Submitted by WA ContentsUNStudio releases first-ever biophilic residential concept in SeoulKorea, South Architecture News - Feb 04, 2025 - 13:00 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"UNStudio has released a new residenctial development that can represent a new landmark for urban living in Seoul, South Korea. Called Hannamdong-4 Residences, the 114,930-square-metre project is decsribed as "the first-ever biophilic residential concept" in Seoul.By fusing innovative design, community-focused areas, state-of-the-art sustainability, and the breathtaking surrounding natural scenery, UNStudio's Hannamdong-4 Residences reinvent urban life. The complex consists of 2,360 units, including retail and residential units. UNStudio's design, in partnership with Samsung C&T Corporation, introduces a high-end lifestyle where architecture, community, and environment come together to create a harmonious and future-ready living experience.Image Flying ArchitectureThis is in response to the growing gap between the Namsan Mountain and the Han River, which is partly caused by Seoul's rapid urbanization and sprawl."Hannamdong-4 Residences is an incredibly exciting project because it represents a new benchmark for urban living in Seoul," said Ben van Berkel, founder and principal architect, UNStudio."By blending biophilic design, sustainability and innovation, we are creating a unique residential experience that harmonises the vitality of the city with the tranquility of nature.""This project is not just about architectureits about shaping a future where people, community, and the environment thrive together," added Van Berkel.Image Flying ArchitectureThe complex, which is part of Seoul's Hannamdong-4 Residences, consists of a series of O-shaped towers overlooking the Han River that have a unique, patented spiral design. Along Bogwang-ro, which leads to Namsan Mountain, X- and L-shaped towers have been erected to complement these.Drawing inspiration from the unique features of the area, UNStudio's design proposal for this cutting-edge new residential development, which is based on the idea of "Biophilic Nexus," improves both individual well-being and communal connectivity. By putting sustainability and well-being first, this all-encompassing strategy fosters a harmonious coexistence of the city and the natural world.UNStudio said that "this project is more than just a place to live; it is a special residential experience offering breathtaking views and easy access to both natural and urban amenities.""By reconnecting residents with their surroundings, it fosters a sense of peace and balance, enhancing the quality of life for all who call it home," the firm added.Image UNStudioThe design takes inspiration from South Korea's rich past. The design incorporates aspects that represent local heritage in an effort to both reconnect the mountain to the river and connect users to the city's past.The project's front design was heavily influenced by the white pine, which was thought to have vanished but has since resurfaced in Seoul, and waterlilies, which are symbolic of the Han River.The project's dedication to combining urban living with natural beauty is reflected in the exterior's aesthetic appeal and environmental coherence, which are produced by this biophilic approach.The exterior of the X-shaped towers have been adorned with elaborate patterns that resemble the shape and texture of white pine trees. The building's structure has vertical features that resemble tree trunks and branches. The main "trunk" extends to the top, framing each tower, and branches out at the podium levels to form balconies with views of the Han River.Image UNStudioThe cylindrical tower of the O-shaped towers is surrounded by revolving waterlily modules, which organically form a green spine. These modules provide a unified and expressive articulation around the cylindrical tower and are inspired by petals. These are positioned thoughtfully throughout the building to give it a feeling of flow and movement.The O towers are powerfully framed by the L towers. Waterlilies are the inspiration for the front side of their design, while pine trees are the inspiration for the reverse side. This "Biophilic Nexus" fosters a closer bond with nature while advancing sustainability and well-being.The project's adaptable living space layout is a major breakthrough. These adaptable plans enable inhabitants to modify the interior areas to suit their needs and are made to support shifting family structures and a variety of lifestyles.In addition to improving spatial efficiency, this design strategy creates surroundings that are personalized to the tastes of users. The development is in line with the future of urban living thanks to these advances, which offer efficiency and ease.Hannamdong-4 Residences' large areas and verdant greenery will likewise revolutionize city life. Even in a highly populated metropolitan setting, shared spacessuch as a community center with 360-degree panoramic viewsare intended to promote a sense of community.The eco-friendly elevated walkway known as "Highline 365" will span 365 meters and include year-round gardens and jogging pathways for both locals and visitors.Additionally, Samsung C&T Corporation intends to create five parks across the Hannamdong-4 Residences, totaling 33,000 square meters of green space that is more than five times the size of the Seoul City Hall lawn.Image UNStudioSustainability is central to UNStudio's design, which seamlessly combines elements that improve quality of life while preserving the environment.Green terraces enhance biodiversity and air quality, while sophisticated water management techniques, such as rainwater collection and permeable pavement, reduce the environmental effect of the development.A healthy ecological relationship between the Han River and Namsan is promoted by energy-efficient technology, solar panels, and renewable energy sources, which further lessen the carbon imprint. By preserving the area's unique landscape, these design elements give locals a healthier and more sustainable place to live.UNStudio unveiled design for a new office with a mixed-use plinth in Luxembourg, which will reduce carbon footprint around 80%. In addition, the firm created a monumental faade with petal-like columns for Huawei flagship store in Shanghai, China.Project factsProject name:Hannamdong-4 ResidencesArchitects:UNStudioLocation:Bogwang-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of KoreaBuilding surface:Above ground GFA 262,671.18 m2Total units: 2,360 units Building site:114,930.00 m2Status:Competition design April, 2024 ~ July, 2024UNStudio:Ben van Berkel, Astrid Piber with Marc Salemink, Sontaya Bluangtook, Lars van Hoften and Seung Keun Lee, Neeraj Mahajan, Dichao Wang, Jose Sibi, Soojin Yoon.Advisors:Local Architect: THE JIIN Architects and Associates.Top image in the article UNStudio.All images Flying Architecture and UNStudio.> via UNStudio

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Talking about poop can be embarrassing. If you think something is "off" with your routine, you may not feel comfortable comparing your schedule for number two with friends. Yet, how often we poop, how long it takes to do it and what our poop looks like can actually reveal a lot about our health. We talked with three gastroenterologists about how often you should be pooping and more to help you understand what's normal.How often should you poop? Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. You probably have someone in your family (if you're honest, maybe it's you) who's convinced they need to poop every morning. However, a healthy pooping schedule isn't the same for every person. You don't need to panic if you're not one of those people who goes to the bathroom like clockwork after your morning coffee.Dr. Lance Uradomo, an interventional gastroenterologist at City of Hope Orange County, explains, "The term 'regular' generally means that a person's bowel movement frequency is continuing without any change." In fact, the number of times you poop every week could vary dramatically from other people in your household with no cause for concern.Dr. Michael Schopis, gastroenterologist and attending physician at Manhattan Gastroenterology, says, "Normal poop frequency can range quite dramatically depending on the person. Pooping anywhere from every other day up to three to four times per day can be considered regular."As a general rule, Dr. Uradomo advises, "Three times a day to three times a week is considered a healthy range." However, the doctor warns, "It's important to recognize your own regular routine so that if the frequency suddenly changes, you can alert your doctor."Is it healthier to poop less or more often?Dr. Natasha Chhabra, a gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey, says how often you poop may be less important than whether you're pooping enough. She explains, "Having adequate BMs [bowel movements] with complete evacuation is a great goal, as having a BM is one way our body rids itself of toxins and waste. Some can have a daily BM and still not feel that they have emptied." In other words, having less frequent but complete bowel movements may be healthier than having frequent small bowel movements.How often you should be pooping may also depend on how difficult it is for you to go number two. According to Dr. Schopis, "If it requires lots of straining and pushing to have a bowel movement or it requires you to spend 30 minutes on the toilet, then it's probably better for you to try and poop more often." He says you should introduce lifestyle changes to help induce pooping in this situation. The Mayo Clinic recommends eating high-fiber foods, staying hydrated and exercising as natural ways to prevent constipation.On the other hand, it's possible to poop too often. Dr. Schopis says, "If someone is going 4-5 times per day, it's watery and with significant urgency, then this person is probably pooping too much." The Mayo Clinic notes that everything from stomach viruses and bacterial infections to lactose intolerance may cause you to poop frequently. Antibiotics may also lead to temporary diarrhea. Tarik Vision/Getty ImagesWhat does healthy poop look like?Many doctors use the Bristol stool chart to help evaluate the health of bowel movements. The chart is a form scale, meaning that it rates stool based on factors like size and consistency. Bowel movements are rated from 1 to 7, with 1 being the most firm and 7 being entirely liquid.Bristol stool type 1-2: Rabbit or grape-like droppings that are quite hard and may be difficult to pass.Bristol stool type 3-4: Corn on the cob or sausage bowel movements that are soft and easy to pass.Bristol stool type 5-7: Mushy to liquid bowel movements that may or may not include some solid pieces.As Dr. Chhabra explains, "The middle of the chart (Bristol 3-4) describes a healthy BM, which is generally described as sausage or snake-like." Poop in these categories is also solid, while it may be either smooth or have some cracks on the surface.A healthy poop in the Bristol 3-4 categories indicates that someone is getting both enough water and enough fiber in their diet, according to Dr. Schopis. He notes that this type of stool is often easiest to pass, while "Bristol stool types 1-2 are often hard, pebbly and hard to pass, indicating constipation."If your poop floats, you could have excessive gas, be eating a diet with high-fat content or have a gastrointestinal (GI) tract issue. Your poop should sink more often than not.ColorYou also want to consider the color of your bowel movements. Dr. Uradomo reports that "healthy poop can be brown or even greenish but should never be black or contain blood. This could indicate the presence of cancer or other health problems." If your stool is particularly pale, you may want to talk to your doctor about your liver, pancreas and gallbladder health.SmellAccording to Mount Sinai Hospital, smell also matters. While poop is never meant to smell pleasant, if it suddenly has a new or particularly foul odor, you could be experiencing a condition like chronic pancreatitis or ulcerative colitis. The good news is that changes to your diet can also produce really stinky stool. So, if you just have one seriously bad-smelling BM, it could be from eating or drinking something fermented or consuming a lot of garlic.How long should it take you to poop?It shouldn't take you more than a few minutes to poop. Dr. Schopis says, "Ideally, someone should spend 5 minutes or less without any pushing or straining to have a bowel movement." Dr. Chhabra agrees, explaining, "Spending more than a few minutes having a BM should raise concern for constipation, particularly if you are straining."Dr. Uradomo offers a little more leeway, saying, "It should take a person between 5 and 15 minutes on the toilet to have a bowel movement." He warns that sitting on the toilet for longer than that can "lead to problems such as hemorrhoids, reduced circulation or pelvic floor dysfunction." Dusanpetkovic/Getty ImagesWhat are the signs of an unhealthy bowel?There are several key signs that you may have an unhealthy bowel. These include:Pain: Frequent pain while pooping may be a cause for concern. This could mean your stool is too hard or there is a larger GI issue.Blood: Blood in the bowl after you poop may also signal an unhealthy bowel. Dr. Uradomo warns, "Blood in the stool can be caused by a relatively minor problem like hemorrhoids, but it may also be an indicator of cancer, bowel disease or major internal bleeding." You should monitor bleeding closely and consult your doctor.Loss of bowel control: If you experience bowel (fecal) incontinence, you may be experiencing weakened rectal or anal muscles. Muscle and nerve damage resulting from childbirth may also affect your ability to control bowel movements.Black stool: Dr. Uradomo warns that black or tarry-looking stools can indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This includes your esophagus, stomach and small intestine.Chronic diarrhea: If you often have diarrhea lasting more than a few days, you may be dealing with irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's Disease. Celiac disease can also cause frequent, pale diarrhea.When to talk to your doctor about your poopAny time you're experiencing painful pooping or the inability to have a bowel movement, it's worth talking to your doctor. The NHS warns that chronic constipation can lead to dangerous fecal impaction, and Healthline recommends seeking medical attention if it's been a full week without a bowel movement.In general, Dr. Schopis says, "If you're finding that bowel movements control your life, either due to lack of frequency or going too much," it's a great idea to see a doctor. Black or bloody poop also signals that it's time for a medical evaluation.How to keep your poop healthySometimes lifestyle changes are all it takes to create healthier poop habits. For instance, make sure you drink enough water. Dehydration may lead to constipation or make your stool harder to pass. Dr. Chhabra also recommends eating fiber daily through whole fruits and vegetables. She says this "helps keep your bowel movements fuller and easier to pass."More specifically, Dr. Schopis advises people to aim for 2-3 liters of water per day and 25-30 grams of fiber per day in order to achieve healthy, normal bowel movements. Aside from this advice, you may want to consider exercising more to help your bowel run smoothly.The bottom lineYou don't need to poop every day, but you should track your habits and notice when there is a dramatic change. Symptoms like straining to poop or experiencing chronic diarrhea are signs that it's time to make an appointment with your doctor. In the meantime, eating fiber and drinking a lot of water are easy ways to help yourself to poop regularly.

Samsung's mantra when debuting the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus appears to have been, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," as this year's phones share a striking resemblance to last year's S24 and S24 Plus. But what the new phones lack in innovation, they make up for in consistency and practicality.AI upgrades are the biggest factors separating the S25 and S25 Plus from their predecessors. While I found myself warming up to (most of) these features after using the phones for a week, there are other time-tested attributes that remained more important to me namely, cameras and battery life. This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET's collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung's most popular products. For instance, there's a new tool called AI Select that looks at your phone's screen and suggests actions like summarizing or translating text, the Gallery app can find a picture you're looking for with more conversational search terms and Audio Eraser can clean up distracting background noises in your videos. 9.1 Samsung Galaxy S25 Like Camera consistently delivers good images Impressive battery life More AI features feel practical Don't like Still some stray gimmicky AI features Not many changes over the S24 9.1 Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus Like Lightning fast charging Nice big screen 7 years of OS and security upgrades Great performance Don't like Battery life is similar to the baseline S25 Similar specs as the S25, at a higher price Better cameras on other phones at the same price Google's Gemini has been further baked into the Galaxy's interface and can be summoned with a long press of the side power button to answer questions and carry out tasks as your assistant.At a time when major phone releases are as high-stakes as ever, Samsung tries to set the $800 Galaxy S25 and $1,000 Galaxy S25 Plus apart by leaning into what's new (AI), as well as the familiar (good cameras and battery life). And I am definitely impressed. Watch this: Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus Review: AI Finally Makes Itself Useful (Mostly) 07:59 Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus: Look and feel The S25 and S25 Plus have matte glass backs that add a premium touch. So what's the difference between the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus? Not much. Other than the Plus being, well, bigger than the baseline model.The phones both have AMOLED displays with 120Hz adaptive refresh rates, with the S25's measuring 6.2 inches and the S25 Plus clocking in at 6.7 inches. At 162- and 190-grams, respectively, the S25 and S25 Plus feel light in hand, thanks to their aluminum frames. The screens are covered in Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the matte glass backs offer an elegant touch and premium feel.I hesitantly dunked the S25 Plus into a shallow pool at Filoli Historic House & Garden near San Francisco during testing and am happy to report it survived unscathed. This shouldn't come as a surprise, since both the S25 and S25 Plus have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning they can survive being submerged for 30 minutes being under 1.5 meters of water (or about 5 feet). The camera bumps don't jut out too much on the S25 and S25 Plus, which is nice. James Martin/CNETThe phones come in Navy, Icyblue, Mint and Silver Shadow, as well as the online-exclusive colors Blueblack, Coralred and Pinkgold. I absolutely adore the Icyblue color of the S25 I've been using, and the Plus I have in Navy also looks nice and rich.The S25 and S25 Plus arrive with Android 15 and Samsung's One UI 7. And similar to the Pixel 9 series, you'll get seven years of OS and security updates, helping you get the most bang for your buck (and there's certainly a lot of buck involved here). The phones are powered by a custom-built Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, helping to bring those many, many AI features to life.The best thing about AI is that I hardly notice it Gemini and I, surprisingly, became friends. James Martin/CNETI'm not alone in feeling severe AI fatigue. As someone who tends to be AI-averse (do I really need it to write my emails, brainstorm ideas or summarize a PDF?), I tend to be wary of AI-heavy announcements like the one Samsung had at its Galaxy Unpacked eventin January.Once I got my hands on the devices, I put my skepticism aside and was surprised.After a few days, I found myself leaning on Gemini for help with everything from tweaking email settings (this was faster than Googling and reading), caring for my wood cutting board, and finding events and sending corresponding texts via a single voice command.Ultimately, it's the AI features that operate discreetly that won me over, like Circle to Search. This is a Google-powered feature that came out last year and lets you circle anything on your screen to quickly see product information and links. Now, Circle to Search can recognize a song playing in the background of a video or even a tune you hum or sing, and I had a lot of fun testing this out. When I hummed niche Taylor Swift songs like I Hate It Here and Foolish One, it nailed both. (Step aside, Shazam.) To be fair, I'm not sure how often I'll use this particular aspect of Circle to Search, but the tool as a whole remains impressive.The AI Select tool also served me well, but primarily for translating text. My Spanish vocab has (sadly) gotten rusty since high school. So when I came across an email in Spanish, I tapped the tool on the right-hand side of the screen, circled the text I wanted to translate and within a couple taps, it was quickly transformed into English (and hopefully, accurately). Here are two Portrait Studio images of me entirely created by AI. Abrar Al-Heeti/Galaxy AINot all AI features are a home run, though. Portrait Studio, which uses AI to create stylized portraits (kind of like caricatures an artist might sketch of you at the beach or on a boardwalk), is fun to play with but feels like a novelty. It did an admittedly great job replicating details like my hijab, eye shape and smile. But I'm not sure how useful a tool like this is in the long run. Similarly, Drawing Assist, which turns your sketches into different stylized illustrations, is impressive at transforming my crappy drawings into pleasing images. I don't have any real use for this tool, as I'm not going to be framing these random images of cats and flowers.The biggest disappointment, so far, has been the Now Brief. This is designed to learn your habits like if you usually check the weather, read the news and consult your calendar each morning then surface any relevant suggestions to simplify those routines. In the week I used these phones, the only time I was even slightly impressed with this feature was when it showed a highlight of the images I'd taken that day. But otherwise, Now Brief simply lists the weather, my events that day and articles that are irrelevant 90% of the time. That's not to say it won't eventually learn more about me and get better, but it hasn't proven its value just yet.Photos and videos are even better with AI The S25 and S25 Plus have a trio of lenses on the back: wide, ultrawide and 3x telephoto. James Martin/CNETThe Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus share the same camera specs as last year's series: a 50-megapixel wide camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera. They also both share a 12-megapixel front-facing camera. So you'll get the same kinds of images on both the S25 and S25 Plus.I've always admired the punchy colors in Galaxy S photos, and the S25 and S25 Plus were no exception. Here are a few of my favorite shots.This is one of the best examples of how each shade of color, from pale pinks to vibrant reds, pop. There's so much texture in this image below, from the ripples on the water to the droplets on the petals, and the background maintains just enough detail and color without robbing the spotlight. Enlarge Image Bright colors shine on the S25 and S25 Plus. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETPortrait mode on the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus is perhaps the most impressive I've seen, as it does the best job of knowing what to keep in sharp focus and what to blur. Even in this picture below of my (dying) tulips, each leaf and petal remains clearly in the foreground and isn't lost to background blur. Enlarge Image These wilting flowers may not look very pristine, but at least the overall shot does. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETPortrait mode isn't perfect, of course, as some of the many branches in this shot do get the undesired blur effect. But it's such a minor detail that hopefully all you'll notice is how well the flowers on the table pop. Enlarge Image I love how commanding the subject is in Portrait shots. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETThe improvements over previous Galaxy S devices come in the form of yes, AI.Generative Editdebuted on the S24 series, but is now processed on device, allowing you to quickly and easily remove photobombers or objects cluttering your image. I tried this out with both people and objects and was blown away each time. Generative Edit did a seamless job filling in backgrounds (sometimes even generating new graffiti patterns, as seen below when I removed a railing). Enlarge Image There's a rail on the right... Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET Enlarge Image And now there's not! Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETOne downside, though an upside for transparency, is that there's a label on images that have benefitted from Generative Edit disclosing that this is "AI-generated content." I understand the importance of this, especially as AI gets better at fooling people, but object removal features are nothing new to photography. Enlarge Image Before and after. Notice the AI disclaimer at the bottom of the image to the right. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETSamsung introduced a Virtual Aperture tool that mimics a standalone camera's f-stops, using the separate Expert RAW app. If you're a pro photographer, I can see this being a cool feature to have. But as someone who likes things plain and simple, I'm going to stick with the camera's built-in Portrait mode so that factors like background blur and lighting are sorted out for me.Another AI-related boost comes in the form of nighttime videos. I was impressed with how rich the dark sky looks in videos I recorded and with how smooth the motion appears as I panned the camera. Daytime videos also looked solid.Photos at night were splendid, with rich contrast and saturation. Enlarge Image The S25 beautifully handled the combination of vibrant greens, dark shadows and bright holiday lights (which are still up for some reason). Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETNight mode also did a great job of brightening up this image to almost make it look as if it were taken in the daytime, and not at 7 p.m. Enlarge Image This night time shot almost looks as if it were taken in the daytime. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETSelfies maintain the smoothing effect I so love on Galaxy S phones, while maintaining vibrancy and crispness in the foreground and background. Enlarge Image And let's flip that camera around real quick for a selfie. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETBattery life and performance Remarkably, the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus have a great battery life, which is important since both feature power-hungry AI features. Celso Bulgatti/CNETBattery capacity is one of the few factors separating the phones, with the S25 sporting a 4,000-mAh battery and the Plus packing a 4,900-mAh battery.Both phones lasted about a day and a half with regular use. In CNET's 45-minute endurance test, which involves a combination of streaming, scrolling through social media, joining a video call and playing games, the S25's battery dropped from full to 93% (the same as last year's S24), while the battery on the S25 Plus dropped to 94%.In a longer, 3-hour streaming test over Wi-Fi, in which I watched a YouTube video in full-screen mode at full brightness, the S25 dropped from 100% to 85%, while the S25 Plus dropped to 86%.YouTube Streaming Battery Test Phone After 1 hourAfter 2 hoursAfter 3 hoursGalaxy S25 96%90%85%Galaxy S25 Plus 96%91%86%Galaxy S24 FE 96%90%83%Galaxy S24 97%91%86%Galaxy S24 Plus 97%91%87% Higher percentages are betterThe S25 supports 25-watt charging, while the S25 Plus supports 45-watt charging. In a 30-minute test using a 30-watt charger, the S25 went from 0% to 47%, and reached 100% in 80 minutes. In the same test using a 45-watt charger, the S25 Plus went from 0% to 63% in 30 minutes, and reached a full charge in 70 minutes. For comparison, in last year's test, the S24 went from 0% to 51% in 30 minutes, and the S24 Plus went from 0% to 50%.The Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus also support 15-watt wireless charging, which is the same as what you'll get with Qi2. You can use Samsung's own case with the Qi2 magnetic profile or a compatible third-party case to tap into those wireless capabilities.Benchmark tests for the CPU in Geekbench 6 place the S25 and S25 Plus well above the entire Galaxy S24 lineup. In a graphics test using 3D Mark's Wild Life Extreme, the S25 and S25 Plus exceeded the performance of the iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra.Check out the graphs below for more specifics.Geekbench v.6.0 Samsung Galaxy S25 2,999 9,604Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus 3,224 10,143Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 2,057 6,571Samsung Galaxy S24 1,955 6,255Apple iPhone 16 Pro 3,507 8,750 Single-core Multicore Note: Longer bars indicate better performance 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Samsung Galaxy S25 6,496Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus 6,875Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 4,415Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 4,808Samsung Galaxy S24 4,752Apple iPhone 16 Pro 4,672 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance 3DMark Wild Life Extreme -- Average frame rate Samsung Galaxy S25 38.90Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus 41.17Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 26.4 Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 28.79Samsung Galaxy S24 28.46Apple iPhone 16 Pro 28 Note: Longer bars indicate better performance Final thoughts and which phone to buy, the S25 or S25 Plus? The Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus have lots of AI but aren't entirely defined by it. James Martin/CNETPerhaps the highest praise I can give to a phone in 2025 is that there was just enough AI to not make me go crazy. The S25 and S25 Plus have their fair share of AI-powered features, but for the most part, there are only several that I can see myself willingly using. Others like Portrait Studio and Drawing Assist may be fun for keynote demos, but don't seem to serve a real purpose beyond that. (But it wouldn't be a Galaxy phone without a flashy feature no one uses, right??)Thankfully, the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus continue to deliver on what, to me, makes the Galaxy S series notable: good cameras, solid battery life and a seamless interface.Because there are so many similarities between the S25 and S25 Plus, and the higher battery capacity on the Plus didn't result in any startling differences (although super fast charging is great), I'd personally save some money and just go with the baseline S25. If you want a bigger phone, it might be worth going a full step up with the S25 Ultra, so you could take advantage of added perks like that 50-megapixel ultrawide lens, but that costs $500 more than the regular S25. Still, the S25 and S25 Plus share many similarities with the Ultra, including Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB RAM and AI features, so you'll be getting a relatively good value from that baseline model. If you have a Galaxy S22 or older, switching to the S25 or S25 Plus could be a significant upgrade. If you have an S23, you can benefit from improved battery life and dip your toes into Samsung's newer AI waters. But if you're rocking an S24, there's no reason to pay for relatively modest upgrades.Ultimately, the S25 and S25 are much of the same as what we've seen before. But that isn't such a bad thing, when "the same" largely still does the trick.Samsung Galaxy S25 specs versus Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus Samsung Galaxy S25Samsung Galaxy S25 PlusSamsung Galaxy S24Samsung Galaxy S24 PlusDisplay size, tech, resolution, refresh rate 6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,340x1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.7-inch AMOLED; 3,120x1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,340x1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.7-inch AMOLED; 3,120x1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh ratePixel density 416 ppi509 ppi416 ppi509 ppiDimensions (inches) 5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 in.6.24 x 2.98 x 0.29 in.5.79 x 2.78 x 0.3 in.6.24 x 3 x 0.3 in.Dimensions (millimeters) 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm147 x 71 x 7.6 mm158 x 76 x 7.6 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 162 g (5.71 oz.)190 g (6.70 oz.)168g (5.93 oz.)197g (6.95 oz.)Mobile software Android 15Android 15Android 14Android 14Camera 50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto)50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto)50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto)50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto)Front-facing camera 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel Video capture 8K8K8K8KProcessor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3RAM + storage 12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB8GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneNoneBattery 4,000 mAh4,900 mAh4,000 mAh4,900 mAhFingerprint sensor Under displayUnder displayUnder displayUnder displayConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneNoneSpecial features 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dust resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 72,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dust resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7; ultrawideband2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dust resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 6E2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dust resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 6EUS price starts at $800 (128GB)$1,000 (256GB)$800 (128GB)$1,000 (256GB) How we test phonesEvery phone tested by CNET's reviews teamwas actually used in the real world. We test a phone's features, play games and take photos. We examine the display to see if it's bright, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and build to see how it is to hold and whether it has an IP-rating for water resistance. We push the processor's performance to the extremes using standardized benchmark tools like GeekBench and 3DMark, along with our own anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution videos and playing graphically intense games at high refresh rates.All the cameras are tested in a variety of conditions from bright sunlight to dark indoor scenes. We try out special features like night mode and portrait mode and compare our findings against similarly priced competing phones. We also check out the battery life by using it daily as well as running a series of battery drain tests.We take into account additional features like support for 5G, satellite connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus support, fast charging speeds and foldable displays, among others that can be useful. We balance all of this against the price to give you the verdict on whether that phone, whatever price it is, actually represents good value. While these tests may not always be reflected in CNET's initial review, we conduct follow-up and long-term testing in most circumstances.

