New Samsung attack threat revealedAFP via Getty ImagesExciting times for Galaxy flagship owners, with the excellent Android 15 upgrade due to be released in just a few weeks, alongside the launch of the new S25. The new OS brings a raft of security and privacy enhancements as Samsung narrows the gap to iPhone, some are general Android enhancements and some are specific to Samsung.One area that is still very much work in progress, though, is the painful monthly process to patch security vulnerabilities, again whether thats across Android or is specific to Samsung. Weve seen multiple delays in recent months, as Samsungs have lagged behind Pixels in getting critical OS fixes. The new S25 looks likely to move to Androids seamless update process for the first time, which will help, but that wont in itself resolve the monthly merry-go-round.While most of the recent dangerous vulnerabilities have either related to Androids OS or Qualcomms chipsets, there were some Samsung-specific critical issues patched last month. As I reported in December, one vulnerability in particular CVE-2024-49415 which was a Samsung memory issue was addressed to stop potential attacks from executing remote code on Galaxy devices. Now a Google Project Zero researcher has unrestricted this issue, which shows a fun new attack surface. Android RCS locally transcribes incoming media, making vulnerabilities audio codecs now fully-remote.MORE FOR YOUThe threat is an out-of-bounds write in the Monkey's Audio (APE) decoder on the Samsung S24. The function saped_rec in libsaped.so writes to a dmabuf allocated by the C2 media service, which always appears to have size 0x120000. While the maximum blocksperframe value extracted by libsapedextractor is also limited to 0x120000, saped_rec can write.In real-world terms, this relates to the S24s transcription service transcoding audio attached to an RCS message. Note that this is a fully-remote (0-click) bug on the Samsung S24, the write-up warns. If Google Messages is configured for RCS (the default configuration on this device), as the transcription service decodes incoming audio before a user interacts with the message for transcription purposes the device can be attacked.The vulnerability can be exploited by writing up to three-times the allowable data size, risking memory corruption and potentially leaving the advice open to a fully remote attack. A likely attack would combine this vulnerability with others, to plant malware, exfiltrate data or seek to take over a device. The write-up includes details of a demonstrable S24 attack, albeit the bug was tested a Samsung S23 and S24 and both appear to be affected. It was not tested on other devices.If you have installed Decembers security release, then your device is secure against this threat. You should check your phone now and make sure thats the latest update you're running. But not all affected devices will have bene updated, and while newer flagships are usually patched early in the month, the update schedule runs to the month-end and sometimes beyond. All the more reason to check for updates and install as soon as available.

From the streets of Moscow to the stars: Laika, the soviet space dog, pioneered a voyage into space ... [+] that was both groundbreaking and heartbreaking.Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesOn November 3rd, 1957, the Soviet Union made history by launching the first living creature into Earths orbit: not a human, but a dog. This journey aboard the Soviet spacecraft, Sputnik 2, marked a monumental milestone in space exploration, yet it came at a profound cost.Laika, a stray plucked from the streets of Moscow, became a symbol of both scientific progress and the ethical complexities of animal testing. Her voyage to space, as the scientists who worked with her knew, was only ever meant to be a one-way trip.Her storyor, rather, her tragedyis perhaps one of the greatest reminders of the many sacrifices made in the name of humanitys quest for knowledge.Laika Was A Stray With A Cosmic DestinyLaika was but one of many stray dogs recruited from Moscows streets for the space program. Soviet scientists at the time believed that strays, given that they were already accustomed to harsh conditions, would be better suited to the extreme environments of space.The Soviet Unions reliance on stray dogs was practical in retrospectand, in hindsight, incredibly symbolic. These animals were viewed as resilient survivors; they boldly represented the Soviet spirit. Moreover, they were believed to have a natural adaptability to harsh conditions, as strays were already well-acquainted with extreme cold, heat and hunger.MORE FOR YOUIn this way, Laika and her stray comrades embodied the determination and sacrifice that characterized the eras space race. However, her selection was due to far more than her just being a stray. Ultimately, it came down to a dog who was capable of enduring complete isolation and immense stress.Laika, as well as her fellow canine candidates, underwent rigorous training to prepare for the unprecedented journey.The training was, by modern standards, inhumane and grueling. Each of the strays were confined to cages, which were progressively swapped out for smaller and smaller cages to acclimate them to the cramped conditions of the Sputnik 2 spacecraft. This confinement often lasted up to 20 days, which undoubtedly resulted in immense psychological stress and physical discomfort.Beyond the spacecraft itself, the dogs also needed to be prepared for the physical conditions of the launch. Thus, in addition to confinement, the dogs were placed in centrifuges to simulate the intense G-forces one would experience during a rocket launch. Additionally, they were exposed to deafening noises designed to replicate the sounds of a spacecraft blasting off. These simulations were critical for preparing the dogs, but each came at a significant cost to their well-being.LaikaThe Little Bug Beloved By AllDespite the cruel nature of her training, Laika was adored by the scientists and technicians who worked with her. Her name, meaning Barker in Russian, was initially as Kudryavka (Little Curly). The same scientists who sent her on her way were the ones to give her these affectionate nicknameslike Little Curly and Little Bugand many grew deeply attached to her.Yet, simultaneously, these professionals were acutely aware of the fate that awaited her.She was described as quiet and charming, an unassuming dog with a calm demeanoraccording to Dr. Vladimir Yazdovsky, one of the Russian physicians part of the Soviet space program, in his novel outlining the intersection of biology and medicine in space travel. Ironically, these are the lovely qualities that made her fit for such a grim mission; her calm temperament is likely what allowed her to endure the challenges of training better than many of her peers.The night before her launch, Dr. Yazdovsky reportedly spent extra time with Laikaas he knew it would be her last. He describes taking her home to play with his children, which allowed her a brief moment of normalcy and joy. Reflecting, he explained, I wanted to do something nice for her. She had so little time left to live.On October 31st, 1957, Laika was placed in the satellite capsule; she was groomed carefully, and sensors were placed on various areas of her body to monitor her heart-rate and breathing during the trip. Before finally closing the hatch of her capsule on November 3rd, Russian engineer Yevgeniy Shabarov shared in Roads to Space: An Oral History of the Soviet Space Program, We kissed her nose and wished her bon voyage, knowing that she would not survive the flight.Sputnik II And The Undying Legacy Of Laikas SacrificeLaikas voyage aboard Sputnik 2 was objectively a monumental achievement in space exploration. Launched just a month after the success of Sputnik 1the first satellite launched into Earths orbit, in October of 1957this second mission was designed to study the effects of space travel on a living organism.However, the spacecraft was hastily constructed, and the timeline was tight; they had only four weeks to build it based on a few rough sketches. Naturally, this race was driven by the Soviet Unions desire to demonstrate its technological superiority during the Cold War.This was the launch of Sputnik 2. The spacecraft carried the dog Laika, the first living creature in ... [+] space. Due to tight timelines, the spacecraft was hastily constructed, and they had only four weeks to build it based on a few rough sketches.Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesThe mission was groundbreaking, but it was also inherently flawed. The technology for a safe re-entry did not yet exist, and Soviet officials were well aware of the fact that Laikas mission would end in her death. Hence, they only provided Laika with a weeks worth of food and life-support technology, according to reports from NASA. Initially, however, reports from Soviet sources claimed that Laika survived for several days in orbit.Decades later, in 2002, the truth was revealed at The Second World Space Congressthat is, Laika perished within hours of launching. Due to overheating, and likely stress, she is said to have died of hyperthermia during Sputnik 2s fourth orbit of Earth. The spacecrafts thermal control system failed, which caused the cabin temperature to rise to fatal levelsexactly as they knew it would.Laikas death was both tragic and avoidable. The rushed timeline and technical shortcomings of the mission emphasizes the many ethical compromises that we, as humans, have made in the name of progress. Yet, despite her short time in orbit, Laikas sacrifice nevertheless provided invaluable data on the physiological effects of space travel.Overall, her mission yielded critical insights into how living organisms respond to the conditions of space, according to research from Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Her voyage demonstrated that, indeed, it was possible for a living being to survive launch and zero-gravityat least temporarily. These findings were instrumental in advancing space exploration, which ultimately led to Yuri Gagarins historic flight as the first human in space, in 1961.In all, the data collected from Laikas mission aided scientists understanding of the impact of microgravity (weightlessness) on the cardiovascular system, respiratory functions and stress responses. This knowledge was crucial for designing life-support systems and protocols for human astronauts. In many ways, Laikas sacrifice laid the groundwork for the successes of the many space programs that followed.The Ethics Of Animal TestingLaikas story invites reflection on the ethics of animal testing. Her death sparked mass outrage and debate around the world, with animal welfare groups condemning the use of living creaturesespecially in experiments that offered no possibility of survival. While her story inspired awe and admiration, it also reflects the astute moral dilemmas inherent in our use of animals for the sake of scientific progress.In the decades since her mission, advances in technology have reduced the need for such sacrifices. Simulations, robotics and other innovations now allow scientists to conduct experiments without relying on living subjects. These advancements are a testament to how far we have come, but they also remind us of the cost of our earlier achievements.Yet, Laikas legacy endures. She is remembered fondly in many waysfor her contributions to science, but also as a symbol of the ethical challenges that come with exploration and discovery. Various monuments, memorials and artworks around the world honor her. Most aptly, she has a statue in Moscow, depicting her standing atop a rocket.Does Laikas story sadden you more than it inspires you? Take this science-backed test, and discover the extent of your attitudes towards animals: Animal Attitude Scale

Forward-looking: While commercial aviation has made incredible strides in safety and efficiency over the decades, passenger jets have stubbornly adhered to the same fundamental tube-and-wing configuration for nearly a century. While this architecture has proven reliable, it is reaching the limits of its potential. With aviation contributing approximately 2.5% of global carbon emissions, many startups are now exploring radical alternatives. One such company is JetZero, which, in partnership with engineering giants Siemens and Northrop Grumman, is developing a revolutionary passenger jet design that seamlessly blends the wings into the fuselage.This concept, known as the "blended wing body," isn't entirely new. It was first proposed over a century ago by Russian aviator Nicolas Woevodsky. However, it has largely remained theoretical, appearing only in a handful of military drone designs.Once conventional tube-and-wing airliners became the standard, the industry resisted change due to the challenges of certifying a new aircraft shape for passenger use. But JetZero believes the potential benefits of the blended wing body design are too compelling to ignore.The biggest perk of a blended wing body is its wider, shorter fuselage, which transitions smoothly into the wings to create a single lifting surface. The startup says this reduces aerodynamic drag by up to 30% compared to a traditional tube fuselage. When combined with lighter weight and improved engine integration, JetZero claims their design could slash fuel consumption by 50% compared to today's jets. That's massive.The blended shape also allows for more interior space. JetZero's concept seats 250 passengers while maintaining a smaller overall footprint than existing single-aisle planes like the Boeing 737, which holds 215. Noise levels are expected to be significantly lower as well. // Related StoriesPerhaps most importantly, JetZero's design is fully compatible with sustainable aviation fuels and has the potential to run on hydrogen, achieving zero emissions as that technology matures.JetZero plans to conduct its first test flight by 2027 and aims to enter commercial service by 2030. However, the company acknowledges that this is an ambitious timeline for bringing such an unconventional design to market. Notably, JetZero has yet to establish a manufacturing facility for the aircraft.This is where Siemens comes into play. Announced at CES 2025, the partnership with Siemens will leverage the company's automation hardware, software, and services to create a "Factory of the Future," where the aircraft will be designed, tested, and iterated upon before final production.In parallel, JetZero is collaborating with Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force to develop a subscale prototype called "Pathfinder." This 23-foot test aircraft has already validated key aerodynamic principles and begun real-world flight control testing. Data from Pathfinder will inform the development of the full-scale aircraft, which will be eight times larger.

What just happened? Two hackers have successfully extended the range of Toslink optical audio cables, enabling data transmission over unprecedented distances. While the practical applications may be limited, their efforts could pave the way for future advancements in optical data transmission and networking technologies. Their ingenuity exemplifies the hacker ethos: continuously questioning, exploring, and pushing the limits of what technology can achieve. Two hackers have challenged the boundaries of optical data transmission, demonstrating that even outdated technology can be repurposed in unexpected ways. At the 38th Chaos Communication Congress (38C3) in Germany, a gathering known for attracting tech enthusiasts and hackers, Benjojo presented his work on extending Toslink traffic far beyond its intended range.Toslink, an optical fiber connection primarily used for audio transmission, is typically limited to distances of around 10 meters. However, Benjojo's experiment stretched this distance to an astonishing 143 kilometers.Building on Benjojo's work, another hacker, known as Manawyrm, took the concept further. Just one day after Benjojo's presentation, Manawyrm demonstrated the transmission of IP data over Toslink, effectively creating a basic fiber optic network using audio cables.Benjojo's experiment involved a complex setup of data center equipment and various contraptions to achieve the extended range. This included Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) ports, Toslink analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, and an oscilloscope.The long-distance test connected two data centers in London's Docklands area Telehouse North and IP House which are approximately 650 meters apart. The setup also utilized a fiber pair linking the data centers, a CWDM multiplexer to maximize the inter-building fiber connection, and a fiber loop installed at the Telehouse end to enable testing from a single location. Benjojo documented the entire process in a detailed blog post and a YouTube video.While the speeds achieved were far from competitive with modern networking standards, the proof of concept was significant. Manawyrm's IP-over-Toslink hack achieved real-world transmission speeds of approximately 1.47 Mb/s (0.18 MB/s), just shy of Toslink's maximum theoretical limit.It's important to note that these experiments don't herald a revolution in networking technology. The speeds achieved are impractical for modern data transmission needs, with Toslink cables capping out at roughly 1,536 kbit/s (0.19 MB/s). // Related StoriesNonetheless, these experiments underscore an important principle: with the right modifications, cables designed for specific purposes can be adapted for uses far beyond their original intent. This flexibility in optical data transmission could inspire new approaches to networking in unconventional environments.While these Toslink experiments are unlikely to replace conventional networking cables, they highlight the innovative potential hidden within seemingly obsolete technology.

TikTok is currently fighting an existential battle in the U.S. Supreme Court, and so far, it appears that the companys arguments might not be enough to avoid a ban in the country. The arguments have mostly focused on concerns around national security and free speech, but there is another aspect that could hurt the social media giant.According to fresh research from the University of California San Francisco, a majority of children are using TikTok against the platforms age-related policies. It further adds that 11- and 12-year-olds also show signs of addiction, and some hide social profiles from their parents.Recommended VideosThe study, which sourced data from 10,000 children across the country in the age group of 10-15 years, focused on the usage of TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, among other platforms.Please enable Javascript to view this contentJason Nagata (MD), a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospitals, noted that TikTok is the most popular social app among children (67.1%), highlighting its harm potential.A quarter of the children who participated in the study said they often thought about social media platforms, and an equal number also mentioned that these apps help them forget about their problems.Notably, 17% of the children reported that they wanted to cut down on social media usage, but they simply couldnt pull it off, while a healthy 11% labeled it as detrimental to their academic activities.The research, which has been published in the Academic Pediatrics journal, also underlines how social media usage among underage children, some as young as 11 years old, is linked to elevated depression, disruptive behavior, and eating disorders. The findings are not surprising.The likes of Instagram have received flak for aggravating body image issues among young users. Digital Trends investigation also unearthed a dark underbelly of drugson the Meta-owned platform. Amnesty Internationals research recently uncovered how TikTok was serving harmful mental health content to children.Policymakers need to look at TikTok as a systemic social media issue and create effective measures that protect children online, Nagata, who is also the lead author of the study, was quoted as saying.The research paper suggests policymakers should also focus on how platforms like TikTok are harming children. Moreover, the experts recommend stronger age verification on social media platforms, more robust parental control tools, and tighter privacy protocols.Editors Recommendations

Gov. Newsom has expressed concern that Trump would withhold disaster aid."He's tried to do it in the past," Newsom said during a recent taping of "Pod Save America."Los Angeles is fighting multiple devastating wildfires.Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said President-elect Donald Trump may seek to withhold federal disaster aid to California as multiple wildfires rage in and around Los Angeles."He's been pretty straightforward about that," Newsom said on the "Pod Save America" podcast, which was posted Saturday morning. "He's tried to do it in the past. He's not just done it here in California.""He's done it in states all across the country," Newsom continued. "In 2018, even before I was governor of California, he tried to withhold money down in Orange County until apparently a staff member and this has been well reported said there were a lot of Trump supporters. And, then, he decided to change his mind."Former Trump White House official Mark Harvey told Politico last year that Trump initially declined to authorize disaster aid for California because it leans Democrat but reversed his position after learning that the affected area was in Orange County, which for generations had been a GOP stronghold."We went as far as looking up how many votes he got in those impacted areas to show him these are people who voted for you," Harvey told the outlet ahead of the November 2024 election.JPMorgan analysts said the blazes tearing through the Los Angeles region could lead to over $20 billion in insured losses and about $50 billion in total economic losses. That would make these conflagrations "significantly more severe" than the Camp Fires that struck the state in 2018 and racked up $10 billion in insured losses, the current record.During the podcast on Saturday, Newsom also called out Trump for spreading what he called "indelible misinformation." Trump has blamed the governor's water policies for the devastating fires."What the president-elect was saying about State Water Project and the Delta smelt somehow being culpable of somehow leading to some of the challenges that we face down hereit's delusional," he said.Emergency workers fighting the LA fires have reported fire hydrants running dry after unprecedented demand on the water system. Newsom on Friday ordered a probe into the source of the water supply issues."I am calling for an independent investigation into the loss of water pressure to local fire hydrants and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir," he wrote in a post on X. "We need answers to ensure this does not happen again and we have every resource available to fight these catastrophic fires."More than 150,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes and over 38,000 acres have so far burned in the fires. The death toll has risen to 11 as of Saturday, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.President Joe Biden on Thursday announced that the federal government would cover 100% of the cost of disaster aid for 180 days.Trump, meanwhile, has been relentless in his criticism of both Newsom and Biden."The fires in Los Angeles may go down, in dollar amount, as the worst in the History of our Country," he said in a Truth Social post on Wednesday. "Let this serve, and be emblematic, of the gross incompetence and mismanagement of the Biden/Newscum Duo."In a statement to Business Insider, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said Newsom "should be doing his fucking job and actually help people who continue to suffer under his terrible leadership."

A Los Angeles County official criticized GoFundMe, citing a large fee for a donation she made.The official, however, was likely mistaken about the size of the fee.The moment illustrated the heightened emotions among those fighting the fires in Los Angeles County.A Los Angeles County official publicly criticized GoFundMe on Saturday for charging people high transaction fees for fire-related fundraisers.The official, however, was likely mistaken about the size of the fee.It was an emotionally charged moment that brought home the stress and financial pressure facing many residents of Los Angeles County as the fires raged for the fifth consecutive day.Thousands have lost their homes, and hundreds of thousands have been ordered to evacuate or warned they may need to at any moment.During a press conference updating the public on the scale of the disaster and what emergency crews and officials were doing to help,"Let me go off-script for a minute," Barger said. Barger said she intended to donate $500 through GoFundMe to a friend who had "lost everything" in the fires."I was shocked to find out that to give $500, they were going to charge me $95," she said. "So, I'm going to be reaching out to the CEO of GoFundMe to find out if, at the very least, they can cut the cost in order to ensure that the money goes directly to the family."Barger said she understood that GoFundMe is a company and "they deserve to be able to pay for their overhead, but at the same time, we are in a crisis.""These families are suffering," she said.Barger did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment, but she was likely mistaken about the size of the fee.GoFundMe charges 2.9% plus $0.30 for each transaction, which "helps us pay our payment processors and safely deliver funds," the company said in a statement to Business Insider. There is also an option "tip" that users can leave that goes to the platform.According to the above numbers, a $500 donation would incur less than $15 in required fees."The comments made at the press conference were inaccurate," the spokesperson said. "GoFundMe is primarily powered by voluntary tips and relies on these completely optional contributions from donors to maintain our quality customer service, trust and safety protections, and world-class fundraising technology."GoFundMe has become the default fundraising platform for those suffering from disasters in the United States, as well as elsewhere in the world. When fires tore through Maui in 2023, users donated some $30 million to relief efforts, GoFundMe told Fox Business at the time.Many of the residents who have lost their homes will be forced to scramble to find new ways to pay for housing and rebuild after insurance companies, since 2022, stopped writing new policies for fire coverage, pulled back coverage, or dropped residents altogether.In March, State Farm, the state's largest home insurance provider, dropped 72,000 property policies in the state, including 69% of policies in Pacific Palisades. The recent fires hit Pacific Palisades hard, burning thousands of homes, including those of many celebrities.

Last year, Macross was supposed to land on Disney+ as part of an effort to bring the franchise outside of Japan, particularly the west. At the time, this was a big deal since the various companies in control of it and its western equivalent Robotech came to an agreement after theyd spent years not being on the best of terms. For whatever reason, the jump to Disney+ didnt seem to happen in 2024 as planned, but it seems thats now happening for real in the next few days. According to a tip provided to Anime News Network, 16 of the 18Macrossanime shows and films will hit Disney+ and Hulu in the US this Monday, January 13. It seems that time off hasnt fixed the franchises weird issues here in the west: when Macrossarrives, neither Super Dimension Fortress Macrossand its film version,Do You Remember Love?,will be on Disney+ or Hulu. Theyre two very key parts of the entire enterprise, but Harmony Golds hold on the license prevents those from being globally streamed outside of Japan. So the full list of Macross media hitting on Monday is as follows: Macross Zero Macross 7 Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me! Macross Fb7 Listen to My Song! Macross Frontier Macross Fronter: The False Songstress Macross Fronter: The Wings of Farewell Macross Fronter: Labyrinth of Time Macross Dynamite 7 Macross Delta the Movie: Passionate Valkyrie Macross Delta: Absolute Live!!!!!! Macross Plus Macross Plus Movie Edition Gekij Tanpen Macross Frontier Toki no Meiky The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again It may be incomplete, but its still not a bad amount of Macross stuff coming to the services. Like last year, we hope things work out to where the two versions of Super Dimensionjoin the rest of their animated brethren, and the entire franchise is watchable all in one place. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

This week at CES, Sony revealed it was adding even more video games to its already sizable roster of adaptations, including Guerrilla Games Horizonfranchise. After the intended Netflix series collapsed following abuse allegations against showrunner Steve Blackman, Sonys decided to pivot it into a full-on film. Among PlayStations first-party lineup,Horizonoccupies a weird space. While its two mainline games seemingly sold well, the series has gained a bit of an online reputation as an industry plant boosted by PlayStation Studios CEO Hermen Hulst, who previously ran Guerrilla as it was making Horizon Zero Dawn. Theres also just been a general pushback against Sonys efforts to grow out whatever it can into a franchise, and Horizon sure has been making moves to expand. Along with a third single-player game in development, theres been the Call of the Mountain VR game, at least two rumored multiplayer spinoffsone co-op, the other an MMOand last years double whammy of a spinoff Lego game and a PlayStation 5 re-release of the first game. Next to Naughty Dogs Last of Us,this might be the most persistent PlayStation franchise in terms of frequently reminding you it exists, and if you know how people feel about that franchises tendency to not go away, youll know thats far from a compliment. Image: Guerrilla Games/PlayStation Horizon has always been an odd duck, much of which can be owed to when it exists. Previous first-party PS titles like God of War Ragnark orMarvels Spider-Man 2came out amid busy periods, but they at least had the potential to carve their own niche. Seeing promos of Kratos and Atreus facing down a wolf, or the two Spideys doing the same with Venom, made you want to set time aside for them. PlayStation makes blockbuster games and those two titles, plus the Last of Us,command your attention like blockbuster movies often do, whether they hit in the summer or Christmastime. To Guerrillas credit, both of the core Horizon games have tried to command similar attention, its just that their momentum was completely, hilariously undercut. Zero Dawn released in February 2017, just three days before the Nintendo Switch launched alongside Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. That games impact could only be described as meteoric, both for Nintendo and the industry as a whole. Breath of the Wildchanged how critics and players viewed games from that particular franchise and open-world titles overall, and dominated much of the 2017 conversation. Come 2022, Guerrilla releasedHorizon Forbidden West,which released just a full week ahead ofElden Ring. LikeBreath,FromSoftwares gothic roguelike was a gamechanger that folks couldnt stop talking about, in turn sucking all the oxygen out of the room. It helped that things Froms profile had grown throughout the 2010s thanks to its Dark Soulsgames, 2019sSekiro: Shadows Die Twice,and a little PS4 game by the name ofBloodborne.So yes, things havent always been in Horizonsimmediate favor, and it can sometimes