ShawnKittelsen of SkydanceInteractive knows there are a lot of tradeoffs between performance and graphics fidelity in making good virtual reality games. Last December, Skydance released its Behemoth game, where players immerse themselves in VR to battle gigantic beasts. The game is now available on the PlayStation VR 2, PCVR and Meta Quest headseRead More

Aptoide fully launches to iOS consumers across EUFirst non-Apple iOS store opened with a beta in June 2024Image credit: Aptoide News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Feb. 18, 2025 Alternative app store Aptoide has fully launched its service on iOS in the European Union.As part of its launch, an App Versions feature has been introduced which enables users to install older versions of apps. This was previously only avaliable on Android.Aptoide first opened with a beta in June 2024, which saw a waitlist of 20,000 users. As previously reported, Aptoide has an alternative in-app payment system for iOS, and offers a IAP software development kit in collaboration with Apple."This full launch marks a major milestone in game distribution for iOS and Aptoide's commitment to an open and unrestricted distribution ecosystem," said Aptoide CEO Paulo Trezentos."Apple users now have access to newfound freedoms, but there's a huge amount of work still to be done to continue opening up iOS globally and reduce friction for users and game developers."Shortly after Aptoide's beta launch last year, Epic Games released its mobile store bringing Fortnite and Fall Guys to iOS in the EU and Android globally.Both companies were able to release these independent app stores following the implementation of the Digital Markets Act last year, which requires Apple to allow third-party app stores on its platform.

Toast Interactive cuts majority of staff, closes office"We will continue to improve Richie's Plank Experience and Max Mustard with a leaner approach"Image credit: Toast Interactive News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Feb. 18, 2025 Australian VR studio Toast Interactive has announced the closure of its office, with the majority of its staff being made redundant as a result.In a statement shared on social media, co-founders Toni and Richard Eastes did not specify why the decision was made.However, last November ten employees were laid off due to the studio finding it difficult to "sustain a large indie team.""It's a heartbreaking decision that we never wanted to make," they said. "The majority of our talented staff have suffered redundancies and we will assist where we can with their journey."We're incredibly grateful and proud of everything the team has accomplished. So much talent and passion went into the creation of Max Mustard and every single accolade speaks volumes."The co-founders concluded: "We will continue to improve Richie's Plank Experience and Max Mustard with a leaner approach. We want to thank and acknowledge everyone who has been part of our journey at Toast."When asked whether Richie's Plank Experience is still coming to PSVR2, the firm said it was "99% sure it'll happen."Toast Interactive was founded in 2016, and is known for its VR titles Richie's Plank Experience and Max Mustard.

Chris Kerr, News EditorFebruary 18, 20253 Min ReadImage via StarbreezeAt a GlanceNet sales decreased to $17.3 million in FY2024 from $59.1 million in FY2023.Starbreeze recorded a full-year loss of $18.5 million.Payday 3 sales decreased to $7.7 million in FY2024 from $44.5 million in FY2023.Starbreeze believes a number of platform partnerships and collaborations could set Payday 3 on the road to recovery, but net sales associated with the title have plummeted year-over-year.As noted in its fiscal report for the full-year ended December 2024, Starbreeze delivered annual net sales of SEK 185.9 million ($17.3 million)down on the SEK 633.5 million ($59.1 million) recorded last year.That downturn in sales and rising costs resulted in Starbreeze reporting an annual loss of SEK 199.1 million ($18.5 million).Payday 2 accounted for SEK 41.8 million ($3.9 million) of net salesdown on the SEK 139.1 million ($13 million) amassed last year. Starbreeze said demand for the aging title (which debuted in 2013) remains "stable."Payday 3 delivered net sales of SEK 82.9 million ($7.7 million) across the entire fiscal yeara significant decrease on the SEK 477 million ($44.5 million) it achieved last year.Putting those numbers into context, Payday 3 launched in September 2023. According to Starbreeze, it was already massively underperforming by December 2023 and was in dire need of rehabilitation.At the time, the Swedish company said the threequel was operating at "significantly lower levels" than anticipated. To remedy the situation, Starbreeze formed a strike team of veteran developers to reshape the experience and said it must "take players' criticism to heart."It subsequently ousted (now former) CEO Tobias Sjgren after claiming it needed new leadership to execute a strategy "centered around creating attractive games on our own and licensed IPs."Can cross-platform collaborations help Payday 3 find an audience?Appraising the current state of play, Starbreeze indicated Payday 3 is now in a position to grow after the launch of a major remedial update towards the end of 2024. The company said it has also worked to strengthen the "presence and visibility" of the franchise across multiple platforms."At this time of writing, Payday 3 is one of the games of the month on PlayStation Plus, meaning that during February it will be available for anyone with a Plus subscription to download and play," said Starbreeze."The collaboration with PlayStation will contribute positively to Payday's revenue in the first quarter of 2025, but most of all, it is an incredible opportunity to let millions of people try Payday 3 as it is today, after 1.5 years of hard work to improve the game both functionally and content-wise."Starbreeze is also working to launch Payday experiences within other game platforms such as PUBG and Roblox. It believes those 'brand extension' initiatives will introduce the title to new audiencesincluding the "younger" playerbase that calls Roblox home.Discussing its wider project slate, Starbreeze said its upcoming Dungeon & Dragons titlecodenamed 'Project Baxter'is making "significant progress" and is currently being playtested internally."During and after the quarter, we have ongoing in-depth conversations and game tests with potential partners to maximize the project's commercial potential, and the response has been positive," it added.Starbreeze explained third-party publishing also remains a priority. "We are in ongoing discussions with developers of potential new third-party projects," it continued. "The focus is on finding titles with clear commercial potential that are long gone, or fully developed, as a project. After the end of the quarter, we added Unseen by Swedish developer The Gang to our portfolio of third-party games."Acting CEO Mats Juhl described the fiscal year as "intense but in many ways also successful" and believes Starbreeze is now well-positioned to realize its ambition of becoming a multi-title studio."We have continued to strengthen the Payday brand through collaborations and enhancements, while making great progress with Project Baxter and establishing a strong foundation for our third-party publishing," he added."With a balanced risk profile, strong cash position and several ongoing projects approaching important milestones, we look forward to 2025. Our vision to be a leading multi-title studio is more realistic than ever, and we are well positioned to continue building value for our players and owners."Read more about:FinancialsTop StoriesAbout the AuthorChris KerrNews Editor, GameDeveloper.comGame Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, andPocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.See more from Chris KerrDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

Nanoleaf has announced that the companys most popular products are getting a permanent price cut as part of its new SmarterLife Pricing Initiative. For the past two years, Nanoleaf has been working closely with their manufacturing and supply chain teams to completely reexamine, rework and reoptimize processes, materials, and structures to reduce costs, the company says in a PR release. The price cuts go into effect starting today, and include many of Nanoleafs hero products, like its Shapes, Lines, Elements, and Blocks modular lighting solutions.The discounts vary across the companys products, but many are well over 30 percent off its previous pricing. For example, the $249.99 seven-piece Elements Smarter Kit is now $50 cheaper at $199.99, while its 13-piece Shapes Triangle Smarter Kit has been reduced from $339.97 to $249.97 a savings of $90.Some of the more significant price reductions come with bundles featuring multiple products. The Nanoleaf Invaders Bundle, which includes multiple shapes, is now $431.94, while the Immersion Bundle, that syncs lighting to whats on a screen, is now $647.99.The economic climate has made affordability a key concern for many consumers. At Nanoleaf, we believe that lighting should be an extraordinary everyday experience, not just a luxury, says Nanoleafs CEO and co-founder, Gimmy Chu. Weve had to completely reoptimize our company structures as a whole the past two years, but with our teams dedication and commitment to achieving this goal, were proud to introduce SmarterLife Pricingmaking Nanoleaf products more accessible for everyone in our community.Although Nanoleaf is positioning the price cuts as a way to make its products more accessible to a wider range of consumers, in recent years the company has been facing stiffer competition from brands like GE Lighting and Govee. In addition to a growing collection of smart lighting products for the holidays, Govee has also recently introduced inexpensive bias lighting solutions that sync with televisions and, at CES 2025, a pixel light grid that shows information like the weather and Bitcoin prices.See More:

Elon Musk is according to a new legal filing from the US government not running the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), despite his leadership appointment by President Donald Trump. In fact, claims the new White House declaration, he isnt technically even a DOGE employee despite representing himself as the key decision maker behind its activity.The affidavit filed on Monday by Joshua Fisher, the director of the White Houses Office of Administration, asserts that Musk is employed by the White House Office as a senior adviser to the President, a position with no greater authority than any other White House advisor. The White House has previously said Musk is serving under the classification of a special government employee, a designation it repeats here.Mr. Musk has no actual or formal authority to make government decisions himself, said Fisher, citing his personal involvement with Musks appointment. Mr. Musk can only advise the President and communicate the Presidents directives.The affidavit was filed as part of a legal battle with a dozen state-level attorneys general, who have accused Trump of creating a new federal Department without Congressional approval and by granting Musk sweeping powers over the entire federal government without seeking the advice and consent of the Senate. Its one of numerous lawsuits filed against DOGE, some of which have led to limits on its access to government data.The affidavit seemingly contradicts statements from President Trump himself that credit Musk with leading DOGE, and follows the unofficial department gaining unprecedented access to sensitive US financial systems. Even if Musk isnt leading DOGE on paper, hes had outspoken influence over the cost-cutting organization and acted as its de facto public spokesperson.Musks supposedly true position will likely be a surprise to many people, despite the billionaire claiming that DOGE has been maximally transparent about all its activities. But the groups design has always been slippery until Trump took office, he and Musk represented it as a group outside the government that could work with White House agencies and a congressional subcommittee to legally reevaluate government spending. We are entrepreneurs, not politicians, Musk and Ramaswamy told The Wall Street Journal regarding their plans for the advisory group. We will serve as outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees.See More:

Most of 2016s Steve Rogers: Captain America #1 plays like a standard adventure starring the Sentinel of Liberty. In between flashbacks to Steves childhood in 1926 New York, we see Cap and his allies on a rescue mission and eventually battle classic villain Baron Zemo. However, the final splash page, after Cap has defeated Zemo and saved the day, ends with a shocking reveal.Hail Hydra, Steve Rogers proclaims.Written by Nick Spencer and penciled by Jess Saz, Steve Rogers: Captain America #1 kicked off Secret Empire, a massive Marvel-wide crossover in which Steve Rogers is revealed to be a Hydra sleeper agent. To put it mildly, Secret Empire isnt very good, plagued by odd characterizations that cant be explained away by hidden Hydra affiliations. But it is an excellent Sam Wilson story, one that shows exactly why hes a great Captain America.Sam Wilsons Shifting HistoryDespite a charming turn by Anthony Mackie in the MCU, Sam Wilson isnt the most interesting character in the Marvel Comics universe. Introduced by Stan Lee and Gene Colan in 1969s Captain America #117, Sam Wilson quickly became Captain Americas most-enduring partner, even co-headlining a book with Cap.However, writers struggled to find a consistent characterization for Sam, resulting in a bunch of convoluted backstories. Sometimes, Sams a mutant who can talk to birds. Sometimes, hes a social worker whose left-leaning politics challenged Steve, and sometimes hes got a military background. And once, he was a street hustler who went by the name Flip Wilson, but we dont talk about that.There are a lot of reasons for Sams wildly varying characterization, including (it must be said) the fact that he was mostly written by well-meaning white people trying to comment upon the Black American experience. But