Welcome back to a week stacked with must-have titles at prices more unbeatable than a FromSoftware game modded to be Ultra-Nightmare. As for standout gems, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes could slash its way into your library/heart at 44% off. Otherwise, Persona 5 Royal will let you live your best (or most rebellious) life, with extra content that wasn't in the original (read: an entire semesters worth of gameplay). If those two somehow arent for you, start scrolling to get lost in the savingsThis Day in Gaming In retro news and with some serious overkill, Im using a lightsaber to light 19 candles for Star Wars: Empire at War. This bad boy is an all-timer RTS and one of the best Star Wars tie-ins one could get in a sea of ordinary to bad ones. I remember being held in a Force Choke-esque thrall by its dual-layer strategy system: a galactic map for turn-based empire management and real-time battles on both land and in space. It translated into planet conquering, fleet building, and grand-scale warfare unlike any far, far away game at the time.But mostly, I was tickled by the iconic hero units it offered and cool Easter eggs hidden. For the former, who wouldnt dig hewing through rebels as an unstoppable Vader, like his horror visage in Rogue One? And I loved making a battle drag on too long to ensure an escaping Millennium Falcon would spawn.Aussie bdays for notable games- Star Wars: Empire at War (PC) 2006. Get- Guitar Hero: Van Halen (PS2/3,Wii,X360) 2010. eBayContentsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchMonster Hunter Rise: SunbreakMonster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is a relatively simple expansion, but that doesnt mean it isnt a whole lot of fun. The new and returning monsters and locales are all top notch and the renewed grind is one Im excited to spend lots more time in.Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes (-44%) - A$44.90Persona 5 Royal (-28%) - A$71.57Bravely Default II (-34%) - A$52.98Persona 5 Tactica (-50%) - A$47.53Sonic Frontiers (-24%) - A$75.48Expiring Recent DealsRune Factory 5 (-42%) - A$44Monster Hunter Rise (-75%) - A$14.98Borderlands Legendary Col. (-80%) - A$17.99Sniper Elite 4 (-80%) - A$12Just Dance 2025 (-44%) - A$39Fantasian Neo Dimension (-19%) - A$77Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch OLED + Mario Wonder: $539 $499 | Switch Original: $499 $448 | Switch OLED Black: $539 $448 | Switch OLED White: $539 $448 | Switch Lite: $329 $312 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $339 $335See itBack to topPurchase Cheap for PCLove At First Pixel SaleThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition ($15.79 / -80%) | Dead Space ($12.09 / -60%) | Metro Franchise Bundle ($14.39 / -84%) | Saints Row IV: Re-Elected ($7.50 / -75%) | Nox ($1.37 / -77%) | Kingdom Come: Deliverance Royal Edition ($14.99 / -75%)See it at GOGSpyro Reignited Trilogy (-75%) - A$17.48Metal Gear Delta: Snake Eater (-25%) - A$87.71Lego City Undercover (-85%) - A$6.74Divinity: Original Sin 2 Def. (-70%) - A$19.48Untitled Goose Game (-55%) - A$13.49Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (-80%) - A$13.99Tales of Vesperia: Def. (-80%) - A$11.39Expiring Recent DealsIt Takes Two (-80%) - A$9.99Logitech G203 mouse (-54%) - A$32.30Logitech G502 X mouse (-37%) - A$158Dead Space (-75%) - A$22.48Teardown (-51%) - A$21.54Dead by Daylight (-60%) - A$11.58Or just get a Steam Wallet CardPC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamBack to topExciting Bargains for XboxMonster Hunter RiseMonster Hunter Rise mixes classic Monster Hunter ideas with some of Worlds best improvements and a whole bunch of clever new mechanics of its own. The introduction of Wirebugs and the mobility they bring to every fight is so great.Hogwarts Legacy (-55%) - A$49.00MGS : Snake Eater (-16%) - A$109Star Wars Outlaws (-53%) - A$51.95Overcooked! All You Can Eat (-47%) - A$29.99Lego Harry Potter Collection (-43%) - A$34.00Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (-41%) - A$59.00Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (-31%) - A$79.00Xbox OneTiny Tina's Wonderlands (-65%) - A$34.52F1 24 (-36%) - A$69.99MotoGP 23 (-55%) - A$31.32Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (-18%) - A$81.55Expiring Recent DealsCrash Team Rumble Del. (-50%) - A$10Fatal Fury: CotW Special Ed. (-21%) - A$79Top Spin 2K25 (-60%) - A$24Hot Wheels Unleashed (-28%) - A$39.55GTA V Premium Ed. (-52%) - A$24Duke Nukem 3D 30th Ann. (-90%) - A$2.69Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box? Series X: $799 $749 | Series S Black: $549 $545 | Series S White:$499 $498 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itBack to topPure Scores for PlayStationPacific DriveA singular survival game steeped in an unnerving world, Pacific Drive pairs meticulous management with intense excursions that will test your motoring mettle.Tales of Arise (-67%) - A$33.24MGS : Snake Eater (-16%) - A$109Star Wars Outlaws (-53%) - A$51.95Stranger of Paradise: FF Origin (-40%) - A$42.28Lego Harry Potter Collection (-43%) - A$34.00Octopath Traveler II (-20%) - A$68.03Tekken 8 (-40%) - A$69.00PS4Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy (-76%) - A$24.00Batman: Arkham Col. (-90%) - $8.49Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD (-56%) - A$17.64Trials of Mana (-44%) - A$43.27Tekken 7 (-61%) - A$27.30Expiring Recent DealsPS+ Monthly FreebiesYours to keep from Feb 4 with this subscriptionPayday 3 [PS5]High on Life [PS4/5]Pac-Man World Re-Pac [PS4/5]Or purchase a PS Store Card.What you'll pay to 'Station.PS5 Slim Disc:$799 $798 | PS5 Slim Digital:679 $678 | PS5 Pro $1,199 | PS VR2: $872 | PS VR2 + Horizon: $1,099 | PS Portal: $329See itBack to topLegit LEGO DealsStar Wars GroguThis faithfully reproduced Grogu figure features dial-operated arms, a posable head and ears, and can be displayed in or out of his hover pram.Expiring Recent DealsBack to topSuperb Snacks DealsBecause you need fuel. Delicious and discounted.Back to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.

This season of The White Lotus is taking its star-studded cast to Thailand. From the rich people dealing with their drama on vacation to the resort staff doing their best to keep them all happy, there are a lot of new characters for us to get to know this season. Jennifer Coolidges Tanya McQuoid may not be returning after her unfortunate death in Sicily, but that doesnt mean we wont see any familiar faces from seasons past.Here are all the characters you need to know before checking-in this season, and the actors who play them.Carrie Coon is LaurieAlong with Kate and Jaclyn, Laurie is one of three long-time friends who have decided to take a girls trip to Thailand to reconnect. Laurie is played by the wonderful Carrie Coon, who you may have seen in projects like The Leftovers, The Gilded Age, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Post, Gone Girl, and Boston Strangler.Walton Goggins is Rick HatchettRick Hatchett is a rugged man with a chip on his shoulder, according to HBO. Hes traveling with his much younger girlfriend Chelsea, who seems to be much more into this wellness retreat than he is. His true reasons for staying at the resort are unknown, but hes likely after something more than bottomless kombucha and lounging by the pool. Rick is played by Walton Goggins, who many will likely recognize from his recent role as the Hot Ghoul a.k.a. Cooper Howard in FalloutThe Righteous Gemstones. Goggins has also appeared in Justified, Invincible, Tomb Raider, and Predators.Leslie Bibb is KateLeslie Bibb plays Kate, friend of Laurie and Jaclyn. The three are long-time friends who have decided to take a girls trip after not seeing each other for a while. They hope this trip will help them reconnect. Youll likely recognize Bibb from her roles in Iron Man, Jupiters Legacy, Love Life, Palm Royale, The Babysitter, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, and American Housewife.Sarah Catherine Hook is Piper RatliffPiper is a college senior hoping to do research for her religious studies thesis while on this trip, and is the reason her family has made the trip to Thailand in the first place. Shes the middle child of Timothy and Victoria and sister to Saxon and Lochlan. Piper is played by Sarah Catherine Hook, who you may recognize from her recent roles in Prime Videos Cruel Intentions TV series First Kill. Hook has also appeared in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.Jason Isaacs is Timothy RatliffTimothy Ratliff is a wealthy businessman on vacation with his wife Victoria and their three children Piper, Saxon, and Lochlan. Based on the trailers, it seems like Timothys business may be crumbling around him. If he survives, he may not have a business to go back to. Timothy is played by Jason Isaacs, who is well-known for his role as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise as well as playing Captain Gabriel Lorca in Star Trek: Discovery. He has also done voice work, bringing Lord Enver Gortash to life in Baldurs Gate III and voicing the Grand Inquisitor in Star Wars: Rebels.Michelle Monaghan is JaclynMichelle Monaghan plays Jaclyn, friend of Laurie and Kate. Shes an actor and seems to be the most well-off in the friend group. Before The White Lotus, Monaghan starred in MaXXXine, Source Code, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Gone Baby Gone, Mission: Impossible III and other films in the franchise, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith (the movie).Parker Posey is Victoria RatliffVictoria Ratliff is the wife of Timothy and mother to Saxon, Piper, and Lochlan. Shes not afraid to speak her mind, even while on vacation with her family. Victoria is played by the incredible Parker Posey, who youll likely recognize from one of her many projects such as Scream 3, Superman Returns, Mr. & Mrs. Smith (the TV series), Lost in Space, Josie and the Pussycats, Blade: Trinity, and Youve Got Mail.Patrick Schwarzenegger is Saxon RatliffSaxon is the oldest son of Timothy and Victoria and older brother to Piper and Lochlan. He works for his fathers company, meaning hell likely be affected the most out of the three kids by whatever fallout the trailers have been alluding to. Patrick Schwarzenegger plays Saxon, an actor youll likely recognize from his roles in Gen V, American Sports Story, The Staircase, and Midnight Sun.Aimee Lou Wood is ChelseaChelsea is the younger girlfriend of Rick who has traveled to The White Lotus with him for a vacation. Her free-spirit attitude seems to clash with his ruggedness at times as shes desperate to pull him out of his funk and make sure they both have a good time. Chelsea is played by Aimee Lou Wood, who is most known for playing Aimee Gibbs in Sex Education. She has also appeared in Daddy Issues and Alice & Jack.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Natasha Rothwell is BelindaNatasha Rothwell is back as Belinda, reprising her role from season 1 of The White Lotus. Belinda is the spa manager of The White Lotus resort in Hawaii and has come to the Thailand resort to learn from their prestigious wellness program. In addition to appearing in the first season of The White Lotus, Rothwell has also starred in Insecure, Wonder Woman 1984, and How to Die Alone.Lalisa Manobal is MookMook is one of the health mentors available to work with guests staying at The White Lotus. She is played by Lalisa Manobal a.k.a. Lisa from the K-pop girl group Blackpink. The White Lotus is her acting debut.Sam Nivola is Lochlan RatliffLochlan is the youngest son of Timothy and Victoria and Saxon and Pipers younger brother. A high school senior, Lochlan has to make some big decisions about his future and which school he wants to go to. Lochlan is played by Sam Nivola, who you might recognize from his roles in The Perfect Couple, White Noise, and Maestro.Lek Patravadi is SritalaSritala is one of the owners of this White Lotus resort and the visionary behind its wellness program. Sritala is played by Lek Patravadi, who has previously appeared in Grounded God and In Family We Trust.Tayme Thapthimthong is GaitokGaitok is a security guard who works at The White Lotus and has a friendly relationship with Mook. Gaitok is played by Tayme Thapthimthong, who has previously appeared in Thai Cave Rescue and Mechanic: Resurrection.

