While Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered leans more toward its moment-to-moment action gameplay, it offers a fair amount of weapon and outfit customization as well. You can often create one outfit suited for sneaking around machines, while another might be better for melee or ranged combat.

A 3D endless space runner game - a metaphor for breaking down global cultural barriersA. Intentions The idea for The Race for Sanctuary emerged one fall afternoon as I grappled with my first heartbreak - showering my college crush with attention only to be stonewalled 3 months later. Encouraged by my mentors to convert my emotions into something creative, Race for Sanctuary became my way of processing, reflecting, and rebuil

Dear Trailblazers: On behalf of the Honkai: Star Rail development team, I want to wish you a wonderful New Year! May your journey through the infinite cosmos continue to bring excitement as we embark together on this romantic space adventure. Today, Im thrilled to share more about Version 3.0 Paean of Era Nova, launching January 15. This update introduces the long-awaited world of Amphoreus and begins an epic new chapter in our main story. The Trailblaze Mission in Amphoreus will be released in two parts across eight versions, from 3.0 to 3.7, making it the largest story arc in Honkai: Star Rail to date. Get ready to embark on the Heros Journey with new playable characters Aglaea and The Herta, plus the Trailblazer: Remembrance unlocking a new Path!Amphoreus, the Eternal LandLeaving Penacony the Planet of Festivities behind, the Astral Express embarks toward Amphoreus under Black Swans guidance, seeking both to replenish Trailblaze Fuel and uncover the mysteries of this celestial body a realm so enigmatic that even the Aeon of Trailblaze, Akivili, could not reach, its existence hidden from most of the cosmos. From the outside, Amphoreus appears as a chaotic vortex, its existence impossible to detect or understand. Similarly, its inhabitants remain completely unaware of the outside universe. Unlike other worlds, they do not know of the concept of Aeons, instead worshiping deities known as Titans. According to legend, twelve Titans created Amphoreus: Three who wove fate, three who shaped the heavens and earth, three who molded life, and three who brought calamity.Yet this realms history is steeped in tragedy. In ancient times, the arrival of three Titans Strife, Death, and Trickery sparked a civil war among the gods. Soon after, a mysterious force known as the black tide swept across the world. None know its origins, but all life touched by it loses sanity, with even the mighty Titans proving vulnerable. Over millennia, between the black tide gradually consuming Amphoreus and the gods waging endless war, the world fell into eternal night. Now, in humanitys final sanctuary the Holy City of Okhema only the protection of Kephale, the Worldbearing Titan, stands as the last barrier against the black tide. And now, the Astral Express, arriving as an unexpected force from beyond this world, is destined to change the course of Amphoreuss fate, but how? Well, thats for you to find out, dear Trailblazers!The Beginning of the Heros JourneyAs mentioned earlier, the Trailblaze Mission on Amphoreus will span across eight versions, forming an epic and grand narrative. In the upcoming Version 3.0, you will officially set foot on this eternal land and embark on your own Heros Journey. Upon entering Amphoreus, the Trailblazer and Dan Heng first descend into a region known as the Abyss of Fate. Legend says three Titans Time, Passage, and Law once wove here the threads of time, space, and rules that would govern Amphoreus, determining the fate of all creation. Now this land lies in eternal night, with only emptiness echoing through its grand architectural remains.As the story unfolds, the Trailblazers group will return to the Abyss of Fate, pierce through the mists, delve deep into the temple, and finally gain audience with Oronyx, the Titan of Time. Through this encounter, the Trailblazer embarks on the Path of Remembrance, gaining the ability to draw strength from the past. Meanwhile, players will meet a new companion who, due to their mysterious origins and tendency to only make Mem sounds, is temporarily named Mem. Beyond their adorable appearance, Mem plays a crucial role in combat. The Trailblazer can summon Mem during battles, where it gradually charges Energy. Once fully charged, it provides Mems Support that allows a designated character to immediately takes action and deal additional True DMG, turning the tide of battle. Together with Mem, the Trailblazer will surely overcome the various challenges that await in Amphoreus.Following the winding path beyond the Abyss, players will reach Okhema, the Holy City built into the mountainside. Bathed in the eternal dawn light of the Worldbearing Titans protection, this city will serve as a crucial base for the trailblazing expedition through Amphoreus. Among its most distinctive landmarks stands the Marmoreal Palace, a grand baths. More than just a place for bathing and relaxation, it functions as the citys heart, a public gathering space fostering daily social connections among residents. And Okhema has much more to offer beyond its architectural marvels. Here, youll encounter a variety of fascinating creatures. Among them is the dromas, a loyal helper of the Amphoreans, known for their strength in carrying both people and goods. The Dromas is a creation of Georios, the Earth Titan, one of the Three Titans of Foundation. A specialized Dromas Workshop can be found within Okhema, dedicated to crafting and training these remarkable creatures. Scattered throughout the city, youll also find a host of chimeras, each with its unique traits. Their colors, personalities, and temperaments vary greatlysome are quick to anger, others delight in mischief, and still, others offer their help to humans in whatever way they can.In these times of eternal night and chaos, Okhema, sheltered under the Worldbearing Titans protection, remains humanitys final sanctuary and beacon of hope. Local legend tells a romantic