A mysterious language, secret powers you don't get that in WordleLOK Digital is hard to TLAK about.Image credit: Letibus Design/Icedrop Games/Draknek and Friends Feature by Christian Donlan Contributing Editor Published on Feb. 4, 2025 Real talk: as a deeply lazy human being, there are some games that I kind of secretly hope aren't going to be my bag, because if they are my bag I'm going to have an awful time describing how they work. The problem with this is that the games that are hardest to describe are often the best games. They're the games where you feel like you have a weird kind of duty to find the words for them, so you can tell everyone else how special they are.LOK DigitalPublisher: Draknek and FriendsDeveloper: Letibus Design, Icedrop GamesPlatform: Played on iOSAvailability: Out now on PC, Android and iOS. Anyway, Lok. Lok is fantastic. It's a puzzle game about uncovering new words and then spelling them out on a grid. Words like LOK, TLAK and TA. These words all have powers, and this is where it gets confusing.Your job in Lok is to take each grid you're faced with and turn all the tiles black. If there's a word you can spell - an in-game word like LOK, TLAK or TA, say - then you can black those tiles out just by spelling it. But these words then grant powers which help you black out other tiles. LOK lets you black out one more tile. TLAK, I think, lets you black out two tiles, but they have to be connected? TA, which I have just reached, well, I think TA lets you black out all instances of the tile you select. I think this is how these words work - I'm still at the point of testing theories with them all, and this is the kind of game where working out how it all behaves is part of the fun.Here's a trailer for LOK Digital.Watch on YouTubeMaybe I've made it sound simple. Fine. It's really not simple to play, though. This is because when you're faced with a grid, you often have a handful of words you could spell immediately, so a lot of the game is about finding out the correct order to spell them in.This order matters because once a tile is blacked out, it's as if it isn't there anymore. So if you have LOAK, you can't use it to spell LOK, but if you black out the A, you can spell LOK. The game, for me at least, involves a lot of reverse-engineering. If I do this as my first word, where does that leave me? Which tiles can I safely remove, and where are the problems?Over time, this turns into something properly magical. The game unfolds for me as a series of epiphanies. I'm stuck, but then I suddenly see a new possibility for a word hidden in the grid. How to free it? How to unlock it and its powers?There's a lovely line in The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon which I often think about with really good puzzle games. Oedipa, the protagonist, is examining clues and considering each one and "its fine chances for permanence". The right clue, the right choice, comes with a kind of clarity. That's Lok to its core. Maybe it's not so hard to describe after all.Code for LOK was provided by the publisher.

Nintendo boss says Switch 2 anticipation not to blame for falling Switch 1 salesWill continue to support current hardware "as long as there is demand".Image credit: Nintendo / Eurogamer News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Feb. 4, 2025 Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has said that fan expectation around Switch 2 isn't the primary cause of Switch 1's plummeting sales.Earlier today, Nintendo admitted it had failed to hit its own targets for Switch 1 over the course of 2024. The company has revised its finacial forecast as console sales dipped by 30 percent, and sales of Switch 1 software also slumped.Speaking to investors following the announcement, Furukawa dismissed the suggestion that anticipation for Switch 2 was to blame. "We don't think the impact of refraining from purchasing [because of Switch 2] is that great," Furukawa said, as repoted by Japanese newspaper The Sankei Shimbun. "We think it's a solid eighth year, but we haven't reached our target."To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 have been revealed - but questions remain.Watch on YouTubeIt's fair to suggest that, after eight years, any console maker should expect sales to be in decline - as indeed they have for Switch 1 since the console's sales peak, back in 2022.2024 was also a much quieter year for Switch 1 software releases overall, with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Mario Party Jamboree selling well but not as strongly as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder back in 2023.And while the internet may be hanging on Nintendo's every word for news on Switch 2, there's still a large audience of Switch owners who are less engaged with Nintendo's preparations for what's next. Regardless, Nintendo has seen a steeper drop off in Switch 1 sales this year than any previous - and more than the company had predicted.That said, it's clear Nintendo will continue to push its hugely-successful Switch 1 - for the time being. Furukawa noted the company would continue Switch 1 support "as long as there is demand". Nintendo has previously said similar ahead of launching new hardware in the past - and it's not a surprise. The company already has Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition due in March, before Metroid Prime 4 and Pokmon Legends Z-A arrive on Switch 1 later this year.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Fortnite has been the king of the battle royale genre for more than seven years. Since its release in September 2017, Epic Games title has dominated the gaming industry, breaking numerous records and raising the bar. However, Fortnite is not done growing yet, and the latest stats show just how popular it was in 2024.Epic recently released detailed ecosystem stats with a focus on Creative. Not only do these numbers reveal the games popularity, but they also give us insights into how profitable Fortnite is for creators.These Fortnite stats show how profitable the game isFortnite enjoyed a lot of success in 2024, as revealed by Epic. The number of map creators tripled to 70,000, and the amount of fan-made islands doubled. The game developer revealed that 70% of Fortnite players play both Epic and creator-made games. On top of this, the number of active Creative players increased by 15%.In total, 36.5% of total playtime was spent on creator-made maps, which is an impressive number. It also marks a 5% increase in comparison to 2023, which was another successful year for the video game. However, the most interesting part might be the payout breakdown. It reveals that hundreds of creators made more than $100,000 last year, and more than 50 of them have earned at least a million.More than 50 Fortnite creators have made over a million dollars. Image via Epic GamesMaking money with Fortnite has never been easier, thanks to Epics generous 40% net revenue share program. In total, Fortnite creators earned $352 million from Epic Games in 2024, reflecting an 11% increase compared to the March-December period of 2023.Epic will keep developing both Fortnite and UEFN, hoping to attract an even larger player base. While some features may be delayed, the company has done a great job keeping the game popular while also allowing creators to shine. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerRelated TopicsFortnite Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Helldivers 2 is celebrating its one year anniversary! As part of the celebrations, Arrowhead has just shared the update 01.002.101 patch notes detailing some big buffs, FRV changes, and more. Now they have announced the release date for a Helldivers 2 Servants of Freedom Warbond, and the new bundle includes an assortment of fresh weapons, armor, gadgets, and more. Helldivers 2 Servants of Freedom Warbond release date The release date for the Helldivers 2 Servants of Freedom Warbond is February 6th. This has just been announced and confirmed by Arrowhead over on the PlayStation blog.Below are all of the weapons, armor, and gadgets included in the HD2 Warbond:Armor sets: IE-3 Martyr IE-12 Righteous Primary Weapon: LAS-17 Double-Edge SickleSecondary weapon: GP-31 Ultimatum Stratagem: B-100 Portable HellbombThrowable: G-50 Seeker Capes: Fre Liberam Per Democrasum Emote and Victory Poses: Raise Weapon Player Title: Servant of Freedom: Player Banners: Fre Liberam Per DemocrasumYou can check out leaks to find the stats for the armor and weapons included in the bundle. The leaks also include another armor and Warhammer 40K inspired weapon that appear to be saved for another occasion in the future. Arrowheads announcement describes the LAS-17 Double-Edge Sickle as pure agony meets ecstasy, and this is because it burns both the wielder as well as everything in its path. Meanwhile, the GP-31 Ultimatum is a front-loading grenade pistol [that] packs a punch like a grenade launcher on steroids, designed for closer-range use. Image credit: ArrowheadFor more Helldivers 2, check out our guide to thebest warbonds ranked, along with thebest stratagemsandbest throwables. We have also a guide to thebest weapons, and, if youre coming back to HD2 for the first time in a long while, we have a bunch oftips and tricksto help you get reaccustomed to the battlefield. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now Helldivers 2Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5Genre(s):Action, Shooter, Third Person8VideoGamerRelated TopicsHelldivers 2 Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You have to imagine yourself in a 258-square-foot apartment, with faded wallpaper, wall-to-wall carpeting, and floral curtains, architect Aurlien Duny says. Its hard to envision what this now charming studio looked like before its renovation. From a dark, partitioned cube with an awkward mezzanine, it has become an inviting and compact apartment thanks to Dunys vision. The property, located near the Luxembourg Gardens in Pariss 6th arrondissement, had not been renovated since the 1980s. The Franco-Spanish couple who bought it wanted to turn it into a pied--terre that they could rent to people visiting the capital for longer stays. Their aim was to make it as functional and pleasant as possible, in particular by focusing on how to maximize its storage.A module in the middle of the apartment separates the sleeping area from the shower.For the architect, creating a more functional apartment required designing a more open floor plan. All we kept of the existing space were the exposed ceiling beams. We knocked down the walls in favor of partitions that are high enough to provide privacy but low enough to let the light reach every corner of the unit, Duny says. A large angled module is used to provide structure to the bedroom area (which is raised to accommodate storage), the living area, the kitchen, and the bathroom. We worked with three different heights: the first, at roughly 6.5 feet high, is used for the dressing area. The height in another section is just over eight feet and is used for the shower cubicle. The final height is for the part of the module that houses the toilet. The goal, beyond separating the different spaces, was to let light penetrate each of the different areas of the home and to free up as much floor space as possible. Youre always aware of the full 258-square-foot space when youre in the apartment because you have a view of the uninterrupted ceiling, above the partitions.The beams run the length of the ceiling, without being interrupted by any internal walls.The rounded edges of the central module give a more fluid feel to the space.The central module seems to float above the apartment, like a cloud with its rounded corners. Its also an aesthetic nod to the couples Mediterranean origins, evoking the organic lines of a finca on Menorca. Right angles would have given the project a rigid appearance. The curves make it more fluid and create gentle transitions between the apartments different functions, explains Duny.Waxed concrete and stainless steel are used in the bathroom.Behind the bathroom, an off-white kitchen.Behind the bed, the dressing room opens onto a compact bathroom in waxed concrete. This material has similar tones to the paint used on the walls: Its an off-white, almost vanilla-like color, which introduces a feeling of warmth to the studio, the architect explains. Indeed, the warm hues give the space the airy, soft feel of a sheltering cocoon, a refuge from the city. Stainless-steel elements were added to the basins, creating a marked contrast with the apartments wood and lime tones.A large mirror alongside a window reflects the view.Stainless-steel items recall the fixtures in the bathroom.The living room table is also brushed stainless steel, reflecting the light just as the mirrors, which are essential to the project, do. Theres a mirror in the shower area and a second near the living room table. The entire apartment was insulated, except for one section next to the window. We took advantage of this to add a large mirror there that reflects the garden and brings in as much light as possible.

Widhi Muttaqien shows how to quickly model a door complete with the frame, leaf and handle, using Blender 4.2.Source