The Final Entry Deadline for Architizer's 2025 A+Product Awards is Friday, January 24. Get your brand in front of the AEC industrys most renowned designers by submitting today.Rarely does biophilic design and acoustics intersect. This year, CSI Creative combined these two ideas with their Clay Pot Bio-Acoustic Plant Wall, which earned the prestigious Architizer A+ Popular Choice Award. This innovative product redefines how interior spaces can inspire, connect and promote well-being. Drawing from the cultural richness of handmade clay pots found in African and Central and South American traditions, at the core of the Clay Pot Wall is a commitment to sustainability and human-centric design.As part of CSI Creatives broader Acoustic Greenery category, the Clay Pot Wall exemplifies the firms innovative approach to integrating advanced materials with botanically inspired aesthetics. In this interview, Ruben Perez, Director of Studio Design at CSI Creative, shares the story behind the Clay Pot Bio-Acoustic Plant Wall and the groundbreaking Acoustic Greenery category. With over 40 years of experience in the design-build industry, Ruben brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to his work, driven by the belief that exceptional design enriches lives. Join us as we explore how CSI Creative is shaping the future of interior design through products that inspire connection and elevate the human experience.Enter A+Product AwardsWhat inspired the creation of the Clay Pot Bio-Acoustic Plant Wall, and how did the cultural influence of handmade clay pots shape its design and functionality?It all began with the creation of our EARTH collection. The goal was to showcase, through our products, the diverse influences of the countries located between the Tropics (spanning the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, at approximately 23 latitude). This region is home to an incredible variety of cultures, languages and ecosystems, as well as an unparalleled richness in colors, textures and forms.For our Clay Pot Bio-Acoustic Plant Wall, we drew inspiration from the handcrafted terracotta pottery of Nigeria, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Nupe people in Africa.The Clay Pot Bio-Acoustic Plant Wall emphasizes a blend of natural aesthetics and acoustic performance. How does it balance visual appeal with technical innovation?The design seamlessly integrates natural visual elements with high-performance acoustic design, which absorbs and reflects sound. This approach creates a harmonious blend of color, texture and functionality within built environments.Sustainability is a key aspect of this product, from its materials to its recoverable attachment system. How does the Clay Pot Wall exemplify CSI Creatives commitment to eco-conscious design?Our multidisciplinary CSI Creative team is committed to designing and manufacturing sustainably oriented products. From material selection to manufacturing methods, and a 100% recoverable and reusable installation system, our Clay Pot Wall reflects our dedication to sustainability.The design incorporates a Soundcore (Recycled PET Felt)sound-absorbing backer, paired with PoshFelt (Premium 100% renewable, premium designer wool felt) pots that are both functional and environmentally friendly. These pots house Inherently fire-retardant ThermaLeaf greenery, offering an innovative category of biophilic design, which combines, a mix of renewable, recycled materials and one of the various forms of botanically-accurate greenery found in CSI Creatives collection of acoustic greenery architectural finishes, called Earth.What has been the response from clients and the design community to the Clay Pot Bio-Acoustic Plant Wall?We felt like a family-owned David, in a market of publicly-funded Goliaths (and their acquired brands), betting that this new product category, Acoustic Greenery, offered solutions that the A&D community had not specifically demanded, but would. It felt scary, audacious, exhilarating and a bit crazy, to be honest.Winning the 2024 Architizer A+ Award (Popular Choice. Acoustics Category) exploded interest and sales of Acoustic Greenery ceiling wall products. To cite one notable direct result, one of the most globally recognized high-end retail brands discovered us through the related Archtizer publications, and ended up adding us as one of their brand standard manufacturers in North America.Acoustic Greenery represents a revolutionary approach to combining greenery with advanced acoustic solutions. What motivated CSI Creative to pioneer this category, and how has the industry responded?The seeds of motivation leading to CSI Creatives creation of the Acoustic Greenery product category, were nurtured by Minneapolis-based Plantscape Inc. HQs spatial design, intended to promote cross-fertilization across its three brands, with all departments housed under a single roof with minimal organizational or spatial barriers in the back manufacturing zones or the front office desk workers, to maximize collaboration and learning.Everyone from architects, industrial, interior designers, engineers, marketing designers and data analysts, and all sales reps, manufacturing, horticulturalist and botanists interact all day, everyday.Given the abundance of living and proprietary thermaleaf and permaleaf replica trees and plants on-site, it didnt take long for the seeds of acoustic greenery to germinate, but it took some time to figure out how to make it easy to specify, for Division 9 subcontractors to install, etc.We really wanted our coming out collection, Earth, to express our passion for design, our unique offerings of material and skill combinations, our internal cultural diversity, and our mission to remove the unnecessary frictions preventing A&D from leveraging their superpowers to make the world a better, more sustainable, humane place through design.In short, it was not only about access to certain proprietary materials, but more about how Plantscape Inc.s core belief about the power of design, became self-filling prophecy, in which the internal spatial and organizational design at Plantscape Inc.s HQ, germinated and nurtured the seeds of innovation, transforming 50 years of experience with materials, multidisciplinary complex design and engineering challenges from two Plantscape brands, into a third, newest one, CSI Creative.Our Design Studio draws from Plantscape Lives mastery of living plant system integration (including sophisticated irrigation, drainage, and maintenance systems), Plantscape Commercial Silks engineering prowess in large-scale replica installations (incorporating structural, electrical, plumbing, and communications infrastructure through massive indoor trees), and everything in between from preserved naturalelements to hybrid solutions.This deep expertise stack means we understand how to:Engineer solutions that satisfy complex structural loads and building codesIntegrate technical systems seamlessly into biophilic designCombine living, preserved, and replica elements for optimal performanceExecute large-scale, multifaceted installations in prestigious spaces worldwideWhen paired with our proprietary technologies PoshFelt premium wool felt (178 colors + custom colors), Soundcore acoustic substrate (proven commercial performance), and ThermaLeaf (inherently fire-retardant, multi-species botanical elements) this engineering foundation enables our Design Studio to conceptualize and execute solutions that transcend typical acoustic treatments.From Disney parks to La Guardia Airport to luxury retail environments, our track record of complex installations demonstrates an unmatched ability to merge acoustic performance with sophisticated biophilic design at any scale.What are the biggest challenges and opportunities youve encountered when designing modular systems that incorporate both biophilic and acoustic elements?We knew that no matter how aesthetically impressive our innovation was, success hinged upon overcoming the natural resistance to innovations that dont neatly fit into pre-existing boxes and routines. Our goal was to make it easy for architects and designers to specify acoustic greenery products, and to ensure we shipped products pre-assembled for dummy-proof installation.As commercial clients struggle to entice workers back to the office, one of the biggest opportunity is the huge demand for biophilic design solutions, and now specifiers and their commercial clients have an entirely new way to specify botanically-accurate greenery into ceiling and wall systems, which heretofore, usually was left to the end client when adding the FF&E.A second opportunity is the growing demand for modular solutions.How do CSI Creatives patented technologies, like ThermaLeaf and Soundcore, set your Acoustic Greenery products apart in terms of safety, aesthetics and performance?Acoustic Greenery wouldnt exist without the patented technologies of ThermaLeaf, PoshFelt and Soundcore, years of testing, prototyping and manufacturing have led to a viable design solution that stands apart from conventional and uninspiring market options. Acoustic Greenery products combine layers of tested materials with diverse manufacturing technologies, resulting in a vibrant collection that excels in both design and performance.Acoustic performance is a growing consideration for designers and architects. In what ways does Acoustic Greenery contribute to healthier, more productive indoor environments?Using Biophilic Design principles as a guiding framework, and well known scientific research demonstrating the health, performance and productivity benefits of biophilic design, we developed our Acoustic Greenery collection with the goal of creating products that ultimately benefit the health and wellness of the end user. As designers, we remained consistently mindful of Nature of Space, Nature in Space and Nature Analogues as key elements in shaping healthier and more productive interior environments.Looking ahead, how do you see Acoustic Greenery evolving, and what role does CSI Creative aim to play in shaping the future of biophilic and acoustic design trends?When we first launched Acoustic Greenery, we took a calculated risk, believing designers were seeking solutions that hadnt yet been articulated where acoustic performance could truly harmonize with biophilic design.The enthusiastic response from innovative A&D firms has not only validated this vision but pushed us to explore even bolder frontiers. The integration of metal into our material portfolio marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.Imagine the possibilities when visionary designers can combine structural elements with our acoustic and biophilic expertise to create installations that seem to defy physics massive suspended trees with integrated lighting, technology and building systems elegantly concealed within. This is just the start.The most exciting part isnt just what these technologies enable, but how they can amplify the creative visions of the architects and designers who are reimagining commercial spaces. Whether its an A&D firm pushing the boundaries of workplace design or an in-house team crafting an unforgettable brand experience, our role is to expand their palette of possibilities. We provide the engineering expertise, material innovations and multidisciplinary knowledge that helps turn their boldest concepts into reality.While we continue to provide proven acoustic solutions for everyday commercial needs, were most energized by partnerships with firms who share our appetite for innovation. Together, were not just solving acoustic challenges were creating immersive environments that change how people experience space itself.Follow in the footsteps of Sentech and other innovative brands by entering this yearsA+Product Awardsand receive major industry recognition from architects and designers worldwide:Enter A+Product AwardsThe Final Entry Deadline for Architizer's 2025 A+Product Awards is Friday, January 24. Get your brand in front of the AEC industrys most renowned designers by submitting today.The post Clay Pot Bio-Acoustic Plant Walls: How CSI Creative Allows Architects to Build With Nature appeared first on Journal.

Lenovo took to CES 2025 to unveil its newest handheld gaming PC: the Legion Go S. The console will be available in two versions: one running Windows 11, and the other running SteamOS. The console is a follow-up to the Lenovo Legion Go, which was first unveiled all the way back in 2023.In terms of specs, the Lenovo Legion Go S will have a 120 Hz refresh rate screen and a resolution of 1920 x 1200. Under the hood, the Legion Go S will run off a 55 Wh battery. The internal specs will depend on whether you go with the Windows 11 version or the SteamOS version of the device. The Windows 11 version of the Legion Go S will have 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, along with a price tag of $729.99 when it hits store shelves later this month. The SteamOS version, slated for release in May, will feature 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, and a price tag of $499.99.There is also a second Windows 11 version with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage planned for release and priced at $599.99.All variants of the Lenovo Legion Go S will run on one of AMDs newer chips the Ryzen Z2 Go. The chip, designed specially for handheld gaming devices, has four CPU cores, 12 GPU cores, and can boost up to clock speeds of 4.3 GHz. According to The Verge, Legion Go product manager Alex Zhu has stated that Lenovo is targeting a battery life of between two and two and a half hours when the Legion Go S runs heavier games.Alongside the announcement of the Legion Go S, Valve also made an announcement of its own about SteamOS growing beyond the confines of the Steam Deck. According to Valve, the SteamOS version of the Legion Go S will feature all of the software features that the Steam Deck is known for, including pre-compiled shaders. The company has stated that it will be working with Lenovo to improve compatibility with other handhelds.It is worth noting that, since SteamOS is based on Linux, the variant of the Legion Go S running on Valves operating system might face similar compatibility issues to the Steam Deck, where games with strict anti-cheat systems dont work well. Among the major games that cant be played on the Steam Deck, for example, is Destiny 2.SteamOS itself will also be getting its own beta release shortly before the launch of the Legion Go S, allowing users to try the operating system out with other handhelds.

If Ys 10: Nordics didnt meet your expectations or youre craving a more old-school experience, then Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is now available for PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch in North America and Europe. Check out the launch trailer below. As a remaster of the 2005 remake of Ys 3: Wanderers from Ys, it sees Adol Christin and Dogi on another adventure but with old-school sprites. In addition to HD visuals, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana offers new voiceovers for Adol, new character illustrations, and accessibility options. Players can utilize Turbo Mode to get around faster or crank up the difficulty. Unlike Ys 8 through 10, the gameplay is from an overhead perspective, and Adol fights alone. Nevertheless, it retains the series signature fast-paced combat and over-the-top boss fights while offering a different platforming experience. Of course, for fans of the 3D style, Ys 10: Proud Nordics, an enhanced version of Ys 10, is out this year in Japan. Head here for more details.

Accessory makers have seemingly provided us with more details on the general shape and size of the Nintendo Switch 2 thanks to their presence at CES 2025. Caught by French publication Numerama, an accessory maker dubbed Genki claims to have access to the Switch 2.Along with having a host of new accessories for the Nintendo Switch 2 on display, Genki also had a model of the console, allowing visitors to check out the range of accessories in real time. According to Numerama, the Switch 2 seems to be physically larger than its predecessor.Genki also stated that its accessories will hit store shelves around the same time as the Nintendo Switch 2, which the accessory maker said was due to be in April. Interestingly enough, Genki also claims to have the console in its possession.Some of the Switch 2 accessories shown off by Genki at CES 2025 include a charging dock for JoyCon controllers, as well as a host of grips that would make the system and its controllers more ergonomic to hold in handheld mode.The company has also released a short video on its official website that gives us a look at some of its accessories, while also allowing us to look at what might end up being the new release mechanism for the Switch 2s JoyCons.Genkis claims of the console being launched in April tie in with previous rumours that have indicated that Nintendo was looking to unveil the Switch 2 before the end of the current financial year, which would clock in at the end of April.This goes against another rumour, however, which indicates that Nintendo is looking to unveil the Nintendo Switch 2 during an event in May, with a launch for the console slated for launch. As is the case with all rumours, however, it is worth taking all of these details with a grain of salt.Several rumours about the Nintendo Switch 2 have popped up in recent times, ranging from the fact that it will have DLSS-styled image upscaling technology, as well as other notable details, such as a picture of the new consoles dock that indicates a higher-powered charger being required. Pictures of the Switch 2s JoyCons are also rumoured to have popped up.La Nintendo Switch 2 se dvoile en avant-premire au CES 2025, lire sur @Numerama avec plusieurs images exclusives.Une vido arrive demain. https://t.co/okU5QvIDMm Nicolas Lellouche (@LelloucheNico) January 8, 2025

Wonder Legends Studios raises $1m in pre-seed funding roundPolish-based studio developing a game and pre-developing an animated series as a transmedia projectImage credit: Wonder Legends Studio News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Jan. 8, 2025 Polish transmedia developer Wonder Legends Studio has raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by the SMOK Ventures fund.WLS is developing a game prototype and pre-developing an animated series in a European co-production scheme.The game was co-funded by The Creative Industries Development Center, and the series was co-funded by the Polish Film Institute. The studio also received an Epic MegaGrant.Both projects are being created in Unreal Engine 5, and are set in a world blended of Greek mythology and steampunk. The game and the animated series' first season are scheduled to release in late 2027 or early 2028.WLS was founded in 2023 by Artur Malczyk and Wojciech Karubin, while both projects have been in development since 2019. The studio currently consists of 15 industry veterans."We are thrilled to have completed the pre-seed round with SMOK Ventures as the lead investor, especially in such a challenging market as it is today," said WLS founders Malczyk and Karubin."It is a testament to the trust in our vision and years of hard work. We are confident that Wonder Legends has the potential to become the next major IP from our country, enhancing the reputation of Poland's creative industry."SMOK Ventures founding partner Diana Koziarska added: "At SMOK Ventures, we believe that bold ideas drive innovation, and WLS exemplifies this. By blending Greek mythology with a steampunk universe and pioneering a transmedia production model, Artur, Wojciech, and their team are setting a new standard for storytelling."We're proud to back their vision and excited to see them represent Poland on the global creative map."

CES is home to some of the coolest, cutting-edge, and most innovative technology around. But within this sea of tech are always some pretty strange gadgets. This years conference was no different, packed with a whole bunch of wacky devices, some of which might have a chance of taking off, and others... maybe not so much.Heres a roundup of all the weird tech we spotted on the CES show floor and beyond.1. Mirumi, the shy sloth-like robot Image: Yukai EngineeringMirumi is a furry little robot that latches onto your purse or backpack strap. It turns its head to look curiously around the room using built-in sensors. But much like an infant, Mirumi is designed to be a bit shy, so it might bury its face if its touched or approached by strangers. The company behind Mirumi, Yukai Engineering, plans to launch the bot through a crowdfunding campaign this year with an expected price of $70.2. A phone battery charger that resembles a toaster Photo by Allison Johnson / The VergeNo, my colleague Allison Johnson isnt sticking her phone in a toaster that white box is actually a charging hub made by Swippitt. Its designed to power up a series of external batteries that go into Swippitts Link phone case, giving your device a little extra charge. When your battery is on the verge of dying, insert your phone into the hub, and it will automatically swap out the external battery for one thats fully charged, no cords or wireless charging stations needed.3. This retractable keyboardI never even thought I needed a keyboard that retracts to reveal a trackpad and number pad, and after seeing my colleague Sean Hollister use it... I still dont think I need it. The AutoKeybo uses a built-in camera to detect the position of your hands and will automatically switch between setups when you raise them slightly. Its supposed to help you boost productivity by saving you from moving your hands between your mouse and keyboard, and it comes with a pretty hefty $700 price tag.4. An even more portable LG StanbyME displayLG is back with a second version of its portable StanbyME monitor. But this time, you can add a shoulder strap to the 27-inch monitor, letting you haul it around while on the go (or hang it up in a room). Theres even a new folio case that makes it look like an absurdly large tablet. Aside from the new accessories, the StanbyME comes with other upgrades over its predecessor, including a higher 1440p resolution, a longer four-hour battery life, and two USB-C ports.5. SwitchBots modular, multitasking robotSwitchBot made a modular robot capable of completing many different types of chores. Built on a version of SwitchBots mini robot vacuum, the Multitasking Household Robot K20 Plus Procomes with a wheeled FusionPlatform that you can equip with various devices, like the companys air purifier, fan, security camera, and more, allowing it to roll around your house while completing all kinds of tasks. It will be able to do even more in the future with the in-development robotic arms you can see in the video above.6. An 18-karat gold smart ring Image: UltrahumanForget your traditional engagement ring. What about presenting your partner with an 18-karat gold smart ring? Well, Ultrahuman made just that, with its artisanal Rare ring, costing $1,900 in gold (or $2,200 in platinum). Aside from full access to all of Ultrahumans features and lifetime membership to its warranty program, this device has the same specs as the far cheaper $349 Ultrahuman Ring Air just in a far more expensive package.7. LGs air purifier your cat can sit onThe LG AeroCatTower is exactly what it sounds like: an air purifier that doubles as a cat tree. In addition to providing a heated spot for your feline friend, it filters out pet dander and even weighs your cat, too. The AeroCatTower connects to the LG ThinQ app, where you can see information about your cats weight and track how long your cat was asleep.8. The worlds first wearable solar panel Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The VergeThis jacket from Anker is still just a concept for now, but it gives off real Cyberpunk 2077 vibes with its LED light strips and perovskite solar cells wrapped around the outside of the cloak. It offers a 30W maximum input, along with a USB-C output you can use to charge your phone.9. LGs indoor gardening side table Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The VergeLike LGs AeroCatTower, the companys latest take on indoor gardening combines multiple functions in a single package. The device looks similar to your typical side table, but it features a lamp you can grow plants beneath. It also automatically waters your plants using its built-in tank and has a built-in speaker. LG made a taller, lamp-style garden as well.10. Encapsulated anime girls that talk to you Photo by Sean Hollister / The VergeThis is exactly what it looks like: a pod containing 3D models of dancing anime girls. But it doesnt have to house anime girls; you can upload any character to Character Livehouses 1200p display, and it will use AI to interact with you. The capsule comes equipped with cameras and microphones with sound recognition, allowing the character to detect your presence. Code 27, the company behind Character Livehouse, says the model can cheer you on in games and even gently wake you up. Its headed to Kickstarter soon with a price range of $400 to $500.

The European Union is reportedly close to deciding whether Xs attempts to combat illegal or harmful content are compliant with the blocs digital service rulebook. A probe into Xs risk management and content moderation will be concluded as early as legally possible, according to a letter to EU lawmakers seen by Bloomberg. It comes a day after Meta announced sweeping moderation changes on its own platforms inspired by X.In the letter, the EUs justice chief Michael McGrath and tech policy leader Henna Virkkunen vowed to energetically push the investigation forward. Bloomberg reports that the letter was prompted by a complaint from center-right German lawmakers over concerns regarding Elon Musks promotion of Germanys far-right party leader on X.The probe was launched under the blocs Digital Services Act (DSA) in December 2023, with a focus on the dissemination of illegal content in the context of Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, and how effective Xs Community Notes system is at tackling information manipulation. Additionally, the same investigation yielded preliminary findings that found X to be in breach of DSA regarding advertising transparency, dark patterns, and its blue check user verification system. Platforms deemed to have breached the DSA risk fines of up to six percent of their global yearly revenue.Since purchasing X (previously known as Twitter) in 2022, Elon Musk has transformed its verification system into a subscription service and cut back its trust and safety team to focus on community-driven moderation. The EU criticized X over rising levels of disinformation on the platform, something that Musk himself actively engaged in promoting, following these changes. More recently, Musk has landed himself a position on President-elect Donald Trumps incoming administration, which has issued threats over perceived biases in moderation.US tech giants are already heeding to Republicans complaints regarding online speech rules. Yesterday, Meta announced it was inspired by X to scrap its third-party fact-checkers in favor of implementing its own Community Notes program, alongside removing restrictions around topics like immigration and gender identity. While these changes will initially be rolled out in the US, both Meta and X operate on a global stage and the eyes of EU regulators are ever watchful.

One of the key changes Matter is bringing to the smart home is a standardized way to enable local control of smart devices. This means your light bulb doesn't have to talk to the cloud when you ask your voice assistant to turn it off. While some smart home ecosystems already offer local control, Matter should make implementing it easier for every smart home platform. This week, Google announced it has added full local control of Matter devices to its Google Home Hubs by integrating Home Runtime. Now, Google Nest hubs and speakers, Chromecasts, Google TV devices on Android 14, and some LG TVs can connect to and control Matter devices locally.This means when a user who has a hub forGoogle Homedevice (at home) is viewing or controlling theirMatterdevices (at home), they can do so with higher reliability, privacy, and lower latency, Jeannie Zhang, product manager for Google Home, told The Verge. If the internet is down, Google Assistant should still be able to turn on the lightsThis is a significant change for the platform, which has historically relied on cloud connectivity for device control. Now, if the internet is down and you ask Google Assistant to turn on the lights, it should actually be able to follow through.Google also shared details on its recent efforts to help developers make more products that work with Matter. These include working with the CSA to make certifying Matter devices easier and partnering with MediaTek to build a new chipwrites.Finally, Google is opening its Home APIs to all developers. This allows developers to integrate Google Home devices and automations into their own apps, allowing them to focus their resources on building devices rather than integrations.Google announced theHome APIs at I/O,but they werent available to all developers. The program had been in an early access phase with companies such as Eve,Nanoleaf,LG,ADT, Cync, Yale, and Aqara. Now, any company can access the Android version of the Home APIs in public developer beta, with the iOS version coming soon. Google says the Home APIs consist of:Device and Structure APIs:With one single integration, get access to over 600M devices already connected to Google Home and a single unified interface to manage and control both cloud-connected and Matter devices across Google Home, enabling local control, broad device reach, and support for Matter custom clusters.Commissioning API:Simplifies device set up with Fast Pair on 3 billion Android devices, commission Matter devices directly within your app, enabling seamless onboarding, voice control via Google Assistant, and compatibility with the Google Home ecosystem.Automation API:Empower your users with all the tools needed to create and manage home automations directly in your app, leveraging extensive signals, commands, and Google specific AI-driven capabilities for personalized and intelligent home experiences.Essentially, all of this allows developers to use the Google Home platform to power their apps automations and integrations with other devices. While this can significantly speed up development it helped Eve finally launch an app for Android the downside is if Google ever pulled the API access (as it did when it shut down its Works With Nest program), developers would be left high and dry. However, despite its history here, the likelihood of that happening seems slim. From what Ive seen, the company does seem to be taking a more thoughtful, thorough approach to the smart home. What is Matter?Matter is a smart home interoperability standard designed to provide a common language for connected devices to communicate locally in your home without relying on a cloud connection. It is built to be secure and private, easy to set up, and widely compatible.Developed by Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung (and others), Matter is an open-sourced, IP-based connectivity software layer for smart home devices. It works over Wi-Fi, ethernet, and the low-power mesh networking protocol Thread and currently supports most of the main device types in the home. These include lighting, thermostats, locks, robot vacuums, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, ovens, smoke alarms, air quality monitors, EV chargers, and more.A smart home gadget with the Matter logo can be set up and used with any Matter-compatible ecosystem via a Matter controller and controlled by more than one with a feature called multi-admin. Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple Home are some major smart home platforms supporting Matter, along with hundreds of device manufacturers.

Capcom has announced a second open beta for Monster Hunter Wilds ahead of its release date.The beta includes the content from the first beta but adds returning monster Gypceros to hunt. Youll get to use the character realtor, play the story trial, and complete the Slay Doshaguma Quest. Capcom said those who played the first beta can transfer their character to the second beta, and then onto the full game release. Game progress, however, does not carry forward, but those who take part in the test get special bonuses that can be redeemed in the full game, including a decorative charm for your weapon or Seikret, and an item pack.Capcom warned fans that improvements it has already announced are set for the full release will not make it into the second open beta. This includes performance improvements, balance changes, weapon mechanics, and other known issues.PlayIGN'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".000/250Monster Hunter Wilds second open beta goes live February 6 at 7pm PT, and runs until February 9 at 6.59pm PT. If you miss out on that, dont worry: another beta weekend is set for the following weekend (February 13 to 16). Monster Hunter Wilds then launches proper on February 28.Monster Hunter Wilds is the subject of the latest IGN First, which kicked off with two brand new videos featuring gameplay of Ajarakan and Rompopolo on the Oilwell Basin map. We visited Capcoms offices in Japan, where we played the first five hours or so of Monster Hunter Wilds, and exclusively faced a few Oilwell Basin local monsters. Look out for more gameplay throughout January, along with in-depth interviews, fun details, and a final preview for Monster Hunter Wilds.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

This review contains full spoilers for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Season 1, Episode 7.After a galaxy-spanning adventure through pirate stations, planet-wide battlefields, and a luxury spa, who wouldve thought the key to getting the crew back home would just be going back home? Despite all of the secrecy over At Attins location and its impenetrable barrier, it turns out that all you need to do is point your spaceship at the planet and fly in (provided you have the right spaceship, which the kids have naturally had this whole time). Not enough happened in this penultimate episode, and what did happen occurred far too easily, making for a rare Skeleton Crew disappointment.On paper, it seems like this is an eventful episode: The kids and the pirates all make it to At Attin, Jod goes full Bad Guy and executes both Captain Brutus and (apparently) SM-33, and then he finally makes it to At Attins legendary treasure hoard. But these events are purely plot points. Previous episodes have given us little emotional explorations of who these kids are, or stories of what its like to grow up in a world where adults are either completely absent or checked-out. Sadly, episode 7 just has some things happen and then ends on a frustratingly abrupt and somewhat inexplicable cliffhanger. PlayLets start with that ending, because it drags the whole episode down. Before landing on At Attin, Jod repeatedly snaps at the kids as they try to do their disarmingly chatty thing. He ultimately threatens to brutally murder all of their parents (having seen what they look like in the unnecessary message that they sent up through the planetary barrier) if the kids reveal that hes actually a pirate and not an emissary from the Republic. And yet, having come so close to his dream of infinite money that he seems to be literally on the verge of tears (a great bit of face acting from Jude Law), he decides to risk it all by disrupting the kids reunion with their parents, whipping out the lightsaber he nabbed a few episodes ago.Then the episode ends. The kids dont blab to their parents. The parents have no reason to believe that Jod isnt who he claims to be. All Jod needs to do is act cool until he can figure out how to signal the rest of the pirates in orbit. With this cliffhanger, though, were left to wonder what happens next: will he attack them or not? If he does, its a silly, senseless mistake for him to make. If he doesnt, then why end the penultimate episode with such a needless question mark?Nobody in this episode really has to do anything and that saps Skeleton Crew of exciting narrative momentum.This might not prove to be a problem at all come next weeks finale episode, and Skeleton Crew could certainly resolve this in an interesting way, but the loose logic of the situation drags this episode down. It contributes to making episode 7 a weaker part of what has otherwise been a strong series. And, unfortunately, its not the only issue with Were Gonna Be In So Much Trouble.A few scenes in both this episode and prior chapters have reinforced the idea that its impossible to get anything through At Attins planet-wide shield even just a signal. And so the crews parents rig up some kind of little transmitter so they can send a message out to space except the kids are already in orbit. The show solves its own problem before the characters create a solution. Furthermore, the messages key information is an explanation of how to get through the barriers fake lightning storm which turns out to be irrelevant because the Onyx Cinder was apparently stolen from At Attin and can pass through the storm unharmed anyway.Before all that, SM-33 reveals that a rule within the Pirate Code dictates that a pirate can only be the captain of one vessel. By killing Brutus and taking over the pirate frigate, Jod therefore cannot be captain of the Onyx Cinder. So, by declaring that the ship is for kids only (which, credit where its due, is funny), Fern is able to effortlessly retain control of the ship from the piratesalbeit briefly. Nobody in this episode really has to do anything events just fall into place and all wouldve happened one way or another and that saps Skeleton Crew of the exciting narrative momentum it had early on.There is some good stuff here, like an early scene in which the kids toss a ball through the halls of their ship and fondly reminisce about how fun their adventure has been, despite (or because of) how often theyve come close to dying. Its a nice moment that lets the kids act like kids, which is when the show is at its best.