Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of innovation in the retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries.Forward-thinking companies are using AI to reimagine their entire business models, from in-store experiences to omnichannel digital platforms, including ecommerce, mobile and social channels. This technological wave is simultaneously transforming advertising and marketing, customer engagement and supply chain operations. By harnessing AI, retailers and CPG brands are not just adapting to change theyre actively shaping the future of commerce.NVIDIAs second annual State of AI in Retail and CPG survey provides insights into the adoption, investment and impact of AI, including generative AI; the top use cases and challenges; and a special section this year examining the use of AI in the supply chain. Its an in-depth look at the current ecosystem of AI in retail and CPG, and how its transforming the industries.Drawn from hundreds of responses from industry professionals, key highlights of the survey show:89% of respondents said they are either actively using AI in their operations or assessing AI projects, including trials and pilots (up from 82% in 2023)87% said AI had a positive impact on increasing annual revenue94% said AI has helped reduce annual operational costs97% said spending on AI would increase in the next fiscal yearGenerative AI in Retail Takes Center StageGenerative AI has found a strong foothold in retail and CPG, with over 80% of companies either using or piloting projects. Companies are harnessing the technology, especially for content generation in marketing and advertising, as well as customer analysis and analytics.Consistent with last years survey, over 50% of retailers believe that generative AI is a strategic technology that will be a differentiator in the market.The top use cases for generative AI in retail include:Content generation for marketing (60%)Predictive analytics (44%)Personalized marketing and advertising (42%)Customer analysis and segmentation (41%)Digital shopping assistants or copilots (40%)While some concerns about generative AI exist, specifically around data privacy, security and implementation costs, these concerns havent dampened retailers enthusiasm, with 93% of respondents saying they still plan to increase generative AI investment next year.AI Across the Retail LandscapeAI use cases have proliferated across nearly every line of business in retail, with over 50% of retailers using AI in more than six different use cases throughout their operations.In physical stores, the top three use cases are inventory management, analytics and insights, and adaptive advertising. For digital retail, theyre marketing and advertising content creation, and hyperpersonalized recommendations. And in the back office, the top use cases are customer analysis and predictive analytics.AI has made a significant impact in retail and CPG, with improved insights and decision-making (43%) and enhanced employee productivity (42%) being listed as top benefits among survey respondents.The most common AI challenge retailers faced in 2024 was a lack of easy to understand and explainable AI tools, underscoring a greater need for software and solutions specifically around generative AI and AI agents to enter the market to make it easier for companies to use AI solutions and understand how they work.AI in the Supply ChainManaging the supply chain has always been a challenge for retail and CPG companies, but its become increasingly difficult over the last several years due to tumultuous global events and shifting consumer preferences. Companies are feeling the pressure, with 59% of respondents saying that their supply chain challenges have grown in the last year.Increasingly, companies are turning to AI to help address these challenges, and the impact of these AI solutions is starting to show up in results.58% said AI is helping to improve operational efficiency and throughput.45% are using AI to reduce supply chain costs.42% are employing AI to meet shifting customer expectations.Investment in AI for supply chain management is set to grow, with 82% of companies planning to increase spending in the next fiscal year.As the retail and CPG industries continue to embrace the power of AI, the findings from the latest survey underscore a pivotal shift in how businesses operate in a complex new landscape. Leading companies are harnessing advanced technologies such as AI agents and physical AI to enhance efficiency and drive revenue, as well as to position themselves as leaders in innovation, helping redefine the future of retail and CPG.Download the State of AI in Retail and CPG: 2025 Trends report for in-depth results and insights.Explore NVIDIAs AI solutions and enterprise-level platforms for retail.

Its time to see which PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play games topped the download charts last month. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 held a solidified front on the PS5 charts, remaining in the top five of Decembers US and EU lists. Alien: Rogue Incursion burst onto Decembers PS VR2 list, landing in the top five of the US and EU regions. Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month?PS5 GamesUS/CanadaEUCall of Duty: Black Ops 6EA SPORTS FC 25NBA 2K25Call of Duty: Black Ops 6EA SPORTS Madden NFL 25Hogwarts LegacyGrand Theft Auto VGrand Theft Auto VEA SPORTS FC 25UFC 5EA SPORTS College Football 25MinecraftPhasmophobiaPhasmophobiaHogwarts LegacyGran Turismo 7Marvels Spider-Man 2The Witcher 3: Wild HuntASTRO BOTArma ReforgerMinecraftThe Crew MotorfestMortal Kombat 1Marvels Spider-Man 2HELLDIVERS 2ASTRO BOTArma ReforgerStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorGran Turismo 7NBA 2K25The Crew MotorfestCyberpunk 2077Cyberpunk 2077RaftStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorF1 24UFC 5Need for Speed UnboundNHL 25Farming Simulator 25*Naming of products may differ between regions*Upgrades not includedPS4 GamesUS/CanadaEURed Dead Redemption 2EA SPORTS FC 25Call of Duty: Black Ops 6Red Dead Redemption 2Need for Speed HeatNeed for Speed HeattheHunter: Call of the WildA Way OutGrand Theft Auto VGrand Theft Auto VGang BeastsBattlefield 1Batman: Arkham KnightUnravel TwoEA SPORTS Madden NFL 25Hogwarts LegacyNeed for Speed PaybackCall of Duty: Black Ops 6Battlefield 1Gang BeastsSTAR WARS Battlefront IIBattlefield 4God of WarBatman: Arkham KnightA Way OutNeed for Speed PaybackEA SPORTS FC 25STAR WARS Battlefront IICall of Duty: Black Ops IIIMinecraftHogwarts LegacyKingdom Come: DeliveranceMinecraftAssassins Creed UnityNBA 2K25House FlipperStardew ValleyGod of WarRed Dead RedemptionBattlefield V *Naming of products may differ between regionsPS VR2 Games*US/CanadaEUBeat SaberAlien: Rogue IncursionAlien: Rogue IncursionBeat SaberSkydances BEHEMOTHHorizon Call of the MountainAmong Us VRSkydances BEHEMOTHMetro AwakeningAmong Us VRPavlovMetro AwakeningSwordsman VRSubsideArizona Sunshine 2Creed: Rise to Glory Championship EditionCreed: Rise to Glory Championship EditionJob SimulatorArizona Sunshine RemakePavlov*PS Store purchases only. Game upgrades or games bundled with hardware not includedFree to Play (PS5 + PS4)US/CanadaEUMarvel RivalsMarvel RivalsFortniteUFLRobloxFortniteUFLRobloxRocket LeagueRocket LeagueCall of Duty: WarzoneCall of Duty: WarzoneInfinity NikkiAsphalt Legends UniteAsphalt Legends UniteInfinity NikkiFall GuysVALORANTVALORANTeFootball

The PS5 is home to gaming experiences you cant find on any other console. While popular PS5 titles such as Helldivers 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and Marvels Spider-Man 2 eventually made their way to Steam and the Epic Games Store on PC, the PS5 is still a fantastic way to play those games. Plus, only with a PS5 can you play exclusives like Astro Bot and other great PS5 games that debut on Sonys console long before arriving on PC. And, with the PS5 Pro console, youll get enhanced visuals that rival what pricier gaming PCs are capable of.If you already own a PS5 or PS5 Pro, just bought one, or will be buying one soon, theres just a handful of accessories that I think will help you have a better time with it. In addition to my favorite accessories, Ive rounded up recommendations from the entire Polygon crew for what they use to improve their PS5 experience. This post may be updated due to availability or when new accessories hit the market.Our 5 must-have PS5 accessories2 great PS5 headsetsOther worthwhile PS5 upgrades

After a brutal year for the video game industry, 2025 is looking brighter and much busier if only because Rockstar Games plans to release Grand Theft Auto 6 in 2025, and Nintendo promises to deliver the Switch 2 and a bunch of new games to launch with it.Those arent the only highly anticipated sequels coming in 2025. Video game fans can also expect Ghost of Yotei, Elden Ring Nightreign, Civilization 7, Death Stranding 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, Borderlands 4, the new Fable, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Monster Hunter Wilds, Pokmon Legends: Z-A, and Slay the Spire 2. Beyond sequels, there are some other big bets on the calendar for 2025, like Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, Judas, Riots fighting game 2XKO, and South of Midnight. Suffice it to say, its currently looking like a big year for new video game releases.Game release dates are always in flux, though, so Polygons guide to the new video games coming in 2025 will be regularly updated with new titles, release dates, and (inevitable) delays.New video game releases for 2025JanuaryYs Memoire: The Oath in Felghana (PS4, PS5, Switch) Jan. 7Freedom Wars Remastered (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch) Jan. 10Hyper Light Breaker Early Access (PC) Jan. 13Aloft (PC) Jan. 15Blade Chimera (PC, Switch) Jan. 16Donkey Kong Country Returns HD(Switch) Jan. 16Dynasty Warriors: Origins (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) Jan. 17Tales of Graces f Remastered (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) Jan. 17Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the mist (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X) Jan. 22Guilty Gear Strive (Switch) Jan. 23Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) Jan. 23Synduality: Echo of Ada (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) Jan. 23Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (PC) Jan. 25Carmen Sandiego (Android, iOS) Jan. 28Eternal Strands (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) Jan. 28Marvels Spider-Man 2 (PC) Jan. 30Sniper Elite: Resistance (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) Jan. 30Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X) Jan. 31FebruaryKingdom Come: Deliverance 2(PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) Feb. 4Rift of the NecroDancer (PC) Feb. 5Civilization 7 (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) Feb. 11Urban Myth Dissolution Center (PC, Switch) Feb. 12The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak 2 (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch) Feb. 14Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) Feb. 14Avowed (PC, Xbox Series X) Feb. 18LostRecords: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) Feb. 18Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) Feb. 28Monster Hunter Wilds (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) Feb. 28MarchCarmen Sandiego (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) March 4Two Point Museum (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) March 4FragPunk (PC, Xbox Series X) March 6Split Fiction (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) March 6Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars (PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One) March 6Wanderstop (PC, PS5) March 11LostRecords: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) March 18Assassins Creed Shadows (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) March 20Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (Switch) March 20Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) March 21Bleach Rebirth of Souls (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X) March 21Tales of the Shire (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X) March 25AI Limit (PC, PS5) March 27Atomfall (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) March 27The First Berzerker: Khazan (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) March 27inZOI (PC) March 28Football Manager 25 (PC, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) TBAKilling Floor 3 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) TBAAprilThe Last of Us Part 2 Remastered (PC) April 3Koira (PC, PS5) April 17Mandragora (PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One) April 17Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X) April 24Tempest Rising (PC) April 24The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy (PC, Switch) April 24Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (Switch) TBARatatan (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X) TBAMayRevenge of the Savage Planet (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X) TBAJuneBroken Arrow (PC) TBAOctoberDouble Dragon Revive (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X) Oct. 232025 video games with no release date2XKO (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)33 Immortals Early Access (PC, Xbox Series X)Anno 117: Pax Romana (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)ARC Raiders (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)ArcheAge Chronicles (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch)Baby Steps (PC, PS5)Ballad of Antara (Android, iOS, PC, PS5)Battle Vision Network (Android, iOS, PC)Big Walk (PC)Borderlands 4 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Cairn (PC, consoles TBA)Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One)Chronos: The New Dawn (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) spring 2025Crimson Desert (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Cuffbust (PC)Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PS5)Deltarune: Chapter 3 & 4 (PC, PS4, Switch)Demonschool (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Directive 8020 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Dispatch (PC, consoles TBA) Doom: The Dark Ages (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X)Dune: Awakening (PC) early 2025Dying Light: The Beast (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) summer 2025Earthblade (PC)Edens Zero (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Elden Ring Nightreign (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Exoborne (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Fable (PC, Xbox Series X)FBC: Firebreak (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Forestrike (PC, Switch)Ghost of Yotei (PS5)Grand Theft Auto 6 (PS5, Xbox Series X) fall 2025GreedFall 2: The Dying World (PS5, Xbox Series X)Hell is Us (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era (PC) Q2 2025Hunter Hunter: Nen Impact (PC, PS5, Switch)Instinction (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Judas (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link (Android, iOS)Kingmakers (PC) Q1 2025Little Nightmares 3 (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Lost Hellden (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X)Lunar Remastered Collection (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Mafia: The Old Country (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Mecha Break (PC, Xbox Series X)Menace (PC) Q3 2025Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Switch)Mewgenics (PC)MIO: Memories in Orbit (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Mistfall Hunter (PC, Xbox Series X)Mixtape (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Monaco 2 (PC)Mouse: PI for Hire (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X)Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Nivalis (PC)No Rest for the Wicked (PS5, Xbox Series X)Paralives (PC)Pathologic 3 (PC)Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch)Pokmon Legends Z-A (Switch)Pony Island 2: Panda Circus (PC)Possessor(s) (PC)Professor Layton and the New World of Steam (Switch)R-Type Tactics I II Cosmos (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X)Rematch (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Replaced (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Rusty Rabbit (PC, PS5, Switch)Shadow Labyrinth (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X)Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch)Slay the Spire 2 (PC)Sleight of Hand (PC, Xbox Series X)Solarpunk (PC)South of Midnight (PC, Xbox Series X)Splitgate 2 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Subnautica 2 Early Access (PC, Xbox Series X)Terminator: Survivors (PC)The Alters (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) Q1 2025The Legend of Baboo (PC, Xbox Series X)The Midnight Walk (PC, PS5)The Outer Worlds 2 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)The Sinking City 2 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)The Wolf Among Us 2 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Time Flies (PC, PS5, Switch)Tiny Lands 2 (PC)Usual June (PC)Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X) first half of 2025Wheel World (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)Winter Burrow (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X)

CES 2025 saw the unveiling of some exciting gaming gear, like the new Lenovo Legion Go S, the Nvidia RTX 5090, and some tech thats made to make life a bit easier. Ankers new 140 W multi-port wall charger definitely falls into the latter bucket, but Im still oddly excited about it, especially because its already $10 off its $89.99 price at Amazon.While Anker makes countless wall chargers worth buying, my eyes are on this clever model that puts the charging ports on its bottom instead of facing out, keeping it from easily falling out of the outlet. You can grab one in silver or black for $79.99 at Amazon when you click the Apply $10 coupon on its product page. A countdown on Ankers site says this deal runs through Sunday, Jan 12.One might argue that swapping the ports to the bottom makes it more difficult to access them I hear you but I think the trade-off is worth it. Doing so lowers the likelihood that the weight of your cables will tug the charger out of your wall, and the features you gain from the port swap justify its high cost. It has a display on its front that shows charging speeds and device temperatures per port, letting you have peace of mind that your gadgets are charging as quickly (and safely) as you want them to.In terms of specs, the charger features three USB-C ports, two of which are capable of outputting up to 140 W each. Handhelds like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and the Nintendo Switch can easily charge at top speeds. Even more power-hungry laptops that charge via USB-C (like a MacBook Pro) can quickly recharge, all while other devices plugged into this Anker charger fill up their batteries. Anker includes one 5-foot USB-C cable thats supports up to 240 W power passthrough, and the charger itself has an 18-month warranty.

As expected from anyone who has ever tried building anything solo, my goal was not to build an app but the app the one app thats so good you wonder how you ever survived without it. I had everything in place: wireframes, a to-do list, project structure you name it. Then I started building. Just not the product. I started with the landing page for it, which took me four days, and I hadnt even touched the apps core features yet. The idea itself was so good I had to start marketing it right away!I found myself making every detail perfect: every color, shadow, gradient, font size, margin, and padding had to be spot on. I dont even want to say how long the logo took.Spoiler:No one cares about your logo.Why did I get so stuck on something that was never even part of the core app I wanted so badly to build? Why wasnt I nagging myself to move on when I clearly needed to?The reality of solo development is that there is no one to tell you when to stop or simply say, Yo, this is good enough! Move on. Most users dont care whether a login button is yellow or green. What they want (and need) is a button that works and solves their problem when clicking it.Test Early And OftenUnnecessary tweaks, indecisive UI decisions, and perfectionism are the core reasons I spend more time on things than necessary.Like most solo developers, I also started with the hope of pushing out builds with the efficiency of a large-scale team. But it is easier said than done.When building solo, you start coding, then you maybe notice a design flaw, and you switch to fixing it, then a bug appears, and you try fixing that, and voil the day is gone. There comes a time when it hits you that, You know what? Its time to build messy. Thats when good intentions of project and product management go out the window, and thats when I find myself working by the seat of my pants rather than plowing forward with defined goals and actionable tasks that are based on good UI/UX principles, like storyboards, user personas, and basic prioritization.This realization is something you have to experience to grasp fully. The trick Ive learned is to focus on getting something out there for people to see and then work on actual feedback. In other words,Its more important to get the idea out there and iterate on it than reaching for perfection right out of the gate.Because guess what? Even if you have the greatest app idea in the world, youre never going to make it perfect until you start receiving feedback on it. Youre no mind reader as much as we all want to be one and some insights (often the most relevant) can only be received through real user feedback and analytics. Sure, your early assumptions may be correct, but how do you know until you ship them and start evaluating them?Nowadays, I like to tell others (and myself) to work from hypotheses instead of absolutes. Make an assertion, describe how you intend to test it, and then ship it. With that, you can gather relevant insights that you can use to get closer to perfection whatever that is.Strength In Recognizing WeaknessLets be real: Building a full application on your own is not an easy feat. Id say its like trying to build a house by yourself; it seems doable, but the reality is that it takes a lot more hands than the ones you have to make it happen. And not only to make it happen but to make it happen well. Theres only so much one person can do, and admitting your strengths and weaknesses up-front will serve you well by avoiding the trap that you can do it all alone.I once attempted to build a project management app alone. I knew it might be difficult, but I was confident. Within a few days, this simple project grew legs and expanded with new features like team collaboration, analytics, time tracking, and custom reports being added, many of which I was super excited to make.Building a full app takes a lot of time. Think about it; youre doing the work of a team all alone without any help. Theres no one to provide you with design assets, content, or back-end development. No stakeholder to swoop and poop on your ideas (which might be a good thing). Every decision, every line of code, and every design element is 100% on you alone.It is technically possible to build a full-featured app solo, but when you think about it, theres a reason why the concept of MVP exists. Take Instagram, for example; it wasnt launched with reels, stories, creators insights, and so on. It started with one simple thing: photo sharing.All Im trying to say is start small, launch, and let users guide the evolution of the product. And if you can recruit more hands to help, that would be even better. Just remember to leverage your strengths and reinforce your weaknesses by leaning on other peoples strengths.Yes, Think Like an MVPThe concept of a minimum viable product (MVP) has always been fascinating to me. In its simplest form, it means building the basic version of your idea that technically works and getting it in front of users. Yes, this is such a straightforward and widely distributed tip, but its still one of the hardest principles for solo developers to follow, particularly for me.I mentioned earlier that my genius app idea grew legs. And lots of them. I had more ideas than I knew what to do with, and I hadnt even written a reasonable amount of code! Sure, this app could be enhanced to support face ID, dark mode, advanced security, real-time results, and a bunch of other features. But all these could take months of development for an app that youre not even certain users want.Ive learned to ask myself: What would this project look like if it was easy to build?. Its so surreal how the answer almost always aligns with what users want. If you can distill your grand idea into a single indispensable idea that does one or two things extremely well, I think youll find as I have that the final result is laser-focused on solving real user problems.Ship the simplest version first. Dark mode can wait. All you need is a well-defined idea, a hypothesis to test, and a functional prototype to validate that hypothesis; anything else is probably noise.Handle Imperfection GracefullyYou may have heard about the Ship it Fast approach to development and instantly recognize the parallels between it and what Ive discussed so far. In a sense, Ship it Fast is ultimately another way of describing an MVP: get the idea out fast and iterate on it just as quickly.Some might disagree with the ship-fast approach and consider it reckless and unprofessional, which is understandable because, as developers, we care deeply about the quality of our work. However,The ship-fast mentality is not to ignore quality but to push something out ASAP and learn from real user experiences. Ship it now perfect it later.Thats why I like to tell other developers that shipping an MVP is the safest, most professional way to approach development. It forces you to stay in scope and on task without succumbing to your whimsies. I even go so far as to make myself swear an Oath of Focus at the start of every project.I, Vayo, hereby solemnly swear (with one hand on this design blueprint) to make no changes, no additions, and no extra features until this app is fully built in all its MVP glory. I pledge to avoid the temptations of endless tweaking and the thoughts of just one more feature.Only when a completed prototype is achieved will I consider any new features, enhancements, or tweaks.Signed,Vayo, Keeper of the MVPRemember, theres no one there to hold you accountable when you develop on your own. Taking a brief moment to pause and accepting that my first version wont be flawless helps put me in the right headspace early in the project.Prioritize What MattersI have noticed that no matter what I build, theres always going to be bugs. Always. If Google still has bugs in the Google Notes app, trust me, then its fine for a solo developer to accept that bugs will always be a part of any project.Look at flaky tests. For instance, you could run a test over 1,000 times and get all greens, and then the next day, you run the same test, an error shows. Its just the nature of software development. And for the case of endlessly adding features, it never ends either. Theres always going to be a new feature that youre excited about. The challenge is to curb some of that enthusiasm and shelve it responsibly for a later time when it makes sense to work on it.Ive learned to categorize bugs and features into two types: intrusive and non-intrusive. Intrusive are those things that prevent projects from functioning properly until fixed, like crashes and serious errors. The non-intrusive items are silent ones. Sure, they should be fixed, but the product will work just fine and wont prevent users from getting value if they arent addressed right away.You may want to categorize your bugs and features in other ways, and Ive seen plenty of other examples, including:High value, low value;High effort, low effort;High-cost, low-cost;Need to have, nice to have.Ive even seen developers and teams use these categorizations to create some fancy priority score that considers each category. Whatever it is that helps you stay focused and on-task is going to be the right approach for you more than what specific category you use.Live With Your StackHeres a classic conundrum in development circles:Should I use React? Or NextJS? Or wait, how about Vue? I heard its more optimized. But hold on, I read that React Redux is dead and that Zustand is the new hot tool.And just like that, youve spent an entire day thinking about nothing but the tech stack youre using to build the darn thing.We all know that an average user could care less about the tech stack under the hood. Go ahead and ask your mom what tech stack WhatsApp is built on, and let me know what she says. Most times, its just us who obsesses about tech stacks, and that usually only happens when were asked to check under the hood.I have come to accept that there will always be new tech stacks released every single day with the promise of 50% performance and 10% less code. That new tool might scale better, but do I actually have a scaling problem with my current number