News House of the Dragon Season 3 Will Make Up for Season 2s Biggest MistakeHBO has confirmed that a titanic battle is on the way for House of the Dragon season 3.By Alec Bojalad | February 13, 2025 | | Photo: Ollie Upton | HBOThe closing minutes of House of the Dragons second season couldnt possibly set a more epic scene. Old childhood friends-turned-enemies Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Queen Rhaenyra (Emma DArcy) stand together atop Dragonstone, having just reached the ultimate Faustian bargain to trade a son for a son and a kingdom for a daughter. The armies of the Reach march down the Roseroad towards Kings Landing as young Prince Daeron soars overhead on the back of his dragon Tessarion. House Velaryon and The Triarchys naval fleets drift across the ocean toward Blackwater Bay, where theyre destined to engage in a history-upending conflict known as The Battle of the Gullet. As Ramin Djawadis score swells and all the combatants grow closer, suddenly we get credits. Yes, House of the Dragon season 2 ends on a somewhat anticlimactic note. Perhaps you may have heard about it on any pop culture website in existence everor from even A Song of Ice and Fire author and Game of Thrones paterfamilias George R. R. Martin himself.One cant say we werent warned. Reports emerged prior to HotD season 2 that the episode count had been cut from 10 to eight and that at least one major battle would be getting the boot to season 3. Still, fans couldnt help but find the whole experience disappointing. Thankfully, however, House of the Dragon season 3 is on the way and HBO has now clarified that the series biggest battle very much remains part of its plans. Im really excited. I think youre going to be in for a great surprise on how we start the [season] with an exciting battle, HBO Head of Drama Series and FilmsFrancesca Orsi told Deadline duringWhite Lotus season 3 premiere event. That exciting battle, of course, is the aforementioned Battle of the Gullet. While the Game of Thrones universe is no stranger to big battle sequences, the Battle of the Gullet still stands out as a major event. Described as one of the bloodiest sea battles in Westerosi history, this naval engagement finds the forces of the Blacks and House Velaryon clashing with the Greens and the Triarchy in a thin stretch of water between Driftmark and Masseys Point (in the Crownlands) known as the Gullet. The conflict leads to casualties for man and dragon alike and marks a turning point in the Dance of the Dragons Targaryen civil war. Suffice it to say, House of the Dragon not only needed to include the Battle of the Gullet but it needed to get it right. And according to Orsi, the delay to season 3 allowed showrunner Ryan Condal and the production team to do just that. Im so glad we waited because its going to be better than ever, and I dont think we had the time at that point to do what it is that weve achieved now this season. Its just so massive, we needed the time to build it. One of the lead producers on it [Kevin de la Noy] worked onTitanic,so all that he brought in terms of acumen of what happened on the Titanic and how that entire experience is built, he brings that expertise to it.House of the Dragon season 2 was one of the few Hollywood productions to continue work amid the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, due to its U.K. filming location and crew. But its now clearer than ever that the season faced something of a time crunch due to its unique creative environment, as it did in season 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is that House of the Dragon season 3 is gearing up to begin production now per Deadline. And surely there will be no more labor stoppages, pandemics, or geopolitical turmoil to jeopardize the show for a third year in a row.

SummaryThe Living Lands are full of exciting adventure, hidden treasure, captivating secrets and danger!Weve compiled some of our favorite tips and strategies to help you on your first steps into the world of Avowed.Avowed is launching February 18, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and will be available on day one with Game Pass. Start playing today by picking up the Avowed Premium Edition on the Xbox Store, Battle.net, and Steam. Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass members, and standard edition owners can purchase the Avowed Premium Upgrade Addon for early access.The Living Lands is ripe with adventure, excitement, and a significant amount of danger and were here to help. Weve been exploring Avowed for a while now and throughout our time with Obsidians next great RPG, weve come away with a few tips to share with new adventurers who are about to take their first steps into this new corner of Eora. These are not meant to be an all-encompassing guide to the Living Lands, but we think you might benefit from one or two of these to help you on your journey.Explore!Avowed is a deeply inviting game each of its open zones are truly dense, not just with the typical quests and side quests, but hidden treasure, buried lore, and points of interest. If something looks or sounds a little odd, theres almost always a reason for that.Did that NPC just say something interesting as you passed? They might not have a quest marker over their head, but that doesnt mean it wont kick off a cutscene when you talk to them. Does that out-of-the-way balcony look a little too conspicuous? Work out a parkour route to it and you might just find to take an example a room full of spirits and treasure.And its not just solid ground that is brimming with treats the waters of The Living Lands are also ripe with goods. Secrets are scattered across the bottoms of riverbeds, underground pools, and most importantly, nestled behind waterfalls, making it worth your while to take a dip wherever you can.If you can resist the urge to plough on with the main story, theres so much to discover here.Dont Neglect Upgrades to Your EquipmentUnlike a lot of RPGs, your ability to tackle tougher quests is tied to your gear more than your level which means you should be thinking about upgrades to your equipment often at the workshop in your Party Camp. Quests are clearly marked in your Journal with skull ratings. No skull showing? Youll be fine. One skull? It might be tough but be careful and youll make it through. Three skulls? Here be some ferocious enemies.While you can find better equipment as you travel, its often more efficient to simply upgrade what you have, using crafting materials youll find all over the world to incrementally improve your weapons and armor. Find your preferred items and keep levelling them when you can, and your progression will keep feeling smooth.Heres a tip to speed up the gather/trudge to camp/upgrade/return to what you were doing process: Once youve gathered what you need for an upgrade, you can fast travel to a previously established Party Camp to do your business from almost anywhere by popping open the map. Then when youre ready to get to exploring, select Exit to Previous Location at the Adra Stone or preferred fast travel point, to pick up exactly where you left off. Easy!And remember: You can easily send items directly to your Party Camp from your Inventory at any time by pressing the X button if you become over encumbered. And you can break down any unused weapons or items by holding down the X button from your inventory helpful if youre coming up short on crafting ingredients like wood and metal.Speak to Your CompanionsAt the Party Camp, youll always have a chance to catch up with your travelling companions and this can be more practical than you might think. Youll know when a party member wants to speak to you when you see their icon pop up with a speech bubble on the left of the screen. Once you head to Party Camp, aside from learning their backstories (and filling out your own), you may even stumble on some real benefits.For instance, early on, Kai may bring up that hes been studying your fighting style, and has some pointers. You can ask him to train you in his own style, leading to permanent stat buffs that would have taken multiple levels worth of upgrades to get. Its a huge bonus, simply for stopping for a chinwag.Pay Attention to Companion AbilitiesYoure not the only one levelling up in your party for every few of your levels, your companions will also open up the opportunity to learn or upgrade an ability, and some of these can be gamechangers. Every active ability they learn can be accessed easily in combat, and while your party members will use them on their own, we highly recommend working them into your combat loop.For example, if youre playing primarily as a magic user, it may mean you do a lot of damage but also take a lot of damage. Kais ability to leap onto an enemy can not only stun them but taunt them as well, meaning you can get out of a pinch by redirecting their ire onto him, letting you step back and drop ice knives out of a blizzard without fear. Its saved us more times than we can count already.Your Map is Your Guide and Your Shopping ListThe Living Lands are a colorful, visually dense world, filled not only with awe inspiring sights, but lots of stuff youre going to want to pick up. The best way to separate the signal from the (beautiful) noise? Your minimap.In the early game, the biggest limiter to your being able to upgrade is the Paradisan Ladder these handy plants are usually hidden away in crannies in and outside of settlements, just out of sight. And if youre having trouble locating them, make sure you check for an up or down icon on the marker. That will give you better insight on where to look.Back to that mini-map: it not only shows the location of harvestable plants, but theres a specific icon just for that Paridisan Ladder (and later, its more potent varieties like Hyleas Talon). It looks like this (left). Now you can spare the occasional glance at the map to get what you need, but keep your eyes focused where theyll already be drawn to: the danger and beauty of The Living Lands.Examine All of the AbilitiesBuilding out your character and assigning abilities is one of the highlights of customization in Avowed. And even though you may start approaching combat as a specific build type, like Fighter, Ranger, or Wizard, you should know that as a classless game, there are many complimentary abilities hiding within each of these trees that can help you become a well-rounded adventurer.For example, even though you may be going down the Fighter branch, one of the most helpful abilities that you can get early on is Parry, which is located under the Ranger branch as a passive ability. So, its worthwhile to take some time and look over all the abilities afforded to you which can be helpful in creating a balanced character as you set out on your adventure. And if you find that youd like to change your build later, you can reset everything by spending your skeyts.Utilize Combat TechniquesAs much fun as it could be to just swing wildly at your enemies, there is a strategic flow to battle in Avowed where being able to step aside from attacks, blocking them, or masterfully parrying them to run up the stun meter are key to your survival in the Living Lands.One of the key indicators you want to pay attention to in combat are the colored circles that will appear on enemies putting