Sid Meier's Civilization 7 is Steam Deck-verified, publisher 2K has announced. The next installment in the long-running series is hence poised to bolster the selection of 4X strategy games optimized to run on the Steam Deck.

I was thinking about the robotic dog created by Boston dynamics. It probably has autonomous navigation I mean it's not remote controlled. The robots exploring Mars probably are driven by the same principle. Autonomous navigation. My thought was if it was done for Mars explorers it can be done for a biped robot too. The navigation map is built using a FPS perspective (it's not a top down view). Other than that what takes place must be typical RTS pathfinding.

How does anyone choose which handheld to buy when better, cheaper hardware appears nearly every week? The answer (at long last) is the Retroid Pocket 5. However, like solving a good math problem, its important that I show my work.For the past two years, I was stuck in a loop I like to call the Handheld Buyers Dilemma. A YouTube channel like my beloved Retro Game Corps would introduce a new, incredible handheld that emulates practically every console and platform released before the PlayStation 2. Id open the store page in a fresh tab, then spend a week fretting over the cost of the gadget and the time it would take to set up to my liking. When finally I was prepared to open my wallet, Id instead open YouTube, and the loop would start all over as I discovered a new video about a new handheld that promised to be even better than the last.Abundance should be a boon. Companies like Anbernic, Retroid, and Ayaneo have flooded the market with handhelds that appeal to practically every type of gamer. Want a re-creation of your favorite retro handheld? Or maybe you prefer something as powerful as a gaming PC? Or maybe something boxy but beautiful? The intense competition drives prices down year after year.The rush to lower prices and offer more options, rather than the best option, is my problem. Handheld makers prioritize different features for each handheld. Some have great screens, but cruddy controls. Others have plenty of graphical power, but weak batteries. The handhelds that look the best can feel uncomfortable to play, and those that feel comfortable well, you get the point.The Retroid Pocket 5 snapped me out of this cycle. Compared to its peers, Retroid releases fewer new handhelds in a given year, and that focus shows. In the case of the Pocket 5, the system looks as good as it feels. Its small enough to toss in my tote bag and yet has a large, beautiful OLED screen that reminds me of the original PlayStation Vita and the Nintendo Switch OLED. Its powerful enough to run everything I ask of it, from Atari to Dreamcast, and it took less than an hour of tinkering to get it running reliably thanks, of course, to the abundant YouTube tutorials.Its so portable, so light, so fun to play. The plastic shell feels light and cozy in the hand, and games load in an instant. Even the touch screen proved reliable with Vita emulation. I spent my holiday break revisiting retro games I hadnt dug out of storage in decades. For the first time in years, my Steam Deck collected dust. And when I returned to it as amazing as Valves handheld is it felt big and heavy. So, Ive been streaming games I used to play on my Steam Deck to Retroid Pocket 5 instead with the help of the handhelds access to Androids Google Play store.The cycle I mentioned at the top didnt stop, though. After I ordered my handheld, I learned about the Anbernic RG 406H, the Odin2 Portal, the TrimUI Brick, the Ayaneo Pocket DMG, and the Anbernic RG 34XX. Some of them are more powerful than the Retroid Pocket 5. Others look nicer. But for me, with my new handheld, the porridge is just right.So am I recommending the Retroid Pocket 5 to pull readers out of their own handheld paralysis? Not quite. While I adore my new little gizmo, Ive come to realize something else: I would have liked any other handheld I couldve bought during the last two years of stalling. And thats two years I didnt spend playing games I would have enjoyed.The real takeaway should be that any modern handheld will suffice. Handheld gaming YouTubers arent lying. Each of these is amazing, just in its own way. If you simply want a handheld to play older games via ROMs of the games you own then you can close your eyes, throw a dart, and hit a great option.Or, I suppose you could just keep watching YouTube videos. Its almost as fun and a hell of a lot cheaper.

Given the excitement around the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, its easy to miss new games released to current Nintendo Switch consoles. Recent Nintendo Direct presentations seem to rattle off a bunch of random titles with little attention to each game, and the console hasnt gotten any big new releases in a while, save for the recent The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. However, amid both the excitement for a future Switch and the slow death of the current one, Im writing here to make sure one special game in particular doesnt get buried: Pico Park 2.Developed by Tecopark, Pico Park 2 is a co-op platformer released on Nintendo Switch in August 2024. I first encountered the Pico Park series when the developers released Pico Park on PC in 2021. I enjoyed playing it online with friends back then, but Pico Park 2 is just as fun in 2025. Its co-op shenanigans make it the perfect match for the Nintendo Switch and for great couch co-op fun with a larger group.Although the gameplay can vary depending on what mode you play, or even what set of levels you take on, the general pitch of Pico Park 2 is pretty straightforward. You and your friends will team up and take on various platforming challenges collaboratively. Youll jump on each other, hit switches for each other, and work together to solve each short level. Pico Park 2 allows up to eight players to join in at once, but you can play with as few as two, and the game automatically tailors the design of the levels to accommodate the number of people playing.In my opinion, the more people you have, the more fun it gets, and having at least four players is ideal. A lot of the fun comes from the chaos (and the coordination required) of having eight players jumping around the screen simultaneously. You might have to carefully stack up on each other to create a bridge to cross a large gap or figure out how to cross thin platforms with everyone connected by one bungee cord. The gameplay varies considerably, and some sets of levels even feature co-op bullet-hell arcade gameplay where youre shooting down monsters together.Each time the level screen loads, you dont know what awaits. Still, everything can be played with a simple control scheme and a single Joy-Con. There might be a special gimmick, like a vacuum gun that you use to suck up your friends and complete a challenge, but the controls stay pretty simple. In my experience, this made the game enjoyable because of all the variety, but also approachable for all kinds of players.The game has different groups of levels organized by theme and gameplay, so if you get stuck on one set of levels, you can always try one of a dozen others. If you dont want to work together, you can opt to play some basic competitive minigames. I played it with my partners parents, who hadnt touched a video game controller since Wii Sports, and my 8-year-old Mario-loving cousin, and everyone was able to easily pick the game up and have a fun time. Regardless of the range of skill levels, the high that came from successfully beating a challenge as a team never got old, no matter how much shouting was involved.So if youre looking for a fantastic gem of a game to pick up and tide you over until the Switch 2 comes out, or just want to remind yourself that the Nintendo Switch is still so good, I would suggest picking up the slept-on Pico Park 2.Pico Park 2 is available to play on Mac, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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.

Currently Los Angeles County suffers from apocalyptic scenes of deadly, uncontained wildfires. Unfortunately, insurance doesn't function like a gas or electric company; even in the face of disaster, insurers aren't obligated to service your home. Instead, these companies can choose which properties they're willing to insure based on their risk assessment models. This selective coverage has become increasingly common in areas prone to natural disasters, particularly in regions facing heightened wildfire or flood risks. While getting a cancelation or nonrenewal notice can be stressful, there are a few steps you should take before you accept force-placed insurance. Here's what you can do.Immediate steps after receiving a cancelation notice from your insurance companyMake sure you review your notice carefully. Document both the date you received the notice as well as the effective date of cancelation/nonrenewal. Identify the specific reason(s) given for the coverage change, and then check if the notice complies with state notification requirements.From here, contact your insurance company:Request a detailed written explanation if not provided.Ask about specific risks or issues that led to their decision.Inquire if any property improvements could change their decision.As always, get all communications in writing for your records. And make sure you understandand fight foryour rights here. You could be entitled to a grace period, or your state may require insurers to help you find new coverage. If they don't do these things, document any violations of state insurance laws.Another place to turn is your mortgage agreement's insurance requirements. Contact your lender to discuss the situation, and request additional time if needed to secure new coverage.State-based insurance optionsIn the face of your coverage dropping you, look into these national and state-based insurance programs:California FAIR PlanCoverage up to $3 million for structuresMust be combined with a "difference in conditions" policyRequires inspection of propertyAvailable to all California property ownersNew York FAIR PlanCoverage for hard-to-insure propertiesBasic fire and extended coverageMust apply through licensed insurance agentFlorida Citizens Property InsuranceLast-resort coverage for Florida residentsMust prove inability to find private coverageSpecial assessment risks during major disastersTexas FAIR PlanBasic coverage for qualified propertiesAvailable after two private market rejectionsRequires property maintenance complianceNational Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)Building coverage up to $250,000Contents coverage up to $100,000Available in participating communitiesCovers direct physical flood damageProperty must be in NFIP-participating communityCoverage effective after 30-day waiting periodMust meet minimum floodplain management standardsAnnual premium based on flood zone and coverageYou can also look into private flood insurance options, which often provide shorter waiting periodsat a higher cost, unfortunately. Whenever you're looking to buy insurance, you can look into policy bundling, aka combining multiple policies for better rates. In this case, do some research to work with insurers specializing in high-risk properties.What else to do if you live in a high-risk areaThe risk of losing your physical home makes your community, and the people in it, all the more important. Join local disaster preparedness groups and engage in local emergency planning. You could join or start building neighborhood insurance pools, community-based catastrophe insurance, and other sorts of DIY safety nets for when insurance companies fail you.In terms of your own finances, natural disasters are one of the top reasons to maintain a robust emergency fund. Remember that while losing insurance coverage can be alarming, there are usually multiple options available. The key is to act quickly, understand your rights, and explore all possible alternatives before accepting more expensive or limited coverage options.If you're looking to help the tens of thousands have fled their homes in California this week, you can visit redcross.org, donate to support United Way's efforts here, or the California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund here.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.January is one of my favorite times of year as a spin teacher because I see so many new faces in my classes, and I love helping people set up their bikes, develop a routine, and make the most of their new membership. Even though you go to the gym to use equipment you don't have at home, part of maximizing the benefits does include bringing some personal items along with you, so I always make sure to offer recommendations for what the ideal gym bag should look like, too. Whether you're a complete newbie, a seasoned gym rat, a solo trainer, a group fitness enthusiast, or some combination of those, here's what you should pack, according to instructors and pros.First: The gym bag itselfI want to start by talking about your gym bag. There are a lot of benefits to having a designated gym bag. First, it's a motivational push. I'm the kind of person who sets an outfit out before bed every night to make the next morning smoother. Doing that relieves a bunch of stress because I'm not tired and rushed, fumbling through my closet to find something presentable. I feel the same way about setting out my gym bag. When I see it packed and ready to go by the door, I know a big chunk of work is already taken care of so I should just follow through and head out to the gym. "I like having a backpack ready with my shoes and gym essentials so I dont have to think of what to pack before a gym session," says Christina Phipps, a certified group fitness instructor in Bismarck, N.D. "Same thing for early morning workouts: I prep the night before to make the mornings easier." Madison Bailey, a NASM-certified personal trainer in New York City, says one of the most important things you can "bring" to the gymespecially if you're new to working out in publicis some confidence. Even though I have been going to the gym as a member for all of my adult life and as an instructor for the past four years, I still occasionally need to hype myself up. It's intimidating to see someone you perceive as farther along in their fitness journey than you are or approach an unfamiliar machine for the first time, so whatever you can do to get some confidence and fake it 'til you make it is key. For me, that involves looking and feeling my best, so I use a bag I consider extra cute and actually enjoy bringing with me: A fleece belt bag from Lululemon (currently on sale for $39). That's not very big, I know, so if you're looking for something that can hold all your equipment, accessories, and even clothes and shoes, try the all-time favorite of Lifehacker Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki, the Adidas Defender. Spacious and durable, this thing will hold it all, so you'll feel prepared the second you enter the gym. adidas Unisex Adult Defender 4 Medium Duffel Bag, Black/White, One Size $31.42 at Amazon $45.00 Save $13.58 Learn More Learn More $31.42 at Amazon $45.00 Save $13.58 Drinks are next on your gym listEven if you've never gone to the gym a single time in your life (yet!), you know hydration is a key part of any workout, but if you need to hear it from an expert, here's what Teddy Savage, National Lead Trainer at Planet Fitness, has to say: "Hydration is the single most important thing you should think about before, during, and after your workout. Your muscles, heart, and mind need that cool refreshing H20 to stay at peak performance and help prevent you from getting sluggish when you need that energy."Obviously, you need a water bottle and I'm just going to go ahead and tell you right now that my gold-standard pick is the Owala FreeSip. In the same way I use my little Lululemon pouch for a boost of cuteness that makes me want to take it to the gym, Savage suggests choosing a bottle that is "a bold and colorful representation of you," one that makes you want to carry it proudly. The FreeSip comes in a variety of colors, so no problem there. Owala FreeSip insulated water bottle, 24 ounces $27.94 at Amazon $29.99 Save $2.05 Learn More Learn More $27.94 at Amazon $29.99 Save $2.05 I am obsessed with mine at all times of the day, but especially at the gym, where the 24-ounce version fits in the cupholder of every machine, keeps my drinks super cold, and comes in handy with its dual spout, which can function as a standard sipper or by using the attached straw. It opens with the push of a button, so I don't have to fiddle with fidgety screw tops and can easily get some water down between shouted cues for my classes. If you're cruising on a cardio machine, you don't want to waste time or compromise your safety by fumbling with a bottle. Feel free to put a protein shake or some pre-workout powder in there, too, though it'll take you some time to figure out the exact ones you like and want to pack. Bailey says that in some fitness spaces, you may hear chatter about the value of fasting before a workout, but you can ignore that if you're a beginner and focus on eating before the gym and making sure you have plenty of water and electrolytes on hand during your session. Phipps and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to the importance of an oft-overlooked beverage to pack in addition to your water bottle: the humble treat. If you see me in the gym early in the morning, you see a Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee next to me. In the evening, you'll catch me with an overpriced, decadent smoothie. Spin class attendees occasionally ask me why I'm dual-wielding beveragesespecially when one of them has, God forbid, some sugarand I'll tell you the same thing I tell them: Because it's OK to enjoy yourself at the gym. In fact, it's imperative. Rewarding yourself for hard work is a huge motivator, especially if you're doing it while you do the hard work. If you start to look at the gym as something you must do without enjoyment and tasty treats as something you can't have on your wellness journey, you won't keep going, no matter how well you pack your bag. What gym pros recommend you pack in your bagOther than that, what you pack has a lot to do with what your goals are. Bailey advises you should never forget your headphones, which is definitely true: A good playlist can get you through anything, which is why I keep an old pair of earbuds in my bag at all times.What else I bring depends on my game plan for the day. I almost always have some one-pound ankle or wrist weights in my bag to increase the intensity of whatever I get up to in the cardio room. I also pack my own cable machine attachments, which might seem finicky, but gives me a little peace of mind that I'm not strapping someone else's sweat directly onto my body. On leg day, this means I bring my own ankle straps for kickbacks, while days set aside for arms or back muscles call for little handles. Another thing I like about bringing my own attachments is that they're always the same, so I never have to adjust to a new one and change my routine. I've also heard stories from friends whose gyms make them rent cable machine attachments or who workout in spaces where the attachments routinely go missing, leaving the machine unusable for everybody. You don't have to buy a whole set of attachmentsalthough you can for as low as about $40but having a few of your own for under $20 solves a lot of problems in one go."Something that I find to be helpful with people is lifting straps," adds Bailey, who has been training people one-on-one for four years. "I prefer figure eight straps, but thats just me. You cant just drop weight with them, though; you have to control the weight all the way to the ground. I like them because most people are stronger than their grip allows them to realize." In that same vein, don't forget a stretching band, Phipps says. You can use a resistance band for stretching, then keep using it throughout your workout as designed. Sure, your gym likely has thesebut I've been to plenty of places where they're in high demand and almost impossible to access during peak hours. It's small and folds up into your bag, so again, just consider bringing your own. (I also use mine for hip thrusts, placing it over my hips and hanging two dumbbells from the side. It works just as well as putting a full bar over your hips and cuts down the time you may spend waiting for someone else to finish with the bigger bar.) Also toss a multi-device charger into your bag. We've already been over how important it is to remember your headphones, but it's just as important to keep them charged so they work when you need them, and the same goes for your phone, which plays your music, and your fitness tracker. When I work out without my Apple Watch on, I get really annoyed with myself. As Savage says, "In your mind, its almost as if none of that sweat-inducing work even happened," and even though that's not really true, it's still annoying and a setback in its own way, especially if you're committed to tracking your progress. I keep a three-in-one charger for my AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone with me. It's better to charge for a few minutes in the locker room and start late than to be without the tech you need to enhance your workout.Finally, Phipps says you should pack your own sweat towel, and I agree. My secret is that I use a Makeup Eraser, which is super soft so it isn't abrasive, sucks up all moisture immediately, and costs about $14, so it's comparable to any of the gym-specific towels on the market. It also folds up teeny-tiny into my bag or the cupholder of a cardio machine, which I appreciate.

Creature Commandos season 2 is officially in development here's what we know so far.

These phones are launching on January 22, but we already know just about everything about them.

Solidigm's exit from consumer SSDs marks a significant shift, as it pivots towards enterprise storage.