Apple is the target of a class action lawsuit alleging that the tech giant has been selling Apple Watch bands containing high levels of PFAS commonly known as forever chemicals without properly informing customers of their presence or associated health risks. Forever chemicals are so called due to their extreme persistence in the environment and inability to break down naturally. They can also build up in the body over time and have been linked to increased cancer risk, immune system suppression, and potential harm to unborn children. Studies are ongoing to determine the level of risk attached to such chemicals.The lawsuit, which was first spotted by The Register after it was filed this week in the Northern District of California, singles out three Apple Watch bands: the Sport Band, Ocean Band, and Nike Sport Band, each of which is made from fluoroelastomer, a fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubber noted for its resilience against skin oils and sweat.Recommended VideosThe class action suit, which includes anyone who has purchased one of the listed bands with or without an Apple Watch, cites a study carried out by University of Notre Dame scientistslast year, which found elevated PFAS levels in several fitness tracker and smartwatch bands, including some manufactured by Apple. The study tested 22 different bands and found high concentrations of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), a type of PFAS, in some samples.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe plaintiffs allege that Apple is aware of the presence of PFAS in its products and of their potential dangers. It also accuses Apple of violating Californias consumer protection laws, fraud, negligence, and of unjust enrichment. The action is seeking an injunction to stop the sale of the alleged offending watch bands, as well as monetary penalties.[Apple] could have avoided the unreasonable safety and environmental hazard with available manufacturing alternatives, and its failure to do so while continuing to promise consumers health, wellness, and sustainability is unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent under consumer protection laws, the lawsuit claims.The University of Notre Dames research points out how multiple watch bands are marketed toward sports and fitness enthusiasts. Wearing one during exercise would mean increased sweat contact and open skin pores, offering an easy route for the harmful chemicals to seep into the skin and bloodstream. The researchers dont say which specific bands were tested, but they do mention Apple and Apple/Nike products. It should also be noted that its not currently clear if the three bands mentioned in the lawsuit were part of the study.Digital Trends has contacted Apple for comment on the class action lawsuit and we will update this article when we hear back.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsGalaxy S25 vs. S25 Plus: specsGalaxy S25 vs. S25 Plus: design and displayGalaxy S25 vs. S25 Plus: performance and softwareGalaxy S25 vs. S25 Plus: camerasGalaxy S25 vs. S25 Plus: battery and chargingGalaxy S25 vs. S25 Plus: verdictLike previous years, the early 2025 Samsung flagship phone series contains three models, the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra the main differentiator being size. While the Ultra goes all out with specs and extra features like the S Pen and Gorilla Armor 2 glass, the difference is minimized when comparing the more affordable duo.You might think the differences between these two comes down to different display and battery sizes. But as you go into the details, youll notice there are more differences than those immediately visible on the spec sheet. Heres what you need to know about the two devices.Recommended VideosSamsung Galaxy S25Samsung Galaxy S25 PlusDisplay6.2-inch FHD+1080 x 2340 resolutionDynamic AMOLED 2x6.7-inch QHD+1440 x 3120 resolutionDynamic AMOLED 2xRefresh rateAdaptive 1-120HzAdaptive 1-120HzDimensions and weight5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 inches5.71 ounces6.24 x 2.98 x 0.29 inches6.70ouncesProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyMemory and storage12GB/128GB12GB/256GB12GB/256GB12GB/512GBColorsIcyblueNavyMintSilver ShadowIcyblueNavyMintSilver ShadowCameraRear facing:50-megapixel main12MP ultrawide10MP telephotoFront facing:12MP selfieRear facing:50MP main12MP ultrawide10MP telephotoFront facing:12MP selfieBattery4,000mAh4,900mAhCharging25W wired15W wireless4.5W reverse wireless45W wired15W wireless4.5W reverse wirelessPriceStarting from $800Starting from $1,000RelatedPrakhar Khanna / Digital TrendsThe Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus feature a similar design language as their respective predecessors. You get three vertically aligned cameras on the back, rounded corners, and flat sides. These might look the same as before but theyre slimmer and lighter this year. The Galaxy S25 sheds four grams of weight to measure 162 grams this year, while the Galaxy S25 Plus weighs 190 grams.Both of them feel good in the hand but the Galaxy S25 has the best in-hand feel of any compact phone, including the Pixel 9 and iPhone 16. The smaller flagship sits more comfortably in the hand, as compared to the Galaxy S25 Plus.Coming to the front, the base Galaxy S25 comes equipped with a 6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED display at 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution and 416 pixels per inch (ppi). The Galaxy S25 Plus sports a sharper and bigger 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with 1440 x 3120 resolution and 513 ppi.Other than the size and pixel resolution, the displays are similar. Both of them use an LTPO panel so you get an adaptive refresh rate. These displays can go from 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate when needed.Prakhar Khanna / Digital TrendsThe Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. Samsung says that the Qualcomm SoC is tuned to offer better performance on the Galaxy S25 series.While well get more clarity on how they perform in our review later, most of the new features are part of Android 15-based One UI 7. Moreover, Samsung has upgraded the base RAM on the Galaxy S25 from 8GB to 12GB this year. As a result, all three flagship smartphones have the same RAM capacity but differ in storage variants. Like last year, the Galaxy S25 starts at 128GB base storage, whereas the Galaxy S25 Plus comes with 256 gigs of onboard storage in the base variant.There are a slew of new features in One UI 7 that are part of both phones. Theres a new Now Bar thats like Dynamic Island but sits at the bottom of the lock screen. It houses active apps as cards, so when you have things like navigation, stopwatch, and workout going on, theyll be stacked as cards on the lock screen. You can interact with them and switch between the active cards with swipes.Prakhar Khanna / Digital TrendsBoth the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 are said to get better as you use them, thanks to the AI Brief feature. It sends you a brief at 6am and 9pm every day based on data from your Calendar, Samsung Health, and more. For instance, if you havent slept well, itll suggest you go lighter on yourself for the day. These briefs will also include weather information and things like scores and fixtures of your favorite teams.Samsung is also offering an Audio Eraser feature that can detect up to six types of sound in a video to select, separate, and tune the sound to your liking. It works like Apples Audio Mix feature. For example, if you record a person playing an instrument in a noisy environment, you can select the wind disturbance and the public chatter, tone them down, and get better clarity of the instruments sound.There are a bunch of other AI features like AI Select, Circle to Search and more that can potentially make your experience better.Prakhar Khanna / Digital TrendsNot much has changed in terms of optics on the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus. They sport identical cameras and Samsung is relying on Snapdragon 8 Elites prowess to improve details and clarity on these images.Both of these phones have a 50-megapixel main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and 85-degree field of view with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 120-degree field of view, and a 10MP telephoto camera with an f/2.4 aperture, and 3x optical zoom. The selfie shooter is a 12MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and an 80-degree field of view.Samsung has improved its color science over the years for better quality photos with each flagship. This year, the company says it has also worked on achieving better shutter speeds, so you can capture moving subjects with ease.Prakhar Khanna / Digital TrendsThe Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus battery capacity and charging is unchanged from last year. However, Samsung claims theyll offer better battery life than before.The Galaxy S25 packs a 4,000mAh battery, while the Galaxy S25 Plus houses a 4,900mAh cell, which is very close to the 5,000mAh battery capacity of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The bigger phone also charges faster at 45 watts, while the Galaxy S25 can only go up to 25W charging speeds. Both the S25 and S25 Plus are still capped at 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.Prakhar Khanna / Digital TrendsThe Samsung Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus are almost identical. The choice comes down to mostly size preference. If you want a compact phone, the Galaxy S25 should be your choice. Fortunately, you dont lose out on the optics since it features the same camera setup as its bigger sibling. However, youll get a lower-resolution display and slower charging speed.By contrast, if you opt for the Galaxy S25 Plus, you also get a QHD+ display resolution, double the storage in base variant, and faster charging speed. The overall software experience is likely to remain the same on both devices.Editors Recommendations

The South Korean memory-chip maker reported record quarterly and annual results after stronger-than-expected earnings for the final quarter of 2024 on robust chip demand.

The leading technology investment banker would return to the bank at a later date.

Watch Duty became a critical app amid the Los Angeles wildfires which have burned 35,000+ acres.The app saw 2.5 million downloads in the past two weeks, CEO John Mills told BI.Mills said he has no interest in further monetizing on the platform.One of the most critical apps in January was a real-time wildfire alert system powered by a nonprofit that has 15 employees and about 200 volunteers.The app, Watch Duty, provides timely updates of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, among others that burned and continue to burn in the Los Angeles region. Residents and first responders, including LA's Emergency Operations Center, relied on the app to receive up-to-date information on the fast-moving fires that have so far burned more than 35,000 acres and killed at least 27 people.CEO and cofounder John Mills told Business Insider in an interview that the app received 2.5 million downloads and 12 million active users in the past two weeks. Watch Duty shot to the top of Apple's app stores in the first days of the fire.Mills said that's no reason to start charging more for Watch Duty's services or try to further monetize from the app."We want to do this for the greater good, and the best way I found to do that is to use the nonprofit angle," Mills said.Watch Duty, which was founded in 2021, has no brick-and-mortar HQ, and its staff all work remotely. Mills himself has a background in tech and co-founded an operations platform for chain restaurants.The CEO said he was motivated to start the organization shortly after he moved to Sonoma County in 2020, the same year California saw a record-number wildfires. The Walbridge Fire in Sonoma alone burned more than 55,000 acres."The Walbridge Fire was the ultimate one that really got me to do something about this, and that was the one that ended about a quarter mile from the edge of my property," he said. "I evacuated for the first time and I spent seven nights just up all day, all night, trying to learn about what was going on, how to help, and what the problems were. It occurred to me that this was not going to get resolved any other way."Part of the advantage Watch Duty has is that it's not restricted by boundaries or jurisdictions unlike government agencies, which could slow down the speed of updates and emergency notifications, Mills said."It's really challenging because one county might have more advanced systems and the other one doesn't, but the fire is tearing through multiple counties at a time, Mills said. "There's not one integrated system that really helps tie all this together and that's really where we shine."By 2024, according to its annual report, Watch Duty grew its yearly active users to 7.2 million people. The app provides updates across 22 states.For regular users, Watch Duty remains free. Some can pay $25 a year for extra features such as flight tracking data. The organization has even started to build and sell government services, "albeit very cheap," Mills said."People laugh. They say you should charge more. I'm like, that's not the point, man. This is my life. I live in the woods. We're going to make money, but the money is to support the free operation and pay our engineers and our reporters," he said.As a nonprofit, Watch Duty can accept donations. Tech CEOs including Snap's Evan Spiegel and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg have donated, Mills said. Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, has given $2 million, he added.Mills said he intends to keep Watch Duty a nonprofit."We've been on phone calls with Amazon, Google, Apple everyone is giving us resources to make sure this thing stays alive," he said. "And so, I don't need to sell out to keep the thing doing what it does."

The Hughes Fire erupted in southern California Wednesday, the latest in a string of wildfires.Parts of the crucial Interstate 5 freeway were closed as crews battled the flames.The fire spread rapidly and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.Another fast-growing fire broke out in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties on Wednesday as the region is still reeling from the fires that burned through more than 37,000 acres earlier this month.The Hughes Fire erupted at around 10:50 a.m. local time near Castaic, located north of Los Angeles city about 40 miles north of the Palisades Fire. It was first reported at about 50 acres and quickly grew to 9,457 acres by Wednesday evening, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. The cause of the fire, which was 0% contained as of Wednesday evening, was unknown.Evacuation orders were issued for the surrounding areas. Officials said during a press conference that more than 31,000 people were under evacuation orders, while another 23,000 were under evacuation warnings.The vital I-5 freeway was also temporarily closed as a result of the Hughes Fire, and some offramps in the area remained closed Wednesday evening. Though some rain is expected in the area later in the week, winds continue to challenge the firefighting efforts in the dry, brushy area and threaten to push the flames into Ventura County, Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist, said in a live stream, according to the Los Angeles Times. "This is not a good place to have a fire under northeast winds, because there is an almost contiguous, very dense fuel bed all in this region," Swain said.Earlier this month the Palisades and Eaton fires tore through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena, killing at least 27 people and destroying thousands of structures.This story is developing. Check back for updates.

Were making this story accessible to all readers as a public service. At Vox, our mission is to help everyone access essential information that empowers them. Support our journalism by becoming a member today.Its not enough to trust the senses to know when its a bad air day. Well before you can see or smell smoke, it can start wreaking havoc on the lungs.That haze you can see and smell on a particularly polluted day is made of ozone and fine particulate matter.Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5 (the 2.5 microns describes its size, 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair) can embed in the cells of the lung and the bloodstream, aggravating inflammation, asthma, heart disease, and mental health. And ozone causes similar damage. In the stratosphere, ozone blocks ultraviolet radiation from the sun, but at ground level it can cause shortness of breath and damage to respiratory tissue.Both pollutants can affect the entire body in all stages of life: young and old, and even the developing fetus. They come from sources as varied as the tailpipe of a truck, your neighbors barbecue, coal plant, or an incinerator. PM2.5 is capable of traveling thousands of miles across the world on the wind taking, for instance, about five days to reach the US from China.RelatedThe dose makes the poison; there is a difference between moderately bad air and really bad air. Public health experts recommend monitoring changes in air quality as often as you check the weather. But you should also know some basic facts to help you determine your own sensitivity to air pollution and the appropriate action to take.What is the Air Quality Index?The Air Quality Index, set by the Environmental Protection Agency, is your guide to how bad the air quality is outdoors. The data that goes into the Air Quality Index comes from 5,000 air monitors across the country, including local, state, tribal, and federal reporting.There are actually two AQIs for air quality, one for particulate matter and one for ozone, but when you see just one AQI, youre looking at whatever pollutant is the higher of the two.You can find the latest AQI on the EPAs AirNow website or by downloading its AirNow app. Weather apps are often using propriety data from a company called BreezoMeter to determine AQI and forecasts. These numbers are based on EPA monitoring but may not be identical to the EPAs AQI, though they should be in the same ballpark. Outside the US, air pollution monitoring can vary widely depending on the country, so AQIs reported around the world may also be pulling from a mix of computer modeling and satellite data.There are some important drawbacks to the AQI. It tries to distill a lot of information into one datapoint, and it depends on air monitors often placed near cities and not close to industrial polluters. Since air pollution can vary widely even over short distances think a busy highway versus a quiet, tree-lined road the air could be worse if youre near a pollution source. Communities of color are systematically exposed to more pollution from industrial sources and transportation, and the AQI doesnt do a good job capturing that disparity.Thousands of air quality monitors pull data from around the country to calculate the Air Quality Index. While the monitoring captures an accurate high-level view of pollution levels, it doesnt capture pollution that can vary widely block to block. Hyoung Chang/Denver Post via Getty ImagesWho really needs to pay attention to the AQI?Ideally, everyone should monitor the AQI. EPA experts liken it to understanding the weather.People have different sensitivities to air pollutants, just as people can have different temperatures theyre comfortable at. They can even be more uncomfortable with one type of pollutant than another.But the EPA breaks out its recommendations for a general population group and a sensitive population. The sensitive group is actually quite large. If you have asthma or COPD, you fall in this category, but so do young children (under age 5), older adults (over 65), and pregnant people.The younger the child is, the faster their breathing, and so pound for pound, they are breathing more air pollution, said Lisa Patel, a Stanford professor of pediatrics and an executive director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. We use 5 as a cut-off for particular vulnerabilities because age 0-5 is a period of really rapid lung growth. And so exposure to those toxins so early is particularly concerning, but its also concerning across the entire spectrum of ages.Even if you dont fall into one of the sensitive categories, an EPA official explained that the public should still know their number. The AQI is based on large population studies, so it doesnt necessarily help you understand your individual risk. By monitoring the AQI regularly and paying close attention to any symptoms, you can get a feel for the level at which you should take proactive action.What are the six levels of air quality? And when should I be concerned?The EPA breaks the Air Quality Index into a few categories with different recommendations.Green (050): The air is safe to breathe.Yellow (51100): The air quality is considered moderate, except for the most sensitive groups.Orange (101150): Sensitive groups should reduce heavy exertion outside or take more breaks, and people with asthma and heart disease should watch for symptoms. The rest of the population may be fine.Red (151200): The air is unhealthy for everyone. Sensitive groups should avoid being active outdoors, while everyone else should reduce their time outdoors.Purple (201300): The air is very unhealthy for everyone. Everyone should consider moving their activities inside.Maroon (301 and above): This is the highest level hazardous and anyone can be at risk. Everyone should avoid physical activity outdoors, and if youre sensitive, you should remain indoors.Doctors and public health experts urge people to monitor any symptoms as pollution levels climb, especially once the AQI is in the orange and red range.The symptoms to watch can vary. A surefire sign to take it easy (limiting activity outdoors and potentially seeking medical help) is shortness of breath. Coughing, discomfort, and tightness of the chest can all signal issues with breathing.Other symptoms could be less obvious, throat irritation, fatigue, a stuffy nose or a headache. An EPA expert explained she feels a side stitch when exercising on a bad air day.In infants, Patel suggests to look out for grunting noises, bobbing heads, and using chest muscles to breathe as warning signs. Kids who have asthma should have an asthma action plan set with a health provider on using an inhaler.Its important to pay attention to these symptoms in both adults and children while regularly checking the AQI level at which you start to feel discomfort. Starting this now will help you in the future when you need to decide what precautions to take and when.What are the precautions I should take outdoors, and when should I take action?The AQI is most confusing when it falls into the yellow, orange, and red ranges.If you are sensitive to air pollution, then you want to reduce your exercise and heavy exertion outside once the AQI hits orange. The entire population should start taking precautions when it is in the red territory. You might even want to reconsider spending extensive time outside at these higher levels, and don an N95 or KN95 mask if you do need to be outside (cloth masks will not protect you from PM2.5).It helps to think about reduction in terms of dosage. You can cut your time outside, your exertion level, or both. If you reduce a 30 minute walk to 15 minutes, youre cutting your exposure to the pollution by half. If you sit on your porch instead of going for a walk or run, youre also cutting down how much pollution you inhale.When is air pollution at its worse?The time of year, and even the time of day, can matter immensely for air quality.Ozone is typically at its worst in warmer months, between April and October in the US. It needs sunlight to trigger its chemical reactions, so late afternoons and early evenings can be smoggier than the mornings. Emissions that come from the tailpipes of cars and burning fossil fuels interact to form ozone that can build up to dangerous concentrations depending on geography and weather patterns.Particulate matters worst months are usually peak wildfire season, so late summer and fall. Again, though, there are no strict rules here. Wildfires are no longer contained to predictable seasons due largely to climate change, as the East Coast experienced when Canadian wildfires caused smoggy extremes in early June. Other sources of PM2.5 include barbecues and fireworks, making July Fourth and the days that follow worse for air quality.Tracey Holloway, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who works with NASA, also explained that, unlike ozone, PM2.5 comes in different flavors. She explained, There are some situations where PM2.5 is highest at night because its trapped [an inversion where the ground is cooler], and theres some situations where PM2.5 is highest in the middle of the day because its cooked up by the sun.Though experts focus mostly on the two main pollutants of concern in air pollution, PM2.5 and ozone, there are other substances that can hitch a ride with this pollution. Patel, the pediatrician, said wildfire smoke is especially toxic. Burning trees can release more mercury in the air because of how the pollutant has settled on surfaces. And when fires hit houses and towns, they burn up plastics and petrochemicals, releasing more carcinogenic and metallic substances into the atmosphere.One tip is to not dose yourself unnecessarily with pollution when air quality is bad. A hazardous air day is a poor time to fire up the barbecue or gas stove. You could swap out the gas appliance entirely for an induction burner. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty ImagesShould I be concerned indoors?Staying indoors helps, but there are some additional actions to consider.If you have central air conditioning or can access a building with air conditioning, that helps filter out pollutants. Also, HEPA air filters cut down on particulate matter and dont have to cost a lot. The University of Washington has a manual for building your own low-cost air filter for roughly $20, which can dramatically lower fine particles.Since youre getting a hefty dose of air pollution from the outdoors, its even more important not to expose yourself unnecessarily inside. Former Director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and pediatrician Aaron Bernstein said people do this in ways they dont realize. They might idle their cars in attached garages, or use fragranced and ozone-forming products, or run wood- or gas-burning stoves and fireplaces that pollute indoor air.The No. 1 action we can take for better air is addressing the root cause, not just the symptoms. After all, not everyone has control over their outdoor activities, and some communities and outdoor workers face astronomically higher risk from pollution than others. White Americans contribute more to air pollution through their consumption of goods and services, yet Black and Hispanic Americans tend to live in neighborhoods with lower air quality.One of the challenges in tackling climate change is that the carbon were releasing now will stick around in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Thats fortunately not the case with particulate matter and ozone. They settle in a matter of days, so air can clear almost immediately once we address the sources of pollution. The world experienced how fast the air can improve when road and air travel came to sudden standstill early in the Covid-19 pandemic.A lot of air pollution comes from controllable sources, Holloway said. When we implement changes to our transportation, industries, energy systems, and roadways, all of those can immediately improve our air quality. Certainly, we cant just make a policy change and have wildfires go away. But for many other sources of air pollution, there are a lot of available technologies to make the air cleaner.Despite worsening wildfires, air quality has on the whole grown cleaner, especially within the United States over the last 40 years, as states have reduced major industrial sources of smog. Environmental regulations have worked as intended to clean up the worst polluters.We have already made huge improvements in having cleaner vehicles and trucks, cleaner power plants, and cleaner industrial facilities, said Holloway. And these have been deliberate choices that weve made. Holloway believes this isnt a hopeless situation as long as society moves to tackling the sources of the problem.What other resources are out there?The basic resources everyone should know about: the EPA AirNow website and AirNow app. These have information you need about the AQI level and the forecast.The EPA Fire and Smoke map has much more detailed information by zip code on PM2.5 coming from wildfires, drawing from a larger range of sources than the basic AQI.The EPAs guidance for schools.The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidance on what to do to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, broken down by vulnerable groups.The EPA also tracks pollution sources across a broad range in its EJScreen map. ProPublica launched its own impressive database of cancer-causing air pollution by zip code across the US.A resource for monitoring air quality around the world.This story was originally published on June 28, 2023.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Will the dock make much difference? (YouTube)The Thursday letters page has predictions for the rumoured February Nintendo Direct, as readers look forward to this evenings Xbox Developer Direct.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukNintendo Switch 2.5Before anyone gets too excited about the Nintendo Switch 2 being insanely powerful Id like to point out that its literally impossible for it to be that powerful. For the first instance Nintendo need it to be cheap enough to sell at a reasonable place. For a second, the more powerful it is the more battery power itll need and the hotter itll get.The prediction of being like a souped up PlayStation 4 sound very believable to me and the upper limit of what is physically and financially possible. Maybe itll be a bit more powerful when docked but its not going to be that much of a difference. Nintendo already has to handle promoting games on both Switch 1 and Switch 2, theyre not going to make TV mode so radically different its like Switch 2.5.Given the small difference between PlayStation 4 and 5 it really doesnt matter any way. You might not be able to get GTA 6 running on Switch 2, but I doubt therell be much else it cant play, even if it has to cut the frame rate down a bit.If everyone starts hyping themselves up for the Switch 2 being a graphical powerhouse theyre only going to be disappointed. As with everything in gaming, better to assume less and be pleasantly surprised if its more than you expect.NadarWelcome homeI think the publisher Im most looking forward to see work on Nintendo Switch 2 is Square Enix. It may seem hard to believe now but Final Fantasy used to be associated with Nintendo not PlayStation and it was Square (back before the merger) skipping the N64 that played a large part in destroying that consoles chances.Theres already rumours of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth, but I wonder if Final Fantasy 17 will also be on Switch 2. Square Enix has said they want to embrace multiformat from now on, instead of exclusives, so I think theyd be crazy to not try and get it onto Nintendos console.That may mean scaling back some of the ambition in terms of graphics but Im sure from Square Enixs point of view that would make sense. It may even encourage them not to go so grimdark again. I really didnt like Final Fantasy 16.LentilBack to formulaAs a casual fan its been fascinating to see how unpopular Mortal Kombat 1 has been compared to the previous games. I played it and thought it was pretty good. The Kameo system isnt original, but I liked it as a novelty, and yet a lot of people seem to hate. I dont know why, its not like Mortal Kombat is some hardcore fighter that theyve ruined the action or something.The hardcore also seem to be upset about the story reset, which I also liked. Im not invested in the previous story, I admit, but I thought things like making Sub-Zero and Scorpion brothers was a neat twist that kept things fresh.Sad thing is, its not hard to guess what the reaction is going to be to this failure: make the next game as much like Mortal Kombat 11 as possible and never try anything new again!FrankyEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukSleepwalking awayHopefully its nothing, but Im a bit unnerved about this changes at Insomniac Games, especially given the amount of other exits at Sony lately. That hack they suffered really shook them up and seems to have delayed Wolverine to the point where Id be surprised if it was released this year.I always worry when a big boss leaves all of sudden, for no obvious reason. Maybe the Insomniac guy had just had enough and wants to put his feet up, which is fair enough, but theres also the danger he was pushed because Insomniac is going over budget and not getting new games out.We are long overdue Sony making some kind of public annoucement and explaining themselves. It can be a big triumphal thing, they dont have to admit they did anything wrong, but I still have very little faith they know what theyre doing at the moment.Rinto Insomniac is undergoing some changes (Sony Interactive Entertainment)One lessFinally brought a month of Xbox Game Pass for my handheld and just started a campaign playthrough of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6. I know everyone is more sourced towards the multiplayer and Zombies mode but just not my cup of tea.Apparently Modern Warfare 3 is also on Game Pass, but who on earth is still playing one of the worst instalments, in this franchise? It makes Ghosts look like Citizen Kane in comparison.I also wanted to offer some clarification on one of the letters from last night. Assassins Creed Shadows, releases in March. Not February. The 20th to be more precise. It was delayed a month later. Avowed and Monster Hunter Wilds will release in February though. So will Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.Shahzaib SadiqSticking to the routineRumours of a Switch 1 focused Nintendo Direct in February feel true to me because we currently dont have a Nintendo title scheduled for February.Nintendo have been so consistent in having a game a month that I cant see them not having something out between Donkey Kong and Xenoblade.As such I think theyll have a Direct and a shadow drop of Metroid Prime 2 remaster, maybe 3 too. Theyve been rumoured to be ready for a long time and itd both fill the gap and build hype for Metroid Prime 4.The first Metroid Prime Remastered was released unexpectedly, so I could see Nintendo following the same route. So either in a Direct or one of those random video drops on Twitter on a Thursday afternoon.Euclidian BoxesSuper effectiveI see that it is rumoured that the Switch 2 will have Hall effect joysticks. I didnt know until reading your article that the Dreamcast had them. I had a Dreamcast, but that wasnt the first time I would have used Hall effect joysticks.Atari used them in some of their 80s arcade machines. I believe the first machine to use one was the 1984 coin-op I, Robot, which I used to play at The Mint arcade on Great Yarmouth seafront.Tim Keeling3D dino crisisOn a whim, I replayed some old N64 games recently. One of these was Chameleon Twist. Some interesting ideas and mechanics. Some great tongue moves, but nowadays it plays like a dog and even on release never had that polish or magic of a first party title.A flash of a cool mechanic that was never exploited to its full potential, never road tested with any sort of deviously designed puzzle or feat of dexterity that makes you feel like you have gained a true sense of mastery. All this jumping about, sticking your tongue out at things. Its all very Yoshi-y. Im surprised Nintendo didnt sue the egg-laying hind quarters off them and Robo-copped a version for themselves. It brings me to my point did Nintendo ever make a proper 3D Yoshis Island?Super Mario Galaxy 2 came closest to a Yoshi game, as he was included in a few levels, I believe, but that wasnt the same. Yoshi wont have to play second fiddle in a 3D game to call his own. Hitting a block and have him come out like some common power-up!? Yoshi was out doing this kind of thing when Mario was in nappies as evidenced in Yoshis Island itself. Where is the dignity?Let the dinosaur start the level on his own two feet. Complete with bum-eggs. Baby Mario riding on his back. Vehicle transformations not necessary but appreciated. 3D gameplay, but stylised in looks, maybe toon shaded? By now console power has got to the point where you can pull off anime style 3D graphics (see Dragon Ball FighterZ, for example).For bonus points lets incorporate some levels like Touch Fuzzy, Get Dizzy which includes some out there gameplay-affecting graphical effects.It may come down to an indie title which takes this idea and runs with it themselves, perhaps they have and a reader can recommend it?So please Mr Shigsy, sir, please, I would like my proper 3D Yoshis island. Good day, sir.Major_KahonasGC: Theres the fan made Return To Yoshis Island 64 but despite the name it doesnt seem to have much actual Yoshi in it.Inbox also-ransDoom: The Dark Ages is going to be out in May? Sounds like the Developer Direct is going to be a good one, even if thats the only good news.TimmSo what is the best guess for the secret game at the Xbox Developer Direct tonight? Im hearing Ecco The Dolphin or Ninja Gaiden 4 as the frontrunners? Personally, Im hoping for a Brute Force reboot.XenobeanGC: Ninja Gaiden would be our uneducated guess, but there dont seem to be any substantial rumours other than its supposed to be a long-running Japanese franchise.More TrendingEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Readers Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.You can also leave your comments below and dont forget to follow us on Twitter.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

Aquifer Recharge Plant / SALT ArchitectsSave this picture! Karl RogersIndustrial ArchitectureCape Town, South AfricaArchitects: SALT ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:15865 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Karl Rogers More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The Cape Flats Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) plant is a pioneering response to Cape Town's water crisis, offering a sustainable solution to safeguard the city's future water supply. Situated within the False Bay Nature Reserve in Pelican Park, this facility addresses the need for sustainable water management by purifying treated effluent to potable standards and recharging the Cape Flats Aquifer. The site, a flat sandy expanse bordered by dunes, endures strong prevailing southeasterly winds and corrosive coastal conditions, all of which informed the design approach.Save this picture!At the heart of the project lies the innovative process devised by the civil engineers, of recharging the Cape Flats Aquifer, a critical water source for the region. Treated effluent is purified to potable standards and reinjected into the aquifer to maintain its levels. This process unfolds through a series of four linear filtration buildings, carefully arranged along an artificial slope to facilitate a gravity-fed filtration system. The journey begins at the highest filtration building and descends to the lowest, where the purified water is redirected to the aquifer. The long east-west facades of these buildings feature angled brick fins and narrow south-facing windows, creating a "gilled" aesthetic that filters light while preventing algae growth in the filters. These facades act as membranesnot for water but for sunlighttransforming filtration into both a functional and symbolic architectural element.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The administrative building, located at the highest point of the site, serves as the "head" of the facility, standing as a marker of human interaction and management within the industrial complex. Integrated into the first filtration building, it adopts the language of the gilledSave this picture!facades but introduces a subtle shift in rhythm. Here, the fins peel away to form a loose brise soleil, creating a porous, screen-like structure that filters not only light but also the transition between inside and outside. This gesture signifies the administrative building's role as a human interface, orienting visitors and signaling arrival. Behind the brise soleil, a double-volume glazed atrium provides a light-filled yet protected entry space, welcoming users and guests.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Inside, the administrative block is organized for efficiency and comfort. The ground floor accommodates practical spaces for plant operators, while the first floor houses offices, meeting rooms, and the plant's control room. These spaces are designed to support productivity while offering a sense of care and value to those who work here.Save this picture!The project's design acknowledges the significant embedded energy inherent in the extensive concrete structures required for water retention - with walls and floors up to 600mm thick - sustainability was approached with a focus on durability and long-term resource efficiency. Durable face brick was selected for the facades, its warm tones harmonizing with the sandy context while ensuring minimal maintenance in the corrosive environment. The emphasis on timeless construction not only ensures the buildings' longevity but also fosters the potential for repurposing, reducing the likelihood of demolition at the end of their lifespan.Save this picture!Save this picture!Smaller, thoughtful measures complement this approach, including reusing dune sand from site excavations as backfill, installing low-flow sanitary fittings and waterless urinals, and optimizing passive thermal strategies to minimize the need for artificial climate control. These interventions, though modest in scale, reflect a commitment to efficiency and resourcefulness over the plant's operational lifetime.Save this picture!While access to the facility is restricted, its design extends beyond utility to celebrate the dignity of infrastructure. By elevating the experience of its operators and crafting a setting of thoughtfulness and beauty, the project communicates care and inspires pride. As a flagship initiative for the City of Cape Town, the MAR plant is not just a technical achievement but a powerful statement of the city's commitment to innovative and sustainable development. Its design ensures it can host educational groups and visitors, serving as a tangible example of resilience in the face of water scarcity.Save this picture!The Cape Flats MAR plant exemplifies how architecture can transform essential infrastructure into something greater: a place that honors its users, responds intelligently to its environment, and symbolizes the ingenuity needed to address the pressing challenges of our time.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Cape Town, South AfricaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMaterialsConcreteBrickMaterials and TagsPublished on January 23, 2025Cite: "Aquifer Recharge Plant / SALT Architects" 22 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025978/aquifer-recharge-plant-salt-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Nature, Published online: 22 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08381-1We report superconductivity, in a limited region of displacement field and density, in 5.0twisted bilayer WSe2 with a maximum critical temperature of 426mK, establishing that moir flat-band superconductivity extends beyond graphene structures.