Dynasty Warrior M servers to shut just 15 months after launchStatement stops short of detailing reason for the closureImage credit: Koei Tecmo / Nexon News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 6, 2025 Koei Tecmo and Nexon have announced plans to shutdown their free-to-play action game Dynasty Warrior M just 15 months after launch.In a blog post, the team expressed its "heartfelt gratitude" to all "warriors who have supported Dynasty Warriors M with interest and feedback for over a year since launch", but said that "despite [the] continued support throughout our journey together, we regretfully inform you that Dynasty Warriors M will end its service on February 20th, 2025."The statement did not expand on why the game was being sunsetted but said the team would "do [its] utmost to provide the best service until the very end."It also advised players that there would be no refunds for any in-game currency or items.AppMagic intimates the game has generated around $11m in lifetime player spend. It is currently sitting on a 4.1 and 4.6 out of five rating on the Google Play and App Store, respectively.

Synthetic Data: The AI Gold Rush You Cant Afford to Miss 0 like January 6, 2025Share this postLast Updated on January 6, 2025 by Editorial TeamAuthor(s): Mukundan Sankar Originally published on Towards AI. How to Harness Game-Changing Tech and Leave Privacy Roadblocks BehindThis member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Photo by Claudio Schwarz on UnsplashImagine this: you have the tech to build the next big AI model, but youre stuck because real-world data is locked behind walls of privacy laws and ethical dilemmas. Sound familiar? Its the story of every innovator right now. But theres a way out, and its a game-changer. Enter synthetic data AIs way of saying, If you cant access real data, Ill create it for you.This isnt some vague future tech. Synthetic data is already changing the rules, especially in privacy-constrained environments where real-world data cant or shouldnt be used. If youre not paying attention, youre leaving opportunity on the table.Let me show you the cutting-edge breakthroughs happening right now and how you can use them to get ahead. I looked at many research articles and blogs and these are the 5 Research articles that stood out for me. I have also linked to them.Heres the problem: Privacy concerns are strangling innovation. Data regulations like GDPR and HIPAA make it impossible to freely use the massive datasets AI needs. But synthetic data lets you bypass these roadblocks. Think of it as Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

If you want a gaming PC that's able to follow wherever you may roam, the best gaming laptops are where you want to look. While desktop parts are usually still higher performance, the best gaming laptops offer excellent performance in the latest games. Best of all, there are even models that are able to offer peak performance while still remaining thin and light, like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 our No. 1 pick. And with CES 2025 happening this week, the latest improvements announced will make the next gen of gaming laptops even better. At the event, Intel has announced that Arrow Lake, the CPU powering the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, is coming to gaming laptops.TL;DR These Are the Best Gaming Laptops:Best OverallAsus ROG Zephyrus G14See itBest on a BudgetMSI Thin A15 AISee itBest High-End Lenovo Legion 9iSee itBest for WorkHP OmniBook UltraSee itBest for StudentsAsus TUF Gaming A14See itWhen you're shopping for a gaming laptop, the first thing I always recommend people consider is what PC games they actually hope to play. The second is what settings they hope to play them at. These two questions can guide your purchase to higher- or lower-end hardware and what trade-offs you're willing to make. Now more than ever, gaming laptops come in every shape and size, from thin and light devices to moderately heavy powerhouses like the Lenovo Legion 9i. Larger, performance-driven laptops (like the ones that come with a 4K display) achieve their enhanced performance with more powerful, and power-hungry, components, which means sacrificing on portability, battery life, and fan noise. There are oodles to choose from a ton of different gaming laptop brands, and finding the best for you can be more than a little daunting. I've tested dozens over the years and have a deep understanding of what it takes for a gaming laptop to ascend to greatness. These are the best gaming laptops of 2025 I've tested so far.Additional contributions by Georgie Peru, Jaqueline Thomas, and Danielle Abraham. Looking for discounts on laptops like these? Check out our guide to the best gaming laptop deals.1. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14Best Overall Gaming LaptopBest OverallAsus ROG Zephyrus G14The Zephyrus G14 balances performance, portability, and style for a great all-around pick for most gamers. See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay14-inch OLED 3K (2,560 x 1,600)CPU AMD Ryzen 9 8945HSGPUUp to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 RAMUp to 32GBStorageUp to 2TBWeight3.31 lbDimensions0.63 x 8.66 x 12.24 inchesPROSThin and light for exceptional portability Outstanding OLED displayPlentiful connectivity for gamingCONSNon-upgradeable memoryTops out with an RTX 4070The best overall gaming laptop you can buy right now is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (GA403, the 2024 edition). Its not the hands-down most powerful laptop, but its appeal lies in just how well it balances its different aspects. Between portability, performance, ease of use, and price, its the absolute best bet for most laptop gamers. We reviewed the 2022 version of this gaming laptop and thought much the same thing back then.This laptop has a lot to love about it. At only 3.31lbs, its remarkably lightweight for a gaming laptop. When you boot up a game and realize how great its performance is, its svelte size becomes even more impressive. Though its only available with an RTX 4070 as of this writing, it provides plentiful power to run modern games at high settings and afford you access to performance-enhancing features like Nvidia DLSS. Its also a joy to look at. Its screen is incredibly sharp and offers a tremendous HDR experience thanks to its bright OLED panel and crisp 2560x1600 (3K) resolution. Its chassis exudes a classiness that reminds me of nothing more than Apple, so you can enjoy it for gaming or even an office or classroom. HDR gaming and movies are a treat, with vivid colors and exceptional smoothness thanks to its 120Hz display.For most tasks including video editing, content creation, and digital art the G14 is able to offer snappy performance. Its Ryzen 9 8945HS processor is a beast, offering eight cores and 16 threads and a fast 5.2GHz clock speed. Plus, it has AI enhancements for things like background blur and AI noise removal in Nvidia Broadcast. It also comes with 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD so you can download and run lots of different games without worrying about space. The biggest downside is that the memory isnt upgradeable, but if you opt for 32GB, which is what were recommending here, it will be enough to last most multiple generations into the future. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 will set you back around $2,200, but its well worth the investment for a gaming laptop as good as this. 2. MSI Thin A15 AIBest Budget Gaming LaptopBest on a BudgetMSI Thin A15 AIThis laptop packs plenty of performance for around $1,000. There are some trade-offs, but it's a good deal. See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay15.6 QHD (1,920 x 1,080), 144HzCPUAMD Ryzen 9 8945HSGPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4060RAM16GB DDR5 Storage1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSDWeight4.1 poundsDimensions14.13" x 9.99" x 0.85"PROSVery good processor and GPU at a reasonable price144Hz screen Plenty of memoryCONSCan't change keyboard RGBHigh temps and loud fansThe MSI Thin A15 AI offers great FHD gaming performance at a reasonable price. At less than $1,000, it offers an impressive array of specs that are more than up to the task of 1080p gaming and even open the door to streaming and content creation. Best of all, as you might have guessed from the name, it does this in a package that's comparatively thin and light for a gaming laptop. Its portability might lead you to believe it wouldn't be able to keep up with the latest games, but in fact, the opposite is true. By going for a 1080p screen (that runs at a smooth 144Hz), its Nvidia RTX 4060 is perfectly suited to dialing up settings and enjoying the bells and whistles your games have to offer. It also comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 8845HS processor that includes eight cores and 16 threads and is able to hit a peak clock speed of 5.2GHz. The laptop also comes with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, ensuring that you won't run short on memory or storage.It's a killer machine that I recommend for anyone on a budget, but there are some trade-offs you make to bring home this kind of performance sub-$1,000. Foremost is cooling. More to the point, noise. Thin gaming laptops often have roaring fans to dissipate the heat and the A15 is no exception. It also has static backlighting for the keyboard, so your customization options are more limited. In my opinion, the hardware you're getting in exchange is more than worth the sacrifices it takes to get there. If you go for it, I recommend pairing it with one of the best laptop cooling pads.Lenovo Legion 9i Photos3. Lenovo Legion 9iBest High-End Gaming LaptopBest High-End Lenovo Legion 9iNo holds barred performance, the Lenovo Legion 9i is the gaming laptop to choose if you demand the best of the best -- and money is no object.See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay16 (3,200 x 2,000) Mini LED 165HzCPU Intel Core i9-14900HXGPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4080 - 4090RAM32GB 6,400MHz DDR5 (Up to 64GB 5,600MHz DDR5)StorageUp to 2TBWeight5.51 poundsDimensions0.75-0.89 x 10.93 x 14.08PROSIntegrated liquid coolingBreathtaking RGB lightingFantastic displayCONSGets noisyThe Lenovo Legion 9i is one of my all-time favorite laptops. In my review, I was absolutely smitten with its balance of performance and killer aesthetics. It's not exactly light, but it's a full-fledged desktop replacement that's more than up to the challenge of playing the latest games. Given its somewhat staggering price that begins well above $3,000, it should come as no surprise that it features top-tier specs. It runs a high performance 14th-gen Intel processor that routinely tops performance charts in gaming benchmarks. It can also be outfitted with either an RTX 4080 or 4090 to push high settings even on the most demanding games (and the GPU is liquid-cooled to ensure peak performance). It supports up to 64GB of memory and comes with either 1TB or 2TB of storage to hold a large game library. Simply put, this laptop is absolutely beastly.Its gaming prowess doesn't stop there. It features a mini-LED screen for next-level HDR and brightness that I found to be stunning for a gaming laptop. It features an extended keyboard with a numpad, perfect for games with lots of skills and abilities (I'm looking at you, World of Warcraft), and sports multiple sources of RGB lighting to illuminate your desk. The biggest downside, outside of price, is that it tends to get loud, so you might want to pick up one of the best gaming headsets to block out the noise.4. HP OmniBook UltraBest for WorkBest for WorkHP OmniBook UltraThin, light, and offering an all-day battery, this laptop also has a cutting edge integrated GPU for light to moderate gaming.See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay14 (2,240 x 1,400), IPS, 60Hz CPUAMD Ryzen AI 9 365GPUIntegrated: AMD Radeon 880M GraphicsRAM16 GB LPDDR5x (7,500MHz)Storage1TBWeight3.47 poundsDimensions12.41" x 8.96" x 0.65"PROSThin, light, and highly portableCutting-edge integrated graphics for moderate gamingIR camera and fingerprint readerCONSLimited performance in demanding gamesDisplay is limited to 60HzJust because you're a grown-ass adult doesn't mean that you have to give up on gaming once you're through with your day job. If you need one laptop that can see you through your work day and load up your favorite games in the evening, the HP OmniBook Ultra is the laptop for you. The reason it's such a good pick lies with its excellent Ryzen 9 AI HX365 processor. It's more than capable for productivity applications and even demanding apps like Adobe Premiere or Photoshop. It also includes one of the highest performance integrated GPUs currently available. You won't be able to play the latest games on their highest settings, but thanks to AMD's intelligent upscaling and frame generation technologies, FidelityFX Super Resolution and AMD Fluid Motion Frames, you can enjoy playable frame rates on most games available today just don't expect it to match a laptop with a dedicated graphics card. But since the display maxes out at 60Hz, you don't need to hit triple-digit frame rates to max out its potential.For productivity, you'll be able to enjoy a sleek, business-first exterior that exudes class and excellent portability. At only 3.47lbs, you can carry it throughout your work day without getting home with sore shoulders. It also sports biometric login with an IR webcam and integrated fingerprint sensor for extra security on the job. Asus TUF Gaming A14 Photos5. Asus TUF Gaming A14Best for StudentsBest for StudentsAsus TUF Gaming A14The perfect laptop for the on-the-go gamer. It's supremely portable, understated enough for class, and quiet enough for late night gaming sessions without disturbing your dormmate. See itProduct SpecificationsDisplay14 (2560 x 1600), IPS, 165HzCPUAMD Ryzen 7 8845HS to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4060RAM 16GB to 32GB (7500MHz) Storage1TBWeight3.2 poundsDimensions12.24" x 8.94" x 0.67" 0.78"PROSExceptionally portableSolid gaming performanceRuns quietCONSSoldered memory can't be upgradedIf you're a student, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is an excellent pick that I simply adored in my review. It's surprisingly thin, exceptionally quiet, and offers impressive battery life. If you need a notebook you can carry between classes, and that also lets you sneak away into the library to play your favorite games (shh!), look no further: This is the laptop for you.While "thin and light" might be the watch words for productivity laptops, the design pays dividends for students that want to enjoy some games in their downtime. At only 3.2lbs and 0.78" at its thickest point, it's compact enough to fit into any bag without weighing you down. When it's time for gaming its 8th-gen high-performance AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU are well-matched to its 1600p display, though I'd recommend dropping the resolution to 1200p to push the frame rate even higher. The picture stays crisp on its 14" display and the higher fps really make the most of its 165Hz screen.The biggest nitpicks I made about this machine really had to do with its expandability and relatively high price for the level of hardware it features. While you can't expand the memory, the overall balance between performance, portability, and noise that Asus struck here is pitch perfect for on-the-go students.How to Pick the Best Gaming LaptopGaming laptops have come a long way in relatively little time. Power, portability, and price have all seen dramatic improvements in just the last five years, and somehow gaming laptops are getting thinner and adding even more features.PortabilityWhere will you be taking this gaming laptop? If you imagine yourself taking it out every day, youll want something portable, such as a 15-incher or something smaller. Users who just want a laptop to live at home as more of a desktop replacement should go for a 17" rig or bigger for the larger screen size and greater power.PowerThe newest gaming laptops come equipped with the latest Nvidia RTX or Radeon RX graphics chips. These mobile chips are nearly as capable as their desktop version, plus they support the latest ray tracing and DLSS technologies. Choosing the latest processor isn't quite as necessary, but it's nice to have.When shopping for a gaming laptop be sure the Intel processor has a model number of Intel Core ix-14xxxH (i.e. Intel Core i7-14700HX or Intel Core i9-14900HX). This denotes it's one of Team Blue's Raptor Lake H-series processors. If the gaming laptop you're eying has an AMD processor, ensure its model number has a seven or eight at the start of it such as AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS as it lets you know it's one of AMD's latest 7000-series or 8000-series processors.PriceIf you're set on a gaming laptop and just need to decide which one to get under a certain price point, then your choices will be narrowed down based on your maximum budget. If that's you, you'll probably want to explore our full list of cheap gaming laptops we'd recommend instead, but here's our top budget pick right now:Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,000:MSI Thin GF63MSI Thin GF63Affordable gaming laptop delivering a 12th-gen Intel CPU, RTX 4060 graphics, and plenty of RAM in a relatively lightweight form factor. Most gaming laptops are only as portable as the nearest electrical outlet. All that power comes at a price, though. After all, there are a few exceptions like our top choice, but the general rule of thumb in gaming laptops is their battery life stinks.Another consideration when choosing a gaming laptop versus a gaming desktop is its price. It costs quite a bit more to stuff all those components (i.e. the built-in trackpad, keyboard, speakers, and display) into an easy-to-carry shell. From our experience, it's always better to stick with the least amount of memory and storage on checkout, and then upgrade it yourself with higher capacity components that are much cheaper to buy on their own. A 1TB SSD might sound tempting as it'll help get your system boot instantly and store all your games, but a high-end upgrade like that can often cost half or a quarter as much as the whole machine.However, upgrading leads directly to another consideration: How easy is it to swap out components? Whereas it's usually a snap to add or replace a component in your desktop rig, upgrading anything in your gaming laptop, other than RAM, will often mean having to buy a whole new computer.Gaming Laptop FAQShould you buy a gaming laptop or a gaming PC?When considering a gaming laptop over a gaming desktop, ask yourself: Is the premium in price worth it for the luxury of portability?Gaming desktops provide more bang for your buck, are less expensive to upgrade and repair, and last longer before they go obsolete. However, if you're looking for portability, then a gaming laptop is certainly your best bet. See our guide to gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops for more info.When is the best time to buy a gaming laptop?A gaming laptop is an expensive purchase, but there are a few times throughout the year where you can find some really good discounts on these devices. The most obvious times are Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school sales in the summer. For more details, see our advice on the best time to buy a laptop.Should you buy a Steam Deck or a gaming laptop?One of the biggest advantages to a gaming laptop over a gaming PC is that it offers portability. Which is also the greatest advantage of the Steam Deck over a gaming laptop. Gaming handhelds are portable and have enough power to run just about any PC game you need to. Of course, they're also less useful as a computer, due to the smaller screen size and lack of keyboard. Check out our guide on the Steam Deck vs. gaming laptops for a deeper analysis or checkout some of the best handheld gaming PCs.Are MacBooks good for gaming? Dont get us wrong, MacBooks are exceptional laptops that excel in many areas, but gaming isnt one of them at least not yet. Apple simply hasnt designed its devices for this purpose, with many of its most powerful Pro models focused on professional and creative use. That being said, the Apple-developed silicon in these machines is mighty powerful and graphically capable of handling many gaming titles. However, you cant easily make upgrades like PC gaming laptops allow for. While you can play some games on a Mac, one of the biggest drawbacks to MacBook gaming is MacOS lack of support for many of the most popular games out there, which often run on the Windows platform. Apple has introduced a porting toolkit to bring more PC games to Mac, and a new Game Mode on MacOS Sonoma. Its clear Apple is making strides in the gaming world, but at the present moment, theres a ways to go before MacBooks become a go-to portable gaming option. Do you need a laptop cooling pad? Many modern gaming laptops come with ample cooling solutions baked into the chassis. But given their much smaller form factor than traditional desktop gaming PCs, thermal throttling can occasionally be an issue. If you are experiencing a downgrade in performance or your device seems a little too hot to the touch, a laptop cooling pad could be a simple, affordable solution. Laptop cooling pads often feature fans and ventilation slots or mesh for better airflow than when your laptop rests on a gaming desk or your lap, helping to ensure your device is working to its full potential and can even increase its longevity. If you're looking to keep your gaming laptop cool on the cheap, the Havit HV-2056 is an excellent option.Christopher Coke has been a contributor to IGN since 2019 and has been covering games and technology for more than a decade. He has covered tech ranging from gaming controllers to graphics cards, gaming chairs to gaming monitors, headphones, IEMs, and more for sites such as MMORPG.com, Toms Hardware, Popular Science, USA Todays Reviewed, and Popular Mechanics. Find Chris on Twitter @gamebynight.Image Credit: Annalee Tsujino is a multi disciplinary designer and illustrator. Check them out on Instagram @antsu_illustrations.

Dungeons & Dragons is getting a $6,999 pinball machine voiced by myriad celebrities including the Critical Role cast and, more randomly, My Chemical Romance lead singer Gerard Way.As reported by VG247, Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye from Stern Pinball lacks a release date but has been revealed with three separate editions. Those looking for a cheaper option are out of luck, however, as the $6,999 price tag is the cheapest.This gets fans the Pro edition, while the Premium costs $9,699 and the Limited Edition, capped at 740 machines total as an ode to the 1974 release date of D&D, costs $12,999.Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's EyeIGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!To start:...try asking a question that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No".000/250The Tyrant's Eye, at all editions, features a story where players must defeat the Dragon Queen Tiamat and, in true D&D fashion, features different story paths depending on randomly decided outcomes. A star-studded voice cast contributes to the pinball machine, including the aforementioned emo singer.Critical Role's Matthew Mercer, Laura Bailey, and Marisha Ray all appear too, alongside Michael Dorn, Kevin Smith, Luke Gygax, Chris Prynoski, Brendon Small, Anthony Carboni, and Mica Burton. Way's inclusion is perhaps not completely random, as he is a known fan of the tabletop role-playing game and has been for years."Enjoy mysterious and exciting features by navigating through hidden passageways, experience an electromagnet-powered gelatinous cube that freezes the pinball, and explore dynamic dungeon levels that are accessed through a disappearing playfield trap door," the official synopsis reads."Other features include Fizmos store that allows players to acquire unique items, a treasure chest that unleashes mimic monsters, and more secrets to uncover." It also includes "the most advanced animatronic mech in pinball" in the form of Rath the red dragon, which "intelligently reacts to player action with multi-axis motion."Those able to nab the limited edition can, alongside bragging rights, also enjoy the interactive speaker expression lighting system with D&D sound effects, an exclusive red design, and an autograph from designer Brian Eddy.Image Credit: Stern PinballRyan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

At CES 2025, Intel has announced that Arrow Lake, the CPU architecture behind the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, is coming to gaming laptops. Just like their desktop counterparts, these laptop processors will include a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit), which should greatly improve AI performance. However, also like their desktop counterparts, most laptops with an Arrow Lake-HX or H processor will also have a dedicated GPU, which will relegate the NPU to lighter background AI tasks, like managing your battery. Regardless, these Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors are going to be featured in some of the best gaming PCs of the next year or so. The CPUs will feature up to 24 cores on the high end, with the Core Ultra 9 285HX featuring 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores. Just like previous generations of Intel processors, the performance cores are reserved for heavier, focused work, while the efficiency cores will focus on background tasks. Unlike previous generations, the performance cores are single-threaded, just like their desktop counterparts. However, through IPC improvements Intel was able to make with this generation, it claims it doesn't lose much in the way of performance. If you want to get your hands on a gaming laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 200H or 200HX processor, you'll start seeing them on store shelves over the next few months. Intel Core Ultra 9 285KPerformance Cores8Efficiency Cores16Turbo Boost5.5GHzNPU TOPS13Intel Core Ultra 9 275HXPerformance Cores8Efficiency Cores16Turbo Boost5.4GHzNPU TOPS13Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX SpecsPerformance Cores8Efficiency Cores12Turbo Boost5.3GHzNPU TOPS13Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX SpecsPerformance Cores6Efficiency Cores8Turbo Boost5.1GHzNPU TOPS13Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra

Were focused on bringing more games to more people around the world, on the devices you choose to play with. Millions of Game Pass Ultimate members are already using Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) to play great games from the Game Pass catalog on various devices.Today, were excited to announce our collaboration with LG Electronics to bring the Xbox app to their new LG Smart TVslater this year. This means Game Pass Ultimate members will be able to play their games directly from the Xbox app on supported LG Smart TVs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. This gives players even more choice in how they enjoy their favorite games.Soon, players with LG Smart TVs will be able to explore the Gaming Portal for direct access to hundreds of games in the Game Pass Ultimate catalog, including popular titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and upcoming releases like Avowed (launching February 18, 2025).Stream Your Own GameWe also recently announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can stream select games they own, outside the Game Pass catalog. This feature will also be available on the Xbox app with LG Smart TVs, allowing Game Pass Ultimate members to stream over 50 games they own, including NBA 2K25, Hogwarts Legacy, and more.Well share more details on the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience with LG TV in the coming months. To learn more about Xbox Cloud Gaming and how you can play across TVs and browsers on supported devices like smartphones, PCs, and tablets, visit xbox.com/cloudgaming.

Is your home cursed with a cramped cooking space? Stricken by a small scullery? Youre not alone. In fact, kitchens remain Americas top renovation priorities, according to 2024 research from Houzz. If you rent or dont have it in your budget to embark on a kitchen makeover this year (the average project cost $24,000 in 2023a 20 percent jump from the prior year, according to Houzzs data), youll invariably deal with the usual frustrations that come with a small kitchenlimited counter space, a postage stamp-sized oven, and scant storage. Still, designers have a few tricks up their sleeves to make a small kitchen look and feel more spaciouseven if youre the type of person who uses the oven strictly as wardrobe overflow. Always extend your cabinets to the ceiling no matter the size of your kitchen, advises Lauren Buxbaum Gordon, a partner at ELLE DECOR A-List firm Nate Berkus Associates. It will make your ceilings feel higher and your kitchen bigger. The little things (ironically!) count, too, per the designer: Invest in details that will add up visually and feel impactful. Whether beveling or adding a brass band to the face of the countertop or bringing in vintage hardware, use these little details to make your personal imprint.Other more budget-friendly hacks include swapping a drab kitchen paint color for a light-and-bright one on your cupboards, in addition to countless other hacks. So weve rounded up 70 small kitchen ideas from our archive to show you precisely how its done. Read on to see gorgeous homes that make the most of their small layouts with above-cabinet decor, bold cabinetry, double-duty accent pieces, sleek lighting solutions, and more. Now, lets get cooking!1Pint-Sized and Pink KitchenWilliam Jess LairdThese clients wanted to have a lot of color, like what you would see in an English country house, designer Clive Lonstein tells us of this recent project in Connecticut. He took their brief to heartespecially in the pint-sized kitchen which got an appropriately Barbie-proportioned coat of pink paint. 2Color-Blocked Retro KitchenMaura McEvoyThis mid-century Maine home had its original '60s-era kitchen. Designer Angie Hranowsky opted to keep it, but refresh its retro charm with a fresh lick of paint, carefully color-matched to the originals. Even if your kitchen cabinets are new, you can take inspiration from this quirky, color-blocked look. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Work With WallpaperChris MottaliniA jazzy wallpaper can go a long way in a small space like a powder room or closetand the same rule works for kitchens. Here, ELLE DECOR A-List firm Hendricks Churchill shows us how it's done in an unexpected Manhattan apartment. (P.s. can you spot the gold range hood?) 4Think UpBen PentreathIf your kitchen is small but you happen to have tall ceilings, select tall shelves and cabinets to draw the eye upward. In a Viennese home designed by Ben Pentreath, the cabinets are painted in Farrow & Ball's deep Green Smoke to add additional emphasis. Andif you can squeeze it inyou can always add a meat slicer, like these Austrian clients did, at left. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Install Eye-Catching LightingMax BurkhalterThere wasnt a single surface I didnt touch, interior designer Georgia Tapert Howe says of this once blank-box apartment she designed in Manhattan. Here in the kitchen, she gave the cabinets a wash of taupe paint (Farrow & Balls Elephants Breath) and installed dramatic pendant lights from Stahl and Band above the island. 6Design an Artful BacksplashGiulio GhirardiEvery square inch in a small kitchen counts, including areas you might forget about, like the backsplash. Here in a Paris apartment, designer Pierre Yovanovitch paired key-lime cabinets with a backsplash covered in darling hand-painted tiles by artist Matthieu Cosse.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Try a Surprising MaterialDaniel SchferYou'd never guess, but this eye-catching small kitchen used to be this Lisbon home's primary bathroom. Instead of ripping out the unusual blue marble, homeowner Elan Yifrach decided to keep it. The view of gardens outside is "a really nice backdrop to washing dishes, he says.8Go MonochromeAdrian GautKitchens have been trending hyper colorful these past few years, but how is this look for a palate cleanser? In this Miami kitchen designed by Martin Brl, calming creams and clean lines rule the roost. The cabinets are by Boffi while the tiles that clad the backsplash andyesceiling are custom-painted by Matthieu Cosse. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Bring in Hits of VibrancyKelly MarshallWhen designer Rayman Boozer designs a home, he wants it to feel like, "Oh wow, a nice person lives here," he told us. "Or at least that a nice person decorated. We get precisely that feeling from this happy Harlem kitchen, which features hits of jewel tones via the green cabinets, red curtains, striped chairs, and plate-printed trompe l'oeil wallpaper. 10Make It DisappearDavid MitchellYour kitchen may be tiny enough to view only with the aid of a microscope, a fact you can choose to ignoreor embrace by hiding it entirely. In this kitchen, designer Omar Aqeel selected brushed stainless steel cabinets by Reform that practically melt from view. I was trying to un-kitchen it as much as possible, he says. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Skirt Your SinkRoger DaviesThis small kitchen can be found in ELLE DECOR A-List designers Eric Hughes and Nathan Turners ranch-inspired home in Ojai, California, but theres plenty of lessons to be learned here for indoor kitchens too. In lieu of a stainless steel faucet, for instance, they installed a rustic brass version. Instead of cupboards, theyve hung their pots and pans on a rail. But our favorite detail is the charming skirt that conceals under-sink plumbing and other sundries. Simply ditch your hinges and doors, and pop on a cute curtain of your own. 12Swap Your Cabinets for ShelvesRichard PowersAs much as we may love the way kitchen cabinets can elevate a cooking space, they can also take up a lot of visual real estate, especially if youre dealing with a small room. We love how designer Timothy Brown ditched heavy cupboards in favor of industrial stainless-steel shelving in his New York City apartment. Not only does it provide a space for clip-on lights to illuminate chopping (or in this case, floral arranging!) it also allows him to flaunt his collection of vases and display small framed artworks. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Dont Forget About Your DoorsMatthew WilliamsThis kitchen is as modern as it gets. But the designers at StudioDB wanted to add a fashionable edge too. In fact, this small New York kitchen was inspired by the color palette ofwait for itPrada stores. But nothing says galley kitchen like the pair of portholes in the pink pocket door. It conveniently can hide pre dinner-party chaos or simply serve as a style statement on its own. Ahoy, matey! 14Hang a Cool Pendant Tim LenzAt first blush, this kitchen designed by ELLE DECOR A-List firm Pappas Miron might look like your standard-issue white kitchen. But its the pendant light, as pretty and enticing as a peppermint, that takes it to the next level. If you have ceiling space to spare, install one that will similarly steal the scene. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Bring in a PlantMaureen M. EvansIf youre sick of the all-white kitchen but still want the lightness and space-creating magic the look affords, take a page from designer Mark Grattans book: In his Mexico City apartment he specified all-white cabinets and tiles but refreshed the look with pops of gold and terra-cotta in the travertine countertops, golden rug, and earthy plant stand. And, if your space and light levels allow, why not include a tree? 16Paint It All Black Francesco DolfoThe black kitchen is the sexy antithesis to the ubiquitous all-white one. And here, in his Milan apartment, hospitality designer Eric Egan brought all the drama. Not only are the countertops made from an unusually textured Porphyry stone, but the back wall is entirely mirrored, making these pint-sized space feel positively cavernous. As for inky cabinets? Theyre from Ikea! Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17All-Day Diner David LandWhen the architecture firm Method Design and interior designer Nina Barneih-Blair teamed up on the design of this 490-square-foot Manhattan apartment, they needed to make the most out of every square inch. The solution? A kitchen island that serves multiple purposes over the course of the dayfrom ad hoc office to dinner party venue. An all-white palette of glossy cabinets and surfaces helps flaunt the flats greatest asset: natural light. 18Inky Black Backsplash Simon UptonWhen youre working with a 16th-century townhouse, like French designer Eric Allart did, you have to embrace the period quirks. This kitchen came complete with terra-cotta tiles. Rather than rip them out, Allart kept them in place and designed a quirky kitchen in unexpected hues to complement them. Here, an inky tile backsplash refracts sunlight, and a Pepto-pink shade on the walls and ceilings works to move the eye upward. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Zippy-Colored CabinetsAnnie SchlechterThis space, in a Beverly Hills house designed by Gary McBournie, might be a mere butlers pantry, but it offers plenty of inspiration for small kitchens. If its within your budget, opt for cabinets that offer a bit of Hollywood Regency glamour, like these ones here. If not, paint your existing ones in a vacation-ready hue like a bright key lime. The sunburst light fixture reminds us that its always happy hour somewhere! 20Towering Cabinets and White PaintKelly MarshallThe client of this Manhattan apartment doesnt use her small galley-style kitchen that often, but that didnt keep designer Lauren Buxbaum Gordon from making it a showpiece. Her signature move? To extend the cabinetry all the way up to the soaring period ceilings. Light countertops and a glossy white paint job let sunshine into the room, but its the gleaming gold hardware and accents that really make this small kitchen a winner.Anna FixsenDeputy Digital EditorAnna Fixsen is the deputy digital editor of ELLE DECOR, where she oversees all facets of ELLEDECOR.com. In addition to editing articles and developing digital strategy, she writes about the world's most beautiful homes, reviews the chicest products (from the best cocktail tables to cute but practical gifts), and reports on the most exciting trends in design and architecture. Since graduating from Columbia Journalism School, she's spent the past decade as an editor at Architectural Digest, Metropolis, and Architectural Record and has written for outlets including the New York Times, Dwell, and more.

Belkin unveiled a number of new products at CES 2025, including new MagSafe/Qi2 wireless chargers, all sorts of new USB-C charging bricks, and a new 20,000mAh power bank thats still relatively compact. They also have new pairs of headphones, and announced an all-new creator bundle. We got to go hands on with it all at CES Unveiled last night.Charging gearBelkins new BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad supports Qi2, providing up to 15W of output to compatible devices. It comes in two colors, black and white, and includes a built-in kickstand for propping up your phone while plugged in. It starts at $19.99 without a power supply, and $29.99 with an included power adapter. Itll be available beginning in April.Belkin also announced that much of its existing gear will receive updated housing throughout Q2, moving over to 85-90% post-consumer recycled materials. The first products to switch over include the 45W and 65W Dual USB-C wall chargers, the 70W and 100W GaN wall chargers with interchangeable tips, its 15W wireless charger with Qi2, and many charging cables. More products will adopt this updated housing throughout 2025.Theres also two new BoostCharge Compact USB-C chargers, in both 45W and 65W form factors. Theyre impressively small, being 35mm and 42mm respectively. Theyll be available for $29.99 and $39.99 beginning in March.Last but not least, Belkins new 20,000mAh power bank is compact, comes in four great colors including blue, pink, black, and white, and has an included USB-C cable for easy usage. It outputs up to 30W, allowing for fast charging with compatible devices. Itll be available for $49.99 in April.Audio gearBelkin has two new pairs of headphones to offer this year, one pair of over-ears and one set of earbuds.Its new earbuds, the SoundForm Anywhere, are semi open-ear earbuds with a flat form factor, and have a number of attachments to help the earbuds stay in your ears, even while sleeping. They offer 7 hours of battery life on their own, and the charging case provides an additional 20 hours of charge. They have noise reduction for phone calls, IPX4 sweat resistance, and offer USB-C fast charging, with a 10 minute charge delivering 90 minutes of usage. The case is also incredibly tiny. Pricing has not yet been unveiled, but theyll be available in Q2.The company also announced a surprisingly affordable pair of over-ear headphones: the SoundForm Isolate. They provide active noise cancellation, a folding design, and very comfortable ear cups, all at a low $59.99 price tag. SoundForm Isolate offer up to 60 hours of battery life, and sound pretty good for $60. Theyll come in sand and black colorways, and are available for purchase today on Amazon.Creator productsBelkin announced a new bundle for creators, including a durable tripod, a MagSafe phone mount, a 6-inch USB-C cable, and a set of wearable microphones with 100m of range and 5.5 hours of battery life. It offers everything youd need to easily shoot on the go. I tried out the MagSafe phone mount, and it certainly allows for better stability while recording video off of your iPhone. Itll be available in May, and pricing hasnt yet been announced.And finally, the Stage PowerGrip. Its both a 10,000mAh magnetic power bank and an ergonomic phone grip. I unfortunately did not get to try this product out, but itll be available in powder blue, sandbox, fresh yellow, pepper, and lavender starting in May. It also includes a little display for monitoring battery percentage. Pricing hasnt yet been announced.Wrap upWhile most of these products wont be available for a couple months, you can pick up Belkins impressive SoundForm Isolate headphones for just $59.99 today on Amazon, with two-day delivery.What do you think of what Belkin announced at CES 2025? Will you be picking up any of these products? Let us know in the comments.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple has released iOS 18.2.1 for iPhone users today. The update comes just under a month after iOS 18.2 was released with new Apple Intelligence features, the redesigned Mail app, and more. iOS 18.2.1 detailsiOS 18.2.1 can be downloaded by going to the Settings app, choosing General, then tapping Software Update. The new release comes with the build number 2A3798. Apple has also released iPadOS 18.2.1 for iPad users. No updates are available for the Apple Watch, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro, or HomePod. Apples release notes are short and sweet: This update provides important bug fixes and is recommended for all users. Theres no word on what exactly Apple has addressed with the iOS 18.2.1 release for iPhone users. The release notes, however, make it clear that we shouldnt expect any major new features. Meanwhile, Apple continues to beta test iOS 18.3. The company released the first beta in December and we expect a new beta as soon as this week, with a release to everyone at the end of the month. If you spot anything new in iOS 18.2.1, let us know in the comments below, onX @9to5Mac, andThreads @9to5Mac. More details to come. My favorite iPhone accessories: Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is availableon iTunes and Apples Podcasts app,Stitcher,TuneIn,Google Play, or through ourdedicated RSS feedfor Overcast and other podcast players.Sponsored by HabitView: Change your habits, change your life! Download on the App Store today.New episodes of 9to5Mac Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as theyre available.Stories discussed in this episode:Listen & Subscribe:Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock:Ad-free versions of every episodeBonus contentodCatch up on 9to5Mac Daily episodes!Dont miss out on our other daily podcasts:Share your thoughts!Drop us a line at happyhour@9to5mac.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel