We may earn a commission from links on this page.Whether youre still trying to hold down those New Years resolutions or youre just generally trying to stay on top of your productivity, we can always benefit from having some accountability checks. You can do these yourself, sure, but having a little outside help from a well-made app can make a big difference.For one-on-one accountability: FocusmateA major component of productivity is planning your day, so if youre planning on doing a certain task, like clearing your inbox or consolidating notes, try using Focusmate to get paired with an accountability partner whos working at the same time. You get put into a video chat with the person, both share what youre working on, and then get cracking. This relies on the principle of body doubling, or the idea that people work harder when someone else is around. If youve ever pushed yourself at the gym because youre surrounded by other people or invited a friend over to sit on your couch while you clean, you get it. Focusmate lets you set up three sessions a week for free, but if you want unlimited sessions itll be $9.99 per month or about $84 per year. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Focusmate pros:You can pick your date, time, and partnerYou can be sorted into focus rooms depending on the kind of activity you want to do, whether it's desk work or physical activityYou get a sizable amount of access with the free versionFocusmate cons:This really only works if you have a desktop setup and isn't as accessible if you're on the goThe pricing for unlimited sessions is a little steepIf you want an accountability group: FlownFlown hosts group sessions that function like virtual study groups, allowing you to work alongside others who are also trying to get things done. From the comfort of your home, you can surround yourself with people who are working on their tasks at the same time, giving you the same feeling youd get if you were at a coffee shop, in a library, or working in a large group of people. There are virtual quiet rooms to sit in during the day and coworking sessions you can join with smaller groups of people for an hour or two, led by facilitators, plus solo working experiences called "portholes" that play hour-long footage of skilled craftspeople working on their particular trade. Theres a 30-day free trial, but even after that expires, you can join free sessions on Fridays. If youre really feeling it after the trial (which doesnt require you to put down your card info), its $25 per month, $228 per year, or $900 for a lifetime membership. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Flown pros:It's customizable and tailored: You input whether you work remotely, feel overwhelmed, think you may have ADHD, etc. There are a variety of options available, from facilitator-led groups to quiet working roomsFree access on Fridays can help you build a solid schedule even if you don't want to payFlown cons:This is best suited for a desktop setup, not while you're working on something out and about If you just need a personal push: Loop Habit TrackerMaybe you dont need a virtual coworking space, but just need a way to track your own progress and push yourself. Loop might be your answer, as it provides a platform for tracking progress, scheduling work, and getting helpful reminders via notifications. You enter your progress into the app and get a Habit Score, which is based on how often you do what you set out to do. Gamification is a major motivator for some people, so if all you need is to see a number go up, up, up, try Loop, which is free for up to seven habits and $9.99 per month if you want to track more than that. Credit: Beth Skwarecki Loop pros: A simple interface allows you to see your goal progress using a calendar view or more detailed infographicsIt's low-pressure, so you feel good when you accomplish the tasks and stay with your habits, but it doesn't shame you for missing days (unlike other tools, which are valuable for people who need that kind of push)It's very customizable, so you can even change the question it prompts you with when you're filling out your habit completionLoop cons:It's only available for AndroidThe interface is simple, which is good, but perhaps a little boringTo work on goals with friends: HabitatThe Habitat app allows you to work in groups with people you already know, so it's great if you've set goals together with others, like family members or friends. It gives you a few easy ideas for habits to build, like exercising more often or making your bed consistently, and once you set your first habit, you can invite friends to join you. Then, you'll work together to create a "group streak," with each of you inputting when you work on your habit. I just set one up with a friend where we are both committing to work out five times per week. The interface is simple and the streaks grow visually, so you can see your progress, plus the free version allows you to see who out of your group is atop the leaderboard. You can even access in-app direct messages to communicate with your group about the task. The benefit here is that you don't want to let down people you know, so you may be more motivated to hit the gym if you know you're not only harming your own health by skipping, but also jeopardizing a loved one's streak. It's $35.99 per year or $5.99 per month to access a premium account, which lets you be part of more than four habitat streaks and view detailed statistics about your progress as well as set notifications and reminders. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Habitat pros: It's easy to use and understand from the moment you download itYou can use the free version in a limited capacity, so it's great for if you only have one or two habits to buildHabitat cons:The paid version has a significantly greater amount of featuresIt really only works if you have friends who are willing to do it with you, unlike the apps above, where you deal with strangers who are already motivated to use the softwareIt's only available on iOSIf you want real stakes: ForfeitForfeit has an interesting premise that isnt for the faint of heart: You put down money (between $1 and $50) and if you meet your goal, you get to keep it; if you fail to accomplish the goal you tie to it, you lose that money. A member of the apps team will review evidencelike gym selfies, recordings of yourself working, or whatever elseto make sure you met the goal you set(or you can have your goals reviewed by AI instead). You pre-determine what youll do, like, Ill send a time lapse of myself reading before 11 a.m. tomorrow or forfeit $10. According to the company, theres been $3 million staked across 238,000 sessions with a 94.2% success ratemeaning most people are motivated to keep their money and dont lose it. You dont have to pay for the app in the traditional sense, but you do pay if you fail to accomplish your goal. Forfeit can keep that money or you can opt to have it given to a charity or even a group of friends using the app.I should also mention you can do lower-stakes Forfeits, as well: You can tell the app to text your friends, for instance, if you don't complete a goal by a certain time. You can even customize the message they'll receive, like, "Lindsey failed to clean her living room this afternoon! How embarrassing!" Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Forfeit pros:This app actually forces you to do what you say you are going to doIt's only as mean or as nice as you set it to be, so you can make all of your text inputs really positive (but still risk losing actual money, of course)There are a lot of ways to use it so it works for you, whether you opt to let AI review your evidence submissions, bet money on yourself, set up repeat Forfeits, or moreForfeit cons:You can actually lose money

It's officially tax season. After filing your 2024 federal tax returnideally for freeyou're probably eager to get some money back. The IRS expects more than 140 million individual tax returns for tax year 2024 to be filed ahead of the Tuesday, April 15 federal deadline. Luckily, the IRS makes it easy to check the status of your refund online. Here's everything you need to know to track your 2024 federal tax refund.Wait at least 24 hours after filing The IRS needs time to process your tax return, so you'll have to be patient before checking your refund status. If you e-filed, you can check as soon as 24 hours after the IRS received your tax return. For paper returns, you'll need to wait at least four weeks before checking.Have your information readyTo check your refund status, you'll need to provide your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount you're expecting.Use the IRS2Go App or IRS.gov website The IRS offers a mobile app called IRS2Go and an online refund tracking tool. Both allow you to check the status of your federal tax refund.On the IRS2Go app, you'll tap "Refund Status" and enter your information. On the irs.gov/refunds page, click "Check My Refund Status."Understand the refund status meaningThe IRS provides a refund status that explains where your refund is in the process:Return Received: The return is being processed.Refund Approved: The refund has been approved and is in the queue for payment.Refund Sent: The refund payment has been sent.Also check for a refund date if your refund was approved to get the expected deposit or mailing date.Be patient for your refund Most tax refunds are issued by the IRS within 21 days. However, the IRS says refund times can vary depending on volume. Requesting your refund by direct deposit is faster than waiting for a paper check.What if its been longer than 21 days?Dont file a second tax return. If its been more than 21 days since e-filing, the IRS recommends you call them. The Wheres My Refund? tracker will also prompt you to call the IRS if need be.Unfortunately, calling the IRS isnt always a breezy, reliable solution. Once you build the resolve to call the IRS, heres our guide to increase your odds of getting to a real human on the other end of the line.

Old-school Doom fans have something new to chew on until The Dark Ages arrives. Doom + Doom II, the latest in a long line of rereleases of the two id Software classics, was updated on Tuesday with multiplayer mod support. And balance was restored in Hades. At launch in August, the bundle available for PC, PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Switch supported mods and multiplayer, but not the two together. The games second update, which Bethesda pushed on Tuesday, only adds multiplayer mod support if everyone in your match does a little planning. First, hosts need to activate each mod before entering the multiplayer menu. In addition, all players in the match have to subscribe to the same mod before joining. Only mods authored with Vanilla DOOM, DeHackEd, MBF21 or BOOM are compatible. Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch on May 15. It takes place in the medieval wastelands of Hell and adds new goodies like mech battles and a ridable cyber dragon. If that isnt an elevator pitch for a Doom game, I dont know what is. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/doom--doom-ii-now-supports-multiplayers-mods-214215269.html?src=rss

Jack Dorseys Block has created its own open-source AI agent. Called codename goose, the tool allows users to complete tasks using popular large language models.You can think of Goose as an assistant that is ready to take your instructions, and do the work for you, Block explains in a blog post. According to the company, the agent can autonomously complete engineering tasks like looking for bugs or making code changes.Users can configure goose to run on their preferred LLM. Iit supports Anthropic, Gemini, OpenAI and others, though the company says it works best with Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet and OpenAI's o1 model. Its also compatible with extensions, which allows it to plug into popular developer tools, like GitHub and Google Drive,Block is, of course, known for its financial apps, Square and Cash App, as well as the music streaming service Tidal, which it acquired in 2021. Those may not be industries you immediately associate with AI development, but Block founder Jack Dorsey is a longtime advocate for open-source software. The company also notes that goose could eventually extend to non-engineering use cases as well. Block engineer Brad Axen told ZDNET that the company envisions more creative uses for goose, like music generation.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/jack-dorseys-block-has-an-ai-agent-too-212706083.html?src=rss

A hyper-realistic phishing scam almost tricked this Google programmer.

The Google Maps user experience on smaller Android Auto infotainment systems is causing a stir.

About 35,000 feet (10,670 meters) over the Mojave Desert, northwest of Los Angeles, Boom Supersonics XB-1 became the first privately funded airplane to break the sound barrier during a test flight on Tuesday.She was real happy supersonic, Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan Geppetto Brandenburg said after landing, in a video posted by Boom Supersonic. Thats the best shes ever flown, was supersonic.After getting to altitude, Brandenburg opened up the test planes throttles, accelerating to Mach 1.1, or about 845 mph (1,360 kph) faster than the speed at which sound travels.In 1947, Chuck Yeager became the first human to break the sound barrier when he pushed the Bell X-1 past Mach 1 during a flight over the Mojave Desert.Boom Supersonics XB-1 is a stepping stone in its plan to develop a commercially viable supersonic airliner, the Overture, capable of carrying 64-80 passengers across the Atlantic in about 3 1/2 hours.The company has 130 orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines and Japan Airlines.Last year, it completed construction on its Overture Superfactory in Greensboro, North Carolina, where it plans to build 66 Overture aircraft per year.Dan Catchpole, Reuters

In an effort to monetize the social media platform, Elon Musks X announced Tuesday it would be partnering with Visa on a digital wallet and peer-to-peer payment services for its upcoming X Money Account.The product, which is likely to launch in the first quarter of this year, would enable users to move funds between their bank accounts and a digital wallet in real time, similar to Venmo or Zelle, with more deals on the horizon, CNBC reported.CEO Linda Yaccarino said on X it will launch later in 2025 and is just the first of many big announcements about X Money this year.Musk, who bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022, has struggled to make X profitable and to prevent users from fleeing to Bluesky and Threads due to its increasing right-wing tone and content. The announcement comes days after the Wall Street Journal reported banks are ready to sell billions of dollars of debt Musk borrowed to buy Xand revealed Musk told employees in an email that revenue is unimpressive, and were barely breaking even.Visa, which is the largest credit card network in the country, will use Visa Direct, its financial solution for instant money transfers, according to TechCrunch.Musk has previously said he wants to transform X into an everything app similar to Chinas WeChat: a single application that encompasses everything, from digital town square to banking platform, where users could do payments, messages, video, calling, whatever youd like, from one single, convenient place, The Verge reported.

Mexican studios Productora and The Book of Wa have unveiled the boutique Kymaia Hotelwith suites of coloured concrete in a pyramidal form near Puerto Escondido, along Mexico's southwestern coast.Productora teamed up with The Book of Wa to create Kymaia Hotel, founded by entrepreneur Ezequiel Ayarza Sforza in 2024 on a 14,400-square metre (155,000-square foot) seaside property in Oaxaca.Productora has included pyramidal structures at a hotel in Puerto EscondidoThe 3,800-square metre (40,900-square foot) hotel "is a dialogue between architecture, nature, and culture," the studio told Dezeen."We sought to create a space where the built environment blends harmoniously with the Oaxacan coastal landscape."The base of the pyramids were made using pigmented concreteConstructed with pigmented concrete blocks in a warm sand tone and muted natural wood, the hotel works to blend into the landscape."[The colour] creates a symbiosis between the organic and the constructed, tracing a silent but forceful dialogue with its surroundings," said Productora.The hotel includes 22 suites that correlate to the resort's topography. Four ocean-front suites measure 51 square metres (550 square feet) each and have private pools.Several smaller suites at ground level were constructed around the pyramidsThe other structures are modelled after pre-Hispanic pyramids built up on earth and clay slopes with nine larger senior suites with partial sea views and surrounding gardens on the ground floor and nine junior suites with ocean views and hot tubs on the upper levels."Each suite has been designed using sustainable materials, large windows and terraces that connect organically with the exuberance of the surrounding environment," the team said.Each suite has a small poolDesigned to blur the boundary between the interior and exterior, the suites blend Mexican and Japanese architecture with clean lines, light-filtering shades and retaining walls that wrap each room.Custom-made furniture and textiles preserve Oaxacan traditions, while green and earth-toned colour palettes evoke the region's flora.Mexican studio The Book of Wa designed the interiors"This balance between the solid and the ethereal is a constant trait of Productora's philosophy, creating a synergy in which the design is not only functional, but becomes a narrative element that tells a story of coexistence between the human and the organic," said the studio.The common areas including two restaurants are collected under a monumental palm thatched roof woven by local artisans. Guapinol wood columns support the roof and add a rustic touch to the soft olive furniture."The palm-leaf bone pergolas and terracotta pots reinforce the fusion and are a reflection of how simplicity can be synonymous with sophistication, where minimalism encourages harmonious interaction with the environment," said Productora.Read: Arched volumes define Casona Sforza resort in Mexico by Alberto KalachWinding paths shaded by vegetation connect the suites and common areas and provide moments of tranquillity throughout the site.Kymaia's design integrates solar energy and water management systems, including wastewater treatment through the surrounding wetlands. The project and its materials work to revitalize the local ecosystem and contribute to tropical forest regeneration.Influences from Japanese and Mexican culture were integrated into the decorRecently, Productora designed a two-toned house in Nuevo Len to be raffled off in the annual Tecnolgico de Monterrey fundraiser. The studio previously teamed up with Esrawe Studio to create a green-tiled hotel in San Miguel de Allende as part of Hilton's Tapestry Collection.The photography is courtesy of Kymaia.Project credits:Architecture: ProductoraEngineering: Salinas Arquitectura y ConstruccinConstruction Company: Salinas Arquitectura y ConstruccinInterior Design: The Book of WaBrand identity: The Book of WaLandscaping: The Book of WaThe post Productora models Oaxacan hotel suites after pre-Hispanic pyramids appeared first on Dezeen.

Gold, crimson, and the hypnotic form of a serpentNexum weaves these elements into a timepiece that feels both ancient and futuristic. Designed to honor the Year of the Snake, this limited-edition watch transforms traditional horology into something almost mythical. The coiled serpent, sculpted in gold, moves across the dial like a guardian of time, its body wrapping around an exposed tourbillon. Every detail, from the engraved scales on the case to the rich red enamel, tells a story of power, transformation, and precision.Encased in solid gold, Nexum immediately commands attention with its sculptural presence. The case isnt merely a frameits a work of art, featuring engraved scales along its flanks, seamlessly blending sharp edges with fluid curves. Theres a tangible sense of movement, almost as if the watch itself were alive. This reptilian theme extends to the case back, where an intricate hand-engraved depiction of a snake unfolds, capturing the creature in a moment of poised elegance. The detailing here is exquisite, showcasing a mastery of craftsmanship that elevates the timepiece into the realm of high art.Designers: Salvo Lo Cascio & Fabrizio Torchia (Maecenas Studio)The real spectacle unfolds on the dial. Against a deep red Ctes de Genve finish, a three-dimensional golden snake slithers across the surface, its body carefully sculpted, polished, and painted to create a sense of depth and dynamism. It wraps itself around the exposed tourbillon, a fitting tribute to the endless cycle of time. The movement, visible through the open-heart design, is nothing short of mesmerizingan engineering marvel that pulses with mechanical precision, yet feels almost organic in its motion. Watching it spin within the serpents grasp is like observing the heartbeat of an ancient creature, locked in a delicate balance between art and technology.Contrasting this vivid display is the sleek black subdial, where golden hands sweep across a minimalist face bearing the Nexum insignia. The words Year of the Snake are delicately inscribed, grounding the watch in its thematic inspiration. The interplay of textures, from the polished gold to the brushed red background, creates an unmistakable aura of luxury. Every element is deliberate, every detail meticulously placed to ensure harmony between mechanics and aesthetics.To complete the ensemble, the watch is secured with a black alligator leather strap, stitched in red to echo the hues of the dial. This choice of material adds to the refinement, offering both comfort and an unmistakable sense of exclusivity. The sapphire crystal, coated with an anti-reflective treatment, ensures that nothing interferes with the viewing experiencebecause a watch like this deserves to be admired in all its glory.The Nexum follows in the footsteps of other serpent-inspired masterpieces, including the Viper watch with its stunning white gold and diamond-studded countenance. But where that watch emphasized a cold, predatory beauty, Nexum embraces a warmer, more symbolic interpretation of the snakeone rooted in mythology, transformation, and the inexorable passage of time. Its a reminder that in watchmaking, as in life, some things are eternal.The post Year Of The Snake Nexum Watch comes with a Gorgeous Serpent Wrapped Around Its Tourbillon first appeared on Yanko Design.