Terraria features a great number of possible builds, weapons, and armor. The game allows for many different play styles, from fighting up close and personal via melee to raining bullets from afar and even summoning powerful entities to fight for the player.

A fire stunt on the set of 2024s The Fall Guy | Photo: Eric Laciste/Universal Pictures via Everett CollectionFollowing the official announcement of this years Oscars nominees, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the winners of the 2025 scientific and technical awards, which typically arent part of (and are barely acknowledged at) the annual televised ceremony. In part, thats because the people winning these awards arent the celebrities that the Oscars show producers think will lure in a TV audience. But its also because many of the awards are for inventions and innovations that will be nearly invisible to the average moviegoer. Few of us spend much time thinking about the importance of for instance, to quote an explanation of one of the 2024 winners the integration of multiple digital content creation tools into a coherent production pipeline.But several of this years winners are flashier than that, and certainly more likely to be noticed on screen. Two of the three big themes in the 2025 scientific and technical awards are camera stabilization and CG software improvement tools that have an impact on a lot of films behind-the-scenes processes. The third big theme is tools used to set people on fire. Thanks to these innovations, stunt crew members can be ignited for longer periods, with less obvious physical protection and a higher degree of safety.These vital technologies have expanded the visual possibilities of cinema, creating new and compelling experiences for moviegoers, the co-chairs of the Academys Scientific and Technical Awards Committee said in a press release. What they did not say, and should have, is Setting stuntpeople on fire is totally badass and always gets the audiences attention, and wed like to see more of that.Given the long-ongoing argument that the Academy should give out Oscars for the years best movie stunt, its intriguing to see 2025s technical awards winners more clearly acknowledging stunt advancement and stunt technology, though thats still a ways off from acknowledging the stunt designers and coordinators themselves. Here are the 2025 winners in the Academy Awards Scientific and Technical categories:Technical achievement awardsToEssex Edwards,James Jacobs,Jernej Barbic,Crawford DoranandAndrew van Stratenfor the design and development of Ziva VFX.Ziva VFX is a system for constructing and simulating muscles, fat, fascia, and skin for digital characters. An artist-friendly interface that emphasizes easily understood physical metaphors, coupled with a robust, physically accurate solver, has enabled a broad range of studios to bring visually rich creatures to life.ToJavor KalojanovandKimball Thurstonfor the creation of Wt FXs ML Denoiser.This denoiser prioritizes temporal filtering using innovative optical flow techniques to preserve crucial details. Novel training strategies allow its machine learning algorithms to denoise computer-generated imagery to the most exacting standards.ToNeeme Vainofor the development of Fireskin360 Naked Burn Gel.This widely available gel allows longer targeted burns directly on the skin, broadening the range of fire stunts performed across the industry.ToDustin BrooksandColin Deckerfor the development of naked burn gel.Fire for Hires gel first publicly demonstrated a naked burn, where fire appears directly on the skin, enabling a new form of safe fire stunts in motion pictures.ToAttila T. frafor the creation of Intel Open Image Denoise, and toTimo Ailafor his pioneering work at NVIDIA applying U-Nets to denoising.Open Image Denoise is an open-source library that provides an elegant API and runs on diverse hardware, leading to broad industry adoption. Its core technology is provided by the widely adopted U-Net architecture that improves efficiency and preserves detail, raising the quality of CG imagery across the industry.ToMark Noelfor adapting and enhancing the safety and reliability of transportable six-degrees-of-freedom motion base technology for motion picture use.The NACMO series of modular motion bases enables filmmakers to dynamically control simulated actions, providing precise movements, enhancing special effects, and enriching the visual experience for audiences worldwide.ToSu Tiefor the development of the sensor analysis and stabilization software, toBei Shimenfor the electrical engineering, and toZhao Yanchongfor the mechanical design and engineering of the Ronin 2 gimbal system.Utilizing three-axis stabilization through multiple sensors, the DJI Ronin 2 has achieved broad adoption. It is controllable from a diverse set of input devices, enabling filmmakers to create complex, dynamic camera moves.ToTabb Firchaufor the conception and development, toJohn EllisonandSteve Webbfor the attitude control system, toDavid Bloomfieldfor the motor design, and toShane Coltonfor the motor driver system design of the Mvi gimbals.Freefly Systems introduction of handheld stabilized gimbals provides single-person or collaborative remote camera operation with various controllers, enabling previously difficult shots without dolly or crane-supported stabilized heads.Scientific and engineering awardsToJayson Dumenigofor the development of the Action Factory Hydrogels.Action Factory hydrogels are engineered to allow longer burns at higher temperatures with quick turnaround times, increasing the safety and efficiency of fire stunt performances.ToThijs Vogels,Fabrice Rousselle,David Adler,Gerhard RthlinandMark Meyerfor the creation of Disneys ML Denoiser.This sophisticated machine learning denoiser features a ground-breaking kernel-predicting convolutional network and temporal stability. It has been adopted far beyond its original domain of animation and is an essential tool for creating computer-generated imagery in feature films.ToNir Averbuch,Yair ChuchemandDan Ravivfor the concept, design and development of the Auto Align Post 2.Sound Radixs Auto Align Post 2 allows the seamless blending of multiple moving microphones during film post-production, eliminating phase distortion, saving significant time over manual alignment methods and raising the reproduction quality of dialogue recorded on set.ToCurt Schallerfor the concept, design and development of the Trinity 2 system, and toDr. Roman Foltynfor the software and hardware design of its motorized stabilized head.The ARRI Trinity 2 is a body-worn system that combines a traditional inertial camera stabilization system with electronic gimbal technology, allowing unprecedented freedom of camera movement for acquiring shots with multiple transitions that are otherwise unobtainable.ToSteve Wagnerfor the initial concept and software, toGarrett Brownfor the design, and toJerry HolwayandRobert Orffor the engineering of the Steadicam Volt stabilization system.The Tiffen Steadicam Volt revolutionizes inertial stabilization with its advanced two-axis motorized design, creating artificial inertia and simulated friction while providing adjustable tactile feedback. Different modes allow the operator to alter the physical feel of the rig. The Volt empowers filmmakers to achieve dynamic shots with more complex camera movement while maintaining a stable roll axis.ToDave Freethfor the design, engineering and development of the hand-held Stabileye three-axis motorized camera stabilization system.The compact size and live adjustment of operating parameters of these devices facilitate subtle and dynamic camera moves closer to actors, and in tighter quarters than previously possible. Its low latency allows for instinctive operation whether controlled by a single operator or remotely.The Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 29, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The main televised Oscars ceremony will take place on March 2. One technical award will presented during the televised show: an Academy Award of Merit for all the individuals who have developed and supported captioning technology, whether open or closed, for film.

Whim Tangram puzzles are a type of mini-game available in Infinity Nikkis limited-time New Bloom Festival event. Qiao He will issue these puzzles to you and you can find her aboard the large boat docked at Florawish. The puzzles involve rotating and placing different shaped blocks in a specific way to fit within a border and make an image.Some of these puzzles can be tough to solve. If you want to just slam down the right solution so you can get your rewards (Diamonds, Shining Particles, Flower Lanterns, and Bling), then weve got your back.Below, we list all the solutions to the Infinity Nikki Whim Tangram puzzles (so far). Note that since there are some puzzles with duplicate pieces in varying colors, there are technically multiple solutions. You dont need to place the pieces exactly like ours down to the colors as long as the shapes and sizes match in a puzzle, youll solve it.Whim Tangram I solutionThis first solution is a sailboat.Whim Tangram II solutionThe second tangram solution creates a person in a robe.Whim Tangram III solutionThe third puzzle solution makes a lotus flower. Note that for this puzzle, you will need to rotate the yellow square to a special orientation to make it fit. If its not fitting in the diamond-shaped slot, keep rotating it until it does.Whim Tangram IV solution (coming soon!)This puzzle isnt available yet, but well update this guide with the solution once it is.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Handheld gaming consoles are no longer dominated by Nintendo; PC games entered the handheld industry market with competition from Valve and ASUS. Valves Steam Deck was the best budget option available until ASUS released the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 in 2023, which is the budget version of the more powerful ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme. During Best Buy's 48-hour Flash Sale, you can actually get the more premium ASUS ROG Ally Extreme for cheaper than the basic Rog Ally. It's currently $449.99 (originally $649.99), currently the lowest price I have seen over the last few months, according to price tracking tools. ASUS ROG Ally 7" Extreme $449.99 at Best Buy $649.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $449.99 at Best Buy $649.99 Save $200.00 SEE -2 MORE The ASUS ROG Ally Z1 is a great option for PC gamers who are used to the Windows system and want to play their games on a portable system. The ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is cheaper than most budget gaming laptops, although its processing power and graphics are limited. You can see whether the budget or Extreme version or the Z1 is better for you here. Dont expect to play every AAA smoothly without having some kind of problem. For most big AAA games, you will need a full-sized desktop or gaming laptop to run without hiccups. While you can play some on the ASUS ROG Ally Z1, you will have to accept playing with lower frames per second to make them run (our readers claim to be able to play AAA games at 60FPS without issues). If youre not familiar with the Windows 11 operating system, this can be tricky to do. The ASUS ROG Ally Z1 brings you 512GB of memory with a micro SD memory card slot if you want to expand it, an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, 16GB RAM, and a seven-inch touchscreen LED with a maximum video resolution of 1080p. The rechargeable battery will give you about eight and a half hours of battery time. You can read the full PCMag review of the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 here. While the ASUS ROG Ally is not objectively better or worse than the Steam Deck, at its current price, the Ally Z1 can be a better option than the Steam Deck for most people.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.When you're scrolling TikTok for cleaning inspiration or looking to beef up your product arsenal, it can be overwhelming to see how many products there are out thereand how much they all cost. You don't need to spend a small fortune to keep a clean house, though. There are some excellent budget-friendly products on the market that work wonders all over your home and should be your new cleaning staples. The best cleaning solutions for the priceI've mentioned this before, but if you want true bang for your buck in the cleaning space, you should consider swapping your standard cleaning solution for those that have double the concentration. I've had great results with the upgraded Pine Sol and Fabuloso, finding that they clean more surfaces with less fluid than their standard predecessors and that aren't much more expensive, if at all: Broadly speaking, the 56-ounce bottle of 2x-concentrated Fabuloso is $5.49, and 48 ounces of the regular stuff will run you $4.59 while the price of 80 ounces of double-concentrated Pine Sol is between $15 and $20, depending on various discounts, with 96 ounces of regular Pine Sol coming in at $15. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson I don't mind paying slightly more for a product that is going to do a better job, but the nice thing about these is that you can wait around for sales and almost always find a good deal somewhere, whether it's Target, Amazon, or Walmart, making them about the same price as the standard bottles. My holy grail vacuum is not very pricyI love my Bissell CrossWave OmniForce, a dual mop-and-vacuum combo, and while it routinely goes on sale for shopping holidays, it's still hundreds of dollars, so it's not ideal for someone looking to clean on a budget. You can stay within the Bissell family and still get a powerful machine, however. In fact, my favorite vacuum of all time is the humble Bissell Featherweight Stick. Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum $32.98 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $32.98 at Amazon Depending on various sales and where you get it, it's usually around $30. I am devoted to mine because even though it's so small, its suction is mighty. I use it for spot cleaning because it's perfect for zeroing in on messes. You can also remove the stick and use it as a handheld vacuum, which makes it more versatile. There is a flat attachment that turns it into a standard vacuum, too, so it's perfect for use on carpets, hard floors, specific messes, and more, all over the house. Don't spend too much on mopping, eitherGreat, so the floor is vacuumed for cheap, but what about mopped? I love my Swiffer WetJet because it's small and easy to use. I live in a small apartment where storing a full-sized mop would be laughably annoying, so the slim WetJet with its built-in cleaning solution dispenser has always been ideal for me. The problem is, though, that you always have to buy new pads for itor so I thought. Instead of repurchasing the disposable Swiffer pads every few weeks, you can actually invest just once in a reusable microfiber head that attached to your WetJet. And I say "invest" lightly here, since it's just $6.99 for two. Comparably, 24 branded WetJet pads are $13.77 and the Amazon Basics version is $7.54 for 30. That's not terrible, but still not as economical as picking up the reusable pads. Sponges shouldn't be expensiveIf you're looking to CleanTok influencers for advice on sponges, you'll inevitably hear that the Scrub Daddy is the best sponge you can get. At $13.99 for three, they come out to be less than $5 per sponge and while that's a decent deal and they do last a long time, I recommend something else: Silicone scrubbers. You can get three for $7.99 (or even less if you check out your local dollar store) and they last for, in my experience, years. Designate one for dishes, one for bathroom messes, and one for kitchen messesor one for whatever specific issues crop up in your homeand you'll have them for ages. The little tendrils really get at messes, soap suds up great in them, and they're easy to handle, especially since they don't start to fall apart like regular sponges. I also love that you can just rinse them and hang them to dry and they never start to stink because no dampness or old crud gets stuck inside them. Geloo Silicone Sponges, 3 Pack $7.99 at Amazon $9.99 Save $2.00 Shop Now Shop Now $7.99 at Amazon $9.99 Save $2.00 Speaking of sponges, I am a devout forever-fan of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Ultra Foamy, which is already just $2.49 for one. I recommend keeping at least one Ultra Foamy around to deal with tough messes like stuck-on adhesive, but for extra budget-friendly cleaning power, you can get a bulk pack of generic-brand melamine sponges. Magic Erasers are just melamine sponges with a fancy name, so for standard messes, feel free to grab a 20-pack of plain ones for $11.99, which makes them just 60 cents per sponge. Heavy-duty scrubbing action for cheapFinally, you'll notice that telescopic electric scrubbers are all the rage on CleanTok, which isn't too bad, since they are generally around $40 on Amazon (though they can cost more). It's true that outsourcing your manual labor to a machine makes cleaning easier and more efficient, but you can do it even more cheaply if you already own a drill. For $17.95, you can get 23 brush head attachments for your drill, which can tackle grout, upholstery, tiles, small crevices, and more. All that's missing here is the long telescopic head, but to save over half your money might just be worth it. Holikme 23-Pack Drill Brush Attachment St $17.95 at Amazon $24.00 Save $6.05 Shop Now Shop Now $17.95 at Amazon $24.00 Save $6.05

AmazonRoku, Apple TV and Google TV (aka Chromecast) are all worthwhile streaming platforms. Each of them lets you view thousands of movies and TV shows on major apps like Disney+ and Netflix. And seeing all your favorites on a big-screen TV is way better than watching it on a smaller laptop or smartphone screen.But Amazon's Fire TV has a leg up on them when it comes to built-in VPN compatibility. Unlike archrival Roku, Amazons Fire TV system offers VPN apps straight through its built-in app store. That's important if you want to watch a show or movie that's otherwise unavailable in your country. Fire up a VPN, set your virtual location and you'll likely get a different set of viewing options on many streaming services or the ability to access ones to which you otherwise didn't have access. Well explain the details and tell you how it works.Choose the right VPN for your Fire TVFor starters, were going to assume you have a Fire TV device. If you dont, we have good news: If your TV doesnt already have Fire TV streaming built-in, the add-on devices are frequently on sale at Amazon for as little as $25 or less. Grab the Fire Stick 4K Max if you want a good balance of price versus performance just make sure its on sale for $40 or less. (See how the Fire TV streamers compare to rivals from Roku, Google, Apple and more by checking out our list of best streaming devices.)Once you have your Fire TV hardware set up, its time to choose a VPN and thats where the Fire TV operating system shines. A long list of VPNs, including all of our current top picks for the best VPNs, are available on the platform and theyre as easy to download and install as any of the video apps.The Engadget-approved VPNs currently available on Fire TV include:ProtonVPNWindscribeExpressVPNCyberGhostSurfsharkWell leave it to you to research which VPN offers the best combination of features and value for you, but a word of warning: With the exception of the first two listed above, we dont recommend using a free VPN, as theyre notorious for collecting and selling your data to advertising networks to fund shoddily-protected servers. Note you can install as many VPNs as youd like on Fire TV, if youd like to cross-test them at your leisure.Installing the VPNInstalling it is easy once you know which Fire TV VPN you want to use. Head to Find > on the main menu and simply search the name of your preferred VPN just type VPN if youd like to scroll through all of the options available. There, you can find the service you want (or are already subscribed to) and start installing. The process shouldnt take too long. Once its completed, youre ready to start using it.Using your Fire TV VPNOnce youve downloaded the app, navigate to it on your Fire TV dashboard. Youll have to enter your username and password or sign up to create an account. Some VPNs might require you to create an account on your smartphone or computer beforehand.Once logged in, you can either click the Connect button on your VPN or browse the server list to choose which country you want to tunnel to. Once connected, return to the Fire TV home screen and reload your streaming platform of choice to verify if the content is different. If it is, your VPN is working and youre ready to stream.VPN options for other streaming platformsDon't have a Fire TV? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.How to use a VPN on your Apple TVHow to stream via a VPN on RokuHow to use a VPN on Google TV or ChromecastThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-stream-video-on-fire-tv-with-a-vpn-101822093.html?src=rss

iOS 18.3 is here. After over a month in beta, the update is now available for everyone using an eligible device on Monday. Among other changes, Apples new software turns on Apple Intelligence by default (although you can still opt out) and makes it clearer when the companys AI generates notification summaries. Apple said earlier this month that a future update would more clearly label Apple Intelligence notification summaries, which arrived in iOS 18.1 in October. That came after the BBC reported that news summaries were twisted to falsely state that the accused murderer of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson had shot himself. Other bogus summaries claimed a darts player won a world title before playing in the final and that tennis superstar Rafael Nadal had come out as gay. The following week, Apple took it a step further and paused notification summaries of all news alerts in the iOS 18.3 beta. It isnt yet clear if theyll be back in todays public release, but they will at some point. Before iOS 18.3, the summaries were only indicated by a small icon. In the new software, the entire summary is italicized, and theres an all-caps Summarized by Apple Intelligence note below each AI-generated recap. Apple seems to want to boost the adoption of Apple Intelligence on compatible devices, as iOS 18.3 enables the slew of AI features by default during onboarding. You can still opt out, but it takes a few seconds of work: Head to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and turn off the toggle. Other new features in iOS 18.3 are subtler changes: Visual intelligence can now add calendar events from posters or flyers, and its better at identifying plants and animals. Of course, theres plenty of little bug fixes, too. As always, you can grab the update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/ios-183-is-here-with-clearly-labeled-apple-intelligence-notification-summaries-181935725.html?src=rss

OpenAI upgrades Canvas for ChatGPT.

Productivity trends reveal how work locations and models drive efficiency engagement and burnout across industries.

The United States is no stranger to adapting its education system to address the challenges of the times. In 1957, the Soviet Unions successful launch of Sputnik prompted the U.S. to implement programs like the National Defense Education Act, which emphasized science, math, and foreign language education. This resulted in the rapid growth in federal funding for K-12 and higher education STEM programs, and an increase in STEM graduates in the following decades.Today, we face a similar pivotal moment. The Biden-Harris administration recognized this urgency, releasing a comprehensive Federal Strategic Plan for Advancing STEM Education and Cultivating STEM Talent in November 2024. This plan aims to develop the workforce needed to address critical challenges like climate change and artificial intelligence, focusing on three key principles: access and opportunity, partnerships and ecosystem development, and transparency and accountability. However, with current political shifts, the continuity of such initiatives hangs in the balance.The U.S. faces an unprecedented challengenot from external competitors, but from rapid AI advancement that our education system isnt prepared for. While federal STEM initiatives often focus on bureaucratic solutions through agencies like the Department of Education (only established in 1980), the real imperative is transforming how we teach and learn. Our curriculum needs radical updating to emphasize lifelong learning, rapid prototyping, and creative problem-solving skills.With software development jobs expected to grow at a rate of 17% from 2023 to 2033, resulting in an average of 140,100 job openings a year, we must streamline education, reduce administrative overhead, and focus on practical skills that prepare students for an AI-driven future. Deregulation and local control could actually accelerate this transformation, allowing schools to adapt more quickly to technological change and workforce demands.The AI revolution and the gender gapFrom 2017 to 2021, we saw how the Trump eras education policies prioritized deregulation and school choice. As Trump returns, well no doubt see the same. The government and educational institutions across the country are going to have to step up as deregulation occurs. This is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, the Department of Education is only 25 years old.As the founder and CEO of a leading global technology and AI education nonprofit for girls, Ive seen firsthand how AI presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI can automate tasks, it also demands a workforce skilled in areas like data analysis, critical thinking, and human-centered design. However, the U.S. education system continues to graduate a disproportionately low number of women in STEM fields. Women make up just 35% of the STEM workforce, despite classes being offered through the formal school system.Women are already behind and will be even further left behind without the right intervention. An analysis analysis conducted by researchers from Berkeley Haas, Stanford University, and Harvard Business School shows that women are significantly less likely to learn about AI, use AI tools and build AI technologies. Because women arent involved in the development, the data sets AI is trained on are therefore biased. And when women dont have access to economic opportunity, they cant invest back into the community, slowing progress. Thankfully, we can prevent it. We have all the insights and data from past decades to inform our strategy and powerful tools and partners to implement proven strategies at scale.Research proves its possibleIn 1995, at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), only 7% of the incoming computer science undergraduates were women. The administration was alarmed and supported a study to determine how to bring more women into the field. The Unlocking the Clubhouse study outlined that its not enough to provide access to coursework for women and minorities. There has to be a full spectrum of support that helps move their interest in a particular field to one they identify with. CMU implemented their recommendations and in 2021 welcomed more than 51% women into the program. It proved that we must set ambitious and measurable goals.The AI Forward Alliance did just that. Our recent Women in AI report highlights that to achieve 50-50 gender parity in the AI workforce by 2035, we need to engage around 600,000 U.S. high school girls in evidence-based tech programs every year, starting now. Without this intervention, womens representation in tech will remain stagnant, perpetuating inequities and stifling economic and technological growth. We have to create a sense of urgency, ensuring stakeholders and communities prioritize equitable participation in the tech workforce. This may require a specific U.S. coalition and campaign dedicated to gender equality in AI.Build a workforce for the AI eraThe U.S. education system will have to play a meaningful role to ensure the country can compete in the AI era. First and foremost, we need a complete overhaul of our education system.Several key areas can help position the U.S. as a leader in AI education and workforce development. First, we must fundamentally redesign our curriculum to go beyond traditional STEM education, focusing instead on learning not just how to use AI but how to build better AI. This means developing courses that teach students coding skills, but also critical thinking about AI outputs, understanding of AIs limitations, and the ability to effectively leverage its potential. Building on this foundation, we need to take lessons from success stories like Carnegie Mellons approach to diversity in tech education. Simply offering STEM classes isnt sufficientwe must actively engage girls and minorities through targeted programs and mentorship, creating an inclusive environment that supports all students in pursuing tech careers.Finally, we must recognize that the skills needed in the AI era will continue evolving rapidly. This requires fostering a culture of lifelong learning throughout our education system, equipping students with the tools and mindset needed to adapt and grow throughout their careers. The ability to continuously learn and adapt will be crucial for success in an AI-driven future.As we stand at this critical juncture in American education, the stakes couldnt be higher. The contrast between the Biden administrations forward-thinking STEM initiatives and the potential reversal of progress under a return to Trump-era policies presents a stark choice about our nations future. This isnt merely about maintaining Americas competitive edgethough thats certainly at riskits about ensuring every American student has the opportunity to participate in and shape tomorrows AI-driven economy.The path forward requires unwavering commitment to educational equity, sustained investment in STEM programs, and a recognition that in the age of AI, we need all of Americas diverse talent pool engaged and empowered. The question isnt whether we can afford to make these investmentsits whether we can afford not to. Our nations future innovation, economic prosperity, and technological leadership hang in the balance, and the time to act is now.Tara Chklovski is founder and CEO of Technovation.