Its hard to stop makingOverwatchcomparisons toMarvel Rivals, given how familiar the latters upcoming Chinese New Year event looks.Those of us whove been playing Blizzards hero shooter for the past eight years have seen this all before.The Spring Festival, which starts on Jan. 23, introduces a new limited-time mode that is basically Rocket League without the cars. Its called Clash of Dancing Lions, and it takes place in a big arena with goals on either end. Teams pass a ball around and try to score goals using Black Widow, Iron Fist, and Star-Lord in dancing lion skins, of course. If you replaced those heroes with Lcio from Overwatch, you would just have Lcioball, a mode that has existed in that game since its first Summer Games event in 2016.It also looks like the Marvel Rivals heroes are getting dancing lion MVP animations just like their Overwatch counterparts. Obviously, neither game invented Chinese New Year celebrations or the traditional dance associated with it, but the similarities between the events are hard to ignore.Overwatch is going bigger with its Lunar New Year celebration this year in part because its coming back to China on Feb. 19, via publisher NetEase, no less. In a post last week on Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote), game director Aaron Keller announced a bunch of returning cosmetics and a whole set of Chinese mythology-themed skins coming in its next season.But until then, itll be Marvel Rivals turn to celebrate. And even if the new mode plays nothing like Lcioball, you can bet people are going to point out how blatantly its borrowing from Overwatch. That doesnt make it inherently bad, but it does make you wonder how much of the game is going to be aimed directly at Overwatch fans in the future.

Diablo 4 season 7 is here, and when you first boot up the game to select a character, youll have more to choose from than just your class and hairstyle. Once youre ready to jump into the game, youll need to make one final decision: Do you want to play in the Seasonal Realm or the Eternal Realm?In this Diablo 4 guide, well explain what it means to play in the Seasonal Realm or the Eternal Realm, so you can make a choice and jump right into slaying monsters.Whats the difference between Seasonal Realm and Eternal Realm in Diablo 4?When creating your character, youll be asked to select a few Gameplay Options in the Finalize screen. Here you can tick a box denoting youd like to play a Seasonal character or a Hardcore character (meaning death is permanent), or both, if you tick both boxes. As of season 7, Seasonal is ticked on by default, but youll enter the Eternal Realm if you untick that box. The Seasonal Realm includes everything in Diablo 4 both campaigns, the open world, everything plus the most recent content additions, like the seasonal content that only exists for about 12 weeks. The Seasonal Realm is also the only place where you can progress your battle pass or the Seasons Journey.The Eternal Realm is Diablo 4 without any seasonal bells and whistles no battle pass, no Seasons Journey, no special seasonal mechanics. However, Blizzard typically adds some new content like Uniques and Legendary Aspects to the Eternal Realm each season, as well as mechanical add-ons like the new endgame bosses introduced back in season 2. All of the Vessel of Hatred content is available in the Eternal Realm, if you own it.Should you choose Seasonal Realm or Eternal Realm in Diablo 4 season 7?Season 7 is the first substantial theme weve gotten for a new season in a long time, with whole new Witch powers that mimic the Witch Doctor from Diablo 3. There are non-seasonal things, like the Armory, and the updates to Ultimates this season, but there are so many new seasonal mechanics to play with for the first time in months.With that in mind, we recommend you play the Seasonal Realm and experience making a new character maybe even trying out the Spiritborn class if you missed Vessel of Hatreds launch window (although the class is still locked behind the expansion, so youll need to purchase it first). As usual, theres the season pass with all its cosmetics, plus the Season Journey, which can net you some key items for a build of Blizzards choosing.The Eternal realm is getting some new updates to items and the much-desired Armory feature. The Armory is a box in town that allows you to save multiple builds and quickly swap between them. Its also available in the Seasonal Realm. If you decide to play in the Eternal Realm for any amount of time, keep in mind that youll be missing out on progression toward the season-specific rewards in the season pass and season journey. Just know that, whatever you pick, youll only ever be able to play with characters in the same realm as you. So if youre playing with friends, make sure you decide where you want to play first. This is especially important if youre planning on playing the new Vessel of Hatred campaign with friends.Is there ever a reason to choose the Eternal Realm in Diablo 4?As previously stated, Seasonal Realm characters can only play with other Seasonal Realm characters, and the same goes for Eternal Realm characters. If you only want to jump in and play some dungeons with friends who are using an old Eternal Realm character, you shouldnt make a Seasonal Character.Similarly, you need to start a whole new character from level 1 to play in seasons. If youre coming back to an old character and want to see what its like for that class after you level up a bit more, then youll need to play in the Eternal Realm or level up a new version of that class.You also might want to play the Eternal Realm because youre most of the way through the original Diablo 4 campaign already on an old character. So if youre on act five of six on an Eternal Realm character, its probably worth finishing the campaign there first and then starting a seasonal character after you beat the Vessel of Hatred campaign. Similarly, if you didnt quite finish the Vessel of Hatred campaign, you should do that first on your Eternal Realm character so you unlock the ability to skip the campaign on your season 7 character.And, finally, if you really hate the seasonal mechanic for the current season but you still want to slam through some Diablo dungeons, you can play in the Eternal Realm to avoid the new stuff. That is unless there isnt much of a season theme at all, like with Diablo 4s fourth and fifth seasons.Going into this season, heres the best Spiritborn build, all Tenets of Akarat locations, and guides on how to unlock Mercenaries and get more loot in Kurast Undercity.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.TCL is well known for offering a good value on non-OLED TVs. The TCL QM7 from 2024 is king of that particular domain, as IGN concluded in its review. Now, a couple of months after its release, you can get the 65-inch TCL QM7 for $697.99 (originally $1,099.99) after a whopping $400 discount. The 85-inch version of the TCL QM7 is also on sale, down to $1,397.99 (originally $1,999.99). Both of these TVs are at their lowest prices ever, according to price tracking tools. 4K QD-Mini LED TV with Google TV, Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos, HDR, Game Accelerator up to 240Hz. TCL 85-Inch QM7 QLED TV (85QM751G, 2024 Model) $1,397.99 at Amazon $1,999.99 Save $602.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,397.99 at Amazon $1,999.99 Save $602.00 4K QD-Mini LED TV with Google TV, Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos, HDR, Game Accelerator up to 240Hz. TCL 65-Inch QM7 QLED TV (65QM751G, 2024 Model) $697.99 at Amazon $1,099.99 Save $402.00 Get Deal Get Deal $697.99 at Amazon $1,099.99 Save $402.00 SEE -1 MORE Last year's TCL TV lineup was released in May. The QM7 is a Mini-LED TV, which is the most premium technology that TCL offers. Mini-LED QLED is supposed to be the closest you can get to OLED visuals without actually being an OLED. This QM7 comes with over 1,500 local dimming zones, creating a deeper local dimming effect for better contrast. An advantage QLED Mini-LED has over QLED (aside from being cheaper) is it can get much brighter, with the QM7 reaching 2,400 nits at its peak.Casual gamers will enjoy the option to double the 120 frames per second to 240 by cutting the 4K resolution in half, according to PCMag's "excellent" review. You'll also get the usual HDR modes (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG), IMAX Enhanced Certification, and built-in Onkyo 2.1 speakers with a built-in subwoofer.Since it is a Google smart TV, it allows you to use hands-free Google Assistant voice controls, as well as Apple AirPlay and Google Cast. You get four HDMI ports, a 120Hz, two 144Hz, and one eARC. The eARC doesn't take one of the high-end ports, so you can hook up a soundbar and still use three other ports for gaming or a PC.The stand and materials are where TCL cut costs for this TV, with a flimsy stand and a cheaper material for the build. But if you're mounting the TV, I'd take that if it means better specs in the visual department.

There are plenty or reasons to be anxious and depressed about the world in 2025. And while parasocial relationships with your podcast friends are no substitute for therapy, a thoughtful, informative, empathetic podcast can be a useful addition to your mental health toolbox.Unfortunately, not all of these shows are helpful (or even worthwhile), and wading through a sea of them is probably not something you feel like doing when you're already stressed or sad. Thankfully, I've done that hard work for you: Here are eight shows that don't just spew generic tips and hollow affirmations, but actually use thoughtful conversations, untraditional storytelling, and specific structures that can help you through a rough spot. (They've certainly helped methe fifth one on the list legitimately changed my life.) Basket Case Credit: Podcast logo Basket Case is a mental health podcast unlike any mental health podcast Ive listened to before. Its not offering hacks or tips, but considering the mental health industry as a whole, using intimate narrative storytelling to reveal how it systematically keeps us sick. It's more about the forces that contribute to mental illness than it is about mental health, but invaluable all the same. Host NK ushers us through different mental health issues, from perfectionism, to depression, to anxiety, in a way that makes them feel visceral and immediate. This is accomplished partially through an amazing soundscape, which NK uses to recreate other ways of experiencing the world.The Blindboy Podcast Credit: Podcast logo The Blindboy Podcast, hosted by Blindboy of the Rubberbandits, isnt strictly a mental health podcast either, but it is like a hug in podcast form. With a mixture of cultural commentary, history, observations, and magical storytelling, Blindboy manages to normalize the therapy process and autism by being open about his own. He helps listeners discover something they might need to hear about the world or themselves. Free-flowing episodes cover everything from Irish and Greek mythology, to the inside of a tennis ball, to a discussion with the late Sinad OConnor.Black Healing Remixed Credit: Podcast logo Black Healing Remixed is the front porch, the kitchen island, and the perfect seat on the couch where honest and transformative talks about healing and wellness unfold. Each episode celebrates Black healing in all its formsbeautiful, messy, imperfect, and joyouswhile giving listeners the language and practical resources to embrace their own healing journeys. What does it mean to thoughtfully and honestly foreground your mental health in the face of modern society? Hosts Yolo Akili Robinson and Natalie Patterson are the perfect guides for answering this question. 10% Happier Credit: Podcast logo Meditation can seem so murky, so foreign, so woo-woo. And if youre not woo-woo, you might not think it can help you. On 10% Happier, Dan Harris gets into meditation and mindfulness in a really approachable and science-backed way, offering practical tools and interviewing a range of guests, from meditation teachers to neuroscientists, psychologists, and the occasional celebrity. Dan is a relatable and authentic hosthe once had a panic attack on air, which is what put him on the path toward his mental health. How to Fail Credit: Podcast logo On every episode of How To Fail, journalist Elizabeth Day asks her guest to take us through three failures they've experienced, reframing them as events that helped them be better people or live better lives (eventually, at least). Elizabeth creates a magical chemistry with all of her guests, which have included the likes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mo Gawdat, and Brene Brown. The focus isnt hacks or tips, but unpacking the mistakes and regrets that these people have been able to overcome, and how. You might not finish an episode feeling grateful for your latest screwup or setback, but hopefully it won't feel quite as dire either.The One You Feed Credit: Podcast logo The One You Feed was inspired by the famous parable of the two wolves, representing the choices we all make in feeding either the positive or negative aspects of ourselves. Host Eric Zimmer blends health, wellness, and self-improvement topics into deep conversations with psychologists, spiritual leaders, and authors in episodes that tackle anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and more. The One You Feed beautifully balances ancient philosophical ideas with modern psychological research, and Erics personal story of overcoming addiction adds a layer of vulnerability and relatability to every installmentover 400 to date.Depresh Mode Credit: Podcast logo On every episode of Depresh Mode, John Moe (also the creator of The Hilarious World of Depression) sits down with comedians, musicians, authors, and actors to talk about the many ways we experience depression, anxiety, addiction, and rude internal dialogue. Familiar names like Jamie Lee Curtis, Justin McElroy, and David Sedaris have shared their baggage and the tactics that workedand didntas they attempted to handle it. If you cant find someone in your life who identifies with your struggles, you might find it in John and his guests.Mental Illness Happy Hour Credit: Podcast logo On Mental Illness Happy Hour, comedian Paul Gilmartin covers mental health issues in a way that makes listeners feel cared for and will get them laughing at the same time, helped along by his guestsactors, comedians, and the occasional doctor. The show covers a wide range of topics, and will help you realize not only that you don't have to feel so alone in your problems, but that so many others are facing different issues that probably have them feeling equally isolated. GIlmartins secret ingredient is humor, but he doesnt skirt around the tough stuff.

