• AU Deals: Pay the Least Gil for FF7 Rebirth on PC, FC 25, Star Wars Outlaws, Spidey, and More!
    www.ign.com
    It's a glorious hump day of hot discounts galore. Cases in points: great prices for Bravely Default II, Tekken 8, and Miles Morales Ultimate. I also have a lot of time for The Surge going for a mere 3 bucks on Xbox. Pretty great sci-fi Soulslike, so absolutely sacrifice the price of a coffee for a play of it.In retro news, it's been 16 years since we (repeatedly and hilariously) flung ourselves down hills and into the Hall of Meat in Skate 2. This second entry in the series was a pretty phenomenal upgrade over the OG and cemented the franchise as a proper threat to the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater empire. Needless to say, I'm still jonesing mighty hard for the 'Skate 4' spiritual successor/F2P reimagining. This Day in Gaming Aussie birthdays for notable games.- Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GB) 1999. eBay- Skate 2 (PS3,X360) 2009. eBay- Trauma Center: New Blood (Wii) 2009. eBayTable of ContentsNintendo SwitchPCXboxPlayStationLEGONice Savings for Nintendo SwitchYooka-Laylee (-80%) - A$6.50Hot Wheels Unleashed (-85%) - A$8.24Sonic X Shadow Generations (-14%) - A$69Namco Museum (-80%) - A$7.80Expiring Recent DealsDKC Returns HD (-20%) - A$64NBA 2K25 (-57%) - A$30Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn (-30%) - A$34Iconoclasts (-75%) - A$7.49Pac-Man World Re-Pac (-80%) - A$11.99LEGO City Undercover (-61%) - A$39Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Back to topPurchase Cheap for PCHalo MC Collection (-75%) - A$14.98Total War: Three Kingdoms (-70%) - A$27.44FC 25 (-60%) - A$43.98Forza Horizon 5 (-50%) - A$44.97Halo Wars: DE (-75%) - A$7.48Manor Lords (-30%) - A$41.99Expiring Recent DealsCorsair Scimitar Elite (-22%) - A$109Metro Awakening (-30%) - A$41.96AC Directors (-75%) - A$3.73AC II (-75%) - A$3.73AC Brotherhood (-75%) - A$5.73Assassins Creed Mega Bndl (-73%) - A$209.10Or just get a Steam Wallet CardPC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Back to topExciting Bargains for XboxSniper Elite 5 (-57%) - A$38.72Tekken 8 (-33%) - A$79.95The Crew Motorfest CG (-70%) - A$32.98Watch Dogs 2 Gold (-85%) - A$16.49The Surge (-85%) - A$3.36Expiring Recent DealsSuicide Squad: KTJL (-73%) - A$32F1 24 (-80%) - A$21.99Logitech G920 wheel (27%) - A$399.95Spyro Reignited Trilogy (-36%) - A$45Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (-81%) - A$19Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box?Back to topPure Scores for PlayStationAstro Bot (-19%) - A$89Spidey Miles Morales Ult. (-45%) - A$69The First Berserker: Khazan (-11%) - A$89Cocoon (-58%) - A$25Star Wars Outlaws (-36%) - A$69LEGO DC Super-Villains Del. (-92%) - A$8.79Persona 5 (-85%) - A$12.74Mortal Kombat XL (-88%) - A$8.39Expiring Recent DealsDynasty Warriors: Origins (-16%) - A$96Split Fiction (-16%) - A$59Blasphemous (-80%) - A$7.59Control Ultimate Ed. (-27%) - A$44.95Sackboy: A Big Adventure (-28%) - A$79Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (-50%) - A$62.47Injustice 2 Leg. (-90%) - A$7.79PS+ Monthly FreebiesYours to keep from Jan 7 with this subscriptionSuicide Squad: KTJL [PS5]NFS Hot Pursuit Remastered [PS4]The Stanley Parable: Ultra [PS4/5]Or purchase a PS Store Card.What you'll pay to 'Station.Back to topLegit LEGO DealsSonic: Tails Workshop and Tornado (-37%) - A$73.94Marvel: Electro Dinosaur Chase (-34%) - A$29.99Star Wars: Mandalorian Ambush (-34%) - A$23Expiring Recent DealsStar Wars: Onyx Cinder (-31%) - A$159 City: Tow Truck / Sports Car (-27%) - A$22Wicked: Emerald City (-24%) - A$129Back to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.
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  • The Incredibly Priced 27" AOC 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor Is Back in Stock at Amazon
    www.ign.com
    At the beginning of the year, we saw Amazon post a recently released 27" AOC Q27G4ZD gaming monitor, featuring a QD-OLED display, 2560x1440 resolution, and 240Hz refresh rate, all for just $470. It did sell out quickly, but it's back today at an even lower price. This is the best price we've seen on a true OLED gaming monitor, even during Black Friday or Cyber Monday. AOC, a Taiwanese brand, is one of the biggest sellers of gaming monitors globally.27" AOC 1440p 240Hz QD-OLED Monitor for $429.19New Release.27" AOC 1440p 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming MonitorThe AOC Q27G4ZD is a 27" 2560x1440 or QHD resolution monitor, which offers a respectable 108ppi pixel density. It also features a 240Hz refresh rate, which should be more than enough for most FPS gamers, and it's certified G-Sync compatible. The Q27G4ZD uses a Samsung quantum dot OLED panel, which is brighter than traditional OLED panels while maintaining the same incredible black levels, color range, and near instantaneous response times that OLEDs are known for. According to the spec sheet, it is HDR True Black 400 certified and boasts a 110% DCI-P3 / 148% sRGB color range.Connectivity wise, the AW2725QF has two HDMI 2.0 ports that two DisplayPort 1.4 ports. It also has built-in speakers for the times you don't need a headset. AOC includes a 3 year warranty with a zero bright pixel guarantee.We haven't yet reviewed this monitor ourselves, so we can't yet compare it to the other best gaming monitors currently available. However, OLED is a tried and true technology that usually commands a premium price tag, and here's the best opportunity we've seen to get an OLED equipped monitor at a reasonable price.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
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  • iOS Decoded: iOS 18.3 RC new hidden features, changes and updates [Videos]
    9to5mac.com
    Today Apple pushed out the release candidate for iOS 18.3, this comes on the heels of last Thursdays release of iOS 18.3 developer beta 3. In its release notes, Apple states that the update brings improvements to Visual Intelligence, along with the boilerplate other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates.But theres much more than meets the eye when it comes to this iOS 18.3 release candidate. Beneath the surface, theres new evidence of the upcoming iOS 18.4 Siri updates, future changes with screen recording/streaming, and new animations for Shortcuts and Messages. In this hands-on video, we take a look at whats new in iOS 18.3 RC. Be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube for more iOS Decoded.Whats new in iOS 18.3 Release CandidateiOS 18.3 RC ships with build number22D60and wasreleased to developers and public beta testers on January 21, 2025.On the outside, iOS 18.3 isnt as feature laden as previous releases, like iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2, but this is historically par for the course when it comes to x.3 iOS releases. That all being said, there are quite a few changes underneath the hood in iOS 18.3, and a fair share of user-facing updates as well.Visual IntelligenceA new feature for iPhone 16 users lets you add an event to the Calendar from a poster or flyer, and easily identify plants and animals. I tested both, and they both worked as expected.Notification SummaryArguably the biggest feature in iOS 18.3 was revealed last week with the updated Notification Summaries. Apple is now making it super-clear that the feature is a beta, and in order to avoid issues with so-called AI hallucinations, it disabled summaries for the entire News & Entertainment app category. Thats a pretty drastic step, but its necessary given the type of false headlines that the feature was generating for prominent news services like BBC News and the New York Times. For more details, be sure to watch our full roundup on iOS 18.3 beta 3:Calculator repeats the last mathematical operationThis feature appeared in previous iOS 18.3 betas, but its sure to be a hit once iOS 18.3 goes live to the public. Like you could with iOS releases prior to iOS 18, you can now continuously press the equals sign to repeat mathematic operations.New zoom transition in Shortcuts also being worked on for MessagesiOS 18.3 hints at new transition animations for Shortcuts and the Messages app. Watch the video embedded at the top of the page for a hands-on look at the new Zoom animation in action. Its a small, but nice change.Hints at Apple Intelligence in ShortcutsSo far Apple Intelligence has not been integrated with Shortcuts, but it look as if Apple is working on this integration according to new strings found in iOS 18.3 code.Upcoming screen recording / streaming featuresIts not yet live in iOS 18.3, but weve seen new details on upcoming screen recording and streaming features. In a future update users will be able to do the following:Record using stereo microphone audioDisplay a live camera overlay using picture-in-picture UIHave HDR support for screen recording9to5Macs TakeiOS 18.3, while not sporting headline features like the two previous big iOS updates, has quite a few significant changes. These include both user-facing features, and under-the-hood updates that hint at future iOS updates and hardware. Well be back next week with a full roundup of everything new once iOS 18.3 goes live to the public. In the meantime, share your thoughts below!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