of zero users? Probably not.My advice:Pick the tools you work with best and stick to those tools until they start working against you.Theres no use fighting something early if something you already know and use gets the job done. Basically, dont prematurely optimize or constantly chase the latest shiny object.Do Design Before The First Line of CodeI know lots of solo developers out there suck at design, and Im probably among the top 50. My design process has traditionally been to open VS Code, create a new project, and start building the idea in whatever way comes to mind. No design assets, comps, or wireframes to work with just pure, unstructured improvisation. Thats not a good idea, and its a habit Im actively trying to break. These days, I make sure to have a blueprint of what Im building before I start writing code. Once I have that, I make sure to follow through and not change anything to respect my Oath of Focus.I like how many teams call comps and wireframes project artifacts. They are pieces of evidence that provide a source of truth for how something looks and works. You might be the sort of person who works better with sets of requirements, and thats totally fine. But having some sort of documentation that you can point back to in your work is like having a turn-by-turn navigation on a long road trip its indispensable for getting where you need to go.And what if youre like me and dont pride yourself on being the best designer? Thats another opportunity to admit your weaknesses up-front and recruit help from someone with those strengths. That way, you can articulate the goal and focus on what youre good at.Give Yourself TimelinesPersonally, without deadlines, Im almost unstoppable at procrastinating. Ive started setting time limits when building any project, as it helps with procrastination and makes sure something is pushed out at a specified time. Although this wont work without accountability, I feel the two work hand in hand.I set a 23 week deadline to build a project. And no matter what, as soon as that time is up, I must post or share the work in its current state on my socials. Because of this, Im not in my comfort zone anymore because I wont want to share a half-baked project with the public; Im conditioned to work faster and get it all done. Its interesting to see the length of time you can go if you can trick your brain.I realize that this is an extreme constraint, and it may not work for you. Im just the kind of person who needs to know what my boundaries are. Setting deadlines and respecting them makes me a more disciplined developer. More than that, it makes me work efficiently because I stop overthinking things when I know I have a fixed amount of time, and that leads to faster builds.ConclusionThe best and worst thing about solo development is the solo part. Theres a lot of freedom in working alone, and that freedom can be inspiring. However, all that freedom can be intoxicating, and if left unchecked, it becomes a debilitating hindrance to productivity and progress. Thats a good reason why solo development isnt for everyone. Some folks will respond a lot better to a team environment.But if you are a solo developer, then I hope my personal experiences are helpful to you. Ive had to look hard at myself in the mirror many days to come to realize that I am not a perfect developer who can build the perfect app alone. It takes planning, discipline, and humility to make anything, especially the right app that does exactly the right thing. Ideas are cheap and easy, but stepping out of our freedom and adding our own constraints based on progress over perfection is the secret sauce that keeps us moving and spending our time on those essential things.Further Reading On SmashingMagWhats The Perfect Design Process?, Vitaly FriedmanDesign Under Constraints: Challenges, Opportunities, And Practical Strategies, Paul BoagImproving The Double Diamond Design Process, Andy BuddUnexpected Learnings From Coding Artwork Every Day For Five Years, Saskia Freeke

Charging our phones has never been more convenient, with fast wired options via USB ports and wireless charging eliminating messy cables. Yet, despite these advancements, charging locations remain limited. FreePower and Cosentino aim to change that with a groundbreaking partnership.This Cosentino x FreePower collaboration seeks to create surfaces with built-in wireless charging pads. FreePowers innovative technology will be incorporated into Cosentinos Silestone and Dekton surfaces, set to debut in Cosentino City showrooms in 2025. These surfaces promise to combine aesthetics with functionality, featuring sleek, minimalistic white rings to indicate charging zones.FreePowers technology goes beyond expectations. Utilizing multiple charging coils embedded in the material, it provides a charging area capable of powering up to three devices simultaneously at 15 watts each the fastest Qi wireless charging speed currently available, rivaling even Apples MagSafe. The system supports a variety of devices, including phones and earbuds like AirPods.Designed for translucent surfaces, the technology can be integrated into kitchen, bathroom, and other home areas. However, these features are only available on new installations, as retrofitting existing countertops is not yet possible. Designers working with Cosentino surfaces will undergo specialized training to implement FreePower technology into their projects.The integration of wireless power into everyday surfaces has vast potential. While the technology isnt yet ready to power high-energy appliances like blenders, the partnership between FreePower and Cosentino marks a significant step forward. Envision a future where kitchen appliances operate seamlessly on wireless power surfaces a prospect that feels closer than ever.To support this innovation, FreePower and Cosentino are actively training fabricators nationwide. By the first quarter of 2025, over 300 fabricators are expected to be certified, with many more to follow by years end. This widespread adoption will pave the way for more accessible wireless charging solutions in homes.For additional details, visit the FreePower website at freepower.io.

German design brand favius is giving us new reasons to spend time in our coziest living spaces with an expansion of its portfolio a trio of remarkable pieces that blur the lines between architecture, art, and modern craftsmanship. As a continuation of its celebrated collaborations with Christian Haas, Hanne Willmann, and Studio Besau-Marguerre, favius introduces a fresh set of releases: a new coffee table thats equal parts sculpture and statement by Haas, and two striking new colorways for existing designs by Willmann and Studio Besau-Marguerre. Each piece reflects favius commitment to quality and artistic expression, elevating contemporary interior spaces with an elegant aesthetic.The star of the lineup, BOIA by Christian Haas, is a coffee table thats nothing short of a tactile experience. Made from three meticulously carved solid ash segments, BOIA feels as good as it looks. Its wood finish is open-pored lacquer, which highlights the woods natural grain and makes it as inviting to touch as it is to admire. With three contrasting metal legs in a coordinating powder-coated finish that seem to pierce the wood base, BOIA is topped with a translucent gray glass, creating a light, floating effect and revealing the table legs underneath. Available in three versatile colors, BOIA is designed to make a subtle yet impactful effect in the home.favius continues to elevate its existing pieces, offering new hues to the already beloved FUNGI floor lamp by Hanne Willmann and SEDIMENT table by Studio Besau-Marguerre. The FUNGI lamp, now available in sky blue and wine red, is a harmonious blend of hand-blown glass and handmade ceramics. The semi-transparent, steel-gray glass lampshade offers a unique view of the ceramic base, creating a layered visual effect thats both dramatic and understated.Meanwhile, the SEDIMENT table is refreshed with a black finish and a Nero Marquina tabletop in both the coffee table and side table versions. This reimagined version offers a new take on marble, with alternating raw and polished stripes that evoke the visual texture of layered stone.Each piece encapsulates favius philosophy of merging fine materials with top-tier craftsmanship and artistic detail. The entire collection is proudly crafted in Germany, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability and a vision of beauty that values longevity and ecological consideration. With these releases, favius makes a strong case for staying in and reveling in the cozy and elegant ambiance of your own home.To learn more about the BOIA, FUNGI, and SEDIMENT products, visit favius.de.Photography by Fabian Frinzel.

There are endless crafty ways to keep plants watered while youre away from home: You can wick water from jugs, upend wine bottles into your planters, or simply pay the neighbors kid to come by. The problem is that all of these methods are imperfect, and all too often, you come home to plants that are over-watered, under-watered or neglected completely. This week at CES, LeafyPod introduced smart planters that dont simply hold onto a months worth of waterthey promise to take better care of your plants than a plant sitter.Self-watering planters have been helping plants the last few years by keeping water in a reservoir at the bottom of the planter, allowing the plant to intake what it needs, but this is also limitedyou usually get just a few weeks of watering. LeafyPods can hold a month of water, and rather than allowing the plant to slowly intake water on its own, the planters use sensors that monitor humidity, light, and temperature and then apply water to your plantonly as much as it needs. If youre worried about cords, the LeafyPod is wireless and cordless. The battery promises to last for six months, and is recharged via USB-C. Credit: LeafyPod LeafyPod uses AI (of course it does), and will spend a few weeks learning your plants habits and needs, and then will take over. When home, you work in tandem with LeafyPod. The app will identify the type of plant, and then make specialized recommendations to you specifically for that plant, whether it needs more light or humidity, or is too cold.Every single plant in my stewardship has specific needs, and theyre used to how I water. I know the signs of trouble for each of them, and Ive never been able to find a plant sitter that replaced me. I always assume Im coming home to a few dead plants, and Im rarely wrong, no matter how well meaning people are. For me, LeafyPod has a lot of potential. It also has some obvious limitations.First, theres the price. Each LeafyPod is about $75, and youll need a LeafyPod Bridge (also around $75) for your flock of pods. Second, the planters only come in one size: small. The internal dimensions of LeafyPod are 5.1 inches by 4.1 inches, which means even medium-sized plants are out of luck. Lastly, LeafyPod is decidedly modern looking, so youll need to make these all white planters work with your aesthetic. Still, I can see the upside of trusting LeafyPod with particularly spendy houseplants, rather than risking it with a housesitter. Even if youre home, I like the idea of something monitoring my plants and catching things I dont, like lighting needs and temperature issues.LeafyPod is on pre-order sale, with plans to ship in April 2025. One planter plus the bridge is $148, two planters and the bridge is $228, and three planters plus a bridge is $308.

I dont think I could deal with winter if I didnt have a few hot, comforting drinks to rely on; steaming mugs of hot chocolate, tea, or coffee feel like burying my head in the sand for 10 minutes. But Ive been growing a little tired of the usual suspects. Luckily, on a cold November morning, my sister-in-law introduced me to the most wonderfully rejuvenating drink: aguapanela con queso. This drink-snack combo has given me something to look forward to this winter.Aguapanela, simple and satisfyingAguapanela is a comforting sweet drink made from dissolving chopped panela, or piloncillo, into water. Panela is raw, unrefined cane sugar. Its usually sold in cones or large rounds, and shrink-wrapped in plastic. Panela is used all over Latin America but raw cane sugar is used frequently in other countries bearing different names, like jaggery or muscovado. Depending on the cooking method and the plant, the flavors and intensity of sweetness differ slightly. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I started seeing panela available in the international aisle of large supermarkets and specialty markets around 10 or 15 years ago. It seems to be becoming more available as time goes on, and you can buy an eight-ounce cone for about $1.50. I promise itll be worth the splurge.Have your drink and cheese it tooYou dont have to speak fluent Spanish to understand that the con queso (with cheese) in this drink's name. It was the first time I ever spooned cheese out of my drink, and before I knew it, I couldnt stop.My sister-in-law explained that she was making us (me, my brother, and our dad) a breakfast drink she and her family would make in Colombia all the time. She handed us cups of brown liquid with a spoon in it and white blobs at the bottom. That was the queso. I spooned up a hunk of cheese and ate it, sipping some of the liquid at the same time. The cheese was soft (semi-melted in the steaming liquid), chewy, and a bit salty in a similar way to low-moisture mozzarella. The drink itself was sweet but full of flavorsmoky caramel, molasses, and did I detect anise?I asked her how she made this clearly complicated and nuanced drink. Well, you simply dissolve chopped panela sugar in water.How to make aguapanela con quesoShe explained that in Ibagu, Colombia they make aguapanela as an energizing drink that can be enjoyed hot or cold, and if youre feeling sick its common to drink it with fresh lime juice.1. Chop the panelaThese cane sugar bricks are hard, so you have to cut them. Even though its a type of brown sugar, its not like the kind you might be used to baking with. I use a large, sharp knife and run it down the edge to shave off strips. I think it dissolves a bit faster this way rather than to cut off big clumps. Ive read that some folks grate it with a microplane, but I feel like that would take a while.2. Dissolve it in hot waterPut the chopped sugar into a pot with water to dissolve over medium-low heat. Alternatively, you can put the sugar and water in a microwave-safe measuring cup and microwave it in 30-second-to-one-minute intervals. Stir to help dissolve the sugar.3. Add the cheeseOnce the drink is piping hot and the sugar has all dissolved, add small hunks of cheese to the cup to soften. Serve extra cheese on the side.This sweet and slightly salty combination is my current obsession. This type of cheese gets stretchy and chewy but it doesnt melt away to cloud up the drink. I like to eat a piece of cheese and sip the drink while I chew. Its a fun activity and, above all, a new way for me to enjoy cheese. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann You dont have to add cheese to your aguapanela, but I heartily suggest you give it a try. Check your supermarkets cheese fridge and look for Latin American cheeses. Tropical is probably the biggest brand supplier Ive seen in New York and it offers a wide variety. You can use quesito Colombiano, queso campesino, queso blanco, or panela cheese, and if you simply cant find those cheeses, you can use mozzarella. Personally, I would take low-moisture mozzarella over fresh mozzarella because of the saltiness, but its up to you.During this particularly gusty week in Brooklyn, Ill be doing ice-cold marathon training runs with one thing on my mindnot personal records, but hot aguapanela con queso when I get home.Aguapanela Con Queso RecipeIngredients: cup chopped panela (or piloncillo) cup boiling waterAs many chunks of queso as youd like (or try lime juice, or cinnamon)1. Combine the chopped panela and water in a microwave safe cup. Stir and heat in the microwave in 30 second installments until the sugar is dissolved and the drink is piping hot. Taste it to see if you want more panela or more water. 2. Add pieces of queso and let them soften for a few moments before enjoying.