In a new notification sent to users, TIkTok has confirmed it is shutting down in the United States effective as of January 19. The company says it is working to restore its service in the U.S. as soon as possible. Heres the full text of the notification that youll see when you open TikTok this evening: Important update from TikTokWe regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. Were working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned. As of 9 p.m. ET on January 18, TikTok is still accessible in the United States. That is expected to change once the clock strikes midnight and the calendar flips to January 19. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

"Not good."Intel AtlanticThe FBI admitted that hackers appear to have broken into AT&T's systems last year to steal months of call and text logs data pilfering that could endanger the agency's own operatives.According to a document reviewed by Bloomberg, the FBI scrambled to contain the disaster. The infiltrators got access to data from all devices used by FBI agents under the bureau's AT&T service for public safety agencies,according to the outlet's reporting,though exactly how they did so remains unclear.It's nonetheless an egregious lapse in telecommunications cybersecurity, which could aid hackers in tracking down FBI agents' sensitive communications with informants, among other data. According to one of Bloomberg's sources, the stolen information contained the call logs of at least one agent.The hack also highlights lapses in the cybersecurity of the FBI itself, turning the hack into a considerable risk to its operations and even national security not to mention potentially undermining its ability to keep confidential informants safe.Over ConfidantThe agency is already dealing with a separate data breach affecting nine different telecommunications companies. In November, US officials blamed Chinese state-sponsored hackers, part of a spy group called Salt Typhoon, for a "broad and significant cyber-espionage campaign."The latest hack adds even more pressure on telecommunications companies like AT&T, as well as the FBI."After criminals stole customer data last year, we worked closely with law enforcement to mitigate impact to government operations," AT&T spokesperson Alex Byers told Bloomberg."The FBI continually adapts our operational and security practices as physical and digital threats evolve," the FBI added in a statement.Nonetheless, the call and text logs leak is a major setback for the agency, retired FBI agent William Evanina told the publication."Any disclosure of such communications is both significantly detrimental to investigations but also potentially dangerous to confidential informants if their identity is disclosed," he"This is an op-sec failure more than a technology failure," former agent Miguel Clarke told Bloomberg.The exact extent of the latest hack remains unknown, but it certainly reveals some uncomfortable cybersecurity shortcomings."I worry about the FBI sources who might have been affected by this AT&T exposure, but more broadly the public still doesn't have a full understanding of the fallout of the Salt Typhoon campaigns," former NSA hacker and Hunter Strategy vice president of research Jake Williams told Wired. "And it seems that the US government is still working on getting a grasp of that as well."More on cybersecurity: It Appears That Chinese Hackers Have Stolen Your Naughty TextsShare This Article

Few questions before we start:Do you have a basic understanding of technical on-site SEO but want to take your skills to the next level?Are you obsessed with details and love the idea of mastering the technical side of things?If youre eager to learn and grow, weve got the perfect role for you!What Youll Be Doing#1 - Learning and Implementing SEO Magic:Conduct a full-site page audit to identify valuable pages and weed out the ones holding us back.Execute 301 redirects with Jedi-like precision to preserve SEO value and link juice.#2 - Getting Hands-On with SEO Tools:Use Ahrefs and Semrush to uncover insights and find optimization opportunities.Perform on-site SEO tasks that make our website as optimised as possible to rank on Google (Ahrefs SEO audit)#3 - Becoming a Page-Filtering Pro:Confidently decide which pages to delete, redirect, or double-check with the team.Explain your reasoning in a way even non-SEO folks will understand.#4 - Leveling Up Your Skills:You'll need to help to optimise many URLS, pages, permalinks, interlinking, ensure the on-site seo is clear and consistent.Learn to conduct regular audits, fix technical issues, and ensure our site stays healthy and strong.What Were Looking ForSEO Apprentice in the Making: Youve got the foundations Referring Domains, Dofollow/Nofollow, DR, 301 redirects, link juicebut youre ready to learn more.Detail Jedi: Precision and organization are your superpowers. You cant let a small error slide.Tool Curious: Familiarity with Ahrefs or Semrush is a bonus, but well teach you the tricks of the trade.Communicator Extraordinaire: You can explain your thought process clearly, without the fluff.Eager Learner: Youre open to feedback, hungry for growth, and excited to master the art of SEO.Bonus Points For:Experience with 301 url/site redirects or handling content audits.A natural curiosity for all things SEO and website optimization.The ability to turn complex instructions into clean, actionable steps.Salary & Growth $800$1,000/month to start (part-time, with potential to grow into full-time). Youll gain real-world experience, grow your skillset, and be a key part of our team.Why Join Us? Remote Flexibility: Work when youre most productivewere results-driven, not clock-watchers. SEO Training: Well teach you what actually works. We have the knowledge but we need someone to execute with detailed precision. Supportive Culture: No egos, no dramajust a fun and collaborative environment. Accelerated Learning: Learn fast, achieve more, and grow into a skilled SEO professionalHow to ApplyReady to start your journey as an SEO Padawan?Fill out this form (10-15mins) - https://forms.gle/DbKmKZCZwTA6xq7SAInside the form the most important filter will be your completion of the following challenge (if you're not ready, dont apply):Review an Ahrefs Best by Links export (youll receive the file after applying).Select 5-10 pages and explain your decisions: which to delete, redirect, or retainand why.We cant wait to see your potential and help you master the ways of SEO! Related Jobs See more All Other Remote jobs

It's already "tracking ahead" of the PS5 reveal.After an overload of rumours and leaks, Nintendo this week released its first trailer for the Switch 2.For anyone worried about the company's lack of marketing or promotion in the leadup to this big announcement, it doesn't appear to have impacted the reveal - with the trailer still trending in the top spot on YouTube days later.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Self-Storage | Alvaro Ibanez via UnsplashThe home buyers and sellers markets are confusing and quite often very frustrating to deal with. At any time of a buyers market, there are many more homes out on the market than buyers, at which point any advantage goes to the buyer in question. Alternatively, a sellers market inverses that figure- there are more buyers around than homes for sale in your area, which leads to what is known as competitive bidding.It doesnt matter what the case may be, whether the market is a buyers or sellers market; self-storage is at least one practical solution for homeowners and their sellers. Historically, self-storage has been used for personal placement. Still, its role has grown as people realize the benefits of temporary space during life transitions, such as buying or selling a home. It provides space for sellers to declutter and stage a home, while buyers find it helpful when moving. The following article explores how self-storage can be a needed device to make the selling and buying of a house easier.What is a Buyers Market?This happens because more homes are in a buyers market than buyers. This gives buyers the upper hand during negotiations, which also translates into lower home prices and greater flexibility for the buyer. Selling a home in such conditions may be challenging for a seller since they will need to highlight special reasons why the particular home deserves attention from a buyer.One of the best ways to make a home more appealing to buyers is by decluttering and depersonalizing the space, which can be done by renting a self-storage unit. By storing excess furniture, personal items, or seasonal dcor, sellers can present a cleaner, more spacious home that feels welcoming to potential buyers. A self-storage unit is a secure and convenient solution for temporary storage, allowing sellers to stage their homes effectively without the hassle of moving everything permanently.Statistics: In a buyers market, nearly 40% of sellers report using self-storage to improve their homes appeal.What is a Sellers Market?The conditions in a sellers market are favorable for homeowners looking to sell. There are more buyers than available properties, creating competition and increasing home prices. This type of market often leads to multiple offers, bidding wars, and faster sales. For sellers, this is an excellent opportunity to maximize the value of their home, but it can also present some challenges. Homes in a sellers market must stand out from the competition to attract the highest offers. Home staging is key in achieving this, which involves making the property as appealing as possible to prospective buyers. A seller might rent a self-storage unit to remove personal items, excess furniture, or clutter that could distract buyers or make the space feel cramped. By temporarily storing items, sellers can create a cleaner, more neutral space that allows potential buyers to envision themselves in the home. This can increase the likelihood of selling the property quickly and for a higher price.Historical Note: The concept of a sellers market has existed as long as real estate transactions, but it became more prominent in the mid-20th century as housing demand in urban areas surged.The Benefits of Self-StorageSelf-storage offers several advantages for both home buyers and sellers. It helps homeowners and sellers create the space and organization needed to make their homes more attractive and ready for sale. For buyers, self-storage offers a safe and convenient place to store items when transitioning into a new home.Some of the key benefits of self-storage include:Decluttering to make a home look more spacious and appealing.Temporary storage for belongings while waiting to move into a new home.Space for staging by removing personal items to help buyers visualize the home better.Self-storage can give sellers a competitive edge by making the home look more organized, allowing it to stand out in a crowded market. It offers buyers an easy solution for storing belongings during the moving process. In both cases, self-storage provides convenience, flexibility, and security.Storing Items During ShowingsSelf-Storage | Steve Johnson via UnsplashDuring home viewings, the place must look as friendly and big as possible. Self-storage can be crucial in such cases, whereby owners can safely store personal items, excess furniture, or seasonal belongings that might make the space cluttered. You will remove all unnecessary items that distract buyers from the property, either because of your stuff or an overfilled space. This can also make the house feel more neutral for the buyers who come through and begin imagining their lives within.For the owners, self-storage is a simplified solution that could clean up space without necessarily giving away or taking property elsewhere for good. It will allow the sellers to show off their home in the best manner so that it looks clean and well-maintained. This is important, especially in a competitive market where first impressions make all the difference in landing an offer. This way, self-storage provides flexibility and ease in making your house more presentable at viewings and open houses.Self-Storage for Home StagingHome staging is essential in preparing a home for sale, and self-storage plays a crucial role in this process. By clearing out personal items, extra furniture, and clutter, sellers can create a space that feels larger and more inviting to potential buyers. Self-storage allows homeowners to temporarily store these items while showcasing their homes best features.Here are some key reasons why self-storage is helpful for home staging:Creates more space by removing unnecessary items.It helps declutter the home, allowing buyers to see the full potential.Neutralizes the space, making it easier for buyers to imagine themselves living there.Stores seasonal items or furniture that might not fit the aesthetic for showings.Self-storage makes it easy for sellers to stage their homes effectively, presenting them in the best possible light without the stress of permanently relocating or discarding belongings.The Value of Self-Storage for Buyers and SellersSelf-storage is a potent tool for real estate buyers and sellers. It offers flexibility, security, and convenience for managing belongings while selling or buying a house. Sellers can tidy up and show their homes more effectively, which will appeal to oncoming buyers. Self-storage also provides a safe place for personal items needing temporary storage.For buyers, self-storage can provide a temporary home for items while they move and locate a more organized home. While the importance of housing continues to shift, self-storage remains an extremely valuable resource for organizing ones possessions during one of the most stressful and chaotic times. In the end, self-storage helps ensure that items can be securely stored and taken out when necessary, ultimately smoothing out the experience of all parties involved in the buying and selling process.Leave a comment

How to solve today's Wordle.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Saturdays Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here:Holy smokes, folks. Its Sunday and the very last day of the Biden administration. Its also the very last day of TikTok unless the new Trump administration decides to extend its lifespan. Whether or not these are good or bad bits of news for you, it is indeed the end of an era (or two). Wordle will live on, however, and thats good news I think we can all agree on! Speaking of which, lets solve todays!How To Solve Todays WordleThe Hint: An important piece of workout equipment.The Clue: This Wordle begins and ends with consonants.Okay, spoilers below!...The Answer:Today's WordleScreenshot: Erik KainPlay Puzzles & Games on ForbesWordle AnalysisEvery day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. CLAIM seemed like a good guess but it was not. At all. 655 words remained and I had a spread of five grey boxes staring back at me. SPORE slashed this down to just 33 and gave me three yellow boxes to work with. I thought RODEO was a good guess, since it would test out a couple different placements for the O and sure enough, only three words remained. I picked ROWER because I was about to head to an OrangeTheory class and we do a lot of rowing in there! Lucky for me, that was the Wordle!Competitive Wordle ScoreI get 0 points for guessing in four and, much to my surprise, 1 point for beating the Bot! Wordle Bot took 5 tries today, which is rare.How To Play Competitive WordleGuessing in 1 is worth 3 points; guessing in 2 is worth 2 points; guessing in 3 is worth 1 point; guessing in 4 is worth 0 points; guessing in 5 is -1 points; guessing in 6 is -2 points and missing the Wordle is -3 points.If you beat your opponent you get 1 point. If you tie, you get 0 points. And if you lose to your opponent, you get -1 point. Add it up to get your score. Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.Fridays are 2XP, meaning you double your pointspositive or negative.You can keep a running tally or just play day-by-day. Enjoy!Todays Wordle EtymologyThe word "rower" originates from the Old English word "rwan," which means "to row" (as in using oars to propel a boat). This is derived from the Proto-Germanic root *"r-" and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *"ere-" or "*er-", meaning "to move" or "to flow." The suffix "-er" was added in English to form the agent noun, denoting a person who rows.Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when Im not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsWhats going on with TP-Link?Other router brands to try outHow to stay safe if youre currently using TP-LinkIn December last year, it was revealed that the U.S. government is considering banning TP-Link routers entirely. Much like Huawei back in 2019, the brand might soon all but vanish from the U.S. market but unlike Huawei, this might turn out to be a huge problem, because TP-Link routers are highly popular all across the country.The fate of these routers is still uncertain, but its a good idea to think ahead and potentially replace your existing router. If youre buying a new one, it might be better to buy from a different brand. Below, Ill walk you through the best routers currently out there and help you pick a brand that suits you.Recommended VideosTP-LinkTP-Link is a Chinese company that specializes in making various networking products and smart home devices. Its the brand behind millions of routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems that are used in the United States every single day. One of its key advantages over many competitors is that its routers are highly affordable; even the latest Wi-Fi 7 models can be scored for as little as . However, the company has found itself on unsteady ground. The U.S. Departments of Justice, Defense, and Commerce are actively looking into TP-Link, with the Commerce Department now subpoenaing the brand. It all stems from alleged links to China-backed cyberattacks, some of which targeted key government organizations and their suppliers as well as companies with no links to the U.S. government.Its unclear whether TP-Link routers have some specific security flaws that make them more susceptible to cyberattacks than other brands. According to CNET, some security researchers claim that the possible ban might be linked more to the companys ties to China rather than hardware- or software-related flaws within its devices.Thomas Pace, the CEO of NetRise, a cybersecurity company, told CNET in December: People expect there to be some smoking gun or something in these devices from Chinese manufacturers, and what you end up finding is the exact same problems in every device. Its not like the Chinese devices are glaringly insecure. Thats not the risk. The risk is in the corporate structure of every Chinese company.With that said, the experts that CNET spoke to did agree that TP-Link had some security flaws, but it wasnt alone chances are that a router thats completely immune to hackers simply doesnt exist. Cybersecurity experts note that these attacks arent limited to any single router brand, and devices all over the world may be affected.At this point, theres no telling whether the ban will go through and what will happen if TP-Link routers are banned. However, according to The Wall Street Journal, TP-Link accounts for as many as 65% of router sales that took place in 2024 in the U.S., so many users could be affected by the ban.As its still unclear whats going to happen to TP-Link, theres no need to throw out your existing router if you already have one. But if the ban does go through, many users will be looking for replacements, and those who dont currently own a router might want to look into other brands to be extra safe.The good news is that there are a few options to choose from, although there arent many which are as affordable as TP-Link tends to be. Lets check them out.AsusAsusApart from being known to make routers that look like a cross between a Pokmon and a Transformer, Asus is responsible for some of the best routers on the market, chiefly aimed at gamers. If you want to avoid lag or disconnects during gameplay, Asus routers tend to be mighty powerful but also pretty expensive.The company offers a full range of routers, and while they come with features that gamers appreciate, they can be used at home for any purpose. Some are crazy expensive, such as the Asus RT-BE96U BE19000, priced at , but this is one overkill Wi-Fi 7 router for the most demanding users. It can offer speeds of up to 19Gbps, dual 10Gb WAN/LAN ports, multi-link connection, and 6GHz support.A cheaper option is the Asus RT-AX86U Pro, which is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 gaming router with speeds of up to 5,700Mbps, access to 2Gbps WAN connections and a wired 2.5Gbps port, and a more modest . Being a gaming router, it also serves up some interesting features, such as Adaptive Quality of Service (QoS), which allows you to prioritize traffic toward specific games instead of other uses, such as smart home devices or browsers.Asus does have a bunch of models in the sub-$100 price bracket, but of course, theyre not as impressive as the pricier options. However, the company is widely known as one of the best alternatives to TP-Link due to its high product quality.NetgearNetgearNetgear may not be as recognizable to gamers as Asus is, but there are still loads of options to choose from and much like Asus, the company serves up routers ranging from $6o to $600.One of the more popular models is the Netgear Nighthawk RS300, which is a tri-band router with access to Wi-Fi 7, including 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. Unfortunately, it cant be used for a mesh network, but it does offer solid coverage regardless. Youll find it for .Netgears Nighthawk Tri-Band RS700S is similar to the expensive Asus I talked about previously, albeit slightly cheaper at . This model also supports Wi-Fi 7, speeds of up to 19Gbps, and a 10Gbps Ethernet port. Its a premium product for sure, and just to be clear, most of us have no use for routers of that caliber, but it is an option.On the other side of the spectrum are routers like the Netgear R6700AX, which is a Wi-Fi 6 router with speeds of up to 1,8Gbps. Netgear promises to deliver coverage of up to 1,500 sq. ft. and support for up to 20 devices at a time with this one, and itll only cost you a much more reasonable .Netgear also has some innovative options up for grabs, such as the Netgear Orbi Voice, which is a device that combines a Wi-Fi router with a smart speaker. Bonus: It looks pretty nice, too.EeroJacob Roach / Digital TrendsEero is the final brand Id like to recommend you today, and its one that strikes a good balance between affordable and solid. Being an Amazon brand, its widely available on the platform, and there are lots of kits so that you can set up your own mesh system to increase the coverage in your home.The Eero 6+ mesh system was one we particularly liked. A two-pack of Eero 6+ nodes is enough to cover a three-bedroom household, and while its not the latest option from Eero (those can cost upward of $600), its still a recent option with plenty of networking power to offer. Its a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with speeds reaching up to 1Gbps. Assuming youre fine with a two-pack, itll cost you , and at that price, Eero claims that you can connect up to 75 devices. (My old router would break down in tears if I tried to do something like that.)Amazon also has a bunch of better Eeros available, including the Eero Max 7, which supports plans of up to 10Gbps. However, just a single one of these will cost you a whopping $600, at which point you might as well get yourself an enterprise-level router. A three-pack of those will run you $1,700 thats enough to build a decent gaming PC with.If you dont need a whole mesh system or crazy-high speeds, a single Eero 6 and still supports speeds of up to 900Mbps.TP-LinkAs I mentioned earlier on in this article, you dont have to worry about your entire network just because you own a TP-Link router. However, Microsoft has found that these routers were used in so-called password spray attacks, which means using a common password across a range of devices and hacking the ones that are using that password.We dont know about any dangers that are exclusive to TP-Link routers, but there are a few things you can do to make sure youre a little bit safer, regardless of who made your router.First of all, if youre using the default router that was given to you by your ISP, its a good idea to replace it. Not only will the new router be better, it might also be more secure. Make sure to check with your ISP first, though, as some internet providers dont allow third-party hardware.Next, no matter if you have a third-party router or one thats been rented to you, make sure to change your password to something highly secure and strictly your own. Default passwords continue getting people in trouble on a regular basis.Lastly, keep your firmware up to date and make sure that youre using some protective measures, such as a firewall and Wi-Fi encryption. Hackers are likelier to target companies and government organizations than consumers, but its better to be safe than sorry.Editors Recommendations

Elon Musk wrote "Make Europe Great Again" in an X post on Saturday.Musk has used X to share support for far-right political parties in Europe.His remarks have drawn ire from political leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.Elon Musk continues to champion right-wing politics in Europe.Musk shared an X post on Saturday that invoked President-elect Donald Trump's world-famous campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again.""From MAGA to MEGA: Make Europe Great Again!" the tech billionaire wrote.In a separate post, Musk said, "So many people in Europe lack hope for the future or think Europe is 'bad' in some way. Pervasive pessimism. This will lead to the end of Europe. Therefore, it must change."Representatives for Musk did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.Musk has previously promoted right-wing political parties and agendas in Europe, including in a December 2024 op-ed in a prominent German newspaper. The op-ed called the Alternative for Germany party or AfD the "last spark of hope for this country.""The AfD advocates a controlled immigration policy that gives priority to integration and the preservation of German culture and security. This is not about xenophobia, but about ensuring that Germany does not lose its identity in the pursuit of globalization," Musk wrote. "A nation must preserve its core values and cultural heritage to remain strong and united."That same month, Musk called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an "incompetent fool" on X and suggested he should resign.Musk owns a Tesla Gigafactory near Berlin, which has been the source of local tension. Last year, aclash between police and protestors,who said the factory's expansion would deplete local forests and water resources, broke out.Thomas Zittel, a politics professor at Goethe University Frankfurt, told Business Insider that Musk's "motivation to comment on German party politics may be driven by his own experiences during the construction" of the factory. He added that there was "probably too much bureaucracy and regulation for his taste.""After all, he thinks in terms of disruption," Zittel said.Musk has also waded into UK politics. Earlier this month, he advocated on X for the release of Tommy Robinson, a far-right English agitator. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, breached a court order not to repeat false claims about a refugee from Syria and was jailed last year. Robinson was sued for defamation over the claims.Five days later, Musk shared a poll on X asking if America should "liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government."Musk's comments have drawn criticism from political leaders across Europe.Scholz responded to Musk's op-ed during an interview this month. "There are many people on social media who want to attract attention with strong slogans," he said. "The rule is: Don't feed the troll."UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also discussed Musk during a speech without naming him this month. "Those who are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible are not interested in victims they're interested in themselves," Starmer said.

How video game console generations got less impressive with time Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished January 19, 2025 1:00am Is the concept of the generational leap already over? (Sony/Microsoft/Metro)A reader looks back at his history with video game consoles, from the Atari 2600 to PS5, and laments the end of major graphical leaps forward.A new year is as good a time as any to reflect, as well as look forwards. Which is exactly what Ive done, but this time Im taking a look at how each generational shift has impacted the visuals of our games.Now, this is entirely a personal view; Ive not necessarily taken the industry standard of what a generation is and what machines are included in them this is simply how I remember each cohort of consoles and what my memory was of them at the time (and in retrospect).Ive not included the PC, due to its fluid nature, but have included some home computers as they are mostly standalone computers that fitted neatly into their respective generations. For each generation Ive named the main systems aligned to that era (but its by no means exhaustive, there are plenty of articles online if you want a more in-depth read). Pitfall on Atari 2600 (Wikipedia)The First Generation Atari 2600, Intellivision, Magnavox Odyssey 2My exposure to this generation was very limited. I was very young and vaguely remember seeing one at a friends house but it serves as a useful reminder of how it all began for me at least. Graphics were basic but functional but with nothing previous to compare them too (other than more powerful arcade machines) they were still very impressive in conveying the action. Many of the titles took place moving from single screen to single screen, which was reminiscent of the arcade games of the time. Knight Lore on the ZX Spectrum (Wikipedia)8-Bit Generation NES, Master System, ZX Spectrum, C64This is where I truly entered the scene, primarily with the Spectrum and Master System. Graphical sophistication took a leap, especially as developers got to grips with the hardware and its limitations. Its probably a clich, but with quite a bit of truth behind it, in that the very limited memory meant the programmers had to come up with novel and ingenious ways of getting more and more out of these systems.The different machines had their strong and weak points (the Spectrum couldnt handle colour clash well and thats why many of its titles were monochrome) and the games on the systems reflected that. Scrolling screens that covered a whole level were more commonplace now, not just single screen affairs. Pilotwings on the SNES (Nintendo)16-Bit Generation Mega Drive, SNES, Atari ST, AmigaMore colours, more sprites on screen, and fancy new tech such as Mode 7 on the SNES gave the players a genuine leap forward of what could be achieved on screen. Up until this point, youd often have magazine adverts outrageously trying to sell you arcade perfect conversions of the latest game, when in fact a cursory glance at the screenshots showed it was anything but.However, Id argue that Street Fighter 2 on the SNES was the first game that could actually make that claim. The arcade wasnt in our homes yet (unless you were rich enough to afford a Neo-Geo), but it was getting closer. Tomb Raider on PlayStation (Crystal Dynamics)Crystal DynamicsFully exploring new dimensions PlayStation, N64, SaturnWe certainly had usable 3D way before this generation, but it was with the advent of dedicated graphics cards on PCs and more powerful consoles, such as those mentioned above, when the third dimension really came to the fore. Admittedly, some of the titles dont look great now, but the gameplay of the likes of Super Mario 64 and Metal Gear Solid still shine through. The move from pixels to polygons was here to stay.The PlayStation and Nintendo 64 were built to handle 3D graphics from the ground up, whereas the Saturn was still more of a 2D machine (although it did have some notable 3D titles) and suffered as a consequence. GTA 3 on PlayStation 2 (MobyGames)Segas last stand and a new giant enters the fray Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, GameCube, XboxWhereas the previous gen introduced the foundations of 3D to many titles, this gen refined it, built on it, and added a layer of sheen. Its difficult to measure the graphical improvements from one generation to the next but to my mind the leap from the original PlayStation to its immediate successor was one of the biggest. The more powerful machines also allowed more complex AI, dynamic worlds, and longer fields of view for players to explore. Gears Of War on Xbox 360 (MobyGames)The HD Generation Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, WiiPrevious systems experimented with online connectivity, but it was here where it gained mass adoption, mainly due to the increased roll-out of broadband technology at the time. A further boost was that high definition TVs were starting to make their way into peoples living rooms at the same time, something these consoles had the inbuilt capability to deal with.Whilst not as ground-breaking as the change from black and white TV to colour, the change from standard to high definition was still significant in the improved fidelity and visuals for gamers. Colours popped, edges smoothed, and lighting effects became more pronounced and noticeable. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild on Nintendo Switch (Nintendo)Another fidelity leap, divergence of strategies PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, SwitchAlthough it took decades to transition from SD to HD, it was only a few more years before 4K (or ultra HD) gained mainstream attention, but even the most ardent videophile would admit that leap forward didnt have the same impact. However, graphics now were extremely impressive and allowed developers and artists to fully realise their ideas and it could be argued that games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Last of Us Part 2 have yet to be bettered, even 10 years on.Nintendo had already taken a conscious decision not to compete on graphical grunt alone and this was evident with the launch of their hybrid console, the Switch. Titles such as Super Mario Odyssey, Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still look gorgeous though, reminding us that clever and imaginative art styles shouldnt be burnt on the altar of raw power. Marvels Spider-Man 2 on PlayStation 5 (Sony Interactive Entertainment)The Forgotten Generation? PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/SNow I am being a tad mischievous with this title, especially as the PlayStation 5 has continued to sell very well since launch. However, this article is primarily about visual improvements between console generations and, to date, I can honestly say I struggle to see any material difference between this generation and the last. In the first couple of years of a new wave of consoles this is understandable, but were over four years into this cycle (which is traditionally over halfway through a console generation) and still not much in the way of a difference.Weve heard and read about new buzz words and phrases, about SSDs, RTX, AI and machine learning, just as Nvidia launch their near 2,000 graphics card, but have we reached the oft mentioned law of diminishing returns coming home to roost? Personally, Id be happy with the current state of affairs if the 500 we were paying for the consoles and 60 for the games used the increased power for discernible changes in physics models, AI, etc. rather than going for tiny improvements in graphical fidelity.More TrendingWere at interesting juncture in gaming and I dont see the crash that some are predicting as a result of the spiralling development costs. Hopefully it will be more of a pivot to something different. Maybe a new console launch in the next few months will throw up some lightBy reader TheTruthSoul (PSN ID)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive 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

Nature, Published online: 15 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08393-xDeep learning methods have been used to design proteins that can neutralize the effects of three-finger toxins found in snake venom, which could lead to the development of safer and more accessible antivenom treatments.