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  • The CIA Is Quietly Using AI to Build Emulated Versions of World Leaders
    futurism.com
    Artificial Intelligence AgenciesThe CIA Is Quietly Using AI to Build Emulated Versions of World LeadersbyNoor Al-SibaiThat's one way to use chatbot technology.Jan 21, 4:16 PM ESTMikhail Svetlov/Getty ImagesThat's one way to use chatbot technology.Spy FamilyThe Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been stepping up its efforts in the world of AI including an eyebrow-raising use of chatbot tech.As theNew York Timesreports, the CIA has been quietly developing a platform that lets analysts "talk" to foreign leaders,in a bid to predict how they might react in certain situations.The human variety of this type of behavior-predicting analysis has been the bread and butter of the agency's behind-the-scenes grunts for a very long time. Instead of painstakingly compiling "profiles" on world leaders based on public information and gathered intelligence, however, those analysts will engage in faux conversation with large language models (LLMs) trained on similar intelligence and information that's presumably being fed into its training data.TheNYT didn't say how formally the chatbot has been deployed, or who helped develop it. However, an interview with the CIA's first chief technology officer, ex-Pentagon AI czar Nand Mulchandani, reveals that its opacity is very much by design.Mulchadani, a Silicon Valley veteran, has a chart in his offices showing all the layers of approval it takes to get any private sector collaboration approved within the secretive agency. From handing issues with contracts to taking care of any project roadblocks, each step requires an incredible amount of bureaucracy and clandestine discussion hurdles that the CIA acknowledges are hindering its quest to keep up with innovation and China, America's main tech adversary.Training DayThe agency's now-CTO was, as theNYT notes, hired to help spearhead a forward-thinking sea change within the CIA. In the two-and-a-half years since he was brought on, Mulchadani has apparently made it easier for private companies to start working with the intelligence agency and reading between the lines, it seems he's held the hands of tech CEOs through the labyrinthine bureaucracy."The more we share about how we employ technology, how we procure technology, what were going to do with it, will make companies want to work with us and want to team with us more," explained Juliane Gallina, the deputy director of the CIA's digital innovation arm, in an interview with theNYT.According to Gallina, the agency is looking to declassify and "expose a little bit" of its secret technological sauce to help procure private sector contracts.There was no mention, however, of whether the public will be given a look behind the curtain of what their tax dollars are helping to fund.More on spies: Hackers Apparently Stole the FBI's Call Logs With Confidential InformantsShare This Article
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  • Ryan Gosling In Talks For Shawn Levys Star Wars Movie
    screencrush.com
    The new star ofStar Wars could be ... Ryan Gosling?Thats the word fromThe Hollywood Reporter, which writes that Gosling is in negotiations to star in one of the many differentStar Wars movies that has been in development at Lucasfilm in recent years this one directed by Shawn Levy, and written by Jonathan Tropper.Gosling is coming off last summersvery entertaining but financially disappointing blockbusterThe Fall Guy.Levy recently directed Marvels 2024 massive blockbusterDeadpool & Wolverine.He has supposedly been developing thisStar Warsproject since 2022.FoxFoxloading...READ MORE: EveryStar WarsMovie, Ranked From Worst to BestTHRhad zero details about what LevysStar Wars will be about, beyond the fact that it is to be unconnected to the so-called Skywalker Saga and will be a stand-alone movie.It has now been five years and counting since the lastStar Wars feature hit theaters. That was 2019sStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.Since then, Lucasfilm has released onlyStar Wars television series on Disney+; most recently theGoonies-esque kids-in-space adventureSkeleton Crew.In the interim, the companydeveloped all sorts of different possibleStar Wars movies including projects from directors like Rian Johnson and Patty Jenkins but none have come to fruition. (The only one thats even gotten into production isThe Mandalorian and Grogu, a big-screen spinoff ofThe Mandalorian TV series.)Gosling certainly has the action/adventure chops for a Star Warsmovie, and hes also appeared in numerous high-profile franchise gigs, includingBlade Runner 2049 and, of course,Barbie.On the flip side, Star Wars tends to draw from more the ranks of up-and-coming actors rather than A-list names. The Sequel Trilogy centered on three young actors Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac with either fairly limited Hollywood experience or little mainstream name recognition. Ditto Alden Ehrenreich when he was chosen to play the young Han Solo. Evan Ewan McGregor was mostly known as an indie movie guy when he became Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequels.The nextStar Wars movie,The Mandalorian and Grogu, is currently scheduled to open in theaters on May 22, 2026.Get our free mobile appActors Who Were Wasted in Star Wars RolesThese wonderful stars have appeared in Star Wars movies and shows, but only in parts so small they left us disappointed.
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  • OpenAI ups its lobbying efforts nearly seven-fold
    www.technologyreview.com
    OpenAI spent $1.76 million on government lobbying in 2024 and $510,000 in the last three months of the year alone, according to a new disclosure filed on Tuesdaya significant jump from 2023, when the company spent just $260,000 on Capitol Hill. The company also disclosed a new in-house lobbyist, Meghan Dorn, who worked for five years for Senator Lindsey Graham and started at OpenAI in October. The filing also shows activity related to two new pieces of legislation in the final months of the year: the Houses AI Advancement and Reliability Act, which would set up a government center for AI research, and the Senates Future of Artificial Intelligence Innovation Act, which would create shared benchmark tests for AI models. OpenAI did not respond to questions about its lobbying efforts. But perhaps more important, the disclosure is a clear signal of the companys arrival as a political player, as its first year of serious lobbying ends and Republican control of Washington begins. While OpenAIs lobbying spending is still dwarfed by its peersMeta tops the list of Big Tech spenders, with more than $24 million in 2024the uptick comes as it and other AI companies have helped redraw the shape of AI policy. For the past few years, AI policy has been something like a whack-a-mole response to the risks posed by deepfakes and misinformation. But over the last year, AI companies have started to position the success of the technology as pivotal to national security and American competitiveness, arguing that the government must therefore support the industrys growth. As a result, OpenAI and others now seem poised to gain access to cheaper energy, lucrative national security contracts, and a more lax regulatory environment thats unconcerned with the minutiae of AI safety. While the big players seem more or less aligned on this grand narrative, messy divides on other issues are still threatening to break through the harmony on display at President Trumps inauguration this week. AI regulation really began in earnest after ChatGPT launched in November 2022. At that point, a lot of the conversation was about responsibility, says Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at Issue One, a democracy nonprofit that tracks Big Techs influence. Companies were asked what theyd do about sexually abusive deepfake images and election disinformation. Sam Altman did a very good job coming in and painting himself early as a supporter of that process, Keesing says. OpenAI started its official lobbying effort around October 2023, hiring Chan Parka onetime Senate Judiciary Committee counsel and Microsoft lobbyistto lead the effort. Lawmakers, particularly then Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, were vocal about wanting to curb these particular harms; OpenAI hired Schumers former legal counsel, Reginald Babin, as a lobbyist, according to data from OpenSecrets. This past summer, the company hired the veteran political operative Chris Lehane as its head of global policy. OpenAIs previous disclosures confirm that the companys lobbyists subsequently focused much of last year on legislation like the No Fakes Act and the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act. The bills did not materialize into law. But as the year went on, the regulatory goals of AI companies began to change. One of the biggest shifts that weve seen, Keesing says, is that theyve really started to focus on energy. In September, Altman, along with leaders from Nvidia, Anthropic, and Google, visited the White House and pitched the vision that US competitiveness in AI will depend on subsidized energy infrastructure to train the best models. Altman proposed to the Biden administration the construction of multiple five-gigawatt data centers, which would each consume as much electricity as New York City. Around the same time, companies like Meta and Microsoft started to say that nuclear energy will provide the path forward for AI, announcing deals aimed at firing up new nuclear power plants. It seems likely OpenAIs policy team was already planning for this particular shift. In April, the company hired lobbyist Matthew Rimkunas, who worked for Bill Gatess sustainable energy effort Breakthrough Energies and, before that, spent 16 years working for Senator Graham; the South Carolina Republican serves on the Senate subcommittee that manages nuclear safety. This new AI energy race is inseparable from the positioning of AI as essential for national security and US competitiveness with China. OpenAI laid out its position in a blog post in October, writing, AI is a transformational technology that can be used to strengthen democratic values or to undermine them. Thats why we believe democracies should continue to take the lead in AI development. Then in December, the company went a step further and reversed its policy against working with the military, announcing it would develop AI models with the defense-tech company Anduril to help take down drones around military bases. That same month, Sam Altman said during an interview with The Free Press that the Biden administration was not that effective in shepherding AI: The things that I think should have been the administrations priorities, and I hope will be the next administrations priorities, are building out massive AI infrastructure in the US, having a supply chain in the US, things like that. That characterization glosses over the CHIPS Act, a $52 billion stimulus to the domestic chips industry that is, at least on paper, aligned with Altmans vision. (It also preceded an executive order Biden issued just last week, to lease federal land to host the type of gigawatt-scale data centers that Altman had been asking for.) Intentionally or not, Altmans posture aligned him with the growing camaraderie between President Trump and Silicon Valley. Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai all sat directly behind Trumps family at the inauguration on Monday, and Altman also attended. Many of them had also made sizable donations to Trumps inaugural fund, with Altman personally throwing in $1 million. Its easy to view the inauguration as evidence that these tech leaders are aligned with each other, and with other players in Trumps orbit. But there are still some key dividing lines that will be worth watching. Notably, theres the clash over H-1B visas, which allow many noncitizen AI researchers to work in the US. Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (who is, as of this week, no longer a part of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency) have been pushing for that visa program to be expanded. This sparked backlash from some allies of the Trump administration, perhaps most loudly Steve Bannon. Another fault line is the battle between open- and closed-source AI. Google and OpenAI prevent anyone from knowing exactly whats in their most powerful models, often arguing that this keeps them from being used improperly by bad actors. Musk has sued OpenAI and Microsoft over the issue, alleging that closed-source models are antithetical to OpenAIs hybrid nonprofit structure. Meta, whose Llama model is open-source, recently sided with Musk in that lawsuit. Venture capitalist and Trump ally Marc Andreessen echoed these criticisms of OpenAI on X just hours after the inauguration. (Andreessen has also said that making AI models open-source makes overbearing regulations unnecessary.) Finally, there are the battles over bias and free speech. The vastly different approaches that social media companies have taken to moderating contentincluding Metas recent announcement that it would end its US fact-checking programraise questions about whether the way AI models are moderated will continue to splinter too. Musk has lamented what he calls the wokeness of many leading models, and Andreessen said on Tuesday that Chinese LLMs are much less censored than American LLMs (though thats not quite true, given that many Chinese AI models have government-mandated censorship in place that forbids particular topics). Altman has been more equivocal: No two people are ever going to agree that one system is perfectly unbiased, he told The Free Press. Its only the start of a new era in Washington, but the White House has been busy. It has repealed many executive orders signed by President Biden, including the landmark order on AI that imposed rules for government use of the technology (while it appears to have kept Bidens order on leasing land for more data centers). Altman is busy as well. OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank reportedly plan to spend up to $500 billion on a joint venture for new data centers; the project was announced by President Trump, with Altman standing alongside. And according to Axios, Altman will also be part of a closed-door briefing with government officials on January 30, reportedly about OpenAIs development of a powerful new AI agent.
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  • The Galaxy S25 Is Almost Here. These Are the Biggest Changes I Want to See
    www.cnet.com
    With the rumored Galaxy S25, which we're expecting to see during Samsung's Unpacked event on Wednesday, Samsung has an opportunity to further the approach it took with theGalaxy S24.Last year's Galaxy S phones included a mix of functional and forward-looking changes, such as longer battery life on the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus and Galaxy AI across all models. I'm similarly hoping to see advancements in AI, along with improvements to more mundane yet critical elements such as the phones' cameras, display and charging speeds. This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET's collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung's most popular products. Given Samsung's emphasis on AI, there's a strong chance the Galaxy S25 will come with new Galaxy AI features. Samsung essentially said as much during its developer conference in October, during which it teased its new One UI 7 software update that will be debuting on the S25 lineup. Otherwise, it'll likely include Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor (at least the US variant of the phone) and routine upgrades to the design and camera. There are also rumblings of a new slimmer version of the Galaxy S25 arriving sometime next year, according to ETNews.Samsung's current Galaxy AI features show promise, but I want the next iteration to have a bigger impact on the overall phone experience. The current features feel very targeted at specific use cases that may not come up all that often, such as language translation and photo editing.Aside from more useful AI tools, I'd like to see faster charging and other optimizations to core elements of the phones such as the camera and display.Read more: Why Google's New Android VP Says 'People Don't Want to Hear About AI' More impactful Galaxy AI features The Galaxy S24 Ultra showing the Galaxy AI Generative Edit feature Lisa Eadicicco/CNETRight now, Galaxy AI and other non-Samsung generative AI features feel like just the beginning. Samsung started by applying generative AI to obvious and practical use cases, such as erasing objects from photos, translating text conversations and real-time phone conversations, generating polished images from rough drawings, and previewing videos in slow motion and saving the results.What I really want is a more dramatic rethinking of how basic tasks get done on our phones that makes using them feel easier and faster. Of all the AI features available on Samsung phones so far, Circle to Search embodies this idea the best by cutting out the middle step of launching Google to search for an object. More of this, please!I want new AI tools that help manage the endless stream of notifications, data and media on my phone. The Pixel 9 lineup's new Screenshots app, which lets you search for content within your screenshots, is a good example of this, as are the notification and text message summaries in Apple Intelligence, which just launched as part of the company's iOS 18.1 update. Although they're far from perfect, message summaries ended up being one of my favorite new features in Apple Intelligence.Sally Hyesoon Jeong, Samsung Electronics' executive vice president and head of the framework research and development team, hinted that Samsung's next mobile software update could align with this theme. During the company's developer conference, she said One UI 7 would be better equipped to understand your intention and "minimize complexity," although she didn't divulge specific details about the software. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has an AI-powered feature called Circle to Search. You can circle anything on the screen to find out more about it. John Kim/CNETThat direction also falls in line with previous comments that Patrick Chomet, Samsung's executive vice president and head of customer experience, made to CNET about the company's approach to software."[You'd] never have to go to the settings, or you never have to look for the next action," he said in a previous interview when discussing how the company wants to make the software on Samsung phones smarter. "You may not need to open [an] app."As I wrote in my review, I think Samsung missed an opportunity and should have given the Galaxy S24 Ultra exclusive Galaxy AI features that aren't available on the cheaper models. This would not only help justify its high price but reinforce the Ultra in the phone's name. We'll see if it takes a different approach next year.Changing the way we use our phones is no small feat. Given how much we rely on them for basic tasks, asking consumers to adopt a new way of doing things could be more disruptive than helpful if done the wrong way. I don't expect Samsung to change the entire operating system in a few months, but I'd like to see a step in a new direction, similar to Circle to Search.Read more: What I Learned After Swapping My Apple Watch for Samsung's Galaxy RingFaster charging Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus USB-C James Martin/CNETI'm glad Samsung boosted the Galaxy S24's battery life. Now, it just needs faster charging. The Galaxy S24 supports 25-watt wired charging, while the Galaxy S24 Plus and S24 Ultra support 45-watt wired charging. It's been that way for years, at least since the Galaxy S20 generation.With companies like OnePlus offering blazing-fast charging speeds, I'd like to see some improvement from Samsung. The OnePlus 12, for example, offers 80-watt charging in the U.S. and 100-watt in the UK, which enabled my colleague Andrew Lanxon to replenish the battery fully in just 26 minutes.Samsung, it's time to step up.Glare reduction on the entire lineup The difference is dramatic between the screens on the S24 Ultra (left) and S23 Ultra (right). Screenshot by Lexy Savvides/CNETOne of the Galaxy S24 Ultra's most underrated features is the screen's Corning Gorilla Armor for reducing glare and reflections. With the screen arguably being the most important part of the phone, any improvement is welcome. My colleague Lexy Savvides was particularly taken with the S24 Ultra's antiglare screen, finding that it was easier to see than the iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra on a sunny San Francisco day.This coating is only on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Since screen quality is so essential on a phone, there's a strong case to be made that Samsung should expand this to all Galaxy S25 models. The Ultra's giant screen, S Pen and more sophisticated camera are more than enough to separate Samsung's super high-end phone from the rest of the lineup.Read more: Don't Buy a New Phone Just for AI. At Least Not YetCamera upgrades The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's cameras Lisa Eadicicco/CNETSamsung made a splash with the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 200-megapixel main camera when it debuted in 2023. Megapixels only tell one side of the story when it comes to photography. Factors like sensor size, pixel size and aperture, along with the chip's image signal processor, are just as important as the sheer number of megapixels when it comes to determining how good of a camera your phone can be.Samsung has made improvements in these areas too over the years, but now that it's facing fresh competition from Xiaomi, it has to work harder if it wants to truly be the king of smartphone photography.The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a massive image sensor that's larger than the ones you'll find on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, enabling it to achieve impressive shots with a wide dynamic range that CNET's Andrew Lanxon called some of the best images he's ever seen from a phone. A larger sensor enables a camera to capture more light for improved image quality, lessening the need for noise reduction. I'd also like to see more practical editing features. I was enamored with the iPhone 16's Photographic Styles feature, which applies an effect to an image customized to the scene. I'm not saying Samsung should launch its own version of Photographic Styles, but I'd like to see new tools that elevate the aesthetic of your photos that don't have anything to do with using generative AI to alter the photo's content.Overall, I'm hoping Samsung levels up the camera, display and charging speeds, all while introducing new software features that make its phones feel more intuitive than before. Samsung typically releases new Galaxy S phones in the first quarter of the year, so we're expecting to hear more in the coming months. Photos From the Galaxy Z Flip 6's Cameras See all photos
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  • Best Home Security Cameras With Lights for 2025
    www.cnet.com
    Our Experts Written by Tyler Lacoma Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 16171819202122232425+ Years of Experience 14151617181920212223 Hands-on Product Reviewers 6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000 Sq. Feet of Lab Space How we test CNETs expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. What to consider Lighting Do you need a floodlight or a spotlight? How large do you want the LED panels? Is controlling brightness or color important to you? Cost How much are you willing to pay for a security camera with lighting? Are you willing to pay well over $200 for the best options, or do you want to save money? Camera quality Does the camera have a higher resolution to capture more details? Does it have a wide enough field of view to capture everything the lights illuminate? Power Do you need a wired or wireless model? Are you will to manage battery charging for a wireless model? Do you have a junction box or nearby outlet for a wired cam? Object detection Does the camera have the ability to identify humans from animals and ignore vehicles? Do these features cost extra? Audio Does the cam have two-way audio? Is it clear enough to be heard if the lighted cam is installed in a higher place? Table of Contents Our Picks Best overall home security camera with lights Lorex 2K Wi-Fi Floodlight Camera View details $160 at Lorex View details Best bright home security camera with lights Eufy Floodlight Cam S330 View details $180 at Amazon View details Best spotlight home security camera with lights Ring Spotlight Cam Plus (Battery) View details $110 at Amazon View details Best budget home security cam with lights Blink Mini 2 View details $40 at Amazon View details Best battery home security camera with lights Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera View details $148 at Amazon View details Best decorative home security cameras with lights Eufy Wired Wall Light Cam S100 View details $90 at Crutchfield View details Table of Contents A home security system is a must-have these days. If you're planning on building one, then you must look at indoor and outdoor cameras. The best security cameras are equipped with night vision, but having a built-in light not only helps to improve image quality but also shines a light on what's going on inside or outside of your home. From motion sensor floodlight security cameras to pan-and-tilt spotlights, we spent more than 200 hours reviewing security cameras, so you can be sure that you have the best tech protecting your home.So if you're looking for a different kind of security light, check our full list below. Our picks include models from Eufy, Blink, Arlo and Ring for all sorts of lighting needs, ranging from a mini spotlight for a dark room to a decorative security cam light for a deck or patio. We have guides on outdoor security cameras and home security systems for even more information about what will work best for your home.Best home security cameras with lights
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  • Netflix is hiking prices again, but most of Europe has escaped for now
    www.eurogamer.net
    Netflix is hiking prices again, but most of Europe has escaped for nowPremium tier rising to $25 a month.Image credit: Netflix News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 22, 2025 Netflix has announced another wave of price hikes across its various membership tiers - including a Premium subscription bump to $25 a month, among other things - but, for the time being at least, most European countries won't be affected by the charges.The news comes as Netflix celebrates its biggest quarterly subscriber increase in history, with 19m new customers having joined the streaming service in its most recent fourth quarter - something it attributes to a combination of live sports and original programming, including the second season of Squid Game, which has already amassed more than 165.7m views.Amid all this, Netflix says it's expecting to generate higher than forecast revenue in 2025 - and that will, in part, be fuelled by a fresh round of price increases. These are specifically targeting the US, Canada, Portugal, and Argentina, coming into effect today.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 have been revealed - but questions remain.Watch on YouTube"As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members," the streaming service wrote in its message to shareholders, "we will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix."To that end, prices are rising across "most" plans. Netflix's ad-supported tier is increasing from $6.99 USD to $7.99 a month, while its standard ad-free subscription is getting a bump from $15.49 to $17.99 per month. And as for the streaming service's premium tier - currently the only way to watch its content in 4K - that'll rise from $22.99 to $24.99 a month.For now, there's no word of price increases beyond the four currently announced countries, but - based on Netflix's previous behaviour - there's a fair chance it won't be too long before they come into effect across additional territories too.
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  • 22 Decor Gifts for Coworkers, Roommates, and Situationships 2025
    www.architecturaldigest.com
    Between holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other celebratory, its likely that youll find no shortage of opportunities that call for finding gifts for coworkers, roommates, friends, and family. Some are born with the natural talent of choosing the perfect present within budget while also finding time to dress it in crisp wrapping paper and a double-knotted bow. Others arent as blessed with gift-giving talents, leading to anxiety-fueled shopping sprints ruined by overthinkingand, more often than not, ending in a dreaded gift card (i.e. the ultimate sign of defeat)While finding something special for close friends and family may be a bit easierrobes for moms and slippers for dad, perhapsthe question of what to gift a general acquaintance is more of a gray area. After all, these individuals occupy a different role: not quite best friends, yet undeniably intimate due to the shared rhythms of professional life, the sanctuary of a shared home, and the possibility to become a more lasting relationship in time. For these kinds of nuanced relationships, theres a fine line between gifting something thoughtful and unintentionally offensive. To avoid the post-underwhelming gift reveal and the awkward conversation that follows, here are 22 gifts vetted by the AD team that pass the vibe check.For Someone Who Enjoys the Finer Things in LifeMother of Pearl Spoons (Set of 6)Caviar never went out of style, but it is definitely having its moment. Now that everyone is pairing fried chicken with Ossetra or bagels with cream cheese and Sterlet, its the perfect time to elevate this already luxe experience with mother-of-pearl spoons and forkettes.Aesop Bathroom Essentials BundleFragrance-centered gifts are always a pleasure to get, and Aesop subtly signals that you know your way around high-end soaps, whether its displayed in the bathroom or kitchen.Officine Universelle Buly BaumeTheres nothing that says this is mine and mine only quite like a personalized monogram on leather goods. This baume and case from the French apothecary brand Officine Universelle Buly is made for beauty enthusiasts who take pride in their products.Rorra Countertop SystemFor aspiring almond moms, the Rorra Countertop System puts standard water faucet filters to shame. This sleek, stainless-steel system is designed to reduce plastic use and contaminants while delivering crisp, clean water.Le Labo Candle Discovery SetThere are many gifts that may seem impersonal at first but are universally appreciated. The Le Labo Discovery Set is one such giftwhile it might initially appear generic, each lighting session reveals just how well you understand someones fragrance preferences.Morris & Co. X Ettinger Medium Jewellery BoxSome keepsakes are meant to be kept safe and hidden away. For their most precious valuables, an incognito jewelry box is a casual gift for those whod rather invest money in some not-so-casual goods.For Someone with an Arts & Crafts Corner"Judd" Hardcover BookThis coffee table book explores the works of artist Donald Judd, who transformed the landscape of modern sculpture and furniture, and it seems like his job is still ongoing when a book detailing his work has the ability to easily transform any coffee table and space.Eggone Japanese Ikebana KitRooted in minimalism, understated elegance, and Japans deep reverence for nature, ikebana helps you explore new forms of flower arranging that isnt just buying a bouquet from the grocery store and throwing it in a clear vase.Wabi-Sabi Kintsugi Repair KitSome people can be quite clumsy, and the experience of having to trash something valuable due to mishandling is truly heartbreaking. Thankfully, 15th-century Japanese artisans developed a solution that not only restores the object but makes it even more beautiful than it was before.For the One Who Likes It Piping HotGustaf Wesman Chunky CupEverything is getting chunkierfrom planters to lamps, and now mugs and plates. Since its inception, Gustaf Westman has embraced this trend, adding a playful, whimsical touch that transforms everyday momentslike pouring coffee or eating toastinto mini displays of modern art.Williams Sonoma MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Tea KettleFor your work bestie who savors a steaming cup but seeks a more refined take on the traditional kettle, this enameled steel tea kettle, hand-painted with care and crowned with a sculptural knob, brings a posh touch to any kitchen.Cuzen Matcha Starter KitFor matcha aficionados who appreciate having control over how intense and earthy the flavor of their cup is, the Cuzen Matcha Machine serves as a personal matcha caf right in your kitchen. The starter kit takes the leaves to the powder right to your cup in latte form, in minutes timesaving those minutes that wouldve been used walking to the caf.If They Prefer a Peaceful Night In Over a PartySiren Basics Ultra-Plush Bunny RobeRobes are often the go-to gift when youre at a loss for what to give. But when its the ultra-plush Siren Basics Bunny Robe, its not just a giftits a statement that says, I care about your comfort.Brigade New Yorker Jacquard BlanketNo matter where their tastes lie, everyone loves a blanketmaking them great gifts for coworkers who get chilly at their desk or your roommate who's been complaining that their bedspread looks too bare. Not only are they incredibly functional for cold weather and comfort, but throws like the Brigade New Yorker Jacquard Blanket transform any plain white comforter or sofa setup.Waterproof Picnic BlanketWhile some prefer the energy of a party, others are drawn to the calmness of a nature-filled picnic. This Persian ruginspired waterproof blanket brings style and practicality to any roommate who is constantly looking forward to any outdoor gathering or movie night in.Lefant M310 Robot Vacuum CleanerThere are plenty of uncomfortable conversations youll have with your roommate, and cleaning is bound to be one of them. To spare yourself from those awkward moments, let the robot vacuum do the talkingand the workwithout ever feeling like youre telling them to clean up their mess.Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face MaskThe Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask not only attacks aging, eye bags, and acne, but it also helps you skip the trial-and-error of skin care with this derm-approved mask.If Theyre Dedicated to Making a House a HomeDeco 79 Resin Abstract CandelabraThe sleepy aesthetic isnt complete without a handheld candelabra. While not historically accurate to the achoo era, this resin piece serves more as a decorative statement than a functional prop for wandering through a 17th-century Victorian home in toulite pajamas and a nightcap.CB2 Eve Smoked Coupe Glasses (Set of 4)Theres nothing better than a cocktail served in a moody glass. Handblown with a flat rim, this smoked four-piece set features well-loved optic-textured glass, a design element thats popping up in glassware everywhere.Gohar World Personalized Host GlovesHosting often has been more about style and dressing up than the dining experience itself. These personalized hand gloves add a touch of campy charm to the experience of enjoying a home-cooked meal.For the Casual CollectorJoss & Main Handmade Marble Chess SetChess is one of the oldest games in history, and just when you think youve seen every white and black checkered board, rook, and bishop, this polished marble onyx set proves that chess is more than just a gameits a centerpiece.Audio-Technica AT-LP70X Fully-Automatic TurntableIn an effort to avoid disrupting the sound ambiance in a shared living space, a portable speaker may seem like an easy fix. However, a record player is a more thoughtful and curated choice, perfect for showing affection for both music and collecting.
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