tale: Kephale shall one day open their eyes, leading humanity to triumph over the black tide and forge a new world. From beneath this holy city, a group of human heroes known as the Chrysos Heirs embarks on a quest for flame, shouldering the mission to reclaim the twelve Titan Coreflames and restore Amphoreus to glory. In future stories, the Trailblazer will join their journey, fighting alongside the Chrysos Heirs in this legendary expedition.In Version 3.0, Trailblazers will also explore the unique city-state of Castrum Kremnos. It was named after the Blade of Fury that dangles high above the city, and it is also where the Strife Titan resides, thus making it the place where the seventh Coreflame slumbers. In the second half of the Trailblaze Mission, players will borrow the power of the Oronyx to return to the past and experience Castrum Kremnos during its golden age. There, they will discover one of the mechanisms the Trickery Titan Zagreus left behind: The Hand of Zagreus. This mechanism can be used to lift heavy obtains, pick up items, smash open pathways, and obliterate enemies easily in special circumstances. It serves as a major aid to exploration. In Version 3.0s climactic Trailblaze Mission, Trailblazers and the Chrysos Heirs will face numerous challenges before engaging in a final battle with Nikador, the Strife Titan, to reclaim the Coreflame of Strife. Known as the Lance of Fury, Nikador and its followers hold a fanatical devotion to war and combat. To defeat them, Trailblazers need to collect Glory stacks to shatter Nikadors Titanic Corpus.The final area of Version 3.0 unfolds in the Vortex of Genesis, the grand sanctuary and birthplace of Amphoreus. This sacred site, home to the primordial essence of the Twelve Titans, is said to be where the Miracle of Genesis will one day manifest. Here, the Chrysos Heirs will return the reclaimed Coreflames after overthrowing each Titan. Above, constellations light up the night sky, representing the journeys of those who came before. The Flame-Chase Journey, a thousand-year odyssey of trials and perseverance, has now reached its turning point. The road ahead will be forged by the Trailblazers, standing alongside the Chrysos Heirs to continue the legend!Companions of the Flame-Chase JourneyVersion 3.0 will invite two new and powerful 5-star characters to join the players teams. The first is the esteemed#83 member of the Genius Society, an Emanator of Erudition: Madam Herta. Since Herta first debuted, she made a deep impression via her unique Herta puppets and idiosyncratic behaviors on the space station. It is said that her true self resides in a place on the Cosmos edge, and she rarely reveals herself to others. It is only today that she has finally shown herself. The Herta is an Ice-Type Erudition character that is skilled at AoE DMG. In battle, she can apply Interpretation on enemies, and ally characters attacks can also further apply Interpretation. With the increase of Interpretation stacks, The Hertas abilities can increase powerful hits of DMG based on their high Interpretation stacks on specific targets and multiple enemies besides. Additionally, The Hertas Ultimate can also Transfer the highest Interpretation stacks to Elite or stronger enemies, before dealing Ice DMG to all enemy targets.The second character making her debut is Aglaea from Amphoreus. She bears the divine authority of Romance, and is one of the earliest Chrysos Heirs to embark on the Flame-Chase Journey. As Okhemas dressmaster, Aglaea isnt just a legendary hero of Amphoreus, but she is also a major figure in recruiting new Chrysos Heirs to embark on the world-saving journey after the Flame-Chase Journey was interrupted prior. As the first limited 5-star Remembrance character, Aglaea can summon her memosprite Garmentmaker in battle to fight alongside her. They demonstrate a duet dance aesthetic in combat. Additionally, through their cooperation, Aglaea and her Garmentmaker can synchronize attacks on enemies. This new joint attacking mechanism not only increases the Garmentmakers SPD, and also adds a new layer of rhythm and variability to combat, allowing an exquisite dance for two to unfold at a charming cadence.In addition, in the first half of Version 3.0, there will also be a special Warp event. Limited 5-star characters Lingsha, Feixiao, and Jade will be making reruns. In the second half, the 5-star characters Boothill, Robin, and Silver Wolf will also be making a limited return. These characters will serve stronger reinforcements, walking side by side with Trailblazers to embark on a journey across Amphoreus. Aside from this, March 7th will gain a Preservation outfit. It can be claimed after unlocking the Characters function and logging in during the Version 3.0 period. Meanwhile, the Honkai: Star Rail Trailblazer Edition PS5 Physical Disc Bundle will soon be available for purchase, both online and in physical stores!System OptimizationsLastly, weve listened closely to player feedback and, in this major Version 3.0 update, have implemented several system optimizations to improve the gameplay experience! Among the new additions is the Flying Amphora. Smashing a Flying Amphora will grant you a boost in movement speed as you traverse the open world. Meanwhile, to ensure new players can easily enjoy the main storyline of Amphoreus, weve also made adjustments so that after completing the Silent Galaxy Trailblaze Mission, you can head directly to Amphoreus without difficulty. Version 3.0 also brings updates to the new Leveling Guide system that allows Trailblazers to evaluate their characters strength, with recommendations on Character Level, Light Cone, Traces, Relics and more. Weve also introduced the Wishful Resin and Variable Dice, allowing targeted modification and redistribution of a Relics Main and Sub Stats, offering more flexibility in developing companions. But thats just the beginning many more exciting improvements await your discovery!These are just some exciting updates in Version 3.0 theres plenty more to explore and enjoy! We wish you all a year filled with adventure, growth, and great moments in Honkai: Star Rail.