the fact that writers kept trying to find a good take on Sam demonstrates that he belongs in the Marvel Universe.That enduring importance helps explain the decision to give Sam the shield after Steve Rogers lost the Super Soldier Serum and experienced extreme aging. Where Buckys brief tenure as Captain America seemed like part of his redemption arc that would end in him becoming a heroic Winter Soldier, Sam feels like hes finally found his place as Captain America, a compelling counter to the nostalgic values that Rogers embodies.And no storyline demonstrates Sams role as Cap better than Secret Empire.Resisting the Secret EmpireThe first three issues of Secret Empire are pretty bleak. Since revealing his true purpose as a Hydra Agent, Steve Rogers has turned the nation toward fascism. Schools teach children fascist ideology, a team of Avengersincluding Scarlet Witch and Thorendorse Hydras claims with every victory they win, and even Rick Jones is executed as a traitor to the state.Things start to look up when resistance fighters find Sam Wilson, the other Captain America. Filled with hope again, the resistance asks Sam to suit up and become Cap once more. To which Sam offers a succinct answer: No.Im not interested in playing dress-up, fighting the bad guys, acting like a fool, Sam gripes as he walks away. Its not that Sam has lost hope. Recovering his social worker roots, Sam has been working to help 647 people escape Rogerss Hydra-run America. Its just that he sees that as work for Sam Wilson, not for Captain America.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Im done trying to make the world something it clearly doesnt want to be, Sam reasons, pointing to how quickly most Americans accepted Steves authoritarian turn, either because they agreed with his Nazi politics or because they just didnt think it worthwhile to fight. So maybe this is who we are after all. Maybe this is us getting what we deserve.Sam sticks around with the resistance long enough to sneak them out of the country, where they try to find shards of the cosmic cube and restore the Rogers they once knew. But he refuses to take part in the fight until the end, when Rogers kills Black Widow, breaking the spirit of the resistance. As depicted in 2017s Sam Wilson: Captain America #24, written by Spencer and Donny Cates and penciled by Joe Bennett, Sam shrugs off calls to return to action until teenager Rayshaun Lucas explains why he took on the mantle of the Young Avenger Patriot.Shaun admits that Steve was always his favorite Captain America and that he feels betrayed by Rogerss betrayal. But he also insists that the dream matters more than the person, that people need something to inspire them to make the world better than it is.We see that inspiration in Secret Empire #8 by Spencer and artist Daniel Acua, which picks up right after Sam suits up again. The issue opens with a montage of all the parts of America destroyed by Hydras reign under Steve, with small pockets of heroes surrounded by destruction and debris. Using mass communications, Sam communicates with them all, sending a message across the country. This is Captain America, he begins and then proceeds to lay out a perfect message that combines strategic leadershipincluding a plan to reassemble the cosmic cube and decimate Hydras forceswith inspiration. In his closing remarks, Sam acknowledges all of the hurt and division the resistance forces have faced. And in the last panel, a tight close-up of Sams face in Captain America gear, he says the words we all wanted to hear: Its time to Assemble.Loyal to the DreamSecret Empire ends with Cosmic Cube shenanigans that restore the original good Rogers back into reality, where he fights with the new Hydra Rogers. Its a fun battle, complete with Hydra Steve using Iron Man tech and original Steve wielding Mjolnir. And, of course, it ends with good Steve triumphant, ready to set the world to right.In a coda to the final issue, we see people of a North Carolina town come together to help an oppressed inhuman, one attacked by Hydra in the first issue of the series. Unsurprisingly, one of the kids carries with him a Captain America action figure, his belief in the hero restored. But its not the Steve Rogers Cap that hes holding. Its the Sam Wilson Cap.Like Steve, Sams all about inspiration and hope. But Steves World War II origins and his status as a man out of time makes that hope a bit easier to find. Sam lives in the real world and knows first hand Americas many failures and disappointments. When he inspires hope, its an act of faith.That faith is on full display in Secret Empire. Its a faith that can only be held by someone with a backstory as crazy as Sam Wilsons. Its a faith that makes Sam an excellent Captain America.

For those of you that have been exploring the Living Lands in Avowed, thank you for taking a break to check out the latest Game Pass news! We have some exciting new reveals and exclusive Perks to tease your install buttons. Also, mark your calendars and check out the ID@Xbox Showcase during IGN Fan Fest 2025 on Monday, February 24 at 10am PT for even more Game Pass announcements. Lets get to the games! Available TodayAvowed (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) February 18Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassAvailable on day one! Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment. Check out Xbox Wire for Starting Tips to Help You on Your Adventure in the Living Lands.Coming SoonEA Sports F1 24 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play February 20Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassJoin the grid and chase podium glory with unlimited access to EA Sports F1 24, coming soon to The Play List. Members can master every turn and feel at one with the car with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), PC Game Pass, or Game Pass Ultimate via EA Play. Plus, score in-game rewards including 5,000 XP monthly.Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) February 20Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass StandardWarhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an isometric RPG by Owlcat Games, set in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. As a powerful Rogue Trader, you command a starship, assemble a crew, and explore the Imperium, making fateful decisions in tactical, turn-based combat.Watch Dogs: Legion (Cloud, Console, and PC) February 25Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass StandardExplore a massive urban open world featuring Londons many iconic landmarks and fun side activities where you can recruit (and play as) anyone. Everyone you see has a unique backstory, personality, and skill set for unique situations. Team up with your friends to complete new four-player co-op missions and PvP matches online.In Case You Missed ItRyse: Son of Rome Available with Cloud GamingGame Pass UltimateJump back in this immersive action-adventure story of struggle, brutality, and heroism with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta). Amidst the chaos of the late Roman Empire, become soldier Marius Titus and embark on a perilous campaign to avenge the death of your family and defend the honor of Rome. In Gladiator Mode, step into the Colosseum and fight for the glory, spectacle, and entertainment of the crowds.DLC / Game UpdatesSea of Thieves: Season 15 Starting February 20Sea of Thieves is more exciting than ever as new life abounds across the waves. Set forth on new Voyages for The Hunters Call, grapple with wild boars and deadly sea monsters, master using hunting spears and more, with new features to enjoy each month.Ark Survival Ascended: Astraeos DLC Available NowGame Pass members save 10%! Embark on your next epic odyssey within the world of Ark with Astraeos! Explore and immerse yourself in an elysian land of colossal proportions, steeped in Greek mythology. At over 260km, this massive new map is overflowing with stunning scenery, ancient ruins, and sacred temples. Face off against powerful new bosses, alpha dino variants with enhanced loot, and a fearsome miniboss lurking in mysterious caves.Forza Motorsport: Update 17 Available NowUpdate 17 celebrates cars that are fun, compact, and performant. Race four new-to-Motorsport cars: 2023 Toyota Camry TRD, 2022 Hyundai i20N, 2022 Toyota GR86, and 2021 Hyundai #98 Elantra TCR. Get the 2021 Toyota Yaris GR and 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5N in the Challenge Hub.Age of Mythology: Retold Immortal Pillars Expansion March 4Game Pass members can save 10% on their pre-order of Immortal Pillars, the highly anticipated first expansion for Age of Mythology: Retold. Harness the power of ancient Chinese mythology and discover a world where gods, monsters, and legends collide in an epic new chapter of mythical strategy.Game Pass Ultimate PerksFind all these Perks and more in the Game Pass section on your console, Xbox mobile app, or Xbox app on Windows PC to find new in-game content, consumables, and offers included with your Game Pass Ultimate membership.Madden NFL 25: EA Play Supercharge Pack Available NowMadden NFL 25 is now on The Play List. Get your Ultimate Team ready for the gridiron with the Supercharge Pack.Minecraft: 1 Month Marketplace Pass Available NowGet access to the Marketplace Pass for 1 month! Discover 150+ pieces of content including worlds, skin packs, add-ons and more refreshed monthly. This Perk requires a payment instrument to redeem. Terms apply.Monster Hunter Now: MH Now Bundle Available NowClaim 2 Ultra Hunting Tickets, 2 Paintballs, 2 Potions, a Wander Orb, and a Tigrex crafting material for weapons and armor. This Perk content requires Monster Hunter Now (mobile) to use. Valid only for iOS and Android versions of the game.MultiVersus: MVP Pack 5 Available NowThe MultiVersus MVP Pack offers in-game content to further customize and boost your play for Game Pass Ultimate members. MVP Pack 5 includes a Rare Banner Bun Power and a Legendary Taunt Treat Break.Naruto 4-Movie Collection: Free movies Available Now (US Only)Claim four Anime classic movies including Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Blood Prison, Naruto Road to Ninja, Naruto The Last, and Boruto: The Naruto Movie. More Naruto titles are on sale during Anime month. Available in the US only.Leaving February 28The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Whether there are loose ends to tie up or you still want to try these out, this is your call to jump back in. Remember to use your membership discount to save up to 20% on your purchase to keep it in your library.F1 22 (Console and PC) EA PlayGris (Cloud, Console, and PC)Maneater (Cloud, Console, and PC)PAW Patrol World (Cloud, Console, and PC)Space Engineers (Cloud, Console, and PC)Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Cloud, Console, and PC)Wo Long Fallen Dynasty (Cloud, Console, and PC)Yakuza 3 Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)Yakuza 4 Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)Were adding more games over time to the Stream your own game collection for Game Pass Ultimate members. Go to Xbox.com/Play to see the list of available cloud playable games to stream on supported devices if you own them.As always you can tune into Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox on social for a reminder when these coming soon announcements turn into play today. Otherwise well be back here to talk more games soon. Cheers!

Country LivingCountry Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?I think we can all agree that houseplants are lovely to have around. Where so many of us differ, though, is in our abilities to keep those houseplants alive. Yes, there are the lucky few of us who, try as we might, can't even keep the easiest indoor plants alive. Or maybe you've avoided putting any sort of plants in your house because of pets (there are some pet-friendly plants, though!). Artificial plants and trees are a great way to bring a breath of fresh air into your space when a real one won't work, whether that's because you've got a black thumb or you just don't have time to care for one more living thing in your life.If the words "fake tree" take you back to the days of seeing your grandmother's dusty old faux Ficus with half of the leaves missing and hot glue strings dripping down, let me assure you that today's artificial plant selection has vastly improved. With realistic trunks and real-touch leaves, these fake trees could fool anybody who walks into your home! You will want to note that most of these artificial trees come in pretty tiny pots unless otherwise specified. So, you'll probably want to go ahead and order a nice plant pot as well as moss of some kind to cover the base of the tree. 1best olive treeKazeila Artificial Olive Tree Olive trees have been trending for a while now, which means the selection of faux versions on the market is extensive. This ultra-realistic one is our favorite, though. The branches have the color and texture of an actual tree and there are even faux olives "growing" on the tree (though those would be easy to remove if you're going for a more minimalist look). 2best citrus treeNearly Natural Citrus Artificial TreeFaux citrus trees are really underrated for just how beautiful they look in a home. Incredibly realistic, the small leaves are perfect for a minimalist look that fits in with just about any home aesthetic. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3best large fiddle leaf figAveyas Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree$180 at AmazonFiddle Leaf Fig trees are notoriously finicky when it comes to their surroundings, making them a top-sought-after artificial tree. If you want one that's 6+ feet, I recommend splurging a bit on this beauty. There are tons of branches all over the tree that lend a totally realistic look, and the leaves come in all different shades of green. 4best money treeYEPDIN Artificial Money Tree$93 at AmazonMoney trees are said to be good luck for your wallet, and we'd like to think that this artificial money tree brings that idea to life with how much it'll save you not having to dish out for a new houseplant every time one dies. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5best palm treeNearly Natural 4ft. Golden Cane Palm Tree$40 at Amazon$48 at TargetBring a little coastal flair to your living space with this fun Golden Cane Palm. It stands at four-feet tall and looks incredibly luscious when fluffed out. 6best ficus treeMaia Shop Artificial Ficus TreeNow 16% Off$75 $63 at AmazonEveryone loves a good ole Ficus tree. But consider this a huge upgrade on the one you probably grew up with. The leaves come in varying shades to give it a more lifelike appearance, and reviewers rave about how realistic the trunks are. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7best bamboo treeMaia Shop Artificial Bamboo TreeNow 16% Off$80 $67 at AmazonBamboo is an excellent option if you're looking for a little extra privacy, and by going with faux you don't have to wait months for the plant to naturally fill out. This one comes in a variety of sizes, from three and a half feet to six. 8best small fiddle leaf figBESAMENATURE Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree$89 at AmazonI don't love the larger version of this fake Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, but the under four-foot options are all beautiful and so lifelike. The leaves are appropriately sized and really fill out the tree well, making a big impact with a small footprint. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9best eucalyptus treeMaia Shop Artificial Eucalyptus TreeNow 14% Off$70 $60 at AmazonThe only downside of this faux eucalyptus tree: you don't get that amazing scent you do with a real one. But consider adding a few dried eucalyptus branches in to add fragrance and I guarantee your guests will think it's the real eucalyptus plant. 10best dracaena plant Nearly Natural Dracaena Silk (Real Touch) Artificial PlantNow 57% OffIf you're looking for a cross between a houseplant and an indoor tree, look no further than the gorgeous Dracaena. It stands at just four feet tall and has the most beautiful real-touch leaves that give off a more plant-like vibe than most other trees. Hannah JonesCommerce EditorHannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When shes not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.

Apples plan to boost iPhone production in India from an estimated 15% of global production today to 25% by 2027 is being deliberately hampered by the Chinese government, according to new reports.China is reportedly using a mix of three measures to make it harder for Apples manufacturing partners to transfer production to India iPhone production in IndiaApple has for years been working to lessen its dependence onChinaas a manufacturing center, with the pandemic exacerbating the risks of having so much iPhone production in one country.India is the companys second manufacturing home, with Apple gradually ramping up production from just the iPhone SE to now making the latest flagship phones. Its been widely reported that Apple has set a goal of making 25% of iPhones in India by 2027.The Indian government has been encouraging this ramp-up through a series of tax breaks on imported components.China deliberately hampering this shiftTwo reports in the Financial Times say that China appears to be attempting to hamper this shift of production out of the country.First, it suggests, the Chinese government is making it hard for engineers to travel to India.Beijing is tightening its grip on cutting-edge Chinese technology, aiming to keep critical knowhow within its borders as trade tensions with the US and Europe escalate. Chinese authorities in recent months have made it more difficult for some engineers [] to leave the country [] Among the companies to be hit is Apples main manufacturing partner Foxconn, which has been leading the Silicon Valley groups supply chain diversification into India.Second, it is using export controls to block or delay the movement of equipment and components.Chinese authorities have proposed new export controls to retain key battery technologies, and moved to restrict technologies for processing critical minerals, according to multiple industry figures and ministry notices [] An Indian official also alleged China was using customs delays to impede the flow of components and equipment heading south.Finally, Chinese component manufacturers are reportedly being warned not to establish production plants in India. That would mean Apple cant circumvent export blocks by having components made in India.The reports say that the new trade war with China initiated by the Trump administration has increased tensions, and led to the government taking a harder line with American companies.Indian government not helping in some areasWhile the Indian government has been keen to persuade foreign companies to establish manufacturing plants in the country, the FT reports that political conflict with China has seen the government blocking Chinese companies from building new plants.Apple supplier Luxshare is said to be one of the companies refused permission.9to5Macs TakeChina was never going to sit back quietly while Apple shifted more and more production outside the country, so it was always likely that the government would find ways to make life harder for the iPhone maker.But the current trade war means we can expect increasingly hard-nosed action by Chinese authorities against US companies, and Apple is of course a prime target. Unless Trump backs down, which currently looks unlikely, things are only going to get tougher.Photo byXimena IbaezonUnsplashAdd 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