Palworld recently teased its future plans for its early access period, promising an endgame boss and much more. On January 19, Palworld celebrated its first anniversary, and its second year is gearing up to be just as content-packed. Since its launch, Palworld has made huge waves, and its future roadmap hints at even bigger things ahead for both the game and players.

Last week's second season premiere of Apple TV+'s acclaimed series Severance was full of the kind of unsettling, surprising, and unexpected moments that make the show so fun to watch and wonder about. After a three-year absence from streaming, creator Dan Erickson and director Ben Stiller knew they couldn't waste any time bringing viewers back into the series' carefully crafted sci-fi workplace dystopia, especially after the major shake-up of the first season finale.

2025 is going to be a big year for movies. This is true not just by nature of the sheer tonnage of stuff coming to theaters (Avatar 3, even!), but also because the long-awaited, long-delayed Toxic Avenger reboot is finally coming to theaters.Cineverse announced on Tuesday that it will release The Toxic Avenger later this year, in an unrated wide theatrical launch. The movie stars Game of Thrones Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze, a lowly janitor who transforms into a mutant vigilante (known as Toxie) after a freak accident. Like many a superpowered protagonist, he becomes an unlikely hero, taking on everyone from gangsters to corrupt CEOs. And he does it all while armed with his signature mop.The film, helmed by Blue Ruin star and I Dont Feel at Home in This World Anymore director Macon Blair, is a reboot of a 1984 cult classic. Per our reviewer Tasha Robinson, who saw it at Austins Fantastic Fest in 2023, its gnarly, messy, and packed with goofy visual gags and fight scenes where the combatants get melted or mutated, sometimes exploding into wall-splattering showers of vivid, chunky gore. So why, if this movie was viewable back in 2023, hasnt it received a wide release yet? Essentially, its just been shelved this whole time. After locking in a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a festival run in 2023, The Toxic Avenger failed to find a distributor, and it was starting to look like the film would never see the light of day.Cineverse, at least, is owning the unmarketable label that has been applied to The Toxic Avenger, gleefully sharing it as part of their announcement.Unmarketable? Unreleasable? Maybe even Toxic? We heard your pleas so get ready to find out what hurts because we're bringing THE TOXIC AVENGER to theaters! pic.twitter.com/YYxyswB5mx Cineverse (@Cineverse_ent) January 21, 2025All in all, it makes total sense for Cineverse: The entertainment company has already found a ton of success turning the Terrifier series into a horror franchise, with 2024s Terrifer 3 becoming the highest-grossing non-rated film in U.S. history. Its so cool that folks will have the chance to see this in theaters, Blair said in a statement. [I]ts a fun rowdy movie you wanna see with a crowd. Mutant hero smashes bad guys with a mop: perfect entertainment for the whole family!

Netflix is getting more expensive again. The streaming service raised prices for all of its plans as of Jan. 21, with the hike going into effect for current subscribers starting with their next billing cycle.Netflix is raising the price of its ad-supported tier from $6.99 to $7.99. Its ad-free tier is going from $15.49 to $17.99. And the premium tier, which allows users to stream on more devices and in 4K, is going from $22.99 to $24.99, a company spokesperson told The Verge.The company announced this price increase in an earnings report on Tuesday morning, where the company simply noted that it was adjusting prices in the U.S., Canada, Portugal, and Argentina, with no explanation of how much those increases would be. The company clarified the specific price changes later in the day. The earnings report also revealed that Netflix has added 19 million new subscribers over the last quarter, bringing its total users up to 300 million, with an estimated audience of 700 million viewers though its not clear how the report determined this number.This price increase is Netflixs first since October 2023, and its first ever for the ad-supported tier.This price increase also comes as the streaming service pushes further into live content than it ever has before, including major events like Nov. 2024s Jake Paul-Mike Tyson boxing match and the NFLs Christmas Day games, as well as the introduction of weekly WWE programming. Meanwhile, Netflix has several big shows ending in 2025, including You, Stranger Things, and Squid Game.While Netflix has said that the price increase will go live on Jan. 21, at the time of publishing, it does not appear to have taken effect, and Netflixs pricing page has not yet been updated.

TikTokers may have returned to their platform of choice, but with the U.S. ban still on the books, they are facing an existential threat. Meanwhile, Instagram Reels users are encountering a problem of the platform's own making: Meta, in all its wisdom, is making it easier than ever for users to see who liked a particular reel. That means two things, of course: It's easier than ever to see which videos your friends have liked, but it's also easier than ever for your friends to see which videos you have liked. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, announced the changes in a post on Friday. Here's what's new: When you launch Reels on Instagram, you may now see a bar appear in the top right corner of the screen where you'll find profile pictures of friends that have liked a particular reel. Tap this bar, and you'll be taken to another video feed, dubbed "With friends." This feed exclusively features reels that your friends have liked. In my experience, most videos in the feed have a like from exactly one friend, but now and again I'll see reels liked by multiple friends. Whether the video has one like or three, you can tap on any user's profile picture to confirm, yes, they did like this reel, and to reply to them if you wish. There is also a bar on the bottom of the page that lets you reply to that user's like, or simply react with a laughing, crying, or "in love" emoji.When you do reply to a like, it'll send your friend a DM. Here, they'll see a thumbnail of the video in question, with your message or emoji reaction below it. Above it, they'll see "Replied to your like," so they'll know this was a direct reply to their like, rather than you sharing a video you liked with them.Instagram has already been showing likes for a whileSome of this experience isn't new. Anyone who has spent time scrolling on Reels knows that Instagram will frequently show you when one or more of your friends has liked a reel you're watching. However, this change puts those likes on display in a way they weren't before: Previously, running into friends' likes was a much more casual and passive process. Now, you can knowingly scroll through videos your friends liked, dramatically increasing the number of liked videos you'll encounter.I suppose there's an argument that this change makes it easier to find content you might enjoy, since you presumably share some interests with your Instagram friends. However, I also another side of the argumentthat making likes much more visible will encourage people to stop liking reels. Instagram Reels is a blackhole of content, and your fine-tuned algorithm probably shows you at least some videos you find interesting or funny, but you know other people won't. Or maybe you'd rather others not know you find them interesting or funny. There's a lot of brain rot humor floating around out there (among other things), and I'd wager many wouldn't want to offer a glowing endorsement of each bizarre video that gets a reaction out of them.Can you stop friends from seeing reels you liked on Instagram? If this change has you feeling anxious, bad news: This time, there doesn't appear to be a way to disable the feature. Instagram does let you hide likes on posts and reels from view, but the app doesn't offer an option to stop others from seeing which reels you've liked. For now, if you like a video, you should assume it's possible your friends will know about it at some point while scrolling through the app.

Prospective homeowners face a crucial decision when choosing between fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). While ARMs have a controversial reputation following the 2008 housing crisis, financial experts suggest there are specific scenarios where they might be the right choice for certain borrowers. Here's what you should know about how adjustable-rate mortgages work, and when they might be the right call for you.When an adjustable rate mortgage could make senseThe primary appeal of ARMs lies in their lower initial interest rates compared to fixed-rate mortgages. These introductory rates typically last between three and 10 years, offering significant savings during the early years of homeownership. Chad Gammon, CFP and owner of Custom Fit Financial, explains that this lower initial rate can be particularly advantageous for homeowners who anticipate either income growth or falling interest rates during the loan period. However, Gammon emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks: "Once that introductory interest rate period ends, the rate could adjust upwards." A good example would be ARMs that were taken out pre-2020. He stresses that ARMs are more complex financial instruments, making it crucial for borrowers to fully comprehend the implications of extending beyond the fixed-rate period.Short-term homeownershipFor those not planning to put down long-term roots, ARMs can offer substantial benefits. Doug Carey, CFA and founder of WealthTrace, points out that many homeowners stay in their properties for less than seven years. "If the plan is to sell the home before the rate adjusts," Carey explains, "the lower initial rate gives them a financial benefit." This strategy allows homeowners to capitalize on lower rates during their planned stay while avoiding potential rate increases down the line.Affordability in high-cost marketsIn expensive housing markets, ARMs can make homeownership more accessible. The lower initial payments can help buyers qualify for homes that might otherwise be out of reach with a traditional fixed-rate mortgage. While this approach carries future rate adjustment risks, it can be a calculated risk for those expecting income growth or planning to refinance later.Strategic refinancing opportunitiesMany ARM borrowers plan to refinance before their adjustable period begins. Carey highlights this as a potential money-saving strategy: "Take advantage of low rates during the initial period, then refinance at a favorable time to either lock in a lower fixed rate or continue with another ARM." This approach requires careful timing and market awareness but can result in significant long-term savings.How to decide if an ARM is the right call for youAndre Small, Founder & Financial Planner at A Small Investment, LLC, shares a practical example of when ARMs make sense. He describes working with a client whose career required frequent relocation, but who still wanted to build real estate equity. In this case, an ARM provided the flexibility to "pay down debts now, as well as maintain manageable debt levels for a predetermined time frame."When considering an ARM, potential borrowers should evaluate several factors:Expected length of homeownershipCareer trajectory and potential income growthCurrent market conditions and rate trendsPersonal risk toleranceLong-term financial goalsWhile ARMs can offer significant advantages in certain circumstances, they require careful consideration of the risks and a clear understanding of the loan terms.The bottom lineAdjustable-rate mortgages can be a viable option for some borrowers, but the key lies in having a clear exit strategy. If you can take advantage of the lower rates to make more payments to principal, ARMs can be a savvy move. But if you need an ARM to afford a house, you are taking on a significant risk. As with any major financial decision, consulting with financial professionals who can evaluate your specific situation is crucial before committing to an ARM.

Netflix has released its earnings figures for the fourth quarter of 2024. While a lot of the results seem like good news for the company's shareholders, like operating income of more than $10 billion and a 16 percent revenue increase, there's a sting in the tail for its viewers. Subscription prices are going up yet again, starting today."As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix," the company said in its shareholder letter. "To that end, we are adjusting prices today across most plans in the US, Canada, Portugal and Argentina."Netflix later confirmed the specifics of the latest price hikes. The Standard plan with ads is inching up from $7 to $8 a month, while the ad-free version of Standard will rise from $15 to $18 a month. The monthly rates for Premium, which offers 4K Ultra HD and HDR, will increase from $23 to $25. Adding an extra member from outside your household to a streaming plan is also getting more expensive, changing from $8 a month to $9 a month.In 2023, Netflix eliminated its Basic plan in major markets. That change preceded the most recent increase in subscription costs, less than two years ago.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-plans-now-cost-between-8-and-25-after-yet-another-subscription-price-hike-234344042.html?src=rss

Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has released a report about Meta's next steps in hardware, crediting sources familiar with the company's work. According to these insiders, Meta is developing at least three new smart glasses models and has set a roadmap toward releasing its first true augmented reality glasses. The company is reportedly also continuing efforts to implement AI tools in a wrist wearable and in earbuds.Meta already sells smart glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban, a product line internally called Supernova. Gurman reports that this existing lineup will be introduced to new markets, although he didn't offer specifics about where. Meta's technologies also be applied to frames from other brands owned by its partner, Luxottica Group. This will allegedly lead to the launch of glasses codenamed Supernova 2 based on the Sphaera glasses from Oakley. This set would be intended for cyclists and other athletes, and its camera would be placed in the center of the frames.The third model is internally dubbed Hypernova. This product would be another step closer to a genuine AR experience, giving wearers the capability to run simple software apps, view notifications and display photos taken by the device. The more advanced feature set would reportedly come with a more advanced price tag; sources told Gurman this set is currently projected to cost $1,000. Insiders had already revealed last month that Meta was working on bringing a display to its Ray-Ban glasses models.Alongside these smart glasses, Meta has also been developing an AR product dubbed Orion. Gurman reports that the Orion set will not receive a commercial release. Instead, he said that Meta plans to launch a different iteration of the hardware as early as 2027. This product is codenamed Artemis, and sources told Gurman that these prototype glasses aren't as heavy as Orion and are more advanced than the predecessor.Another item of note in Gurman's report is that Meta is developing a wrist strap that could control its smart glasses. Most of the company's models have controls at the temple, but a wrist option would be similar to the one used for the Orion prototype.Finally, he confirms that Meta is still working on prototypes of camera-enabled earbuds that could be a rival to Apple's AirPods. The Information reported on this project in May 2024, and it seems that the concept has faced some development challenges. If these "Camerabuds" do reach the market, it likely won't be for years.We've reached out to Meta for comment on this report and will update with any statement we receive.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/report-meta-could-release-its-first-true-ar-headset-as-soon-as-2027-222502610.html?src=rss

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