This years NAMM trade show has opened up its doors, so that means there will be a wealth of new musical doodads to lust over. Case in point? Polyend just dropped a hybrid device that combines the functionality of a standard guitar pedal with a drum machine. The Polyend Step is a fully-featured, programmable drum machine in stompbox format. This should be an absolute boon for those who want some accompaniment while playing guitar, or any other instrument. That alone makes it the perfect practice tool, however it looks like it could also be a great resource for anyone doing the whole one person band thing. Drum stompboxes are nothing new, but the Step kicks things up several notches. It comes with over 200 drum kits to peruse, along with 350 preset rhythm patterns. These patterns consist of 16 steps, but can be combined to build full songs. To that end, the pedal can store more than 1,000 songs. Drum patterns can also be made from scratch via the built-in step sequencer, giving users four tracks to work with. Each track has a wide array of adjustable parameters, including swing, speed, step probability, velocity control and more. There are over 50 effects to choose from, and each song can handle 16. These effects include a number of delays and reverbs, and can be activated on the fly via footswitches. The connectivity here is on point. The Step includes MIDI I/O for syncing, guitar jacks, stereo input and output and a microSD card reader. Its available right now for $500. Polyend is primarily known for its sequencing devices, like the Polyend Tracker and the Tracker Mini. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/polyend-stuffed-a-fully-programmable-drum-machine-in-a-stompbox-190008034.html?src=rss

Masterbuilt has offered backyard grill masters smart options that burn charcoal instead of pellets since 2020. Last year, the company debuted two models ahead of CES, and in early 2025, it's adding one more. The new Gravity Series 1150 is a larger sibling to the Gravity Series 600 in Masterbuilt's lineup. With 1,150 square inches of cooking space, this bigger model has nearly double the food capacity and a longer burn time of up to 15 hours. To achieve this, the hopper on the 1150 can hold up to 12 pounds of lump charcoal or up to 18 pounds of briquettes. The grill gets its name from the gravity-fed hopper that allows charcoal to naturally fall and ignite during use. A digital fan automatically maintains temperature that can be adjusted with on-board controls or with the Masterbuilt app. Like last year's Gravity Series XT, the company relocated the control panel on the 1150 from the shelf on the left side to the front of the hopper on the right. However, the controller itself looks like what's on the 600 instead of the upgraded version that's on the pricier XT. Besides the increased capacity, the 1150 offers another key upgrade from the 600. Instead of a cart-style stand, you get an enclosed cabinet for additional storage. You can expect a temperature range of 225-700 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can do low-and-slow smoking, high-heat searing and everything in between. All of the crucial grill stats can be monitored from your phone via the aforementioned app from anywhere. Lastly, Masterbuilt offers add-ons to expand the grill's capabilities, including a pizza oven, rotisserie and griddle insert. The Gravity Series 1150 is available now from Home Depot for $999. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/masterbuilt-adds-another-smart-charcoal-grill-to-its-gravity-series-lineup-144924232.html?src=rss

Microsoft tests A-powered Windows search.

ChatGPT's Operator agent could be coming to its Mac app very soon.

Oracle will be involved in a joint venture for artificial intelligence infrastructure in the U.S. that President Trump will announce.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said on Tuesday it was forming a new cryptocurrency task force to develop a comprehensive and clear regulatory framework for crypto assets.President Donald Trump, a crypto entrepreneur, has pledged his new administration will work to promote the industrys interests, unlike the prior administration which had clashed with it.Reuters reported this month that Commissioner Mark Uyeda, whom Trump on Monday named acting SEC Chair, and fellow Republican Commissioner Hester Peirce, were planning an overhaul of the agencys crypto policiesincluding possible guidance on when the agency deems a token to be a securitystarting as soon as this week.The SEC said in Tuesdays statement the task force aims to make comprehensive changes to how the agency approaches digital assets, including by providing regulatory clarity and making what it described as the judicious use of enforcement.The Task Force will also help lawmakers as they draft crypto-related legislation while coordinating with other federal bodies, such as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as well as state and foreign agencies, it added.Ismail Shakil and Rami Ayyub, Reuters