points into Perception can help here. For example, if you see a red circle on an enemy as theyre about to attack, thats unblockable so you should be nimble and dodge (A button) that attack. Or if you see a white diamond hovering over the location of an enemy while aiming with a rifle, pistol, or bow, thats a weak point you should focus your attack on.Weapon SwappingThis is for those of you who (like us) were so dang excited to jump into Avowed, that you somehow breezed through the section of the opening level that explained that you can hot-swap between two weapon builds by tapping Y on your controller or hitting U on your keyboard. Now that admission is out of the way, this is one of the more important aspects of combat for you to utilize and master, and it all comes down to how you like to play, giving you flexibility in how to approach a variety of enemies and combat situations.A few of our favorite combos include pairing an arquebus with a sword and shield, giving us a great option to use in wide open areas or while navigating narrow caverns. Another pairing we like is having a pistol and shield mixed with a grimoire and wand, providing a mix of magic-based and projectile-based attacks (with a shield to help guard attacks as you load your pistol). Or if you prefer a quieter approach, we were also partial to wielding a two-handed bow in one loadout setting and a combination of a wand and grimoire in the other, which helped for stealthily picking off enemies before launching into a flurry of aggressive magic after being discovered.Go Treasure HuntingA good way to get off the beaten path and to explore more of Eora is to pick up bounties or unearth treasure maps to not only line your pockets with new weapons and crafting materials, but to get a better sense of the world around you and you never know what youll stumble upon as you dive deeper into the Living Lands. Once acquired, treasure maps wont simply drop a marker on your map, oh no. They artistically illustrate an area maybe a cave, a path by a river, etc, with a classic X marking The Spot. Commit that vista to memory, because the only way youll find that treasure is by paying attention. And even then, dont expect a chest to just be sitting on the beach, but the map should get you close enough to hear the telltale twinkling of treasure. My precious!Use Your EnvironmentTheres a logic to the lay of the Living Lands if you take the time to assess whats in front of and around you. See some xaurips up ahead surrounded by tall grass? Perhaps a stealthy approach could work best. Notice that brick wall thats hanging on by a thread? A well-thrown grenade or, if youre lucky, a well-aimed shot at a nearby exploding barrel can give you a surprise advantage against a group of enemies. Mysterious ice looking plant located above a body of water? Shoot it down to create an ice platform for you to jump on.Another mantra that has been repeating for us as we explored pockets of the Living Lands was anything but the front door there is often an obvious, visible entrance to a building or area, but entering could cost you a fair few lockpicks. Instead of using up those precious picks in the early game, consider scouting around the location youre exploring perhaps theres a hidden window to crawl through or a weak wall that you can destroy. This often offers an alternate route in that saves your lockpicks and may even give you an upper hand on any nasties lurking inside.The point here is to not always rush into every situation (although that too can be fun) but recognize the way the land and world is presented to you for your adventure. Player freedom is at the heart of Avowed and all these unique ways to approach it is intentional. So have some fun experimenting on the ways to utilize the environment to your advantage.Dont Forget Your GrimoireEven if you find yourself focusing your abilities as more of a Fighter or Ranger, youll discover that always having access to a Grimoire of Elements (which you get for free at the start of the game) will come in handy more times than you can count.Yes, it can be effective in battle, but its also very useful at helping you solve many of the environmental puzzles. For example, being able to cast lighting spells to activate an electronic switch or being able to burn away a batch of cobwebs that could reveal a shortcut that wasnt available to you before.So even if youre not wielding it in your off-hand, make sure you give it a little spot in your inventory. Youll never know when youre going to need it (spoiler: youre going to need it).Avowed is launching February 18, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, and will be available on day one with Game Pass. Avowed also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning when you buy the game through the store on Xbox or Windows, its yours to play on Xbox and Windows PC at no additional cost, and your game progress and achievements are saved across Xbox and Windows PC.When you purchase Avowed on Battle.net or Xbox, or have an Xbox Game Pass membership (PC or Ultimate only), and connect your Battle.net and Xbox accounts, its also yours to play on Battle.net, Xbox and Xbox App for Windows at no additional cost. Avowed lets you pick up where you left off, bringing all of your saves, game add-ons, and Xbox achievement progress with you.Avowed is currently available for pre-order on the Xbox Store, Battle.net, and Steam. The Premium Edition (or Premium Upgrade Addon for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members or standard edition) offers up to five days early access, two premium skin packs, and access to the Avowed Digital Artbook & Soundtrack.

Picking the perfect tile for your bathroom can feel like such a commitment. Unlike paint, tile is a much longer-term decision. (Not to mention an investment!) If youre feeling overwhelmed by all the choicesand trust us, we know there are a lotyouve come to the right place. Whether you want something bold (hello, encaustic tile!), nostalgic (looking at you, hex tile!), or serene (bring on the zellige tile!), weve narrowed down the best choices for bathrooms of all sizesand budgets, all with a classically country twist. These 65 designer-approved ideas are guaranteed to make your bathroom (or pretty powder room) renovation a breeze.Find more of our favorite bathroom decorating ideas: 1Take Tile Up the WallRikki Snyder for Country LivingDesigner Christina Salway flipped the script on tile placement in her recent farmhouse renovation. In the primary bathroom, she kept the floors wood and opted to install tile only on the walls. The airy zellige tile lends the space a classic bathroom feel without sacrificing vintage old-house charm.TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Our Favorite Claw-foot Tub Ideas That Prove These Stately Silhouettes Can Be Happily Humble2Choose CheckeredKate S. JordanUsing retro-inspired checkered tile is an easy and time-honored way to bring a little bit of personality to your bathroom. In this Catskills farmhouse designed by Jersey Ice Cream Co., tiles in creamy white and taupe were chosen to complement the blush beadboard walls while an L-shaped chrome shower rod furthers the retro feel. RELATED: Our 70 Favorite Rooms That Embody Farmhouse Style PerfectlyAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Add Contrast With TileSara Ligorria-TrampIn bathrooms with bold walls, pick light-toned solid-colored floor tiles to create an easy-to-digest visual contrast. The shapely white marble floor tiles in this barn home bathroom offer just that, while shining chrome accents add an elegant twist against the rustic wood walls. RELATED: These Paint Colors Will Be Everywhere in 20254Embrace Encaustic TilesDiana Paulson for Country LivingLooking for tile that comes out of the box with a huge dose of personality? Then look no further than encaustic tiles. These colorful tiles are traditionally made from different, vibrantly colored types of clay which are then fired together to create a single geometric tile. Get the Look:Vanity Paint Color: Stuart Gold by Benjamin MooreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Build Out A BacksplashZIO AND SONSIn this bathroom designed by Zio & Sons, designer Anthony DArgenzio installed the same tile along the floor and up a bumped-out backsplash. Building the tile wall out not only creates spacial interest in the bathroom but also provides a practical perch for a mirror, decor, and fresh flowers above the sink. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 30+ Rustic Bathroom Ideas for Lots of Cozy Character6Pick Tiles with PatinaRoger Davies for Country LivingThe easiest way to add character to a newly built or renovated bathroom is to pick tile with patina. In this California beach bungalow, designer Alexis Garrett chose pre-patinaed terra-cotta tiles to ground the white bathroom and complement the vanitys wood stain.TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: These Are Designers Favorite Ways to Add Soul to the BathroomAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Create a Shower NookDavid Tsay for Country LivingInset storage nooks are a helpful addition to any tiled shower. In fabric maven Heather Taylors California cabin, the guest baths inset shower nook, which is roughly the same size and shape as the small window above, provides the perfect stash spot for various guest-ready toiletries. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Our Best Cabin Decorating Ideas to Transform Your Home Into a Cozy Escape8Line Your Bathrooms Built-InsAdam Albright for Country LivingTile is loved for its practical applications, but it can also be used for purely decorative purposes. In this Wisconsin bathroom, vertically stacked subway tiles line the back of the arched built-in shelving. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 25 Big Storage Ideas for Small BathroomsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Choose Color in an All-White BathroomFrances Isaac, Design by Gaelle Dudley, GLDESIGNTile with personality goes a long way in upgrading an all-white bathroom. Here, designer Gaelle Dudley installed cement plaid floor tile in a tonal blue palette and paired it with wicker sconces to give this coastal bathroom a fresh look.10Set a Serene SceneZIO AND SONSIn this attic bathroom, designer Anthony DArgenzio selected an oval soaking tub and swirled terra-cotta floor tile to add a layer of softness amongst the hard surfaces. The unique tile is fabricated from variegated cotto, which is composed of multiple clay types in various colorways. When fired, the tiles have the stunning marbled effect seen here. Get the Look:Floor Tile: Cotto Variegato in Tavella by Fornace Brioni + Cristina Celestino x Cl TileAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Play With a Pretty PaletteNat ReaCant choose just one color for your tile? You dont have to! In this nautical bathroom, a smattering of penny tiles in various shades of nautical blues feels right at home next to the maritime chart wallpaper. 12Create an Art WallAnnie SchlechterInspired by the homeowners collection of vintage blankets, ceramics artist Erica Shirey created a eye-catching graphic pattern on a wall in their guest bathroom by individually hand-painting each 8-by-8 tile. The installation is perfectly framed by the bold, black gridded shower door. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Use as an AccentTara Donne for Country LivingAntique tile in good condition makes a stylish alternative to readily available store-bought tile. In designer Christina Salways farmhouse bathroom, an antique rolling breakfast cart featuring stunning antique blue-and-white floral tile was retrofitted with an inset sink to turn it into the ultimate vanity. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 45 Powder Room Decorating Ideas That Add Storage and Style14Match Your WoodBrian Woodcock for Country LivingIn this farmhouse-style bathroom, you have to look twice to see that the sink backsplash wall of the shower bumpout is different than the shiplap walls. This technique is a great way to get the practicality of tile without sacrificing your overall look.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Dont Forget the TrimBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingWell let you in on a secret: Trim is the key to making any room feel professionally finishedincluding the bathroom. Try this with tile wainscoting to help pull the room together. You can go with classic black and white as Country Livings Editor-in-Chief did here in her Mississippi hunting lodge, or you can choose to match it to your other paint or fabric choices. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Yes, You CAN Use Wallpaper In A Bathroom! Here Are Our 40 Favorite Examples. 16Try Oversized Hex TilesBrie Williams for Country LivingDelicate hex tiles will be a forever classic, but why not have a little more fun in your own space? We love the look of larger tiles that still have the same retro feel as the originals. If your bathroom has high ceilings, try larger silhouettes such as this to ground the space. TOUR THIS BATHROOMRELATED: Check Out These Designer-Approved Dark Blue Paint Colors for Your Next Paint ProjectAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Create a Geometric BorderPhotograph by Kaitlin Green, Design by Emily HendersonTake a note from designer Emily Henderson and go playfully geometric with your tile border. While she chose a clean-lined herringbone tile to cover the floors, Emily picked larger scale picket tiles to act as a wainscoting. A row-and-a-half of green picket tiles at the bottom of the wall adds a colorful geographic punch and helps blend the two tiles together into a seamless tableau. RELATED: These Colors Go Perfectly With Green18Match Your Tile to Your TubNat ReaIf you have a colored tub, such as the black cast-iron tub shown here, then take your tile inspiration from that! Matching floor tile with striking bathroom features is an easy way to create cohesion. If you love the look of an old painted (preferably peeling) cast iron tub, seek out one in fun colors at your local architectural salvage yard and then match it with large-scaled tile in a similar color. Avoid patterned tile as that will create too much visual clutter. TOUR THIS HOUSE Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Go For a StripeALLER DORSETYou love stripes on upholstery and rugs, so why not as a tile floor. If you dont want to deal with the fuss (or the math!) of laying individual tiles in an intricate pattern, look for pre-patterned sheets of tiles. They guarantee youll get the same look and feel with half the effort of laying it yourself. RELATED: These Are The Best Yellow Paint Colors Ever, According to Designers20Trust in Terra-CottaErin KellyIf you want to bring a little bit of rustic charm to your bathroom, avoid clean white subway tile and go for something a little earthier. In this Ohio farmhouse bathroom, rustic terra-cotta tiles add timeworn charm. TOUR THIS HOUSEAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

While independence is a personality trait often praised and sought after, the world was not built for those taking it on alone. From buying bulk groceries at Costco and BOGO deals to the cultural obsession with finding the one, life is usually a bit easier if you have a partner who's in it with you. And unfortunately, the housing market is no different. In fact, singles are at a major disadvantage due to the hidden costs of living that are referred to as the "singles tax."What Is the "Singles Tax"?The extra amount solo renters are paying for a one-bedroom compared to the amount couples can save by splitting rent is known as the "singles tax." Of course, this is a no-brainer since living alone means you aren't splitting your bills with anyone, but according to Zillow, couples spend $15,123 less per year on a one-bedroom rental apartment than someone living by themselves in the same space. The singles tax is now up by more than $450 from last year, no doubt in response to the nationwide trend of rising rent prices. Emily McDonald, Zillows rental trends expert compares the difference in New York City (the unsurprising most expensive city for single folks), a whopping $7,562, to the cost of over 1,300 lattes or 12 years of a top-tier dating app subscription. The increased spending on housing adds up. Related StoryThe Top 10 Worst Cities for Single Renters Soumi SarkarPrices are calculated as an area average. New York City and San Francisco top the list as the most expensive cities for single renters, but its Boston that has had one of the largest singles tax increases nationwide. Boston's rental market remains among the most expensive in the U.S., with the typical rent price at $3,002 as of December 2024, which is about 53 percent higher than the national rent price, explains McDonald. The news isnt all bad! Denver, Colorado, and Long Beach, California, are much more affordable areas than their top-of-list counterparts, and Detroit is the least expensive city nationwide if you're renting solo. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Buffalo, New York, Cincinnati, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, join Detroit as the least expensive cities for single renters. Living alone means complete control over a space. Renters can decorate exactly how they like, play their favorite music on repeat, and never compromise on the thermostat setting, said McDonald. But the financial reality of solo renting is something every renter should consider. Understanding the full cost of living alone can help renters decide if its the right move for their lifestyle and budget. Related StoriesFollow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Apple left the Mac in a bad place when it came to external displays between 2016 and 2022. After discontinuing the Thunderbolt Display, Apple relied on LG to sell a plasticky monitor with PC-maker build quality if you wanted a standalone 27-inch monitor with 5K Retina resolution. Apple eventually started selling an ultra premium (in Mac display terms) monitor with the 32-inch 6K Pro Display XDR, but it has always been priced the same as a small truck of Mac mini computers.However, just three years after releasing the Apple Studio Display, it sounds like Apple may be planning a decent revision in the near future.The rumor comes from Display Supply Chain Consultants boss Ross Young. According to his sources, Apple plans to upgrade the 27-inch 5K Apple Studio Display with a more modern backlighting technology.The current Apple Studio Display is LED-backlit like whats found inside the iMac and LG UItraFine display. Apple charges a whipping $1600 for the rather mid monitor, although it sells for $1200 from Amazon and others. Young expects the next revision to switch to MiniLED that provides a picture with better contrast and more evenly distributed backlighting.Think of it like comparing the MacBook Air to the MacBook Pro in terms of backlighting.Whats not rumored at this time, however, is a more modern refresh rate.Apple ships displays with variable refresh rates on Pro-model iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro computers. These displays can refresh content up to 120 times a second. The Apple Studio Display, like the LG 5K Display that debuted nearly a decade ago, only refreshes up to 60 times.Refresh rate is a point of appreciate for users who appreciate smoother animations. In turn, a higher refresh display makes the computer feel faster and less, well, janky.So for now, Young says to expect a MiniLED standalone display, sized 27-inches and with 5K resolution, and it wont be an all-in-one computer. Could we see something like a Studio Display 2025 arrive at Tuesdays recently announced Apple event? Anything is possible, but it hasnt really been rumored before now save for a weird rumor in 2022 that one was coming months after the Studio Display actually launched.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apple TV+ just arrived on Android, more than five years after the service launched. By all appearances Apple made a solid Android app. But theres one feature in particular that makes me wish I could have the new app on my iPhone too.Apple TV app for Android embraces less is more designIve been using an iPhone for so long, my brain is hard-wired to prefer iOS and the design decisions Apple has made.Every time I try Android, it just feels wrong or broken. No offense to Android users, I know its mostly a preference thing.But with Apples new TV+ app for Android, I find myself a little jealous.Thats because the Android app comes with one feature that proves the old adage, less is more.It only includes content from Apple TV+ (and Apples semi-distinct soccer streamer).Open the Apple TV app on Android and youll find only content that can be streamed via TV+.Thats right, the app exclusively features TV shows and movies that are included with an Apple TV+ subscription. Just like almost every other streaming services app.Open Netflix? You see shows and movies from Netflix, that you can tap to play right away. Same for Max, Peacock, and so on.Now, that same convenience is afforded to Apple TV+ users on Android.This may seem like a small detail, but it actually solves a big problem on the iPhone.iPhone users stuck with confusing Apple TV+ app experienceIts hard to imagine Apple shipping a better TV+ interface for Android users than iPhone, but thats arguably what has happened.Open the Apple TV app on iPhone, and the TV+ experience is far more confusing.Youll see shows and movies from Apple TV+, but also Disney+, Prime Video, Starz, AMC, Max, Peacock, Hulu, and so on. Plus, all the shows and movies in Apples digital video store (formerly known as iTunes).Theres an easy fix: switching tabs. You can tap on the apps second tab, which contains only TV+ content.But for many users, especially those new to Apple TV+, this app setup remains extremely confusing.Ive seen so many social media posts over the years from people who open the Apple TV app and assume that the content they see is included with Apple TV+. They then grow frustrated when they find out its not, and Apple instead offers to:sell them that content as a separate purchase through its digital storeor bump them out to a different streamers app, which they may first need to download before signing up for a separate streaming serviceAll of this unintentionally tarnishes the reputation of Apple TV+.And on Android, these problems dont exist.But use an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, and the TV app unfortunately provides a worse TV+ experience.Thats largely because the TV app on those platforms doesnt primarily exist for Apple TV+. It exists to aggregate content from various TV services.There are benefits to this approach. I actually like the fact that much of my TV content (minus Netflix) can live in a single, unified queue.It also, importantly, benefits Apple because they get a cut of subscription revenue when you sign up for other services. Or they get to sell you videos from their store.But these benefits have come with the trade-off of a problematic user interface.And that doesnt have to be the case. Theres a solution thats not at all revolutionary.New standalone TV+ app could be the best path forwardApple could create a dedicated Apple TV+ app for iPhone that integrates with its separate aggregator app, but can also be used solothe way other streaming apps can.Before doing that, though, it would likely want to make a name change.Ive argued elsewhere that a TV+ rebrand would be a helpful move for a variety of reasons. As relates to offering a new app, it would ensure that iPhone users dont have to endure there being separate apps called Apple TV+ and Apple TV.But until such a change happens, Android users will continue having exclusive rights to the streamlined, simple Apple TV+ experience that the iPhone lacks.Apple TV+ isavailable for $9.99 per monthand features hit TV shows and movies likeTed Lasso,Severance,The Morning Show,Silo, andShrinking.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Rose Creek Without a PaddleFourth quarter earnings season is in full swing, and despite budgets larger than some countries' GDPs, big tech companies'financial statementsare looking grim.Even after president Donald Trump's announcement of a $500 billion AI infrastructure deal, the so-called "magnificent seven" (M7) stocks the Wall Street nickname for Google, Meta, Nvidia, Tesla, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon are slumping.Once thought to be airtight, analysts are now warning that it may be time for investors to sell.Tesla and Google both whiffed at earnings expectations, sending their shares into a tailspin Tesla's share price has tumbled 15 percent over the past month, while Google's parent company Alphabet saw its stock valuation drop by 9 percent in a single day. Nvidia, meanwhile which was previously printing money as the de facto provider of shovels for the AI gold rush saw almost $600 billion evaporate within hours of DeepSeek's announcement that it had developed one of the most efficient AI language models we've seen, suggesting a future far less dependent on its chips than previously anticipated.And though Apple, Amazon, and Meta slightly exceeded quarterly expectations, they didn't return the same kind of explosive growth the market has learned to expect, prompting Goldman Sachs strategists to change its tune on big tech's AI strategy.The disappointment isn't just internal. Compared to the S&P 500 of which the behemoths of the M7 make up a third the tech giants' stock growth has slowed to a crawl. Whereas the S&P 500 has grown 2.6 percent since January 1 and the NASDAQ Composite has made gains of 3 percent,as Barron's points out, a quick glance at M7's stock performance shows growth of just 1 percent. All together, the M7 aren't looking like the long-term golden goose investors had counted on.While some of this can be traced to the optics of big tech's rightward turn Tesla sales, for example, have fallen down a pit while its CEO Elon Musk guts the federal government it might more accurately be called a collective groan as rampant AI spending fails yet again to produce any meaningful returns."There is no question either way that the high capital spending will continue to come under increasing scrutiny until investors can better understand the return on todays massive investments,"stock market analyst Adam Parker toldBarron's.Over the past two years, companies like Google have taken to ransacking huge swaths of their workforce in order to dump resources into AI research,with a particular emphasis on "scaling." That's the widely parroted belief that simply increasing the number of computing power will lead to better and better AI. The M7 bought into that hook-line-and-sinker, and so did investors, dumping billions of dollars into AI ventures on the assumption that the line would only go up.Now, Barron's reports, the group's spending-to-sales ratio has hit a record high of 14.5 percent, showing that big tech is no closer to delivering on its lofty promises than it was a year ago.Though the tech giants are showing no signs of slowing down on AI spending yet, it's a sign that their leash isn't infinite and that Wall Street, not Silicon Valley, has the final word.Share This Article

Down in Florida, residents have been haunted by a strange specter: alingering and super-dense fog that allegedly smells like chemicalsand is making people sick.As USA Today reports, folks in large swaths of the Sunshine State are starting to freak out after encountering the mysterious fog repeatedly over the past few months. In response, many are turning to conspiracy theories to explain the strange happenings surrounding them.Nicknamed "Fogvid-24," the strange phenomenon is, according to the National Weather Service, likely sea fog that has rolled inland due to weather conditions in the balmy Southern state. But that hasn't stopped folks online from engaging in more sinister speculation about its origins.Geoengineering, an umbrella term for experimental attempts to cool the planet which is a real thing, though controversial and so far limited to small-scale tests seems to be the biggest suspect for the conspiratorially-minded."Geo-engineered weather modification nano-particle toxic fog here in Florida," a user on X-formerly-Twitter wrote in January. "You can only see it with a flashlight."According to Megan Tollefsen, the Coastal Hazards Program Leader at the National Weather Service office in Central Florida, the particles visible are the same sort of tiny water droplets that make up any kind of fog."If you shine, you know, any kind of light in the fog, what you're actually seeing are the very, very small water droplets," she told USA Today. "So that is likely what people are seeing."The water droplet reflections don't, however, explain the strange metallic smell or, in some cases, taste that people have reported coming from the fog.In a viral TikTok video posted last month, a South Florida man filmed himself walking around in the "crazy fog" that, according to him, smelled and tasted like fireworks."The taste of the air, the only word I can think of is toxic," he said. "Its super weird and its kind of worrying me a little bit... It smells like chemicals going down my throat when I breathe."As of now, it's unclear how many people have actually experienced the chemical-smelling fog because, as viral claims often go, much of the "evidence" people are posting on social media is unverified hearsay.More on weather conspiracy theories: Congresswoman Who Believed in "Jewish Space Lasers" Complains That Government Cant Just Use Weather Control to Shut Down LA FiresShare This Article

Regulation has quickly moved from a dry, backroom topic to front-page news, especially as technology continues to quickly reshape our world. With the UKs Technology Secretary Peter Kyle announcing plans to legislate AI risks this year, and similar being proposed for the US and beyond, how do we safeguard against the dangers of AI while allowing for innovation?The debate over AI regulation is intensifying globally. The EU's ambitious AI Act, often criticized for being too restrictive, has faced backlash from startups claiming it impedes their ability to innovate. Meanwhile, the Australian government is pressing ahead with landmark social media regulation and beginning to develop AI guardrails similar to those of the EU. In contrast, the US is grappling with a patchwork approach, with some voices, like Donald Trump, promising to roll back regulations to unleash innovation.This global regulatory patchwork highlights the need for balance. Regulating AI too loosely risks consequences such as biased systems, unchecked misinformation, and even safety hazards. But over-regulation can also stifle creativity and discourage investment.Striking the Right BalanceNavigating the complexities of AI regulation requires a collaborative effort between regulators and businesses. Its a bit like walking a tightrope: Lean too far one way, and you risk stifling innovation; lean too far the other, and you could compromise safety and trust.Related:The key is finding a balance that prioritizes the key principles.Risk-Based RegulationNot all AI is created equal, and neither is the risk it carries.A healthcare diagnostic tool or an autonomous vehicle clearly requires more robust oversight than, say, a recommendation engine for an online shop. The challenge is ensuring regulation matches the context and scale of potential harm. Stricter standards are essential for high-risk applications, but equally, we need to leave room for lower-risk innovations to thrive without unnecessary bureaucracy holding them back.We all agree that transparency is crucial to building trust and fairness in AI systems, but it shouldnt come at the cost of progress. AI development is hugely competitive and often these AI systems are difficult to monitor with most operating as a black box this raises concerns for regulators as being able to justify reasoning is at the core of establishing intent.As a result, in 2025 there will be an increased demand for explainable AI. As these systems are increasingly applied to fields like medicine or finance there is a greater need for it to demonstrate reasoning, why a bot recommended a particular treatment plan or made a specific trade is a necessary regulatory requirement while something that generates advertising copy likely does not require the same oversight. This will potentially create two lanes of regulation for AI depending on its risk profile. Clear delineation between use cases will support developers and improve confidence for investors and developers currently operating in a legal grey area.Related:Detailed documentation and explainability are vital, but theres a fine line between helpful transparency and paralyzing red tape. We need to make sure that businesses are clear on what they need to do to meet regulatory demands.Encouraging InnovationRegulation shouldnt be a barrier, especially for startups and small businesses.If compliance becomes too costly or complex, we risk leaving behind the very people driving the next wave of AI advancements. Public safety must be balanced, leaving room for experimentation or innovation.My advice? Dont be afraid to experiment. Try out AI in small, manageable ways to see how it fits into your organization. Start with a proof of concept to tackle a specific challenge -- this approach is a fantastic way to test the waters while keeping innovation both exciting and responsible.Related:AI doesnt care about borders, but regulation often does, and thats a problem. Divergent rules between countries create confusion for global businesses and leave loopholes for bad actors to exploit. To tackle this, international cooperation is vital, and we need a consistent global approach to prevent fragmentation and set clear standards everyone can follow.Embedding Ethics into AI DevelopmentEthics shouldnt be an afterthought. Instead of relying on audits after development, businesses should embed fairness, bias mitigation, and data ethics into the AI lifecycle right from the start. This proactive approach not only builds trust but also helps organizations self-regulate while meeting broader legal and ethical standards.Whats also clear is that the conversation must involve businesses, policymakers, technologists, and the public. Regulations must be co-designed with those at the forefront of AI innovation to ensure they are realistic, practical, and forward-looking.As the world grapples with this challenge, it's clear that regulation isnt a barrier to innovation -- its the foundation of trust. Without trust, the potential of AI risks being overshadowed by its dangers.

TechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and InformaTechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.Together, we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics, serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original, objective content from trusted sources. We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities.Amazon, Meta and Google Plan Subsea Cable ExpansionAmazon, Meta and Google Plan Subsea Cable ExpansionCompanies are investing heavily in new subsea cable infrastructure to enhance global connectivity and support their data center operations.Network Computing, ContributorFebruary 13, 20251 Min ReadDavid Fleetham via Alamy StockAfter a year peppered with news about subsea cable cuts, Amazon, Meta and Google are planning new cabling systems for 2025, spending big to boost critical infrastructure for enterprises.Amazon Ireland filed for a license to land a cable connecting Ireland to the U.S. Meanwhile, Meta is planning an international subsea cable network, and Google expects to expand its already extensive undersea infrastructure.In January 2025, Roderick Beck broke the news of the Amazon-Ireland cable filing onLinkedInand hisblog. Beck's Luminous Real Estate and Telecom OU is a brokerage that handles subsea and terrestrial networks. Amazon has not yet confirmed the venture.According to Beck, Amazon is considering landing the subsea cable near Castlefreke on Ireland's South Coast in county Cork along a stretch of beach called the Strand.In addition to connecting two longtime trading partners and allies, Beck said the planned Amazon cable could provide sorely needed physical diversity -- at least on the terrestrial side to the Irish Sea and older Atlantic cables, such as Hibernia North and South and AC1.Read the Full Article on Network ComputingRead more about:Network ComputingAbout the AuthorNetwork ComputingContributorNetwork Computing invites industry experts and members of the IT community to contribute advice and thought leadership. For more information and a copy of our contributor guidelines, contact us at [emailprotected].See more from Network ComputingNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports