• Stardew Valley Creator Doesn't Want To 'Close The Book' On Its Development
    www.nintendolife.com
    Image: ConcernedApeStardew Valley is perhaps one of the best-supported indie games of all-time with Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone now working on the title for over 12 years. While there have been questions raised about the farming and lifestyle sim's future now that the creator's attention has (mostly) shifted to his new project, what is the actual plan?Speaking to NPR, Barone mentioned how he doesn't want to "definitively say that the book is ever closed" on Stardew because he might one day "have a desire to come back and maybe add a thing or two":Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube794kWatch on YouTube "You know, maybe even 50 years from now, I might add something...I like creating things. I don't think I'm ever going to retire. I think it would be funny to release an update when I'm, like, 90 years old if I live that long. Let's hope.In saying this, he does feel a game "can have too much content", and while he wants Stardew to be the best experience it can be, if there is any point he feels like "it's starting to become kind of overwhelmed with content to the point it's detrimental to the game's entertainment factor", he would consider stopping.So, there you go - while Stardew Valley just got a huge update not long ago, there could still be more to come. And to be fair, there have already been multiple updates since Version 1.6 arrived on Switch last year.In an interview with Nintendo Life, published earlier this month, Barone mentioned how he felt he could continue to work on Stardew for the rest of his life, and just wants to "keep it alive" as he doesn't want to see it fizzle out. "I feel like I could work on it for the rest of my life"Kicking off 2025 with some bug fixesBack to the farm we goDo you think Stardew should continue to expand and grow, or should work on it stop at some point? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.[source npr.org, via eurogamer.net]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:02 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With Three More TitlesIncluding a special Super Famicom release...Sega Launches Its Own Free Account Service With Unique Member RewardsSign up! Y'know, if you wantCeleste Dev Makes "Difficult Decision" To Cancel New Game EarthbladeFollowing "a disagreement about the IP rights of Celeste"Opinion: My Daughter Made Me Realise That Mario Wonder's Difficulty Options Need WorkYoshi or Nabbit, make your choiceStardew Valley Creator Releases New Patch For Nintendo Switch VersionKicking off 2025 with some bug fixes
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  • Niagara Fluid and Chaos Fracture Collision | Unreal Engine 5
    realtimevfx.com
    HiMade a video about niagara fluid collision and fracture, but it is in ukr languageYou can turn on automatic eng subtitles, but if this is not enough - plz write, I will add them manuallyNiagara Fluid and Chaos Fracture Collision #UE5 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic
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  • Niagara Fluid and Chaos Fracture Collision | UE
    realtimevfx.com
    (topic deleted by author) 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic
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  • Oeiras House by OODA: Merging Topography and Architectural Expression
    archeyes.com
    Oeiras House | Fernando Guerra | FG+SGLocated in Oeiras, Portugal, Oeiras House by OODA is designed in response to its sites topography. The design integrates the home into the landscape through a semi-buried structure that follows the natural terrain. The westward slope presented a challenge due to limited access to natural light. The U-shaped layout addresses this by maximizing daylight exposure and creating sheltered outdoor spaces. This orientation ensures privacy while maintaining openness within the property.Oeiras House Technical InformationArchitects1-4: OODALocation: Oeiras, PortugalArea: 350 m2 | 3,760 Sq. Ft.Project Year: 2018 2024Photographs: Fernando Guerra | FG+SGTopography as the raw material of the architectural object. OODA ArchitectsOeiras House Photographs Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Fernando Guerra | FG+SGArchitectural Composition: Form, Materiality, and Spatial FlowOeiras House is defined by a U-shaped courtyard, which organizes space and provides a connection between private and communal areas.The house aligns with the slope, preserving ceiling heights and spatial openness. The design approach prioritizes adaptation to the site rather than imposing a rigid form.The upper volume is constructed from concrete, chosen for its structural efficiency. A high-spanning beam eliminates the need for internal supports, allowing for open-plan interiors. The lower portion incorporates timber, creating a contrast in texture and warmth.Large glass surfaces connect the interior with the exterior. The central courtyard and pool function as visual and spatial anchors, enhancing the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces.Craftsmanship and Interior DesignThe interior design uses natural materials such as wood and stone to extend the architectural principles. The continuity between exterior and interior materials reinforces spatial cohesion.Custom-designed furniture and built-in storage optimize space without disrupting the overall composition. The design balances functionality with spatial clarity.Oeiras House integrates its architectural form with the landscape, responding to the sites topography rather than imposing upon it.The house remains a case study in integrating site-specific conditions with spatial organization. Its engagement with the landscape and material contrasts provides a reference for architects exploring similar design challenges.Oeiras House Image GalleryAbout OODADiogo Brito, Rodrigo Vilas-Boas, and Francisco Lencastre are the founding partners of OODA (Oporto Office for Design and Architecture), a forward-thinking architectural studio based in Porto and Lisbon, Portugal. Established with a philosophy rooted in contextual sensitivity and innovative design solutions, OODA embraces a multidisciplinary approach that merges traditional craftsmanship with advanced digital methodologies. The firms work spans many scales, from residential projects to large-scale urban interventions, always prioritizing a balance between form, function, and environmental integration. Credits and Additional NotesLead Architects: Diogo Brito, Rodrigo Vilas-Boas, Francisco LencastreAdditional Design Team Members: Joo Jesus, Julio Pinto LeiteStructural and Civil Engineering: TEKK, A3R LdaLandscape Design: P4
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  • Allstate sued for allegedly tracking and selling 45M Americans' location data
    www.foxnews.com
    close 'CyberGuy': How to stop someone from tracking you on your phone It's easier than you think to check for tracking software on your device. Tech expert Kurt Knutsson offers you some tips to help stay secure. Nowadays, almost every app you download asks for location permissions, meaning it wants to track where you are and your movements. For an app like Google Maps, requesting location access makes perfect sense. It's also reasonable for apps like Uber or DoorDash, which rely on location for their services.However, many apps that have nothing to do with location still ask for it, and we often grant these permissions without thinking twice. When you give an app access to your location, that data is stored and, in some cases, might even be sold. According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, this practice is not uncommon.A recent lawsuit filed by Paxton alleges that the insurance company Allstate collected and sold the location data of 45 million Americans' smartphones. Illustration of a company tracking customers data. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Allstate was allegedly collecting and stealing dataIn apress release, Paxton announced that he had sued Allstate and its subsidiary, Arity, for unlawfully collecting, using and selling data about the location and movements of Texans' cellphones. The data was gathered through secretly embedded software in mobile apps, such as Life360."Allstate and other insurers then used the covertly obtained data to justify raising Texans insurance rates," the press release stated.The insurance provider allegedly collected trillions of miles' worth of location data from more than 45 million Americans nationwide. The data was reportedly used to build the "worlds largest driving behavior database." When customers sought a quote or renewed their coverage, Allstate and other insurance companies allegedly used the database to justify raising car insurance premiums.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?Paxton claims the actions violated the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act. The lawsuit alleges customers were not clearly informed their data was being collected and did not consent to the practice."Our investigation revealed that Allstate and Arity paid mobile apps millions of dollars to install Allstates tracking software," said Paxton."The personal data of millions of Americans was sold to insurance companies without their knowledge or consent in violation of the law. Texans deserve better and we will hold all these companies accountable."We reached out to Allstate and Arity for comments. A rep for the Allstate Corporation provided CyberGuy with this statement:"Arity helps consumers get the most accurate auto insurance price after they consent in a simple and transparent way that fully complies with all laws and regulations." Illustration of a person laying out how company tracking works. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Car manufacturers apparently do this all the timeCar manufacturers have also been accused of selling similar data to insurance companies. Last year, Paxton sued General Motors for allegedly collecting and selling the private driving data of more than 1.5 million Texans to insurance companies without their knowledge or consent. In addition to insurance companies, data brokers are frequent buyers of customer data. Critics say these brokers fail to adequately protect the information, leaving it vulnerable to hackers. Earlier this month,hackers claimed to have breached Gravy Analytics, a major location data broker and the parent company of Venntel, which is known for selling smartphone location data to U.S. government agencies. Illustration of a hacker looking at someones personal data. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)5 ways to stay safe from unwanted tracking1. Avoid installing the insurance companys app:Many insurance companies encourage users to download their apps to "simplify" claims, payments or policy management. However, these apps often collect and track your location data under the guise of improving their services. If the app is not absolutely essential, manage your account through the companys website or contact customer service directly instead.2. Dont give location permissions unnecessarily:When an app requests location access, ask yourself whether it genuinely needs this information to function. For example, a weather app may need approximate location data, but a flashlight app does not. Always choose "Deny" or "Allow only while using the app" unless absolutely necessary. Most modern devices also allow you to provide an approximate location rather than a precise one, which is a safer option when location access is unavoidable.3. Review and manage app permissions regularly:Over time, you may forget which apps have been granted permissions. Regularly go through your devices app settings to check and adjust permissions. On most devices, you can access this undersettings >privacy >app permissions (specific steps vary by operating system). Revoke access for any apps that dont need it or seem suspicious.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE4. Turn off location services when not in use:Keep location services off when you dont need them. This reduces the chances of apps or devices tracking you passively in the background. For tasks like mapping or food delivery, turn location services on temporarily, then turn them off when youre done. For added security, avoid connecting topublic Wi-Fi networks, which can also be used to track your location indirectly.5. Use privacy-focused tools and apps: Invest in tools designed to safeguard your privacy. Virtual private networks (VPNs) can mask your location online and prevent unwanted tracking while browsing. VPNs will also protect you from those who want to track and identify your potential location and the websites that you visit.Kurts key takeawayIf Allstate is indeed unlawfully collecting and selling peoples location data, Attorney General Paxton is right to hold them accountable by filing a lawsuit. In an era where cybercriminals exploit every opportunity to scam individuals, companies that fail to protect customer data are unacceptable and should face consequences. Data has become the new oil, and everyone seems eager to exploit it often at the expense of ordinary people. Businesses that prioritize profits over privacy erode trust and put consumers at risk, making it crucial to enforce strict accountability for such practices.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPDo you think companies like Allstate should be required to make their data practices crystal clear to customers?Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterFollow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
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  • My new favorite travel accessory is a 3-in-1 MagSafe charger that's smaller than a cookie
    www.zdnet.com
    Anker's MagGo 3-1 wireless charger is an ultraportable device that's dethroned even my favorite travel charger.
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  • Should you switch to Wi-Fi 7? Here's my advice after testing a next-gen router at home
    www.zdnet.com
    The Asus RT-BE86U has a slew of security tools, letting you enjoy the next generation of high-speed internet safely. But should you upgrade to one?
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  • Google Confirms New Feature Boost For Millions Of Android Phones
    www.forbes.com
    A Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone during a media event ahead of Galaxy Unpacked in New York, US, ... [+] on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. Samsung Electronics Co. is banking on an artificial intelligence overhaul and tweaked hardware designs to sell its new line of Galaxy S25 smartphones. Photographer: Yuki Iawmura/Bloomberg 2025 Bloomberg Finance LPAlongside news that Gemini has replaced Bixby on Samsung phones this week, Google has updated Geminis abilities on millions of Android phones.Gemini can now complete tasks across several apps with a single prompt. For example, I asked the AI service to find Caribbean restaurants in North London and send them to my friend on WhatsApp, which it did. I also asked it to find out when Mobb Deep are next playing in London and add it to my calendar, which it completed.This new multimodal feature works in conjunction with Geminis app extensions. A handful of Google apps (and now select Samsung apps) feed into the AIs responses, including Workspace apps, Spotify, Messages, and WhatsApp.This is an important step in making AI assistants more like actual assistants. What has lacked throughout the Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant era is the seamlessness of connecting to other services and completing simple tasks. You would imagine asking a Google Nest Speaker to add ingredients to a shopping list is easy, but it is that type of functionality has escaped these products for years.MORE FOR YOUThis has meant voice-activated assistants havent lived up to the promise or hype. The multimodal skill adds a layer of intelligence to a patchy experience, but it is still limited to select apps and it can be confusing what the new features limitations are.The key to using the feature is to remember that it only works with select Google and Samsung apps. Gemini found my housework task list in Google Documents and shared it with my partner, as requested. But it wont send a message on your behalf, so I couldnt get it to text my barber to book an appointment and then add that my calendar.Also, the example Google gives of how the automation works, asking it for restaurant recommendations and then sending the list to a friend, removes a key part of using Google Maps: quality control. I want to vet establishments before I send them on to someone, which still needs a human touch.Spreading Gemini far and wideElsewhere, Gemini Livethe conversational part of the AI service that allows instant back-and-forth chatnow supports uploaded images, files, and YouTube videos. For example, you might upload a picture of your fridge contents during a discussion with Gemini Live about what recipes to cook that week. This is only available on Pixel 9, Galaxy S24 and S25 phones.Circle to Search has also been updated with AI Overviews. The search function, which launched last year, allows users to draw a circle on images to conduct an image search. Now, Googles AI summaries that appear on top of Google searches will also show up in Circle to Search results, although the accuracy of overviews has been criticized since it launched last May.With the exception of the Gemini Live updates, it is interesting that Google is adding next-generation AI experiences to millions of smartphones without necessitating new hardware or a subscription.Google says the new multimodal Gemini feature is available to all Gemini users on the web, Android and iOS. Google does have a paid AI subscription tier and Samsung has teased charging for Galaxy AI at the end of this year. For now, though, these AI updates are free and accessible to most smartphone users.
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  • The Two Jobs Of The AI Future
    www.forbes.com
    SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO - JANUARY 14, 2020: An employee works at her computer in a home and office ... [+] furniture and accessory store in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)Getty ImagesIt is no secret that the job market is changing. While not all can be attributed to AI, with globalization and other factors well in play, AI is still a massive element, and also one whose future impact is unclear. It seems that every subsequent release of a foundational AI model (such as the recently announced Open AI o3-preview), shows AI dominating topics that it previously could not, begging the question of how far it can go. In the middle of this however, evidence is emerging that two classes of jobs (or roles) are thriving with AI, and seemly able to thrive more with every subsequent AI advance. These roles are Entrepreneur and Researcher.The Effect AI Has On RolesTo better understand why these two roles benefit, it is useful to consider what happens to a job role when AI comes in.Imagine you are a manager. Your team has a range of deliverables to your organization and a budget with which to execute them. You employ humans and use tools to meet your obligations.As tools become more capable with AI, you will have both the ability (and likely the responsibility) to leverage the tools to meet the deliverables at lower cost - which often translates to fewer people being paid salaries. The cheaper the tools become, the more pressure you will be under to apply them to offset wages.If your organization gives you more deliverables, you may be able to avoid cutting headcount. However, this requires that the organization actively remap the deliverables or decide to do more. This is a hard and slow process for larger companies. It is much easier to keep the same deliverables and ask that the cost be reduced.For a manager who does not have the authority to raise the ceiling, i.e. do more, they will be under pressure to work with less. We are seeing a slowdown in hiring, which may be attributed at least in part to this trend.Entrepreneurs And ResearchersWhat makes entrepreneurs and researchers different? While these are two very different roles, they have one thing in common. It is easier in these roles to expand your goals as your abilities to deliver improve. In fact, in both roles, success is measured by your ability to expand. In entrepreneurship that expansion is measured as company growth. In research, it is measured by solving a larger problem. Given this, as AI capabilities expand (in other words as the floor rises), you can raise your targets (raise the ceiling), giving the humans in the middle still something to do. Articles like this and this show how AI is helping entrepreneurs and researchers do more, focusing on strategic items and increasing value as time frees up from automating routine tasksSo, Only Two Job Types Left?Not at all. First of all, it is very likely that AI driven transformations will create new job roles that we cannot imagine yet. Second, even the entrepreneur and researcher do not have to be pure roles. Not everyone will be a standalone researcher or a standalone entrepreneur. Our global ecosystem cannot manage the entire workforce becoming one or other of these. It is more the nature of a role. If your role has some element of these, or your company has some element of these, and an organizational structure where this element can pass through the layers relatively easily, there is more opportunity for individuals in the company to expand their scope to offset the power of the tools, thereby ensuring that they have value to add as the tools become more capable.MORE FOR YOUWhich One Should I Choose?While many roles are exactly one of these two, there are also far more that have elements of one or both. The key is not to look at job advertisements and search for these two words. The key is to find specific roles within your areas of interest that have elements of at least one of these in that the roles allow you to expand your horizons and responsibilities as the tools you leverage become more powerful. These two roles both emphasize the ability to create with tools rather than be a user of tools. That is the element you should seek in a job.That said, to choose between one of these two roles, is also a matter of personal preference. While both value expansion of thought, creativity, and problem-solving, they do it in very different ways. Researchers are often focused on solving problems at a foundational level and not always with an eye toward immediate application. Entrepreneurs are focused on creating revenue-generating applications that solve problems. Both require solving hard problems and both add value, but the problems and the value generated tend to be very different. Which one appeals to you will depend on your personal preference.So How Do I Become One of These?The first step is to understand which appeals to you personally. Do you enjoy solving hard problems and building on the work of others? Do you enjoy the challenging task of really understanding a customers problem and finding a way to solve it that works in the market? Answering these types of questions will help you determine which direction is right for you. Again, the key is not necessarily to find a job with this title, it is to find a role that has elements of one or both of these.Finding The Bigger ProblemThere is always a bigger problem to be solved. In a research world, this is usually something new to be found, whether it is a better understanding of a known problem or a better solution. In entrepreneurship, it is about expanding business results, whether that is through helping more customers, building a better product, solving new problems, or more. If your role allows you to expand your horizons and responsibilities as the tools expand capability beneath you, you can grow with the tools rather than becoming replaced by them.
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  • Subaru vulnerability exposed millions of cars to remote hacking and tracking
    www.techspot.com
    A hot potato: Security researchers have uncovered alarming vulnerabilities in Subaru's Starlink system, potentially exposing millions of vehicles to unauthorized access and extensive location tracking. While Subaru has said that it doesn't sell location data, the potential for misuse is a significant concern. The discovery began when Sam Curry, having purchased a 2023 Impreza for his mother, decided to examine its internet-connected features during a Thanksgiving visit.Curry and fellow researcher Shubham Shah found they could hijack control of various vehicle functions, including unlocking doors, honking the horn, and starting the ignition. However, what Curry found most disturbing was the ability to access detailed location history. "You can retrieve at least a year's worth of location history for the car, where it's pinged precisely, sometimes multiple times a day," Curry told Wired. He added, "Whether somebody's cheating on their wife or getting an abortion or part of some political group, there are a million scenarios where you could weaponize this against someone."The researchers began by identifying a weakness in the password reset functionality on the SubaruCS.com site, an administrative portal intended for Subaru employees. By simply guessing an employee's email address, they could initiate a password reset process, exposing a critical flaw in the system's design.Further investigation revealed that while the site did ask for answers to two security questions during the reset process, these were verified using client-side code running in the user's browser rather than on Subaru's servers. This oversight allowed the researchers to easily bypass the security questions, highlighting a significant lapse in the company's cybersecurity measures. "There were really multiple systemic failures that led to this," Shah told Wired.Curry and Shah then used LinkedIn to locate the email address of a Subaru Starlink developer, exploiting the vulnerabilities to take over this employee's account, which granted them access to sensitive information and controls. The compromised account allowed the pair to look up any Subaru owner using various personal identifiers such as last name, zip code, email address, phone number, or license plate. // Related StoriesMoreover, they discovered that they could access and modify Starlink configurations for any vehicle, as well as reassign control of Starlink features. This included the ability to remotely unlock cars, honk horns, start ignitions, and locate vehicles.Most alarmingly, Curry and Shah gained access to detailed location histories of vehicles, with data going back at least a year. "You can retrieve at least a year's worth of location history for the car, where it's pinged precisely, sometimes multiple times a day," Curry explained to Wired.Subaru quickly patched the security flaws after the researchers reported their findings in late November. However, the incident raises broader concerns about privacy and data security in the automotive industry. The researchers warn that similar vulnerabilities likely exist in other automakers' systems.A Subaru spokesperson confirmed to Wired that certain employees can access location data, stating that it's necessary for purposes such as sharing vehicle location with first responders in case of collisions. "All these individuals receive proper training and are required to sign appropriate privacy, security, and NDA agreements as needed," the company said. It also said it doesn't sell location data.The discovery is part of a larger trend of security vulnerabilities in connected vehicles. Curry and other researchers have previously identified similar issues affecting multiple car manufacturers, including Acura, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, and Toyota.This incident underscores the growing privacy concerns surrounding modern vehicles. A recent report by the Mozilla Foundation highlighted that 92 percent of car manufacturers give owners little to no control over collected data, and 84 percent reserve the right to sell or share this information.
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