Our Experts Written by Tyler Lacoma Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 16171819202122232425+ Years of Experience 14151617181920212223 Hands-on Product Reviewers 6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000 Sq. Feet of Lab Space How we test CNETs expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. What to consider Field of view Does the cam have a wide enough angle to view the entire room where your child (etc.) will be? Motion detection Does the cam recognize motion? Can it ignore pets and focus on human motion for effective alerts? Price Is the price reasonable for parents thinking about their current budget? Audio capabilities Does the cam have two-way audio for talking to kids or sitters? Does the audio have noise cancellation or other features? Video storage Do you want video storage or only live views? Do you want cloud storage for videos or local storage only for privacy? How much are you willing to pay for either? Table of Contents Our Picks Best overall nanny cam Arlo Essential Indoor Cam (2nd-gen) View details $50 at Best Buy View details Best budget nanny cam TP-Link Tapo Pan/Tilt Cam C210 View details $20 at Amazon View details Best nanny cam for local storage Lorex 2K Indoor Pan/Tilt Camera View details $50 at Lorex View details Best portable nanny cam Ring Stick Up Cam Pro Battery View details $220 at Walmart View details Best smart display nanny cam Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids Edition (3rd-gen) View details $75 at Amazon View details Table of Contents What is the best nanny cam overall?If you thought the newborn stage was hard, just wait till you have a toddler on your hands! Once they start walking, toddlers can really move fast, and they're impossible to keep an eye on every second of the day. Thankfully, a nanny cam is helpful for keeping an eye on what your toddler is up to, no matter where you are in the house.But nanny cams aren't just for little kids either. They're also great for keeping an eye on pets or even older relatives who might need the extra security of you keeping an eye on them. The Arlo Essential Indoor Cam (2nd-gen), the latest model of the camera, is our top choice when looking at cameras like this. After dedicating over 100 hours to the evaluation of nanny cameras, we found this option was just what families are looking for when it comes to cameras. Not only is it an affordable option, but it includes a healthy 2K resolution and offers two-way audio that so many buyers look for in nanny cams. It even has night-vision capabilities so you can check up on your kid when they're asleep. Best Presidents Day Sales Don't miss our coverage of the Best Presidents Day deals, curated by CNET Deals experts. See now That said, if the Arlo cam isn't speaking to you -- after all, you may not want to have to pay for a plan and the device -- then there are several other options for you to consider. We've found cams for every budget and need. You can choose from an affordable model by TP-Link, a local storage option from Lorex or a portable version from Ring. Take a look at the whole list, and stop by our guides on the best indoor cameras, the best cheap security cameras and the best outdoor security cameras for even more fully researched, ready-to-buy picks. Best nanny cams of 2025 Photo Gallery 1/1 Pros 2K resolution Zoom function Good smart home support Two-way audio Night vision Cons Some nice features locked behind subscription Resolution 2KNight Vision YesAudio Two-way audioSmart Home Support Amazon Alexa, Google Home/Assistant, Samsung SmartThings Full Review Read full review Arlos top-end Pro 5S cam has hit the top of other home camera lists, but for this focus, were choosing the Essential Indoor Cams latest model. Its much more affordable and is focused on indoor monitoring with several key benefits for nanny cam purposes. The 2K resolution and zooming functions are excellent for capturing details, especially if youre watching over a large space like a living room/dining room area.We found the night vision on this camera to be high quality and had no problems communicating over the two-way audio. Plus, we like Arlos direct smart home support, which includes Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung SmartThings. Arlo typically benefits a lot from a subscription plan (starting at $8 per month) to store video in the cloud, detect alarm sounds and a few other extras. Were not rating video storage as a must-have for these picks because nanny cams benefit more from live viewing and communication, so you can consider this cam a subscription-free option if you want to save.

Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhat's the deal?The Owlet Dream Sock is a sleep-tracking baby sock available for $239 through Presidents' Day, a 20% discount (and it's FSA/HSA eligible). Additionally, the Owlet Dream Cam 2 baby monitor is 35% off at $103, and the Owlet Dream Duo bundle is $80 off at $319.Also: The 55+ best Amazon Presidents' Day tech deals live right nowZDNET's key takeawaysThe Owlet Dream Sock is an FDA-cleared baby sleep tracker that costs $299 and is FSA/HSA-eligible, though it is currently discounted for a limited time.It goes beyond your standard baby monitor by tracking your child's heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep patterns. It has three alarms: a yellow incorrect fit alarm, a purple abnormal reading alarm, and a blue alarm when the sock is out of range or low battery.While false low oxygen and abnormal heart rate alarms are exceedingly rare (I've only had a handful in our 8+ years using Owlet products), I wish there were a separate low battery alarm instead of the same out-of-range alarm.Is it safe to say that all new parents need more sleep? This is partly why baby monitors were invented in the first place. I still remember when video monitors for babies became mainstream, which meant I no longer needed to haul a walkie-talkie-looking device around my house and now carry a screen instead.Also: The best smart home devices of 2024: Expert tested and reviewedNow, trackers like the Owlet Dream Sock have become so sophisticated that they can measure your baby's blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep cycles -- and alert you if anything reads unusually. Owlet Dream Sock Maria Diaz | ZDNET The Owlet Dream Sock lets you easily track your baby's or toddler's sleep as a wearable that goes on your child's foot. It tracks sleep patterns, oxygen levels, and heart rate. Show more Such wearables have been a household essential for me, particularly because my family has a history of febrile seizures, which can cause a sense of unease when my children are sleeping. In hopes of helping other new parents who may experience similar discomfort, let me share why a sleep-tracking baby sock is highly recommended.How the Owlet tracks sleep and other measuresLike an Apple Watch or Fitbit, the Dream Sock is a wearable; in this case, it's worn by your baby while they sleep. It tracks their heart rate and oxygen levels to map their sleep stages. It also alerts your smartphone if your baby is awake or shows any signs of irregularity.The box has the sensor, a base station, and four fabric socks in two sizes to fit babies from birth through 18 months. For the years after, Owlet offers a Plus option that includes two additional toddler-sized socks to fit kids from 30 to 55 lbs. Maria Diaz/ZDNETThe sock holds a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that the baby wears on their foot, similar to what you wear in the ER to track your heart rate. Through the Dream Sock, the Owlet app can track heart rate, average oxygen levels, noise, wakings, and movements to learn your baby's baseline behaviors and measurements.Once that baseline is measured, the base station will send an alert to your phone, suggesting that your baby needs your attention, whenever the sensor on the sock detects a deviation from those numbers.Sleep regressions and trackingAs a millennial parent, I've always sought guidance from educational apps and the occasional forum group for parents to get me through the initial challenges of parenthood. These resources helped me navigate sleep regressions, for example, and the Owlet Dream Sock has been similarly helpful. As my kids got older, I decided to get the Owlet Dream Sock Plus to grow with them. Maria Diaz/ZDNETWith enough usage, the Owlet app builds a schedule for when you should the baby's next sleep or nap should start. Part of this depends on the measured baseline and their age, which you can enter manually. For times when your baby isn't sleeping with the sock -- there are days when I drop my one-year-old off at the daycare, for example -- you can input their sleep cadence for the Owlet app to work from.The app also features historical sleep data, so you can view your baby's sleep patterns and see how they change as they go through sleep regressions, growth spurts, or illnesses.Why I bought a sleep-tracking baby sockI first bought a smart baby sock for my firstborn six years ago, hoping it would help me keep track of my baby's breathing and give me enough tranquility to sleep without worry.As first-time parents, my husband and I were worried about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), so we'd have our newborn wear the Owlet more for peace of mind than anything else, and we knew that we weren't the only ones who thought that. According to amedical study conducted from 2015 to 2017, the Owlet Smart Sock helped 94% of parents sleep better at night. Owlet CareOnce our firstborn got past six months old, we rarely used the Owlet Smart Sock -- until she started having complex febrile seizures. I don't know if you've ever held a small child during a seizure, but I can tell you it's the scariest thing that has ever happened in my life, especially since I didn't know what was happening to her the first time.My family has a significant history of febrile seizures, so we were told after the first one that it likely wouldn't be the last, and it wasn't: My daughter had three more before she naturally outgrew them by the time she turned five. The Owlet Dream Sock charges wirelessly with its Base Station. Owlet CareAt that point, the Owlet sleep sock served an even greater purpose for us as parents: It could alert us whenever there were signs of a seizure while our baby slept, like elevated heart rate or low oxygen, helping us rest a little easier at night.Fortunately, our second child never had any febrile seizures, though she got her own Owlet sock to wear. By the time baby number three arrived, the standard sock had just enough battery left for us to pass it on to her. She wore her Owlet religiously for the first year of her life until we felt that the risk of SIDS was behind us -- but then she started having febrile seizures too.My third baby's first febrile seizure came on when she was 17 months old, so we sprung for a new Owlet Dream Sock Plus, which Owlet says should last you up to five years. This variant comes with an extension pack so it has socks in sizes from birth to five years of age, instead of the standard Dream Sock, which goes up to about 18 months old. With our significant family history of febrile seizures, I felt that buying a new Owlet device made the most sense, even if she was our last baby.A note on baby sock monitorsNot all baby socks on the market have the FDA's approval. Owlet used to market its sleep sock as a heart rate and oxygen monitor until the FDA forced the company to remove this language from its product descriptions through awarning letter in 2021. After that, Owlet put its baby sock through the FDA's requirements and was granted FDA approval in 2023.While awaiting its approval, Owlet shifted its focus to sleep tracking on marketing materials instead of oxygen and heart rate monitoring. The FDA-approved Dream Sock still tracks heart rate, but blood oxygen monitoring is now available in real-time for 1- through 18-month-olds, which is more useful than the previous 10-minute average the Dream Sock offered. The metrics are translated into sleep quality indicators in the Owlet Dream mobile app. When the company's algorithm detects these measures shifting from the regular baseline, you get an alert to check in on the baby.Bottom lineThe Owlet Dream Sock retails for $299, which is not cheap, but you can purchase it using HSA or FSA funds. Seasonal deals also help. Thankfully, there are no additional monthly fees or subscriptions to track your baby's sleep after you purchase the Dream Sock.Cost aside, the Owlet Dream Sock is an innovative smart device that has genuinely helped me mentally, emotionally, and, to a subtle extent, physically. I've always loved seeing data in black and white, and I often use my Apple Watch and Fitbit to track my sleep. I think extending those capabilities to my kids is a no-brainer. When will this deal expire? While many sales events feature deals for a specific length of time, deals are on a limited-time basis, making them subject to expire anytime. ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best offers to help you maximize your savings so you can feel as confident in your purchases as we feel in our recommendations. Our ZDNET team of experts constantly monitors the deals we feature to keep our stories up-to-date. If you missed out on this deal, don't worry -- we're always sourcing new savings opportunities at ZDNET.com. Show more Featured reviews

How to solve today's Wordle.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Sundays Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here:Happy Presidents Day, Wordlers! Its George Washingtons birthday, and we celebrate every year with an extra day off of work and school, and lots of sales on electronics, mattresses and kitchen items.Today, Im posting this hilarious SNL sketch featuring comedian Nate Bargatze as Washington. Its all about measurements and the funky way they work in his dream of America.In part two, we move to the English language and all the weird words were free to use in Washingtons dream of America:If youre looking for new shows or movies to watch over the three-day weekend, be sure to check out my weekend streaming guide. Theres some pretty great stuff out right now!Wordle time!How To Solve Todays WordleThe Hint: Path.The Clue: This Wordle begins and ends with a consonant.Okay, spoilers below!...The Answer:Today's WordleScreenshot: Erik KainPlay Puzzles & Games on ForbesWordle AnalysisEvery day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. CRATE was a strong opening guess today, leaving me with three boxes and just 10 words remaining. 10 is still a lot to guess from, however, so I picked all new letters for my next guess. SLING gave me two new yellow boxes and left me with just one possible remaining solution: TRAIL for the win!Competitive Wordle ScoreToday's Wordle BotScreenshot: Erik KainI get 1 point for guessing in three and 0 points for tying the Bot. Ill take it!How To Play Competitive WordleGuessing in 1 is worth 3 points; guessing in 2 is worth 2 points; guessing in 3 is worth 1 point; guessing in 4 is worth 0 points; guessing in 5 is -1 points; guessing in 6 is -2 points and missing the Wordle is -3 points.If you beat your opponent you get 1 point. If you tie, you get 0 points. And if you lose to your opponent, you get -1 point. Add it up to get your score. Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.Fridays are 2XP, meaning you double your pointspositive or negative.You can keep a running tally or just play day-by-day. Enjoy!Todays Wordle EtymologyThe word trail originates from the Old French traillier (meaning "to tow, drag, or trail something behind"), which itself comes from the Latin tragula (a dragnet or trailing object). The verb form of trail entered Middle English in the 14th century, meaning "to drag along the ground" or "to follow." Over time, the noun form evolved to refer to a path or track left by something moving, leading to its modern usage for footpaths, tracks, and routes.Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when Im not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 16: Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of Twitter, Elon Musk ... [+] attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre on June 16, 2023 in Paris, France. Elon Musk is visiting Paris for the VivaTech show where he gives a conference in front of 4,000 technology enthusiasts. He also took the opportunity to meet Bernard Arnaud, CEO of LVMH and the French President. Emmanuel Macron, who has already met Elon Musk twice in recent months, hopes to convince him to set up a Tesla battery factory in France, his pioneer company in electric cars. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe clapperboard snaps. The camera zooms into focus, right on his face. He stares straight into it, his demeanor tense. So, how was your week, a disembodied voice asks, out of frame. Elon Musk briefly turns away, pensive. Then he gazes back into the lens.This isnt a real scene and it isnt a real movie. But it could be especially after the very real week Musk has had.The South African, who is the second richest man on earth with an eye-watering net worth of $195 billion, has lived a life of affluence and opulence. A descendant of a prominent family, he has been intimately familiar with the weight of money and power from a young age.His dad, Errol Musk, was the owner of a lucrative emerald mining business and a politician. He has said the mining endeavor generated profits so huge that he couldnt even close the safe where he kept the cash.But as the adage goes, money doesnt buy happiness. Elon Musk ought to know that better than anyone.In an interview in 2022, his father was asked a simple question: Are you proud of your sons accomplishments?"No. he answered. "You know, we are a family that have been doing a lot of things for a long time, its not as if we suddenly started doing something.MORE FOR YOUElon Musks Push For PowerA co-founder at PayPal, Musk is the top dog at some of the worlds biggest companies, including Tesla, SpaceX and X, which he bought for $44 billion in 2022.If that wasnt enough, for the past few months hes been moonlighting as the head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) a temporary government organization contracted to action a series of federal spending cuts and deregulation initiatives, designed to improve efficiency and productivity.The tech mogul secured the position after becoming the largest Republican donor, sinking a whopping $277 million into the Trump-Vance ticket, and actively canvassing for Donald Trump in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. Election, which the Mar-a-Lago boss ultimately won.Since then, he has routinely appeared at public events alongside President Trump, including during a visit at the Oval Office with his son X A-Xii also known as X earlier this week. This is X, and hes a great guy," said Trump, looking at Musks son. High IQ.Musk has revealed the President and he speak almost every day much to the chagrin of top Trump aides, according to Reuters.Musks involvement in the private sector and the government has drawn controversy.Just this week, the entrepreneur met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, D.C. Asked about the nature of their rendezvous, Trump commented he was uncertain whether Musk met Modi in his capacity as a tech chief or a government employee.I dont know, Trump told reporters in the White House. They met, and I assume he wants to do business in India," noting hes personally monitoring Musk for potential conflicts of interest.Juggling between a career as one of the most influential businessmen and, now, a henchman of one of the most powerful men on earth, Musk must be used to high-stress situations.But even for him, the past few days mustve been particularly stressful.Elon Musks $97.4 Billion OpenAI Takeover AttemptOn February 10, news broke that Musk had attempted a $97.4 billion hostile takeover of OpenAI the multibillion developer of ChatGPT.The maneuver, orchestrated to snatch control away from CEO Sam Altman, marked yet another escalation in the ongoing tussle between the two tech tycoons, stemming back to Musks 2018 departure from the non-profit, which he helped co-found in 2015.The Tesla chiefs unsolicited overture was purportedly backed by a consortium of big wig investors including Valor Equity Partners, Baron Capital, Endeavor CEO Ari Emmanuel and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.No, thank you, Altman said on X. But we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.Altmans counter-punch was a one-two combo. For one, Musk had paid $44 billion to acquire then-called Twitter now X in 2022 . The second punch was calling the company by its former name.Despite the nonchalance of his response, the OpenAI CEO mustve known Musks offer could complicate his plans for the company.Altman himself has been busy bolstering his corporate and political alliances.The OpenAI chief recently appeared alongside Trump and other business leaders to announce Stargate a new AI infrastructure initiative seeking to inject $500 billion into building data centers.Hes also reportedly been fielding opportunities for OpenAI to raise up to $40 billion at a $340 billion valuation.At the heart of the discord between Musk and Altman is the latters ongoing effort to transform OpenAI from a non-profit into a for-profit a move that the former has valiantly opposed, citing concerns over the companys focus on developing safe and transparent AI solutions.Altman has described Musks approach as nothing more than a blatant scheme to slow down a competitor," alluding to Musks own AI undertaking, xAI.Its time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was, Musk said about the bid in a statement provided by his attorney Marc Toberoff. We will make sure that happens.But contrary to Musks plans, it seems Altman has successfully fended off his attack at least for now.OpenAI is not for sale, and the board has unanimously rejected Mr. Musks latest attempt to disrupt his competition," chairman Bret Taylor said on behalf of the board on Friday, February 14. "Any potential reorganization of OpenAI will strengthen our nonprofit and its mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity.But that wasnt the only complication Musk would have to deal with on that day.An Illegitimate Child?Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world," wrote Ashley St. Clair, a conservative influencer and author, on X. "Elon Musk is the father."Of all days, the statement captioned Alea Iacta Est" meaning the cast is die in Latin was posted on February 14, Valentines Day.I have not previously disclosed this to protect our childs privacy and safety, but in recent days it has become clear that tabloid media intends to do so, regardless of the harm it will cause," St. Clair added. I intend to allow our child to grow in a normal and safe environment. For that reason, I ask that the media honor our child's privacy, and refrain from invasive reporting.Musk, who has fathered 12 children from three different mothers, has yet to comment on St. Clairs claims. In the meantime, her post has garnered copious attention on social media, including comments from Candace Owens and former Rep. Matt Gaetz who both congratulated St. Clair.If true, that would be his 13th child, making St. Clair the fourth woman Musk has had children with.Even for Musk a man with an intricate romantic past an allegation of this nature cant bode well for his already tense family dynamics.Detailing his issues with gender affirming care for trans individuals last July, Musk referred to Vivian Jenna Wilson one of his children from his first wife Justine Wilson as "dead, killed by the woke mind virus.In response, Wilson, who is transgender herself, claimed Musk had berated her femininity and queerness," calling him quick to anger and uncaring and narcissistic.A couple of days after St. Clairs post, Shivon Zilis, Neuralink operations director and the mother of three of Musks children, took to X to share a photo of her with two of the kids. Musk replied with a smiling-face-with-hearts emoji.Only days earlier, singer Grimes, who also has three children with Musk, criticized the Tesla chief for bringing their son X A-Xii to the Oval Office, adding he should not be in public like this.Amidst all of that commotion, Musk never took a break from posting on X.Elon Musks Pursuit Of HappinessIn the same interview in which he said he wasnt proud of him, Errol Musk hinted at his sons dissatisfaction with his career progression, adding that Elon is not as happy as hed like to be.Not long prior to that, Errol had revealed he had fathered two children with his stepdaughter Jana Bezuidenhout, who is 42 years his junior.It has been over two years since Errol reflected on Elons unhappiness. But earlier this week, Altman made a similar observation.I dont think hes, like, a happy person, Altman said. I feel for him. Im not sure if Altman is an admirer of Sun Tzus writing, but he strikes me as a man who knows his enemy.Nobody has made a movie about Elon Musk yet, but its tough to imagine a life that illustrious and tragic would go undocumented. And when his biopic inevitably hits the big screen, I wonder: where would Elons last week land in his story arc and would there be a happy ending?

Ever since the 27-inch iMac was discontinued back in 2022, Apple hasnt said anything about plans to revive it, or launch a successor. Similar is the fate of the iMac Pro, which got the discontinuation treatment in 2022, and has since remained a mystery.But it seems plans for a large-screen all-in-one (AIO) desktop arent dead at Apple. In the latest edition of his PowerOn newsletter, Bloombergs Mark Gurman says the company might eventually turn its attention to delivering a super-sized desktop.Recommended VideosThe company remains interested in the professional market, though, and its planning new Mac Pro and Mac Studio models. Apple also will probably eventually get around to offering a larger-screen iMac, says the report. When Apple first overhauled the iMac design language with the arrival of its M1 refresh, there were hopes that a variant with larger panel might eventually be launched to complement the 24-inch version. Unfortunately, those hopes and industry murmurs never took shape.Caleb Denison / Digital TrendsSo, when can we expect a return to the 27inch iMac? Or something even more grandiose in terms of screen real estate? Not anytime soon, it seems. The company is reportedly busy with a long-overdue refresh for the Mac Studio Display, which might hit the shelves next year.As far as plans for a higher-end display go, the company is reportedly in no rush to launch a successorto the ProDisplay XDR. Priced at $5,000, that product was never expected to become a mainstream hit, so a refresh isnt imminent, even though it has been on the market since 2019.But when it comes to a larger iMac making a potential return, that remains an enigma. Back in 2023, TFI Securities analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, claimed that Apple was prepping a 32-inch iMac upgrade for release at some point in 2024 or 2025. That has yet to happen.The updated model was supposed to get a mini-LED display upgrade, similar to the current-gen MacBook Pro laptops. Will Apple deliver a 27-inch or 32-inch iMac this year? So far, the chatter around such a machine has been rather modest, or vague.Apples upcoming slate of computing hardware includes an imminent refresh of the MacBook Air, powered by the M4 silicon. Later this year, the transition to M5 silicon will begin, starting with the MacBook Pro. The company is expected to launch updated Mac Pro Mac Studio models, as well, followed by an M5-powered iPad Pro next year.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsWhy cases are a problem?ESR has a solution on a budgetOh, there is moreCamera Control was the standout hardware innovation on the iPhone 16 Pro. Adding a two-stage shutter button that lets users control everything from exposure and depth to switching lenses and photographic styles was a fantastic convenience.I consider it a clever extra feature on the iPhone 16 that Ill enjoy using when the time is right, Digital Trends veteran Andy Boxall wrote in a fantastic explainer for the Camera Control. It does a lot more than just mimic the two-stage shutter on a DSLR, eclipsing them with a clever amalgamation of smartphone software.Recommended VideosHowever, a protective case quickly buries a chunk of its appeal. And trust me. You dont want to carry your iPhone 16 Pro without a protective case. I used to live the no-case life, but the phone is not as resilient as you think, and I can say that after scuffing and roughing up my iPhone 15 Pro into a pretty bad shape despite never dropping it.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsThankfully, ESR makes a fantastic case that not only protects the iPhone 16 Pro, but also offers a clever solution to Camera Control concerns and adds a dash of kickstand versatility, as well. The best part? It costs only $25.RelatedYou see, the Camera Control is a tap and swipe-sensitive surface with a force sensor underneath and a capacitive layer, as well. The overall system responds to tap, press, hold, and swipe gestures. To get the best out of that, your shutter-happy index finger ideally needs to rest comfortably on the buttons sapphire crystal surface for it to comfortably register the user input.The recessed cutout for the Camera Control on a Spigen case. Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsThe moment you put on a case, three problems raise their head. The ergonomics of comfortably using the Camera Control button take a cumbersome dip. The button is left exposed to the forces of nature. The cutout left for the button makes the cases look ugly.The thicker the case, the more difficult it becomes to operate the Camera Control. I recently bought myself one of those hulking, metallic cases to protect a phone that cost me roughly $1,700 from my legendarily clumsy hands and forgetful manners. Well, the deep cutout on the metallic sides turned using the Camera Control into a frustrating chore.You can tap on the button, but swipe gestures are impossible to execute across the capacitive surface. I have smaller-than-average hands and thin fingers, so I could at least get my fingertip to rest fully on the buttons surface. For folks with thicker fingers, its not easy. And as the thickness of a case increases, it becomes even more difficult to interact.Some cases offer a sloping cutout on either end of the Camera Control button, which makes it a tad easier to execute swipe gestures. However, on protective cases with a straight cutout, or those that surround the button fully, you are in for some functional irritations.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsStill think you can go commando? Heres one unfortunate users account on Reddit, whose iPhone 16 Pro took a single drop and ended up with a shattered Camera Control button despite using a case with a button guard.There are two kinds of smartphone buyers out there. The first class intends to hold on to their phone for at least a few years and spends well on a rough case without thinking twice about how it looks. The other category seeks a solution that doesnt condemn their phones sleek looks to hell. And if it doesnt cost a bomb, even better.If you are looking for a case that doesnt leave the Camera Control button unprotected, the price you pay is going to be high. Apple will have you spend a minimum of $50 for that convenience, and so will partner brands such as Otterbox and Beats hawking their ware on the Apple Store. Options from the likes of Spigen cost even more.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsEnter ESR with its HaloLock Classic Hybrid case. This case offers it all, at half the asking price of what Apple asks, even lower compared to a few other brands out there. What you get with this clear case is a design that is ahem similar to Apples own, but with a crucial distinction.Now, if you havent come across ESRs gear before, well, they balance quality and affordability pretty well. Ive been using their iPad keyboard cases and multi-device wireless chargers for a while now, and really love their solid build as well as longevity. This iPhone 16 series case is no different.The real gem, however, is the dedicated Camera Control button that sits almost flush with the case surface. I think they have used virtually the same stack and the looks of every other third-party brand that is making cases with a white camera control button.1 of 3Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends Competitive inspiration aside, what matters here is the experience. And on this crucial parameter, ESR doesnt disappoint. Single and double-tap gestures work just fine, and so do the long presses. I was a tad skeptical about the swipe gestures, but they worked flawlessly, as well.In roughly a weeks worth of testing, I had no issues launching the camera from the Lock Screen and digging into the Camera Control shenanigans. It doesnt feel flimsy, and theres no undue sideways movement to it. Everything feels well put together, and so does the rest of the package.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsESR says the Camera Control cover has a triple-layer design. Theres an impact-resistant 9H tempered glass layer on the top, which is claimed to handle up to 66 lb point pressure and 256 lb surface pressure.Underneath is a polycarbonate frame that blocks dust. Then we have a PCB core that binds a six-element capacitive layer block to register the finger gestures. The sum total is a smooth experience of interacting with the Camera Control button without having to worry about functional reliability or protecting the real thing underneath.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsThere are a few additional niceties that the ESR HaloLock Classic Hybrid case offers, which are an absolute necessity for any iPhone user. First, there is MagSafe support. The magnetic ring underneath is said to offer 1,500 g of holding force.In my experience, I didnt run into any troubles with perching my iPhone 16 Pro atop wireless charging stands or Apples MagSafe puck. Power transfer is unobstructed, and I didnt run into any undue heating.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsBut a case is nothing without its resilience charms. This one doesnt disappoint. There are reinforced shock-absorbing Air Guard corners that can withstand drops from up to a height of 11 feet, while the overall fit is also reassuringly snug. ESR is claiming MIL-STD-810 military-grade protection for this case.I couldnt independently verify the height testing, but an unexpected drop from my jeans pocket a few days ago didnt leave any scars on my pricey as heck phone. A close call with a marble floor, but, phew!Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsI have used ESRs protective cases on a variety of devices, and it has been a mainstay for my tenth-gen iPad. So far, I havent had any long-term complaints about their durability, and I expect the iPhone 16 Pro case to deliver a similar output.I have also grown quite fond of the ingenious camera island protection ring, which also doubles as. nifty kickstand. Made out of zinc alloy material, this stand can prop the iPhone 16 Pro in portrait as well as landscape orientation.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsWhile that is convenient in itself, it also keeps the camera lenses from surface contact, avoiding scratches as well as impact-related damage. However, the metallic surface gets scuffed, so theres that aesthetic caveat. I would, however, take damage to a $25 case rather than spending hundreds of dollars to fix a cracked lens.Overall, the ESR HaloLock Classic Hybrid Case for the iPhone 16 Pro (and its Max sibling) is an easy recommendation. It delivers practical benefits with a standout functional perk, all tied to a $25 sticker price. Go, get it!The ESR HaloLock Classic Hybrid Case is now available, with a 10% discount for Digital Trends readers using the code ESRIP16NEW on Amazon.Editors Recommendations

The Chinese model is competitive with those of major U.S. AI developers on performance and pricing.

LaVina Hawkins is a 45-year-old who lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland.When she was 9, she went to her first sleepover and was teased by the other girls. She called her mom and asked if she'd come pick her up.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with LaVina Hawkins. It has been edited for length and clarity.When I was 9, I got my first invitation to a sleepover. We had just moved from the Bronx to Virginia Beach. The birthday girl gave cute invitations to the girls in my class. I knew my mom wouldn't let me that I would be the only one who wouldn't be allowed to go.My mom had always been very strict about sleepovers. All my siblings knew it wasn't a question we were never allowed to stay at someone else's house. My mom had experienced things as a child, and she wanted to protect us from the same happening to us.When I told the birthday girl I knew I wouldn't be allowed to go, she said she could ask her mom to call my mom. The mom called my mom and said there would be no men or boys at the house for the sleepover. My mom conceded I could go. I was ecstatic. The invitation had a little list of what we would need, including a sleeping bag. Since I didn't have one, we bought one ready.I was so excited. I'd only heard about sleepovers and seen them on TV, and they looked really fun.Before I went, my mom told me I could call her if I didn't feel safe or just didn't want to be at the sleepover anymore. She'd be there right away to pick me up.I called her, and she came as promisedWhen I arrived, I knew most of the girls there, besides a few of the girl's family members. The mother ordered pizza, which was shaping up to be a good time.After the pizza, we went upstairs, and as I got to the top, the birthday girl's cousin pushed me into the wall. Then, she started talking about how my braids were ugly, asking me why I had them in my hair. Everyone else started following the cousin's lead in making fun of my hair. LaVina Hawkins has called her mom multiple times throughout her life when she needed help. Courtesy of LaVina Hawkins I didn't fight back but I did run downstairs and told the mother. She called all the girls downstairs and tried to handle it, but when I returned upstairs, it was radio silence. No one would speak to me. I'd become an outsider. It felt awful to be excluded after having been invited.All I could think to do was phone my mom.I went downstairs and used the home phone to call her."Mom, come get me," I said."I'm on my way," she replied.She didn't ask what happened she just said she was coming. I felt so safe.Minutes later, she knocked on the door, and I got my things and left with her.Once we were in the car, she asked what happened. She told me sometimes people are afraid of what they don't know. She said everything was OK that I was safe. We went out for ice cream and then watched movies together.She reminded me that she would always show up for me when neededThroughout our childhood, my mom kept saying the same thing to myself and my siblings that she would come to pick us up if ever we felt unsafe and needed her.I remember when I was in high school, I had been out with friends of friends and everyone had been drinking. One person said they would drive us. I said I would call my mom to come get me. The friend I was with didn't want me to, but I told her that it didn't matter where we were or what we were doing; my mom would come get us without asking a single question. Mom came and got me. The friends whose car I refused to get in ended up getting in a car accident that night. The driver died.Years later, when my second child was just a few months old, I was struggling with postpartum depression. I woke up one morning and felt awful, like checking out. I didn't want to feed my child.But I wasn't ashamed to call my mom. She wouldn't judge me. She would just come. "Mom, come get me," I told her over the phone. She knew from my voice something was off."I'm on the way," she said. She kept me on the phone until she got to my house.With my own five children, I've told them the same thing my mom used to tell me. They can always call me, and I will come get them, no matter where they are.