A power bank is an essential purchase for anyone who wants to keep gaming on the go. Finding an available power outlet in the wild is never a guarantee, and a power bank will let you extend the battery life of your device, whether its a phone, tablet, laptop, or a handheld like a Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Asus ROG Ally.With countless options available, it can be tough to know which to buy especially since everyones needs are a bit different. But weve found three great power banks, each of which has a unique set of strengths and all of which are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to accompany you on a passenger plane. So whether your priority is price, speed, charging capacity, or size, weve got all the bases covered.Best compact battery for Switch and phonesBest power bank for Steam DeckBest battery for powerful laptopsA great USB-C cable for your power bank

After collecting the various nymphs from around Amphoreus in Honkai: Star Rail, the Garmentmaker in Okhema will start looking at the wall around the lift, noting that nymphs seem to be showing some type of hidden message.Well, shes right. They are indeed showing a hidden message and it correlates to the ritual prayer fountains scattered around Okhema. To explain it quickly, the butterflies on the walls mark out the various fountains around Okhema. The symbols that appear at the bottom of the middle wall show what symbol you need to activate in that specific fountain. (A butterfly on the wall will blink as the symbols appear, indicating which one needs which symbol.)If you dont want to deal with any of that, you can just follow our guide and interact with the fountains that we do. Note that these fountains can only be activated once per day, the unmarked fountains need to remain blank, and you dont actually want to pray to the fountains only get the symbols to show up. If you accidentally activated any, youll need to wait until the next real-world day to try again.Below, we explain how to find the nymphs hidden message in Honkai: Star Rail.Nymphs hidden message puzzle solution in Honkai: Star RailYoull need to set the following symbols at the following altars. It does not matter what order you do this in.To get the right symbol, you may have to refresh the altar a couple of times. Start a ritual prayer, and if the wrong symbol comes out of the pool, use the time rewinding ability to send it back, and try another ritual prayer. Just keep repeating the process until it shows the correct symbol, and then leave. Do not receive the blessing.After you set up all four of these altars, some in-game text will pop up about heading back to the nymphs. Go back to the Garmentmaker and a huge precious chest will be there for your reward, along with the achievement Chiping Secret: Golden Journey. Youll also get the Eternal Holy City Hymn Tablet from the chest as a reward.

Designing for Older Audiences: Checklist + Best PracticesSimple steps to improve usability for all generations.Prompt: A contemporary collage featuring diverse older adults interacting with oversized UI elements, bold typography, and playful shapes that represent easy-to-use tech, modern, abstract, colorful, editorial styleWere experiencing a global demographic shift. By 2030, 1 in 6 people worldwide will be 60 years or older, and by 2050, that number will double to 2.1 billionwith 80% of older adults living in low- and middle-income countries. (Source:WHO)In 2020, for the first time, people aged 60+ outnumbered children under 5. This rapid pace of population aging means wedesigners, developers, product managersmust be ready to serve a demographic with uniqueneeds.The good news? Designing for people with age-related challenges almost always improves the usability for everyone. Many issues that older users facelike reduced vision, hearing difficulties, or limited mobilityare similar to what anyone might experience in less-than-ideal conditions, such as trying to use a device in bright sunlight, a noisy restaurant, or while holding a baby. In other words, good accessibility is good design. By prioritizing inclusive features, you create products that are more intuitive and user-friendly forall.When we designed Loud + Clear, a fitness app for people with Parkinsons, we tried to build something from the ground up with these philosophies inmind.A few highlights from the Loud + Clear app, a fitness app we designed for people with Parkinsons. Available in the Apple and Google AppStores.Things to keep inmindHere are some reminders about how our minds and bodies evolve as we getolder:VisionAs people age, the lens of the eye hardens, making it harder to focus on close objects (a condition called presbyopia). This can make it difficult to see small text, low-contrast colors, and complex layouts. Tiny text is a frequent complaint, especially given that the average 60-year-old needs three times as much light as a 20-year-old to perceive the same brightness. Using larger font sizes, high-contrast colors, and simple layouts can make a huge difference.In Loud + Clear, for instance, we used Atkinsons Hyperlegible, a free font developed by The Braille Institute to specifically help low-vision readers. We also test different zoom levels to ensure legibility.Brochure for the Braille Institue using the font Atkinsons HyperlegibleMotor ControlJoint and neurological changes over time can reduce dexterity, reinforcing the need for careful interface design. Older adults can find touchscreens and trackpads difficult if elements are too small or tightly spaced. Larger buttons and generous spacing help avoid accidental taps. Consider alternative input methods, such as keyboard navigation or voice commands, so users arent forced to rely solely on pinpoint finger accuracy.With Loud + Clear, we gave every affordance we could, including maximizing every tappable element in size, including buttons, inputs, and links, while still providing space.HearingStudies show that as hair cells in the inner ear degrade, it becomes harder to distinguish speech from background noise. This condition, known as presbycusis, is common with aging and often makes hearing high-frequency sounds more difficult. Captions and transcripts on videos or audio content are essential. Dont rely on sound alone to convey important informationkeep visual cues clear and easy tospot.With Loud + Clear, we prioritized creating the most accessible instructional videos possible. Videos autoplay with captions enabled by default, ensuring that key information is immediately visible without relying on sound. Users can choose to unmute if they prefer to hear the audio, but starting with captions ensures no one is excluded. This opt-in approach makes it easier for everyoneespecially those with hearing challengesto engage with the content in a way that works best forthem.CognitionWith age, attention spans, memory, and processing speed may shift. Research indicates that in healthy older adults, the brain simply processes information more slowly, making clear and simple interfaces essential.Keep it simple: use plain language, short sentences, and provide clear feedback after each action. Avoid swamping users with too many steps at once, and let them move at their ownpace.At Loud + Clear, we addressed this by breaking exercises into small, manageable steps, using plain language, and providing clear, immediate feedback at every stage. Progress indicators and simple instructions help users stay focused and confident without feeling overwhelmed. By allowing users to move at their own pace, we ensure the experience remains approachable and stress-free.Data SecurityOlder adults can be more cautious and less tech-savvy about online privacy. Make it easy to manage their privacy and security settings, and be transparent about how user data is collected and used. If theres a data breach or other issue, tell themolder users appreciate honesty and want to feel safeonline.At Loud + Clear, we take a minimalist approach to data collection. We only collect email addresses, which are used solely to save user progress. By limiting data collection to the essentials, we reduce privacy concerns and build trust with our users, ensuring they feel secure and in control of their information.ExperienceNever assume older adults are clueless with tech. Many are quite experienced; others may be starting fresh. Provide clear instructions and tutorials to avoid confusion. Keep jargon to a minimum, and let users see how things work step-by-step. By respecting different skill levels, you welcome everyone.In Loud + Clear, we included simple tutorials along the way but gave users the option to skip if they felt confident navigating independently. We also added a prominent Help option so users could reach out quickly with questions or suggestions, reducing frustration and confusion.Dont forget to make itfunIt seems everyone enjoys mobile gaming now, and older audiences are no exception. Adding small gamification elements, like progress badges, daily streaks, or fun challenges, can spark intrinsic motivation and keep people coming back. But gamifying for older audiences requires a bit offinesse:Keep It Simple: Avoid overwhelming users with overly complex game mechanics or cluttered interfaces. A clear, straightforward system often worksbest.Tie It to Their Goals: Show how these features support health, social connections, or other meaningful benefits. If your app tracks physical therapy exercises, for example, celebrate daily progress with a gentle badge or milestone tracker.Respect Their Pace: Some older adults may love a little friendly competition, while others prefer a relaxed approach. Make sure leaderboards or timers are optional, so nobody feels forced into a fast-paced environment.At Loud + Clear, we tried to gamify small things at first, like the voice warmup, to test the waters. Badges, achievements, icons, were intentionally made very large and as clear as possible. We also made a rule to always include a label with the icon forclarity.How We Test: Simulating Real-World ChallengesDesigning for older adults works best when you test with people who actually face these challengesor at least simulate those conditions if live user testing isnt immediately available. Heres what wedo:VisualEyes Vision Simulator GlassesWe keep a set of seven simulator glasses on hand. Each pair demonstrates a different type of vision loss. They help us understand the everyday experiences of users with various impairments:Combination Loss (CMV Retinitis): Simulates floaters and spottyvision.Central Field Loss (Macular Degeneration): Reduces clarity at the center of vision, measured with an AmslerGrid.Peripheral Loss: Mimics conditions like retinitis pigmentosa or advanced glaucoma.Overall Blur (Cataracts/Corneal Issues): Shows how clouded lenses affectclarity.Hemifield/Hemianopsia: Simulates the vision impairment that may result from stroke or braininjury.Low Contrast Charts: Demonstrates the reduced detail, color, and sharpness older adults often experience.Color Simulator: Imitates the dulled or yellowed color perception from a maturing cataract.Trying on these glasses reminds us just how tough it can be to see small text, low-contrast elements, or detailed icons. This tangible experience helps us design more empathetically.Funkify Chrome ExtensionFor further testing, we use the Funkify Chrome extension to simulate vision impairments and other challenges in a digital environment. Funkify can blur or warp the on-screen content, shift colors, or add visual noisegiving us another perspective on how older adults or users with low vision might see our interfaces.Key Features:Cognition Simulator: Simulates the experiences of users with autism, ADHD, or other neurological conditions. It slows and fragments interactions, helping us understand how to design clearer, less overwhelming interfaces.Dyslexia Simulator: Scrambles and dances the text on screen, recreating the frustration dyslexic users might face. This helps us prioritize readable fonts like Atkinson Hyperlegible and design with text clarity inmind.Motor Simulator: The persona Trembling Trevor mimics conditions that affect motor control, such as Parkinsons or tremors, by making the mouse pointer harder to control. This highlights the importance of large, well-spaced buttons and alternative input methods like keyboard navigation.Vision Simulator: Offers several filters that emulate visual impairments such as low contrast, blurred vision, or color blindness. This allows us to refine layouts, test color contrast ratios, and improve the visual accessibility of ourdesigns.At Loud + Clear, Funkify plays a critical role in testing. It helps us identify and resolve design barriers for users with low vision, motor impairments, cognitive differences, and more. For example, we used the motor simulator to ensure our large buttons are easy to click, even for those with limited dexterity. By integrating tools like Funkify into our design process, we make accessibility improvements that benefit not just older adults or those with disabilities, but anyone navigating less-than-ideal conditions.Observing and Taking Notes (HMWFormat)We then ask participantsor team members wearing the glasses or using Funkifyto navigate the app or website were testing. As they go, we encourage them tonote:Whats challenging?Why is it challenging?How might we (HMW) fix or improveit?The HMW (How Might We) approach frames feedback as opportunities rather than just problems. For example, if a button is too small, wed write: HMW make the Next button easier to tap with blurryvision?By gathering feedback this way, we build a list of actionable improvements. Whether its increasing font size, boosting color contrast, or simplifying navigation, each item on our list comes directly from these testing sessions.Testing with our team using the VisualEyes Vision Simulator GlassesA Checklist for Age-Inclusive DesignVision ImpairmentUse larger text: Remember the average 60-year-old needs 3x more light than a 20-year-old.Adopt a legible font: For example, Atkinson Hyperlegible, developed by The Braille Institute.Check color contrast: Aim for high contrast ratios and test at different zoomlevels.Simplify layouts: Reduce clutter so important info standsout.Let people adjust text size: Offer in-app or system-level options so users can enlarge fonts to a comfortable level.Always test using screen readers: This ensures visually impaired users can navigate and understand your content without friction.Motor Skill ImpairmentLarger buttons & spacing: Prevent accidental taps by giving users enoughroom.Offer alternative inputs: Keyboard navigation or voice commands can be easier for those with limited dexterity.Avoid tiny touch targets: Ensure tap zones are big enough for tremors or unsteadyhands.Hearing ImpairmentAlways include captions or transcripts for videos andaudio.Use visual cues for alerts or notificationsdont rely solely onsound.Keep audio optional: Provide volume controls or muting options if possible.Provide multiple contact options: In addition to phone calls, offer email, live chat, or in-app messaging for those who prefer text-based communication.Cognitive ImpairmentPlain language & short steps: Break tasks into smaller chunks and avoidjargon.Provide shortcuts: Offer quick paths or autofill features so users can skip repetitive actions.Use multiple cues: Combine color, shapes, and text to clarify meaningdont rely on just oneelement.Save user progress: Allow them to pause and return without losing their work, so they dont feelrushed.Give clear feedback on progress: During longer tasks, show users where they are, whats left, and remind them of thegoal.Data SecuritySimple, transparent privacy settings: Make it easy for older adults to know what data theyresharing.Honest communication: If theres a breach or security issue, tell users promptly and offer solutions.Build trust: Many older adults rely on digital products for health and independence, so clarity and honesty are critical.Experience (Respect All SkillLevels)Provide tutorials and guidance: Cater to different familiarity levelssome older adults are tech-savvy, others arenew.Minimize jargon: Explain terms and avoid acronyms.Clear labeling: Include text labels with icons, especially if youre using large or decorative icons.Gamification &FunKeep it simple: Use progress badges or daily streaks without complex game mechanics.Tie it to user goals: Show how these features support health, learning, or social connections.Respect user pace: Make leaderboards or timers optional. Some enjoy light competition; others prefer a relaxed approach.Real-World TestingTest with Older Adults: Recruit real users in your target age group; dont rely on guesswork.Simulate Vision Impairments: Use VisualEyes glasses or the Funkify Chrome extension to see how low vision or blurry vision affects yourapp.Use HMW Notes: Ask, How might we improve this? to frame issues as opportunities.Iterate Quickly: Small tweaks (like bigger fonts or higher contrast) can make a huge difference.Looking AheadOur world is shifting, and so are the people who use our products. As populations age, embracing inclusive design is no longer optionalits the way forward. The more we adapt to changing needs, the more we reduce frustration and build real trust. Keep accessibility in your process from day one, and watch your product evolve into a tool people of all ages can relyon.More ResourcesThe Original Presentation for Accessibility Day2018The Original Checklist: Designing for Older Audiences (PDF)Accessibility Posters(PDF)Vision Impairment Glasses($30)FunkifyChrome ExtensionContrast Ratio TestingToolA11y ProjectUdacity Web Accessibility CourseInclusive Design ChecklistDesigning for older audiences: checklist + best practices was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Quick Look is one of my favorite Mac features, so much so that I always use a third party app enable it on my Windows PCs as well. It allows you to preview files on your Mac without opening them. You can select any file in Finder and press the Spacebar key to preview it. This means I can press one button to quickly look at videos, listen to audio files, view images, or read documents. While this feature is great, I've always been annoyed that it doesn't work well with folders until now.By default, Quick Look will tell you how many files are in a folder, but doesn't actually tell you which files are in it. Thankfully, a new free utlity named Folder Preview closes that gap. Folder Preview lets you expand Quick Look's full functionality to folders. You select a folder, press the Spacebar, and Folder Preview will let you see all the files and folders inside of it, without actually opening it. It takes less than a minute to configure and silently does its job from that point on. It also doesn't ask for any permissions other than being added as a Finder extension, which is always nice to see. This is what a folder preview looks like. Credit: Pranay Parab Once you install Folder Preview, the app will prompt you to add it as a system extension. Go to System Settings on your Mac and navigate to General > Login Items & Extensions. Scroll to the bottom and click the i button next to Quick Look. Enable Folder Preview on this page to finish setting up the app. Now, selecting any folder in Finder and pressing Spacebar (or the app's own default keybindingCommand-Y) will display its contents.You can also configure Folder Preview to show hidden files by going to its settings. Just open the app and go to Settings in the left pane. I've left this option disabled because I rarely want to see hidden system files on my Mac, but you can choose otherwise if needed. You can also ask the app to automatically expand folders while previewing. If you have a folder within a folder, this setting will show you the contents of up to five levels of nested folders. Lastly, you can also choose a larger size for icons in your folder previews.

If your Garmin watch is showing a blue triangle, youre not aloneGarmin has acknowledged that other users are experiencing this, and has published instructions for fixing it. The issue affects several models of watch, including Fenix, Epix, and Forerunner watches.The company initially told me in an email: Garmin is researching reports of devices displaying a blue triangle when starting a GPS activity. A reset by pressing and holding the power button may restore functionality. We will provide more information on a permanent fix when available.They have since updated the message on their website to say: "We are aware of an issue causing some devices to be stuck on the start up screen or a blue triangle. To resolve this, press and hold the power button until the device turns off, then power it back on, and sync with the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express. If this does not resolve your issue, Please click here for more information."What is the problem?Users are reporting that their watch will go into a boot loop, where it keeps rebooting but never managing to fully start up. The watch displays a blue triangle, as shown in this Reddit post.Epix, Fenix, Forerunner, Venu, and Vivoactive watches seem to be affected, according to comments in various Reddit posts.The page that Garmin linked with reset instructions also mentions Edge bike computers, and Instinct and Approach watches. Only some models are affected; for example, the Vivoactive 4 is mentioned on that support page, but the Vivoactive 5 is not. The blue triangle issue may have been triggered by starting a GPS activity, which Garmin acknowledged in its initial statement, but the company has not confirmed whether this is the precise cause. Some users noticed it happened after logging a non-GPS activity, and one says it started when they scrolled over a weather app/widget.Reddit users are speculating that the issue may have been caused by a faulty GPS file. According to this theory, it doesnt matter when your watch was last updated, or whether you are in the beta program (which grants early access to new features). Rather, the corrupted file would be synced to your watch during normal use. That would explain why it started affecting so many people at once.That said, I wasnt able to reproduce this issue on a Vivoactive 5 or a Forerunner 265. On both, I started and finished a GPS "Walk" activity several times and the watch stayed functional. Earlier this morning I did a non-GPS strength activity on my 265S and also viewed the weather from the same watch. No issues so far, but Im hesitant to try a GPS activity.How to fix the issue (maybe)Garmin's offical advice is is to hold the power button until the watch turns off, and then turn the watch on again. On a Forerunner, the power button is the top left one, labeled light. Here are instructions for how to do this on other watch models. If that doesn't work, they point you to this support page that appears to explain how to do a hard reset on your watch. This will delete some data, like your Wallet setup and some of your Body Battery and step count data. (Some devices have a backup and restore feature that may help.) Once you follow the steps, you'll need to reconnect your watch to your phone. Redditors came up with an alternate solution while waiting for this one, recommending that users connect the watch to a PC with a data/charging cable, and deleting a specific file from the watch. Here is the Reddit comment describing this procedure, but Garmin has not confirmed whether this accurately describes the issue or will fix it. That said, if they are correct, and if Garmin fixed the corrupted file on their end, the reset procedure may work by deleting that file. I'll update this post again if Garmin provides more information confirming the cause.

Looking to upgrade your gaming rig? Dell is selling one of its most popular Alienware gaming monitors at a deep discount. The 32-inch model is more than $400 off, now costing $765 instead of $1,200. The display is on sale for $900 outright, but enter "MONITORS15" at checkout for an additional 15 percent off. The 34-inch model is $250 off, but there's no available coupon code. This is one of our favorite gaming monitors and we called it an incredible ultrawide OLED. It boasts a curved QD-OLED panel. It also features 4K resolution and a max refresh rate of 240Hz, which is a fantastic metric for gaming. These monitors allow access to Dolby Vision, NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD Free-Sync. The ports are also on point. These displays include a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports, a single USB-B upstream port, four USB-A downstream ports and a single USB-C port. One of the USB-A ports also supports BC1.2 power-charging. Dell The 34-inch model is actually cheaper, at $650, but there are some trade offs. This one doesnt support G-Sync and offers a max refresh rate of 165Hz. The 25-inch and 27-inch variants arent on sale, and arent even curved, but the coupon code does work. Respectively, this brings the price down to $300 and $510. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-more-than-400-off-one-of-our-favorite-alienware-gaming-monitors-195620194.html?src=rss

If you own a Garmin GPS watch, you may want to power it down for a while. Users on Reddit and Garmins forums (via The Verge) report that a botched software update is leaving the wearables in a blue triangle boot loop, putting them out of commission until further notice.A pinned message from the company on its forums reads, We are aware of an issue causing some devices to be stuck on the start up screen or a blue triangle. To resolve this, press and hold the power button until the device turns off, then power it back on, and sync with the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express. However, the instructions also say customers should contact support if that doesnt work.Engadget reached out to Garmin for further comment, and well update this story if we hear back.GarminSome crafty Redditors claim to have traced the issue to a file related to GPS functionality. Some reported that following Garmins reset instructions worked, while others said it was only temporary, with the issue returning later. The problem appears to affect various models, including the Forerunner, Venu, Fenix, Vivoactive and Epix lines.If your Garmin smartwatch has no problems (... so far), you may save yourself a headache by powering it down and waiting for an official solution from Garmin. If youve encountered the issue and want to roll the dice, this Reddit thread includes some unofficial and untested by Engadget fixes and workarounds.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/some-garmin-gps-watches-are-stuck-in-a-blue-triangle-boot-loop-193920555.html?src=rss

This launch date aligns with some previous rumors, and I wouldnt be surprised if we were still waiting a while for both Nvidias mid-range Blackwell GPUs.

Honor's latest ad campaign highlights the Galaxy S25 Ultra's supposed lack of innovation.

OpenAI on Tuesday announced a new ChatGPT system for U.S. government workers that it calls more secure than its Enterprise offering. ChatGPT Gov will allow for government agencies to feed nonpublic, sensitive data into the platform while operating in their own hosting environments. OpenAI said that self-hosting enables agencies to manage their own security, privacy, and compliance requirements.Its unclear when ChatGPT Gov will be available for government customers. Still, some government workers are already using ChatGPT today. Since the beginning of 2024, more than 90,000 users across more than 3,500 federal, state, and local government agencies have sent upwards of 18 million messages on ChatGPT to support their work, the company said.By making our products available to the U.S. government, we aim to ensure AI serves the national interest and the public good, aligned with democratic values, while empowering policymakers to responsibly integrate these capabilities to deliver better services to the American people, OpenAI wrote in a press release.The announcement of ChatGPT Gov comes a week into President Donald Trumps new administration. OpenAI leader Sam Altman attended Trumps inauguration last week in Washington, D.C., alongside several other Big Tech leaders. The two reportedly have spoken about the importance of developing artificial intelligence in the U.S. Altman, who donated to Trumps inauguration fund, has also expressed admiration for the president.Imnot going to agree with him on everything, but I think he will be incredible for the country in many ways! he wrote on X last Wednesday.