As the mom of two tweens, I really wish schools would keep snow days. I have so many great memories from those unexpected magical days growing up. I feel like my kids spend too much time on screens for school already; let them have fun. As temperatures drop, I hope school administrators call for at least one "old-fashioned" snow day this season. I think it's important that kids across the country including my own two pre-teens experience the style of snow days that I did growing up, and not because I got to stay inside relaxing. In fact, I learned surprising lessons in those days about history, science, and art.Lawmakers in states including Iowa, New Jersey, and Virginia have introduced bills to make it easier for districts to replace traditional days off with remote classes. I hope this doesn't become the preference. Kids will lose out if they're robbed of the unexpected time to be curious.I have fond memories of my snow daysWhen I think back to the snow days I enjoyed growing up in the 1980s in the farm-filled New Jersey town of Freehold I picture long strings of glowing red lights.My dad would drive my brother and me to Monmouth Battlefield State Park, where lit-up displays at the visitors' center outlined routes that Washington's Army and British soldiers took to get to the bloody battle in which as many as 400 died. We were actually there because the hilly park has become a popular sledding destination, but after we took turns careening toward the woods on our creaky Flexible Flyer, we'd head inside to thaw out and study the displays.I remember learning about the long battle that took place on a hot day, pondering what it was like for soldiers to battle the elements through the seasons as they battled each other. Reading history in a textbook was one thing; seeing a display or demonstration was more impactful.I learned a lot while out of the classroomWhen winter came, I used to write the forecasts on a wall calendar near my bed. Tracking temperature trends, probabilities, and records is a terrific introduction to the principles of empirical evidence.One of my best lessons from a snow day was about small joys and art. I was 9 years old, gazing out my kitchen window as I sipped soup, and I spied on a snow-covered pine a cardinal sitting sentinel, observing the terrain. The contrast of the red on white was so beautiful that I longed for a camera, but my dad never let me use our cheap Kodak 110. I vowed to get a camera of my own someday, and a few years later, I bought a 35-millimeter with babysitting funds. To this day, I take photos for my job. I love framing and capturing a scene to share the beauty with others.Nature's handiwork can be surprising, powerful, and treacherous. I want my kids to appreciate all of it. It's hard to watch the snow fall, build with it, and play in it when chained to a Chromebook all day.It can be hard as a working parentAs a working mom, I understand the nervousness of watching the forecast and wondering about childcare if schools close. Inclement weather days should, of course, be used sparingly. But when safety precautions force a closure anyway, the default shouldn't always be remote learning. Those days can be just as challenging for a caregiver.Some traditions aren't coming back. I remember the wonder and joy of gazing at the streetlights when a storm was predicted, hoping to catch the first flakes fluttering when it was too dark to see the street. My classmates and I would snuggle in our beds the next morning, listening to our clock radios to see if our district would be on the list of closings read by the announcer. Parents also had not-so-reliable phone trees to spread the word decades before robocalls. But even with communication becoming less personal, I've observed the magical reactions of kids who realize they're getting a snow day; I actually heard cheering outside my window last February when our district made the announcement via email in advance of a storm the next day.I think schools are over-relying on technology in general. I was disappointed this past summer when one of my kids was expected to do all of the summer assignments on a Chromebook, including the actual reading. I placed an order for the physical book anyway. Kids spend enough time stuck to their screens. If a day comes this winter when it's unsafe to go out, let them have their magical time to explore and dream at least once.

Star Wars Outlaws is the world tired of open world games? (Ubisoft)The Monday letters page wants to see Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on Nintendo Switch 2, as one reader looks forward to a Resident Evil Code: Veronica remake.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukSmaller generationAs we wait for the Nintendo Switch 2 and the start of a new generation I like the talk from various people, including publishers and fans, that video games have just got too big. If PlayStation and Xbox wont stop making their consoles more powerful, then they can at least start to make their games shorter and cheaper.This would help in terms of getting something finished inside of five years and also would fit the kind of lifestyle people have nowadays, where spending 60 hours to beat a game is just not feasible. That was fine when it was just a handful of games a year but when every other game is some epic monster that is impossible to complete and live a normal life you know something has gone wrong.This is happening at the same time that open world games seem to be falling out of favour in general. I think that was a lot of Star Wars Outlaws problem (although it had a lot, to be fair). For me at least the though of starting a new open world game just feels me with dread now, and the thought of how Ill never have time for anything else. Its got to the point where I just dont want that anymore, no matter how good the game is. So it never even gets considered.ZengoComing homeI think its pretty clear that third party publishers are going to release just about everything they can for the Switch 2, at least as first. Like the other reader said, I have my doubts as to whether theyll actually sell all that well, but if they do then we could see the Switch 2 become the most important console of the generation.Im particularly keen to see how well Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth does, both in terms of sales and performance of Rebirth since its a PlayStation 5 game. If they can get it working at an acceptable level, then all bets are off. Plus, it will be nice to have mainline Final Fantasy games back on a Nintendo console, where they started.I dont see a lot of Western games necessarily doing all that well (who on earth is going to want Gotham Knights?) but I think games that are in line with Nintendos vibe could do very well. Metaphor: ReFantazio, for example.LentinShine getIts going to be fascinating to see the effect Switch 2 has on gaming this year, especially as it sometimes seems like a Star Trek movie thing, where one console is good and then the next is bad. Or at least a sales failure.But I do feel that this is the perfect time for Nintendo to shine. PlayStation and Xbox are too stuck in their ways to dare to reduce the power of their machines, so the Switch 2 is really the only sustainable future for gaming, as far as I can see.It cant go any further than that or you get into the cost and time problems were experiencing now, but if the Switch 2 establishes that you didnt need to go beyond the PlayStation 4 then maybe Sony and Microsoft will get the hint. I want to see a new generation of focus on gameplay, not graphics.TacleEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukFirst EvilI didnt realise that there had been rumours claiming that Resident Evil Code: Veronica and Zero are getting remakes. I remember when Capcom seem to shut down the idea of Code: Veronica but this new rumour has really solid sources, including IGN, so there seems reasons to be hopeful?I guess it makes sense, in that the remakes sell and Capcom hasnt got much left to do now (although Id have another crack at Resident Evil 3, if I was them). But Code: Veronica was the first Resi I ever played and Id love to see it be modernised the same way as Resident Evil 4 and co.Also, you can never get enough Claire Redfield, who is my favourite of the team and yet I get the feeling is not that popular overall. I guess its like who is your favourite James Bond or Doctor Who: it really depends who you saw first and its hard to get away from that.RichieLast EscapeRE: Resident Evil 3. The game gets criticised but its actually a very good remake. Ive played through it numerous times and apart from some awful boss fights towards the end, its very good.It has the music nostalgia factor with the save rooms and other places throughout the game, which just does it for me. I know areas were skipped, like the clock tower, but I enjoyed it more than the Resident Evil 2 remake, i.e. Mr X was never in the Leon campaign and he isnt scary but annoying. Also, when I first went into the police station I was expecting the classic tune to play but it didnt (you had to pay for it) so I just never got into it.SimonGC: Regardless of how anyone feels about it as a game, Resident Evil 3 is a pretty terrible remake it barely resembles the original at all.Third commandGreat Readers Feature by Gorf on Command & Conquer reaching its 30th year. I recommend everyone gives it a read. I too am a long-time fan of this series and would love to see a remastered 4K HDR10 port of Command & Conquers 3, Kanes Wrath, and Red Alert 3 included with Commanders Challenge for next generation consoles.The three games released in a remastered collection would sell well and would help to inspire indie developers to learn exactly how you maker real-time strategy games like this.These are my all-time favourites in the series and I am hoping EA will finally give fans a collectors edition we can be proud of.gaz be rotten (gamertag)RE: Gorf and Command & Conquer feature. Not sure if the writer is aware of it but Tempest Rising is coming out on the 24th of April on PC and billed as a spiritual successor to 90s Command & Conquer.Personally for me though. no goofy FMV, no sale.SimundoDefine nearI think the cost/benefit ratio of traditional graphics modelling has definitely been hit. But we can still expect graphics to become much more realistic.You can expect this is where AI is going to come into play in the near future. You can render graphics traditionally, then ask AI to add a photorealistic layer on top of those models. The results are truly photorealistic in a way traditional graphics would struggle to reach.Thewearehere (PSN ID)GC: Perhaps, but when exactly that would be possible is unclear.Unwelcome surpriseIve got a nasty feeling that the Xbox Direct tease about coming from a surprise location is a hint about Microsoft buying Square Enix. Those rumours were going round quite a bit last year and Phil Spencer clearly said that hes not done buying up new companies. Xboxs track record with Japan has always been terrible but the only company that is in the line of fire to be bought out is Square Enix, who have been visibly struggling for a few years now.Im against buyouts for any company but I absolutely am against one of Japans oldest and most important publishers being bought by an American company who will immediately stop them from doing anything unusual or experimental and who I imagine will not get on at all well with Square Enix directors and producers.The top people will be all for it all they care about is money, no matter the country but I cannot see a Square Enix owned by Microsoft doing anything but crashing and burning. And then that will be another one to add to the list alongside Ubisoft. I dont know what gaming is going to be like in 2025, but I worry that in 2026 its going to end up looking like an impact crater.GokuInbox also-ransWhen do you think Grand Theft Auto 6 will be released and how much will it cost?DavidGC: While theres reason to fear a delay, the official word is that itll be out this autumn. The price will probably be 70.I like the idea that Sony is still starting new studios, even if its closed others. If this new one announces a single-player game then I think the signs will be good for the future.EclairMore TrendingEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Readers Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.You can also leave your comments below and dont forget to follow us on Twitter.ArrowMORE: Games Inbox: Will GTA 6 be out in 2025?ArrowMORE: Games Inbox: How powerful is the Nintendo Switch 2? GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

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Teachers are often a nurturing archetype in a broader story. They are mentors and guides throughout the heros journey. They often have knowledge or wisdom the player needs, or they might be an obstacle to a goal and the player must prove themselves in order to proceed. Then, on some rare occasions, players get to play as a teacher.

It's no secret that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in a bit of a rough spot. After the high that was Avengers: Endgame, many thought Marvel Studios could do no wrong, especially as they followed it up with hits like WandaVision, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Sadly, a mixture of behind-the-scenes turmoil, box office bombs, and unnecessary Disney+ projects have driven away many fans.

While the Dragon Isles offers up brand-new factions, landscapes, and villains to defeat, for Hunters, there are a variety of interesting new pets just waiting to be tamed. As can be expected, the pets found in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight appear primitive and ancient, just like the continent adventurers find themselves on.

Has this bug been fixed in the post 2.37.0 work so far?https://github.com/conan-io/conan-center-index/issues/25353Although it was reported to that Conan repository, I suspect it has not been reported upstream.I've also run into it with Homebrew Clang 18 and 19.Thanks,Rob

Garmin produces more variations on the smartwatch theme than anyone else, and the Instinct series is the range that prioritizes battery life first and foremost (with a little help from solar charging). Three years after the Instinct 2 series first appeared, Garmin has now unveiled the Instinct 3 models at CES 2025.The headline feature here is an upgraded screen option. One of the main reasons the Instinct 2 watches offer such good battery life is they use low-res, monochrome MIP displays: These displays are still available with the Instinct 3 series, but there are now models with bright, full color AMOLED displays, too (check our guide to MIP vs AMOLED for more details). The new AMOLED option for the Instinct 3. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt If you go for a monochrome MIP display Instinct 3, the screen is slightly bigger than it was on the Instinct 2, and you also get solar chargingwhich in theory gives you unlimited battery life (assuming you live in a sunny part of the world). Garmin says the solar charging panel has been improved on the new watches, giving you (for example) more than five times the battery life in GPS mode when solar charging on the largest size.Opt for the AMOLED screen, and you don't get solar charging or quite as much battery life, but you do get full color displays. Garmin says the AMOLED models in "smartwatch mode" (with most features switched on but no GPS) can deliver up to 24 days of battery life. For the MIP Solar model, that goes up to 40 daysand if you're always in sunny weather and never pushing your watch too hard, you may never need to recharge it again.As usual, battery life will depend on a variety of factors, not just the screenso take these as estimates rather than guarantees. Like the Instinct 2 ranges, the Instinct 3 smartwatches come with a variety of battery modes so you can decide whether to prioritize features and performance or battery life. The monochrome MIP option for the Instinct 3, matching the Instinct 2. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt Both monochrome MIP and AMOLED options are available in 45mm or 50mm sizes, and all models have a built-in flashlight and a reinforced metal bezel. First introduced with the Instinct 2X, the flashlight is now available across all the Instinct 3 models, and comes with a clever trick: You can set it to a strobe mode, which might come in handy when you need to make yourself visible while jogging late at night, for instance.There's also a more affordable Instinct E model, available in 40mm and 45mm sizes, which has the monochrome MIP display but no solar charging, no flashlight, and no metal bezel. It does still offer a lot of the same fitness tracking and navigation tricks though, so is worth weighing up if you have a smaller budget and like the Garmin Instinct aesthetic.Of course, all of the usual Instinct benefits are passed over to the new range, including 10 ATM water resistance, and MIL-STD 810 military standard thermal and shock protection. The rather unusual screen layout is retained on the MIP models too (and available as an option on the AMOLED watch faces), with a little screen-within-a-screen in one corner, that can be set up to show a variety of stats or indicators. The new and more affordable Instinct E model. Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt There are no new sensors on the Instinct 3, but there wasn't much need for an upgrade here: As before, the watch can track a host of health and fitness stats (including heart rate variability and blood oxygen saturation), as well as offering GPS and compass navigation, contactless payments, and smart notifications from your phone.Tempted to buy one? Orders open Jan. 10 on the Garmin website, with prices starting at $449.99 for the 45mm AMOLED model, $399.99 for the 45mm MIP Solar model, and $299.99 for the 40mm Instinct E model. The primary color option is Black/Charcoal, but a number of limited edition choices are also going to be available.

The first thing people tend to do when they get a pizza oven is invite you over for a pizza party, at which they will inevitably serve burned, yet undercooked pizza, and maybe even sacrifice a pie or two by dropping it in a failed attempt to turn it while in the oven. At CES 2025, Current Backyard has introduced a smart pizza oven that might solve for these problems. The Current Model P Smart Pizza Oven is an electric pizza oven enabled with wifi and Bluetooth that can be used both indoors and outdoors. With help from an accompanying app, it promises to cook a perfect pie every time.Cook a pizza at up to 850FOn its face, the concept is appealing: An oven that eliminates the most common pains of pizza-making by leveraging smart tech. The Model P uses an algorithm to cycle its heating, and so you never need to turn the pizza while it is in the oven, which is hard to do without a lot of practice. You dont even need to open the door while the pizza is cooking.The accompanying app has a Pizza Build Calculator, so regardless of what kind of pizza you want to make, it will tell you the exact amount of sauce, cheese, and toppings you need for, say, a 12-inch pizza in the style you choose (Neapolitan, New York, Thin Crust). Then, it will tell the oven how long and at what temperature to cook itup to 850F.You just have to get the pizza onto the cordierite cooking stone and then let the app and the oven handle it from there. Current claims that the oven doesn't need to reheat between pizzas, eitheryou can slide them in and out continuously, which is more like how a traditional wood pizza oven operates. Since a pizza oven is still just an oven, you can utilize the Model P for other cooking instances using the low or high broil function.How much the Current smart pizza oven will costThe oven looks sturdy enough, and is made of stainless steel. It comes with a 10-year limited warranty, and at $599, is priced on par for the market when compared to other electric ovens with the same temperature capacity. (While pricing for dedicated pizza ovens varies, theyre often not cheapthis smart model from Breville, for example, starts at around $800).As someone with a few smart cooking devices, including the Brisk It Origin grill and the Brava Oven, both of which work the same way (let the app and device take over the cook time and temperature), I am a fan of the general concepts. I am a confident cook, but it's also nice to sometimes ease up and let a machine take over. The oven isnt making the sauce or choosing the quality of toppingsyoure still ultimately in charge of the quality of the resultbut the labor of standing over a stove and figuring out when something is done cooking is off the table, so to speak.Current has a mixed track record (for me)That said, I tested a Current smart backyard grill this past summer, and although it did precisely what it promised, I didnt love the experience. Electric grills are great if you cant use gas, charcoal, or wood for some reason, but you dont get the same great smokiness or char you would from a real grill. I also found the Current to be a pain to clean. Without hands-on testing, it's hard to know if this pizza oven will offer similar setbacks.As pizza ovens go, 850F isnt actually all that hotwood-fired pizza ovens can climb to over 1000F, and high heat is critical for creating the best crust. Still, it's not like you can bring a wood pizza oven inside your home, and electric pizza ovens are already quite popular, so adding smart tech to one of them is a potential win. We'll find out when it hits the market: The Model P should be available sometime in the second quarter of 2025.

I've seen plenty of weird and wonderful devices at the annual CES expo, alongside more serious and heavyweight hardware launches, but the Nkojita FuFu might be my favorite quirky gadget of the 2025 show yet: The tiny cat-like robot sits on the side of your mugs and blows on your drinks and food to cool them down. It's functional, and also rather adorable.According to Yukai Engineering, the Japanese manufacturer behind the robot, it's "designed to recreate the joy of encountering and interacting with a human baby"presumably because it's small and playful, not because it blows on your beverages. You can put it on the side of any drink or dish of food with a raised edge that's thin enough for the little bot to perch on top of. Credit: Jake Peterson In Japanese, "neko-jita" means "cat tongue," a description used for an intolerance of hot food and drink (a 2018 poll quoted by Yukai Engineering suggests it's something that bothers nearly half the population in Japan). The "fufu" part of the name is intended as an onomatopoeic expression imitating steady breathing.There are actually more smarts here than you might think, in addition to the stylish and cutesy design. The internal fan inside the Nkojita FuFu robot uses a special algorithm that will support up to eight different blowing modes, each with their own custom name: From a gradual ramping up in strength ("Look at That!") to a long, non-stop blow ("'Til You Drop").Apparently not all of these modes are guaranteed to make it to the final product, and it seems the bot will switch between them at randomthe idea being that the cooling gadget will then feel a little less robotic or like a standard fan. It works via an internal battery, which you can recharge via a USB-C port.The development team says their creation will cool hot water down from 190F (88C) to 160F (71C) in three minutes and 151F (66C) in five minutes. Without any additional cooling, the comparison temperatures are 176F (80C) after three minutes and 171F (77C) after five minutes, so you can see how much it speeds up the process. The bot can just sit to the side of a dish. Credit: Yukai Engineering "We created Nkojita FuFu as a little personal meal partner, so you can solve your nko-jita problem anywhere, anytime," says Tsubasa Tominaga, the chief marketing officer at Yukai Engineering. "The robot doesnt just help you enjoy hot coffee. It can make it easier for seniors to down hot soup and reduce parents chores by helping kids eat with less help."The bad news is, the "mascot robot" is unlikely to be available outside of Japan, so if you live anywhere else you might have to get creative when it comes to ordering one. A crowdfunding campaign is scheduled for the middle of 2025, and the final retail price is expected to be 3,800 Japanese yen (roughly $25).