Do you want to add more storage to your Asus ROG Ally or Ally X quickly, affordably, and easily? Get a microSD card, slide it in, and get back to gaming. But wheres the fun in that? If you want faster storage that doesnt cost much more than a high-capacity microSD card, we suggest upgrading its M.2 SSD.Now, taking apart your expensive piece of hardware can be intimidating, but with our step-by-step tutorial, which includes the necessary tools and components, well get you and your ROG Ally to the finish line in no time. And, in case you havent already customized your ROG Ally, weve got a number of must-have ROG Ally accessories we think youll like.Get your tools readyMost of the tools youll need for this project, like spudgers and a #0 Phillips-head screwdriver, are easy enough to get piecemeal online or at your local hardware store. But if you want a tidier solution that contains everything you need in one place for dismantling the ROG Ally (and just about any other consumer gadget in your home), you might want to consider the Essential Electronics Toolkit from iFixit. For the purposes of this tutorial, Im relying on my trusty Pro Tech Toolkit, which costs more as it contains additional pieces.Buy a new SSDAs for your replacement SSD, youve got plenty of options. But which one you should get depends on how much storage youll need, and which ROG Ally you have. If youre working with the original white ROG Ally, which features a 512 GB SSD by default, we suggest doubling the internal storage with a 1 TB SSD, or quadrupling it to 2 TB if you can afford it. One spec thats crucial to know is that the standard ROG Ally can only accommodate the 2230 size of M.2 SSDs.If you own the newer black ROG Ally X, which is equipped with a 1 TB SSD out of the box, youll probably want something with 2 TB of storage. However, because this handheld is only compatible with the larger 2280 size of M.2 SSDs, theres a wider range of options at multiple price points. Note: Some Ally X owners on Reddit report that theres adequate internal space for an M.2 SSD that has a built-in heatsink, though some owners note that not using one doesnt seem to impact performance.Before we continue on with installation instructions, weve pulled together a handful of compatible models for the ROG Ally you can choose from, followed by recommendations for the Ally X.2230-size SSDs for the ROG Ally2280-size SSDs for the ROG Ally XBegin the disassembly carefullyA general rule before opening any device is to first power it down. Not just that: Draining the battery is never a bad idea during this process. Asus recommends discharging the battery to around 25% before operating on the ROG Ally, as a charged battery is a potential fire hazard if something goes wrong.Next, remove your microSD card from the slot. Doing so will minimize the chance of accidentally breaking it (I say this because, unfortunately, it has happened to me).Lay the console face down on a table, or use any level surface thats free of debris, ideally one like the anti-static silicone pad Im using in the photos.To access the internals of the ROG Ally, youll need to use a Phillips #0 screwdriver to remove five screws. Note that a sixth screw in the bottom center of the handheld is designed to be loosened, but not removed, so dont persist.Once the screws are removed (again, save for the bottom middle one), slide a soft flat edge (like a guitar pick, prying tool, or plastic card) gently between the plastic housing to loosen the clips around the edge of the back cover. Youll know youve done this correctly when you hear them click and the back cover begins to separate from the chassis. Carefully lift the back cover away and place it somewhere safe.Disconnect the batteryBefore doing anything else, you need to disconnect the battery. The instructions are the same for both the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, even though internally they look a bit different. To do this, simply use the flat edge of a plastic tool to carefully push the metal locking bar away from the connector thats holding the ribbon cable in place. Its important that you do not attempt to lift the bar, as this may damage it and prevent it from locking back in place.Once the locking bar has been pushed back, use a flat tool underneath the connector and gently lift the cable away from the socket. This shouldnt take much effort. Once youve disconnected the cable from the motherboard, you no longer need to worry about the battery.Remove the plastic cover shielding the SSDOnce youre presented with the internals of the ROG Ally, youll see a sheet of plastic covering the SSD. This is attached with a small bit of adhesive, letting you easily pull it off. You might want to hang on to it instead of immediately throwing it in the trash, like I did. In the ROG Ally X, the SSD itself is covered with a thermal cover that you definitely shouldnt throw away.Remove the SSDIts time for the main event. Underneath the black sheet of plastic, the original SSD that came with your device will be visible next to the fan on the left side of the Ally (in the ROG Ally X, the rectangular 2280-size SSD is located in the middle of the device, oriented horizontally underneath the battery cable and a removable thermal covering). Using a Phillips #0 screwdriver, remove the single screw that secures the SSD in the M.2 socket. The SSD should lift up a bit, and you can then gently pull the SSD out of its socket. Do not attempt to lift the SSD up as you remove it, as this has the potential to damage your handheld and/or your SSD.Set aside the old SSD, which you can reformat to use as you please.Install your new SSDAt this point, you can seat your shiny new SSD in the now-vacant socket. Match the SSDs pins with the socket, and then gently insert it without much pressure. Youll know that youve done it correctly once the small indentation on the SSDs bottom lines up with the hole for the screw you removed earlier. Screw it back in. Youre nearly finished!Reassemble your devicePutting your ROG Ally back together means doing everything you just did to disassemble it, but in reverse.To reconnect the battery, take the connector of the ribbon cable and reseat it in the socket. You can use your fingers or a soft tool to gently push it down into the socket until you hear a small click. Afterwards, use your flat edge to push the locking bar back into place over the connector.If you held on to that small plastic sheet you removed earlier, you can stick it back into place. However, if you were like me and hastily discarded it, dont worry; it wont hamper the performance of your Ally.Finally, you can reattach the back cover. Simply press the cover back into its original position until you hear the clips start snapping into place. If the back cover is still a little loose, thats OK. Once you tighten all of the screws you removed earlier, it will be secured into its original position.Perform a cloud recoveryThe final step to getting your Ally game-ready is to restore the Windows operating system. To do this, plug the Ally back in and power it on. It should boot into the BIOS menu automatically. If it doesnt, try powering on the system while holding down the power and volume-down buttons simultaneously.Once youre in the BIOS menu, use the touchscreen to navigate to the Advanced tab and select Asus Cloud Recovery. From there, you should be able to follow the prompts to download and reinstall the OS. While youll need to redownload and reinstall any games you had stored on the original SSD, youre otherwise good to go. Good luck, and have fun.

Using AI to optimize snow shovelingAn example of how AI is changing the way I work (and live) as a productdesignerSnapshots from the AI-generated app I created. You draw the shape of your driveway and it outputs the optimum route, square footage, estimated time to walk the distance (all at a static shovel width of 2 ft). Theres a lot I would improve but I went from idea to research to app in less than anhour.Ive been challenging myself to use AI in everyday use cases so that I can get closer to the technology as a product design leader. To that end, I want to share my attempt at using the latest generation of AI tooling to build an experience that helps people shovel snow more efficientlyan often mundane and tedioustask.Some additional context aboutme:I used to be a developer in a past life but have since lost touch with most skills associated with being able to buildappsI work in tech and so Im probably at the leading edge of most of the available tooling compared to mostpeopleI have taken a app-forward approach to solving this problem and its possible there are alternative approaches using AI to do the same (like deeper research)TL;DR; I ultimately succeeded in the task and developed a small web app where I can draw the shape of my driveway and calculate the optimum shoveling route. I went from idea to research to app in less than an hour (it took me longer to write this article).Here is my approach and the tools I used to solve thisproblem.ResearchFirst things first, I needed to determine if the answer already existed. Was there research that told me the most efficient route to shoveling a driveway? To find out I went to Gemini Deep Research(GDR).Using GDR, I ran a meta-analysis across 38 different websites and papers, triggering the research with the following prompt:can you please do research on the topic of what the most efficient way to shovel a driveway? My driveway is a long rectangle and I shovel it by hand with a 2 foot wide shovel. Id like to understand how I can shovel my driveway the most efficient way, what pattern I should use to shovel the fastest and clear the area of my drive way the quickest. If there isnt enough research on snow shoveling, you can use other research that might be applicable in the areas of mathematics, geometry, and physics.Before generating the report, GDR develops a research plan, showing its proposed steps to conduct the research. Heres an example of its response to myprompt:The Gemini Deep Research plan describes the steps it will take to conduct research and lets you correct its plan of action before executing the minutes-long process.This looked good so I clicked Start Research, sat back, and sipped my coffee. In just a few minutes an exhaustive report was spit out with references clearly cited (complete with links to websites, PDFs, andimages).In my case, GDR concluded that theres little evidence of an optimal route to shovel a driveway like mine. It also gave great insights around different patterns to try, the physics of snow shoveling, and how to shovel in a healthy way to prevent injury or over exertion.GDR reports cannot be directly shared from Google, so I processed my report with Gemini NotebookML (another wonderful tool for conducting first-party research). From NotebookML I converted my findings into a podcast. Feel free to give it a listen here if youdlike.An excerpt of the Gemini Deep Research report on shoveling snow.Answering the question (and building an AI-generated app)Given that the Internets top physicists and forum writers didnt have an answer for me, I took matters into my ownhands.There are several different surfaces I need to shovel so I thought itd be neat-o for me to be able to draw the shape of those areas and have an app tell me the optimum route to clearthem.What is optimum? I defined optimum as covering a given area in the least amount of walking time necessary to saturate thespace.For creating my app I turned to v0 by Vercel, as I believe it to be at the bleeding edge of generative AI app development. With v0, you can turn text prompts into actual functioning apps with code and deployment options.An example refinement to the app. 1 of just 8 prompts it took me to create the snow shoveling estimator app.My experience was magical. It took me 8 text prompts to generate what I believe to be a pretty good MVP. Did I build the next Facebook? Absolutely not. But I went from idea, to research, to functioning tool in about anhour.Checkout my snow shoveling route estimator here: https://v0.dev/chat/driveway-snow-route-planner-UP6yTAh9Xnp?b=b_yQkw8ddGh2c its not perfect but its pretty damn cool. At this link you can see my entire chat transcript and the versions I went through to create theapp.After your prompt you can see v0 get to work, modifying the code (in this case React) and eventually pausing to generate the runtimepreview.In the app development view, the preview renders to the right of your transcript.Not an AI-generated conclusionIf I had a full 40 hour work week on this, the potential seems limitless (and its still early days for this technology). Ive been using AI on a weekly-basis now and its changing the way I approach problemsolving.I used ChatGPTs multi-modal inputs (voice and video) to help work on an old snow blower, I researched a family trip to Yellowstone (and sent the podcast to my wife), and Im using AI almost ever day in my work as a product designleader.This is one of the most exciting times to be in technology and the pace at which these innovations are happening is truly stunning.Have you been experimenting with AI? What have you been able to accomplish?Using AI to optimize my snow shoveling was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Ive tested a ton of bikes since I started doing reviews on Lifehacker in 2023from low frills affairs like the Propella 7S to higher end e-Mountain Bikes like Canyons Spectraland while no e-bike is right for every type of rider and every taste, the Centauri II is my overall favorite. I like the Vvolt Centauri II so much that I feel the need to open with a disclaimer: I am not getting paid by Vvolt, and Lifehacker has no relationship with the company. For general urban ridingcommuting, shorter trips on paved roadsthe Centauri II is close to perfect. The weight, power, comfort, and handling is balanced for everyday riding, and its features performed better than I expected, including the belt drive with automatic transmission and mid-drive motor. Overall, The Centauri II raises the bar for commuter-style bikes.The Vvolt Centauri II at a glanceProsMid-drive motor provides smooth power transferMaintenance-free, automatic transmission belt driveMany small details that add up to a refined rideConsThere is no throttleIts range could be greaterYour friends may be overly jealousSpecsPrice: $2,999Speed: Class III 28 mphRange: 20-60 milesBattery capacity: 490 wh / 13.6 AhMotor power: 120nm torque 350w nominal / 650w maxWeight: 50 Ibs (S/M)Frame type: Step throughUnicrown mono-shock suspension fork 30 mm travelAutomatic 3-speed rear hub transmission (163% gear range)Sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL | Fits riders from 49-64UL-2849 compliant with UL2271 Approved batteryAvailable in Forest Planet and Galactic Storm colorsThe Centauri II has both a classy look and functional design Credit: Stephen Johnson The Centauri II is a nice-looking bikeclassy instead of flashy, with an overall look that is subtle, refined, and filled with small details that fit together. It comes in two colors, Forest Planet (green) and Galactic Storm (white), and has a matte finish. The cables are managed nicely, with most hidden inside the frame, and I especially love its reflective paint details and LED headlight built into the frame. In terms of frame geometry, the Centauri II is designed to put riders in a slightly less upright position than many e-bikes. Youre not bent in half like a road biker, but youre not bolt upright like the witch in The Wizard of Oz either; its a nice middle ground between the comfort of an upright posture and the control of more forward-leaning position, and its my personal sweet spot. The Centauri II has three sized frames, so you should be able to find the right bike for you if you're between 4'9 and 6'4.The Centauri II is really fun to ride Credit: Stephen Johnson I didnt have any pre-conceived notions of this e-bike before I took my first ride, but once I put it togetherthe assembly was easy and took about 20 minutesand got it onto the mean streets of North Hollywood, the Centauri II made a statement: This bike is dedicated to providing a ride thats smooth with as little hassle as possible. It's just really fun to ride. When I started pedaling and turned on the assist, the whisper-quiet motor and auto shifting kicked in and adjusted to my pedaling power and cadence to help me reach and maintain a speed of 20 mph quickly and with little effort. Its a class 3 e-bike, so the pedal assist will take you to 28mph should you put in the work to go that fast. Overall, it was a blast to drive, and I felt nimble and fast without feeling out of control.Four small details about the Centauri II that I likedHere are some of the smaller details that I appreciated when riding the Centauri II e-bike:Front suspension fork: The Centauri II comes with a mono shock above the front wheel. While not a mountain bike suspension fork, the mono shock provides 30mm of travel, enough to quiet urban-ride chatter like potholes and uneven pavement, but not enough for a technical single-track. While its no mountain bike, I took the Centauri II off road for a few miles and found it performed well on a hard-packed fire road.Weight: The Centauri II weighs around 50 pounds. That's light for an e-bike, but more importantly, the weight is distributed in a way that made the bike feel responsive and under control.The saddle: Bike seat comfort is a personal decision, but I found the Centauri II saddle wasn't overly padded or too big. It was a comfortable place to spend some time.A bell: Theres a little analog ding ding bell included, and I found it great.The Centauri II drive train and pedal assist Credit: Stephen Johnson Good front suspension and a comfy saddle are great details, but I was especially curious about the pedal assist and drive train. The Centauri II is powered by a mid-drive motor from Ananda, and at a continuous output of 350w, its not the most powerful motor out there (top continuous output allowed for e-bikes in the US is 750w), but mid-drive means the juice flows directly to the pedals instead of a wheel, so it picks up speed quickly and smoothly with a more natural-feeling power transfer instead of the jerky torque of a motorbike. And like most e-bikes, the Centauri II has five levels of pedal assist, but unlike others, its first level is chill mode, a configuration that keeps the bike in its lowest gear and tops out the assist at 12 mph. This is useful for climbing hills and keeping a safe speed on mixed-use bike paths. It's not a huge innovation, but a small detail that set the ride apart. Credit: Stephen Johnson The Centauri II has a Gates CDX belt drive which, unlike a chain drive, doesn't need to be lubed or maintained, doesn't rust, is quiet, and basically lasts forever. Beyond the belt drive, the Centauri II features an automatic three-speed transmission that takes the whole what gear am I in? question out of your ride. Ive tested an auto-shifting bike with a chain drive (that supposedly used AI for shifting), and I wasnt overly impressed, particularly when it came to hills, but the Centauris drive was different. It uses a mechanical system that shifts up and down based on speed. The way its pedal assist interacted with the transmission gave the right amount of power to keep the pedals turning easily, even when riding uphill. While three gears probably wouldnt be enough for an analog bike, the Centauri II almost never left me feeling like I was in the wrong gear during my 150 miles of testing. To really test out a no-shifter ride, I took the Centauri II on a couple of mountain rides including a trip with 2,000-feet of climbing, and it had no trouble. Big hills take more pedaling, but unless the grade is Tour de France-level steep, theyre totally doable. Credit: Stephen Johnson-Strava The Centauri II doesn't have a throttleI consider the Centauris lack of throttle control as a con, as many people like the option of sitting back on an e-bike and letting the motor do all the work. Thats not my vibe, so the lack of throttle doesnt bother me, but your mileage may vary.In place of a throttle, the Centauri II has a boost button designed so you can start up faster and get up steeper hills, and it provides about three seconds of maximum power before it cuts off. It works as intended, but I didn't use it much, and I found the boost a little sketchy on hills where I felt a bit of lag between when the boost stopped and when the pedal assist began. It was disconcerting, particularly on steeper grade hills, as it felt like I suddenly lost power.The Centauri II battery and display Credit: Stephen Johnson The trade off for the Centauri having such a light weight is having a more limited battery life. Its 490-watt hour battery is meant for a range of between 20 and 60 miles, which seems accurate based on my riding. During one ride, I started with a full battery and took it on a hill-heavy ride including a couple miles of dirt roads. I was tired on the way home, so I kept the pedal assist high. I traveled around 26 miles and the battery was almost tapped when I got home. In other words, its not the longest-running bike, so if range is your top consideration, you could do better. The batteries are UL-2849 compliant and charge in about 5-7 hours.As for the Centauri II display, it's functional, clutter free, and easy to read in bright sunlight. Each power level is a different color for each power level, so I could read it at a glance. The input are the standard on button, headlight on," and up and down arrows to control the PAS.Overall, I highly recommend the Centauri II Credit: Stephen Johnson Just about every time I took the Centauri II out for a ride over the past few months, Ive ridden longer than intended because its so much fun to ride. If youre looking for a a general use, urban commuter bike and the price tag is doable, I recommend the Vvolt Centauri II.

Alarmo, the most important hardware announcement Nintendo's made in the last year, will soon be available to a lot more people. Nintendo says the motion-tracking alarm clock will be able to be purchased "in stores at participating retailers" in March, without the need for a Nintendo Switch Online subscription or a visit to a physical Nintendo store.Nintendo's alarm clock originally launched in October 2024. It combines beloved sound effects from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Pikmin 4 with motion sensors that can track your tossing and turning. This gives the Alarmo some rudimentary sleep tracking features, and morning alarms that can get louder the more you flop around, only stopping when you actually sit up.Nintendo Sound Clock: #Alarmo will be available in stores at participating retailers in March 2025, no Nintendo Switch Online membership required. Available while supplies last. pic.twitter.com/qhVo0NMKjx Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 13, 2025 As Engadget's review found, Alarmo is pricey at $100, and not particularly great as a sleep tracker. The alarm clock can only track one person at a time, which keeps anyone who shares a bed from accessing its most charming feature. But if you're weak to Nintendo nostalgia or have a child who's already a fan, the clock is a cute way to start your morning routine.In March, retailers will only have Alarmo "while supplies last," but hopefully by then, die-hard Nintendo fans will already be saving up for their next big purchase.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/nintendos-goofy-alarm-clock-will-be-available-to-everyone-in-march-222912137.html?src=rss

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The British government pledged on Monday to rip up the red tape hindering construction of data centers that underpin artificial intelligence while promoting its pro-innovation approach to regulating the technology.Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the potential of AI as he outlined wide-ranging plans to harness the technology, indicating that it will be a key part of his governments efforts to turn around the economy and jump-start lackluster growth.Starmer said he wanted to Britain to become one of the great AI superpowers that can keep up with other countries like the United States and China that have led advances in the technology.Under the 50-point plan, which provided few details on investment amounts, the government plans to massively expand public computing power, including by building a new national supercomputer and setting up AI growth zones with streamlined building approval process.So if youre looking at where to build your data centers, we will speed up planning permission if you need better access to power, Starmer said.Britainscomplex building permission rulesare frequently blamed for preventing development of big projects such as data centers. After taking power in July, Starmers Labour government vowed to review decisions by local authorities to reject some projects.The government will also stick to its pro-innovation approach to regulating AI, which involves giving responsibility to existing industry regulators instead of drawing up a new set of rules like theEuropean Union has done. It will also continue to support of U.K.s AI Safety Institute, set up under Starmers Conservative predecessor Rishi Sunak to carry out research on the most cutting-edge AI models and the existential but far-off risks they pose.We will test and understand AI before we regulate it to make sure that when we do it, its proportionate and grounded in the science, Starmer said.

PROS: Variety for Users: Options for everyday use, high performance, and a collectors Iron Man Edition. Striking Design: The Iron Man Editions 3D helmet and Arc Reactor cater to Marvel fans. Strong Performance: The X7 Pros Dimensity 8400-Ultra excels in gaming and multitasking. Long Battery Life: Durable batteries with reliable fast charging. Versatile Cameras: Features like Golden Portrait Mode enhance photographic quality.CONS: Camera Edge Performance: The ultra-wide lens occasionally struggles with distortion, particularly at the edges, which could impact landscape shots. Software Experience: Advanced AI features may feel less intuitive for some users. Heat Management on X7: While the X7 Pro excels with advanced cooling, the X7 can warm up slightly under heavy workloads, impacting prolonged performance.RATINGS:AESTHETICSERGONOMICSPERFORMANCESUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITYVALUE FOR MONEYEDITOR'S QUOTE:Bold design meets powerful performance, with the POCO X7 series offering something for everyoneincluding the stunning Iron Man Edition for Marvel fans.Smartphones come in countless shapes, sizes, and flavors, but the POCO X7 series provides three distinct experiences under one umbrella. Youve got the POCO X7, a solid daily driver offering capable performance and a big display without pushing your budget to the brink. Then theres the POCO X7 Pro, which ramps up horsepower, battery life, and AI features for those who demand more from their mobile devices. Finally, theres the POCO X7 Pro Iron Man Edition, a collectors piece that wraps that Pro-level performance in an Iron Manthemed exterior, complete with a raised and tactile 3D version of the iconic helmet and Arc Reactor on its back panel. Its a collaboration with Marvel that puts Tony Starks signature red-and-gold palette right into your hand.Designer: POCOIn this review, Ill walk you through what each phone brings to the table, focusing on seven main areas: an introduction to the devices, an in-depth look at their designs, a discussion of ergonomics, a dive into performance, a consideration of anything they might offer for sustainability, an assessment of their value, and a final wrap-up that weighs which phone best fits different kinds of users. The POCO X7 series provides a wide range of choices depending on how much power you need, how much battery life you want, how much you care about design, and even whether you love Marvel enough to pay a premium for an Iron Manthemed phone. If youve been eyeing any phone in this lineup, youll have a clearer picture of their strengths and weaknesses by the end of this review.On a broad level, all three devices share some significant similarities: each has a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh and a high touch sampling rate, each one is IP68 water- and dust-resistant, and each phone includes a large-capacity battery paired with speedy charging. Theyre also all 5G-ready, come with solid camera setups, and feature advanced software with a range of AI-driven tools, plus all the usual connectivity youd expect (like NFC and dual SIM slots). But that doesnt mean theyre all the same. The X7 Pro is significantly more powerful than the X7, and the Iron Man Edition advances the X7 Pros design into something practically a fandom art. Lets start by looking at these differences in design since thats often the first thing people notice when picking up a phone.DesignThe POCO X7 Pro Iron Man Edition shines as a design masterpiece, combining superhero aesthetics with premium craftsmanship. Its exterior is a visual homage to Iron Mans iconic suit, featuring a deep red and metallic gold palette that immediately grabs attention. The back panel boasts a raised 3D relief of Iron Mans helmet and Arc Reactor, created with a sculptural technique for tactile and visual depth. The helmets matte finish subtly shimmers under light, while the Arc Reactors layered metallic serrations reflect light brilliantly, resembling fine jewelry. An embossed Avengers logo at the bottom adds another layer of detail, appealing to both touch and sight.Inside, the Iron Man Edition immerses users in Tony Starks world with a custom interface that mirrors his futuristic lab displays. Red app borders, dynamic animations, and tailored design elements enhance the user experience, making the phone as unique inside as it is outside. The packaging elevates the presentation further, featuring a mechanical lift structure, Iron Man suit blueprints, a faux-leather case embossed with circuitry patterns and gold highlights, and a SIM ejector tool shaped like the Arc Reactor. Every detail reinforces its connection to Marvel, making this phone a must-have for fans and collectors.From an ergonomic perspective, the raised 3D relief of the helmet and Arc Reactor provide natural grip points, ensuring the phone feels secure during use. The included vegan leather case adds a layer of comfort with its soft, textured finish, and the phones curved edges enhance usability by fitting naturally into the palm. These thoughtful touches make the Iron Man Edition not only visually captivating but also practical for everyday use.POCO X7 and X7 Pro feature a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with a curved edgeThe X7 and X7 Pro share a unified foundation, featuring a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with curved edges and IP68 protection for durability. While both models are visually distinct, they cater to different design preferences. The X7 leans into minimalism, offering Black, Green, and Silver finishes with either a lightweight plastic back or a vegan leather back for added grip and texture. This simple design focuses on practicality, with the camera module serving as the primary visual highlight, making it a great option for users who prefer understated aesthetics.The X7 Pro, on the other hand, takes a more dynamic approach. Its defining feature is the racetrack-shaped Deco design, with flowing Bzier curves around the camera module that create a sense of motion. This detail, accentuated under shifting light, brings energy to its appearance. Offered in Black, Green, or a vibrant Yellow finish, the X7 Pro appeals to those who enjoy bold, attention-grabbing designs. Together, the X7 and X7 Pro provide a balance of subtlety and flair, ensuring that users have distinct yet practical choices.ErgonomicsFans of Iron Man will appreciate how the raised 3D relief of the helmet and Arc Reactor combines striking visuals with functional design. These sculptural elements enhance the tactile experience, adding secure grip points that make the device feel natural and confident in hand. Paired with the vegan leather case, embossed with intricate circuitry and gold accents, the design delivers a premium feel thats both comfortable and distinctive.For the POCO X7 and X7 Pro, the focus shifts to practical ergonomics. The 3D Dual-Curved display is designed to rest comfortably in the hand, with rounded edges that minimize palm strain during extended use. The vegan leather back panel option adds a soft, textured finish that improves grip and reduces the chance of slips. High brightness levelsreaching 3200 nits on the X7 Proensure easy screen readability in bright environments, while TV Rheinland certifications for blue light reduction support prolonged viewing without discomfort. The POCO X7 lineup effectively balances thoughtful design and daily comfort, ensuring each device feels as good to hold as it looks.PerformancePerformance is a key factor in choosing a phone, and the POCO X7 lineup caters to various needs with well-defined capabilities across its models.Starting with the POCO X7 Pro steps up significantly in terms of raw power. At its core is the Dimensity 8400-Ultra processor, featuring an All-Big-Core setup where all eight CPU cores are performance-focused, clocking up to an impressive 3.25GHz. This ensures tasks like video editing, advanced photo retouching, and heavy multitasking are handled seamlessly. The upgraded Mali-G720 GPU enhances graphics rendering, delivering smooth performance during resource-heavy gaming or 4K video playback.Real-world gaming tests showcase the X7 Pros prowess in popular titles like Diablo Immortal, Apex Legends Mobile, and Honkai: Star Rail, where it maintained steady frame rates at high settings. Thanks to its LiquidCool Technology 4.0 and 3D IceLoop System, the phone effectively dissipates heat, ensuring consistent performance without throttling, even during extended gaming sessions. This advanced cooling system allows gamers to enjoy longer playtimes without the phone becoming uncomfortably hot, providing smooth gameplay during intense battles or detailed open-world exploration. Reliable cooling like this is critical for gamers, as it ensures consistently high frame rates and avoids frustrating slowdowns during crucial moments.The Iron Man Edition has the same internal specs as the X7 Pro and delivers identical high-end performance. This means users can enjoy top-tier speed and capability while embracing the collectible aesthetics of the Iron Man branding. Its an ideal choice for those who want a combination of powerful performance and unique design.The POCO X7, powered by the Dimensity 7300-Ultra processor, offers reliable efficiency for everyday tasks. Built on a 4nm process, it can clock up to 2.5GHz, making it sufficient for streaming, casual gaming, multitasking, and general phone usage. For users upgrading from an older POCO device, this model delivers a noticeable 12% performance boost. Additionally, the X7 includes Memory Extension 3.0, which can allocate a portion of internal storage to RAM, enabling up to 24GB of effective RAM on the 12GB version. This flexibility is especially useful when juggling multiple apps or handling large files.Ultimately, the X7 is ideal for moderate users who prioritize value and steady performance for daily activities. The X7 Pro, with its advanced processing power and cooling solutions, is tailored for gamers, multitaskers, and users who demand efficiency under pressure. The Iron Man Edition adds a unique, fandom-focused twist while retaining the Pros exceptional capabilities.POCO X7 Pro Camera PerformanceThe POCO X7 Pro enhances the X7s camera capabilities with improved sensor performance and computational photography. Its 50MP main camera, equipped with the same Sony IMX882 sensor, benefits from enhanced dynamic range and noise reduction, delivering better results in high-contrast environments. The wider aperture and advanced algorithms effectively handle highlights and shadows, ensuring balanced exposure in challenging lighting conditions. Low-light photography is awe-inspiring, with the Pro model capturing more detail and exhibiting less grain than the standard X7.The 8MP ultra-wide camera on the Pro also sees improvements in image processing, reducing distortion and maintaining a more consistent color profile across all lenses. While the X7s ultra-wide camera has the exact same resolution, its improved image processing allows for slightly better overall quality.On the front, the 20MP camera remains consistent with the X7, delivering reliable performance for selfies and group shots. Its AI-driven enhancements ensure natural-looking skin tones and vibrant details, even in suboptimal lighting conditions.POCO X7 Camera PerformanceThe POCO X7s camera system reflects versatility and adaptability, offering options catering to photographic needs. The 50MP main sensor provides good detail and clarity in various lighting conditions. Using the Sony IMX882 sensor with an f/1.5 aperture and 1.6m 4-in-1 pixel technology, the main camera excels in bright scenarios, producing sharp, vibrant shots. Optical Image Stabilization ensures low-light performance remains reliable, as it minimizes blurring and enhances image sharpness even in challenging environments.POCO has introduced a Golden Portrait Mode, designed to enhance portrait photography by delivering a professional-grade blurring effect. This feature replicates the aesthetic of high-end portrait lenses, creating a soft, natural background separation that emphasizes the subject. The 46mm effect, achieved through hardware zoom capabilities, mimics the perspective and compression typically found in traditional DSLR photography. This attention to detail delivers a sharper focus on the subject while adding depth to the image, making portraits appear more dynamic and visually striking. Capturing candid moments or curated shots, Golden Portrait Mode provides a polished, studio-like quality straight from the device.The 8MP ultra-wide camera is designed for capturing expansive scenes, like landscapes or group events. While effective, the ultra-wide lens occasionally struggles with edge distortion, a common issue in cameras at this resolution. However, the field of view is a significant advantage for most casual shots, allowing photographers to capture scenes easily.The 8MP ultra-wide camera is designed for capturing expansive scenes, like landscapes or group events. While effective, the ultra-wide lens occasionally struggles with edge distortion, a common issue in cameras at this resolution. However, the field of view is a significant advantage for most casual shots, allowing photographers to capture scenes easily.Another impressive feature is the 20MP front-facing camera, which is equipped with tools to deliver vibrant and detailed selfies. The automatic 0.8x zoom adjustment benefits group photos, ensuring all subjects are included without compromising clarity.SustainabilitySmartphone sustainability has become increasingly important, and POCO contributes to this by designing phones built to last longer. This approach reduces the frequency of replacements, which indirectly supports sustainability efforts. For instance, battery health is a common reason phones end up retired. Still, the POCO X7s battery can retain over 80% capacity after 1,600 charge cycles, and the X7 Pro can retain 90% capacity after 1,000 cycles. By staying healthier over time, these batteries should let you hold onto your phone for a longer period, thereby creating less electronic waste.Theyre also built for durability. All three have an IP68 rating against water and dust, so its less likely youll ruin your phone with an accidental splash or a bit of debris. The X7 sports Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the Pro models have Gorilla Glass 7i. The idea is that these protective measures help the phone avoid daily hazards like drops or bumps, minimizing the need for repairs or replacements. The X7s battery can perform reliably in cold conditions down to -10C, making voice calls for up to 24 hours and staying on standby for up to 66 hours in those temps. If you value longevity, you can see these features as small wins for sustainabilityno fancy packaging about carbon footprints, but a device that should last you a decent while before wearing out.Value and Wrap-UpDeciding between the POCO X7, X7 Pro, and X7 Pro Iron Man Edition hinges on your needs and priorities. The POCO X7 is a strong contender for those seeking reliable performance on a budget. Its Dimensity 7300-Ultra processor handles everyday tasks easily, and the 6.67-inch AMOLED display delivers vibrant visuals. The durable 5110mAh battery and 45W fast charging ensure you stay powered throughout the day. With its classic design and robust features, the X7 is a practical choice for users looking for value without compromise.The X7 Pro transforms the series with its cutting-edge Dimensity 8400-Ultra chipset, providing unmatched speed and exceptional efficiency. Designed for gamers and multitaskers, it delivers seamless performance for demanding applications and intensive tasks. The camera system performs well in lighting, providing good-quality photos and videos. Coupled with a 6000mAh battery and 90W HyperCharge, the X7 Pro is built for long-lasting and fast-paced use. Its racetrack-inspired design adds a bold visual appeal, making it a stylish yet high-performing choice.The Iron Man Edition redefines what a collectors device can be, blending the X7 Pros powerful hardware with unique design elements inspired by Tony Starks iconic suit. From the raised 3D relief of Iron Mans helmet and Arc Reactor to the custom Marvel-themed user interface and exclusive packaging, it offers fans a unique experience. It maintains the same impressive camera and processing performance as the Pro model, ensuring its striking aesthetic doesnt come at the cost of functionality.Across the board, the POCO X7 lineup impresses with its high-quality displays, durable builds, and reliable battery life. Whether you prioritize affordability, cutting-edge performance, or standout design, theres a model tailored to fit your lifestyle and preferences. By reflecting on your daily habits and needs, you can confidently choose the device that aligns with your goals.The post POCO X7 Series Review: Everyday Performance, Pro-Level Power, and the Collectors Appeal of the Iron Man Edition first appeared on Yanko Design.