feel like its one or three steps behind fellow open-world or RPG contemporaries. But the games are good in their own right. Zero DawnandForbidden Westwere both regarded fairly well critically and commercially, and if anything, their ability to endure despite being overwhelmed by bigger competition may have further endeared them to players. This series isnt really an underdog amongst the PlayStation pantheonthat honor, depending on who you ask, might go to Days Gonebut its managed to feel like one in part because of how different it is to its first-party peers. In 2017, the then-recentUncharted 4and upcomers likeGod of Waror Marvels Spider-Manhad a built-in audience who all had some idea of what to expect. Horizonwas a noted departure for Guerrilla, which had spent late 00s and early 2010s on its series ofKillzoneshooters, so the pivot from military sci-fi to a lush post-apocalypse was an attention-grabber. Theres always been something compelling about Horizon thats clearly resonated with audiences, even as the series has kept stepping into Native and Indigenous appropriation. Maybe it was the look of the robot animals or the fun of sniping off their points, or it was the games throwing out more bonkers (but still pretty logical) twists to their stories. It could also just be series lead Aloy, who debuted right as triple-A developers were beginning a new, ongoing (and increasingly more diverse) wave of major women-led games. That it took nearly an entire decade and public criticism against E3 2014 for studios to make games with more women is extremely depressing, but whatever, this is how things shook out. Guerrilla gave PlayStation a first-party franchise driven primarily by Aloys relationships, both platonic and romantic, with women of different stripes, and that approach has since become part of the triple-A game playbook.With the solid amount of general goodwill Horizons managed to build up, cashing in on that makes sense. But there are challenges ahead for these various projects, namely the increasing risk of ongoing multiplayer games and Sonys tendency to get in the way of their own movies. Thus far, the series has withstood two big gaming competitors, but those are different beasts compared to an entire genre slowly closing in on itself or a parent company scaling back plans it previously (and loudly) set in stone. However things shake out, can we at least not getGuerrilla caught in a loop where its remastering and remaking the games for half a decade? Please? Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

House Victoria / MedinaMas/ArqSave this picture! Patricio lvarezHousesSan Salvador de Jujuy, ArgentinaArchitects: MedinaMas/ArqAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:150 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2021 ManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: FV, Vexar, corralon el mercado, ferrum, supermat Lead Architects: Arq. Gabriela Medina- Arq. Martin Mas More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The project is located in La Almona, a foothills area on the outskirts of San Salvador de Jujuy, on a steeply sloping terrain with impressive views. The idea arose from the premise of capturing the incredible views of the hills and adapting to the topography of the lot.Save this picture!Save this picture!The house was designed with the idea of responding to the site by adapting to the topography and seeking to capture the incredible views of the hills. In a search to adapt to the natural slope of the hillside, the social area was planned on the ground floor and taking advantage of the natural unevenness of the terrain, it was decided to place the bedrooms in a basement to generate less impact on the environment. In this way, from the entrance you can see a house on one level, while from the back you can see the house on two levels open to the landscape.Save this picture!On the ground floor is the social area with the living room, dining room, kitchen, guest bedroom, bathroom and gallery. From the living room you can access a staircase that leads to the basement where the suite with a private bathroom and a desk are located. In the barbecue area, mobile wooden panels are incorporated to regulate privacy from the street.Save this picture!Save this picture!The materiality is resolved with few elements: concrete, wood and glass in a house in which the boundaries between interior and exterior dissolve in a warm environment with concrete and wood as protagonists.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeMedinaMas/ArqOfficeMaterialConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on January 11, 2025Cite: "House Victoria / MedinaMas/Arq" [Casa Victoria / MedinaMas/Arq] 11 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025505/house-victoria-medinamas-arq&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream