race day, and how to get through the pre-race taper without losing your mind. These are all essential skills for any runner, and none of them come automatically, nor can they be done automatically at first. You have to learn them. You have to practice them. You have to figure out how they apply to you, personallywhich mental tricks keep you motivated, which shoes are right for your feet, and so on. Even though I read this book toward the beginning of my time as a runner (I see penciled notes dating from 2003), it took me years to fully master the basics as they apply to me personally. And Im still learning things about how to be a better runner.Its okay to work for (and enjoy) your habitsThe classic habit hacks tend to assume that habits are boring and we have to trick ourselves into doing them. Maybe thats true for flossing our teeth, but anything we truly want to do, we do because we enjoy it, or at least appreciate the benefits that come with it. Its okay to enjoy things! Even, and especially, things that are good for us. If you treat eating healthy as something that you hate and will always hate, it will always be a chore. On the other hand, if you learn how to make delicious recipes (and maybe even get into cooking as a hobby in itself) youll keep doing it and youll like it. When we love a thing, we stick with it. When we feel something is drudgery, we look for excuses to get out of it. In fact, Donald Edmonson, a scientist who researches behavior change, has pointed out that we make long-term changes by taking ourselves off of autopilot. Habit hacks still have their placeIts not that habit stacking and other tricks like it are bad. Theyre just too weak to power a long-term, meaningful change in your life all by themselves. Each of them can backfire if and when they fail, so think that through. If you temptation-bundle your favorite TV show with your treadmill time, one day you might just sit down on the couch and watch it anyway. If you meditate every day so you can get a streak on your calendar, you might just say fuck it and quit meditating entirely after losing a 364-day streak. If the only thing powering your habit is tricking yourself into it, youll never really reach that crucial maintenance stage. Little hacks cant power big changes. But habit hacks do work well for simple, low-stakes items, or for smaller pieces of a larger goal. It can be helpful to think of them as reminders rather than motivation. Stacking is great for building a bedtime routine (or a morning routine, or a pre-gym routine), but that is only part of the larger behavior-change habit youre really aiming for (go to bed on time). When youre building your habits, you have to think big before you think small.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.If youre tired of muffled audio ruining your virtual meetings, the Jabra Speak2 55 might be the upgrade you needespecially now that its $99.99 (down from $139), the lowest it's ever been according to price trackers. Jabra Speak2 55 Wireless Bluetooth Speakerphone $99.99 at Amazon $139.00 Save $39.01 Get Deal Get Deal $99.99 at Amazon $139.00 Save $39.01 At just 280 grams, its lightweight and easy to carry. Despite its small size, its 50mm speaker reportedly delivers clear audio (a serious upgrade from the tinny sound of most built-in laptop speakers), earning it a Best Midrange Speakerphone spot on CNET's 2025 speakerphones for working from home roundup.The four beam-forming microphones on this speakerphone are another win. They do a solid job picking up your voice while minimizing background noise. Its particularly handy if youre juggling work calls in a busy home environment. It's also certified for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, so you wont be stuck troubleshooting connection issues right before your call. Speaking of, youve got Bluetooth and USB-C/A connection options for wireless convenience or if you prefer a wired setup. That said, its not perfect. Some reviews note it struggles to project in larger rooms, so its best for personal use or smaller groups.The AnkerWork S600 is another solid option, but it comes with a heftier price tag of $189.99.

There are a few ways to declutter a closet and pare down your wardrobe, though some are much more involved than others. Since we're at the start of a new year, why not try a simple one? The hanger method takes a little time, but not much effort, and by the end of the year, you'll have enough hard data on what you really wear to make some choices about what you should keep. A year seems like a long time, yes, but doing this slowly stops you from getting overwhelmed and gives you the opportunity to assess clothes from all seasons, as well as those you only wear for special occasions that may just come around annually.What is the hanger decluttering method?This tip has stood the test of time because it works: Take every hanger in your closet and turn them all so they're facing the same way. Basically, make the hook on every hanger face the back wall of the closet. That's really it, as far as first steps go. Then, you typically set a period of time, like a month or three months, and during that time, any time you wear something and hang it back up, turn its hanger around. For our purposes of a year-long decluttering project, your goal is to do this from January 2025 to January 2026, but you can set quarterly check-ins. If you wear it again, don't turn the hanger back to the starting point direction; keep it facing the second direction. At the end of your pre-set time, pull out anything on a hanger still facing the original direction and commit to donating or tossing a sizable chunk of those items. Though it takes a while to come to fruition, this is a relatively easy and data-driven way to weed through your clothesit helps you see exactly what you do wear and what you don't wear. Actually being able to see which hangers were untouched in that time will help you figure out which clothes you don't really need, or at least which ones you should rotate to the front of the closet so you wear them. What to keep in mind with the hanger methodHow well this works depends on a few factors. For instance, you need to give yourself a long enough time frame to do this that you actually have a fair chance at wearing the full array of your clothes. That's why I recommend doing it during a full year, with check-ups every three months: Over the course of a year, you'll have enough time to wear work outfits, leisure outfits, and probably special-occasion outfits, so you'll really get to see some hard data, as opposed to giving yourself a month and only seeing a handful of worn items. Second, it only works if you commit to decluttering once you've reached the conclusion of the experiment, so pull out some other decluttering methods when you reach that point. The five-second rule works well here. Pick up a piece of clothing you didn't wear, give yourself five seconds to determine if you want to keep or donate it, and then act quickly on your choice. Since you already know you haven't worn it recently, you have the objective fact that it's not a particularly useful item to help you shape your choice.Finally, with a little effort, this can be combined with other organizational methods. If you're using tiered hangers to save space in a small closet, for instance, be careful that you don't spin the tiered hanger around when you get clothes off it, confusing the direction your worn and unworn clothing items are facing. You can also try it with hanging shoe organizers or shelves within the closet, turning the shoes or clothes one way to start and flipping them around after you wear them. If you do that, try to write down the original and new directions somewhere, like a note in your phone, so you stay on track and don't get confused. Eventually, turning the hanger around when you wear something will become a habit. The reason this works well at all is that long-haul decluttering projects, like "365 Less Things," enable you to build habits and slowly work toward an ideal goal, all without overwhelming yourself. No, the closet won't be perfectly decluttered tomorrow, but eventually, it will be, which will be more effective than if you just try to guess at which pieces you should donate right now.

I tried to go into meeting Mirumi with a heart of steel. There are a lot of cute robots at CES every year, that is a given, and you cant just let yourself get wooed by every puppy-eyed bot that looks your way. But boy did I melt immediately when that silly little thing locked its gaze on me, then bashfully tucked its head away. Mirumi is the latest bizarre-but-endearing robot from Japanese startup Yukai Engineering, the company responsible for the Qoobo cat-tailed pillow and the finger-nibbling kitty plush, Amagami Ham Ham. All it does is stare at you and move its head around a little until youve successfully been tricked into a few moments of happiness. The idea is to emulate that distinctly joyful experience of meeting eyes with a baby in public a quick, random interaction that can turn your mood around. Mirumi looks like the combination of a fledgling bird and a shrunken-down yeti, and its long arms let it cling to objects like a purse handle so it can come along wherever you go, and stare down strangers. Inside Mirumi is a distance sensor and an inertial measurement unit, which tell it when there are people nearby and when its on the move or being touched. It has different responses for each of these scenarios. When a person first comes into its line of vision, for example, it will get shy and briefly hide its face, like it did for me. Then, it cautiously peeks out again. Jostle it around and it might shake its head, No. It doesnt make any sounds. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget Playing with Mirumi at CES Unveiled, I found myself delighted at absolutely everything it did. It has a nice bit of weight to it when you pick it up, sort of like a tiny kitten. And on that same note, its little movements make it give off a subtle vibration, almost as if it were purring. I hooked its bendable arms around my wrist, which also had a bulky watch on it and a camera dangling by the strap, and Mirumi felt pretty secure on top of all that as I gently waved it around. On a thinner perch, like a bag strap, its arms wrap fully for a better hold. (I probably wouldnt trust it to stay on if I was in a packed subway car or similarly crowded environment, though). Mirumi is rechargeable and should last about eight hours before it needs to be plugged in again. We dont know yet what the final color options will be, but Yukai had white, black and peach Mirumis on display. The company is planning to launch a crowd-funding campaign later this year before releasing the robot, and it hasnt yet been determined if it will be sold internationally. Is it kind of ridiculous? Yes, absolutely. Especially when you consider the price: around $70, according to a Yukai rep. But kind of ridiculous is Yukais whole thing, and at least for me (and just about every person who stopped by during the demo), Mirumi elicited the exact emotional response it was made for. This is all about making people around you happier, Yukais Hiroko Sato said during our chat at CES Unveiled. I cant really hate on that. Speaking of ridiculous, Yukai is also showing off a small cat-shaped device called Nkojita FuFu that will blow on food or a hot drink to cool it off for you. Its curved arms hook onto the side of a mug or bowl, or it can be set down on a flat surface to blow on a plate. Cheyenne MacDonald for Engadget The company says it can bring down the temperature of hot water by 30 degrees Fahrenheit in three to five minutes. We didnt have any scalding liquids on hand to test that out on the show floor, but its basically just a small fan with different blowing modes packaged in a cute silicone body, and the fan did indeed blow air. As a person who waits an annoyingly long time to take the first sip of coffee or soup because Im really sensitive to temperatures, I can appreciate an option that doesnt involve me doing all that work. I cant see myself going out and buying this, but it strikes me as the sort of product that makes for a fun gift the kind thats partially a joke, but also functional. Nkojita FuFu is expected to be released later this year for $25 following a crowd-funding campaign. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/this-fluffball-robot-stole-my-heart-at-ces-2025-173009630.html?src=rss