Iconic horror novelist Stephen King has had a ton movies adapted from his work -- and that's not counting TV shows and miniseries. And there's simply no sign of slowing down, what with the recent Salem's Lot movie, the new adaptation The Monkey, and more adaptations in the pipeline.With so many films to choose from, what are the best Stephen King adaptations? We've whittled this massive catalogue down to 13 movies. From ghosts to psychics to... ghosts wanting to feed on psychics, these are truly the movies that not only captured the best of King's work, but also became cinema classics in their own right.Here are the top Stephen King movies ever, ranked from #13 counting down to #1. Keep scrolling for the list or view the slideshow for a visual countdown!How Many Stephen King Movies Are There?There are 54 film adaptations of Stephen King stories, according to the author's official website. The first King adaptation was Carrie in 1976, while the most recent is The Monkey.The Best Stephen King Movies, Ranked13. The Dead Zone (1983)The Dead Zone (1983)Director: David CronenbergLong before Stephen King's 1979 novel The Dead Zone served as fodder for a TV series, it inspired a 1983 film from director David Cronenberg. Cronenberg, who'd already made a name for himself with surreal horror films like Videodrome and Shivers, brought that signature touch to this gripping psychological drama.The Dead Zone starred Christopher Walken as Johnny Smith, a humble school teacher who is injured in a car accident, trapped in a coma for five years, and awakens to discover he can psychically glimpse into a person's past, present, and future with a mere touch. Less grotesque and violent than many of Cronenberg's horror efforts of the day, Dead Zone was a bleak and unsettling film that made full use of Walken's peculiar presence and gravity as an actor.The Dead ZoneDino De Laurentiis CompanyOct 21, 1983RWhere to WatchPowered by12. Gerald's Game (2017)Gerald's Game (2017)Director: Mike FlanaganFor years it was thought King's 1992 outing Gerald's Game, which involves a woman handcuffed to a bed fighting to free herself after her husband has a heart attack, was un-adaptable. But then writer/director Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) came along and knocked it out of the park. Starring Carla Gugino as the trapped, desperate Jessie, Flanagan's Netflix horror movie is superb small-scale suspense and features an immensely captivating performance by Gugino. Taking place mostly in one room, Gerald's Game is a set of tightly wound gears that cranks out dread.Gerald's GameIntrepid PicturesSep 29, 2017TheaterWhere to WatchPowered by11. The Monkey (2025)The Monkey (2025)Director: Osgood PerkinsA premise as deceptively simple as if you wind up the monkey, someone brutally dies leaves a lot of room for error, or for the gnarly kills to be the only things anyone remembers. But from that setup, director Osgood Perkins builds a multifaceted rollercoaster of a midnight movie that elicits as many laughs as shocks or gross-out gags, and succeeds at both animating and skewering the power that death holds over us all.The Monkey marches to the beat of its own bloodstained drum and its an irresistible rhythm to groove to. Perkins and cast balance the horror and comedy inherent in the movies silly premise exceptionally well, and the surreal, absurd touches the Longlegs director adds to a world sketched out by Stephen King only help to set it apart from less imaginative, body-count-obsessed movies. The evil influence of the titular, cursed toy results in blockbuster showcases for fantastic gore effects that, when paired with the films surprisingly gentle stance on the inevitability of death, affirm how potent horror-comedy can be when executed with a strong perspective and a willingness to get weird.Read IGN's review of The Monkey.Stephen King's The MonkeyAtomic MonsterFeb 21, 2025TheaterWhere to WatchPowered byNot yet available for streaming.10. The Mist (2007)The Mist (2007)Director: Frank DarabontThe Mist is based on a King short story found in the 1985 collection Skeleton Crew. Ostensibly a monster movie, The Mist finds a group of people trapped in a remote grocery store after a strange fog envelops the region and terrifying, dinosaur-like creatures begin appearing. But the core of this horror/sci-fi fusion is survival, and the lengths some will go to ensure theirs.The movie benefited from a solid cast (including stars Tom Jane and Marcia Gay Harden) and director Frank Darabont -- who's one of three directors on this list who've had the most success with King's work -- actually garnered praise with a revised ending that deepened the dark tone of the story.Read IGN's review of The Mist.Stephen King's The MistThe Weinstein CompanyNov 21, 2007Where to WatchPowered by9. Creepshow (1982)Creepshow (1982)Director: George A. RomeroHorror legends Stephen King and George Romero teamed up for 1982's Creepshow, which was conceived as an homage to the Golden Age of horror comics in the 1950's, including E.C. Comics' infamous releases and DC books like House of Secrets and House of Mystery. That anthology legacy is reflected in the execution of Creepshow, which revels in its juvenile, B-movie status. The film also has the distinction of featuring original material written by King, rather than a script wholly adapted from his prose work. While two of the five vignettes are based on his short stories, the remaining three are unique to Creepshow. These vignettes are cleverly glued together with animated sequences and a framing sequence starring King's son, Joe (now an accomplished horror writer in his own right).Where to WatchPowered by8. The Green Mile (1999)The Green Mile (1999)Director: Frank DarabontBecause director Frank Darabont had crafted what many consider to be the definitive Stephen King movie with The Shawshank Redemption (more on that film later) some feared he was revisiting overly familiar territory when he returned to adapt another of King's prison dramas, The Green Mile. Like Shawshank, The Green Mile is a period piece set largely within a prison and centered on a wrongly convicted felon. In this case, the prison is the Depression-era Cold Mountain Penitentiary, and the felon is John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan). The corrections officer in charge of the death row inmates (Tom Hanks) is enthralled by Coffey's gentle nature and apparently supernatural healing powers, causing great emotional turmoil as he debates whether he can allow such a marvelous and obviously innocent man to be executed. The Green Mile is easily one of the most emotionally gripping King films (or books, for that matter) and further proof that his non-horror tales are often the ones most ideally suited for film.Where to WatchPowered by7. Stand By Me (1986)Stand By Me (1986)Director: Rob ReinerFrank Darabont isn't the only director with a real knack for bringing Stephen King tales to life on screen. Before Misery, Rob Reiner also directed this coming-of-age tale based on King's novella "The Body", collected in the 1982 book Different Seasons.Stand By Me featured narration by Richard Dreyfuss and a "who's who?" lineup of up-and-coming teen actors at the time - including Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell. This quartet played a group of friends who hear a rumor about a dead body being discovered and venture out to track it down and find small-town glory. Along the way, they battle some ruthless bullies and learn a thing or two about each other. This was another King film with a deceptively simple formula that really thrived on the strength of the performances. King himself even labeled it as the first truly successful adaptation of his work.Where to WatchPowered by6. It: Chapter One (2017)It: Chapter One (2017)Director: Andy MuschiettiFittingly, one of King's most iconic novels is also one of his most successful adaptations, shattering box office records. But more than just being a moneymaker, IT is a very effective horror film that pits a group of intrepid middle schoolers against the terrifying, inhuman killer lurking beneath the streets of an idyllic Maine town. It's filled with ample spookiness, devilish scares, and a horrifying performance by Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the Dancing Clown.It's first chapter works well not just because it's frightening, but because it does something that so few horror films ever manage - it makes audiences care for these heroes as they face down the unimaginable. Just like the book, the half of the story featuring our main characters as kids is the more engrossing part, which is why only Chapter One is here on our list.Where to WatchPowered byNot yet available for streaming.5. Doctor Sleep (2019)Doctor Sleep (2019)Director: Mike FlanaganMike Flanagan's Doctor Sleep is a modern horror miracle. Adapting King's sequel novel to The Shining, about a grown-up Danny Torrence (Ewan McGregor), Flanagan had to merge the world of King's prose and Kubrick's cinematic vision. Since Kubrick's The Shining took many liberties with King's book -- so much so that King himself disavowed the film -- Flanagan had to bring both worlds together in a way that felt genuine, gripping, and scary. Visually, most everything we associate with The Shining comes from Kubrick (the hedge maze, the "twins," the various ghouls, etc) and Doctor Sleep is a beautiful, brutal blend of it all. On top of that, it's a fantastic film created by one of the best new masters in the horror game. Also see our video for Doctor Sleep: How the Shining Sequel Handles the Legacy of Jack TorranceDoctor SleepWarner Bros. PicturesNov 8, 2019TheaterWhere to WatchPowered byNot yet available for streaming.4. Carrie (1976)Carrie (1976)Director: Brian De Palma"If you've got a taste for terror... invite Carrie to the prom!"That was the Grindhouse-worthy tagline for Carrie, and it said all that needed to be said about this teen horror drama. Carrie was King's big break as a writer in 1974, and a mere two years later, it also became fodder for one of the best films based on his work. The titular character -- Sissy Spacek -- a prototypical awkward teenage girl who suffers from bullying at school and an overbearing, fanatically religious mother (Piper Laurie) at home. She also happens to manifest destructive, psychokinetic powers when she's upset, so you can imagine what happens when Carrie becomes the victim of a cruel prank at her prom.Carrie was praised both because of its terrifying qualities and its serious exploration of a very troubled character, easily still ranking as one of the very best of the traditional Stephen King horror movies.CarrieRed Bank FilmsNov 3, 1976Where to WatchPowered by

There are very few young adult novels as successful as the Hunger Games books. Suzanne Collins released the first book in 2008 and has since released three more books and a total of five movies. And it doesn't stop there as just last year Collins announced yet another book in the series with a movie already in the works.The next Hunger games book, titled Sunrise on the Reaping, is set to come out on March 18, 2025. Despite only being a preorder, the hardcover edition has already jumped into the top five on Amazon's best-sellers list of books. It has officially surpassed Onyx Storm on this list, which had a wildly successful debut last month and topped last year's Amazon charts ahead of its release.The hardcover edition of Sunrise on the Reaping is currently receiving a 30% discount on Amazon, dropping the price under $20. You can find a similar discount on the Kindle version of the book.Sunrise on the Reaping Preorder DealPreorder the Next NovelSunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel)Release: March 18, 2025.The new Hunger Games novel is the fifth book in the series, but it will be taking place in an entirely different place on the timeline. Sunrise on the Reaping is set about 40 years after the events of The Ballad of Songbird and Snakes and 24 years before we reach Katniss' story in the original Hunger Games novel. The story will be taking place during the Second Quarter Quell, which was won by Haymitch Abernathy. If you've read the original novels, you'll know that Haymitch was the mentor for District 12 and portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the films.If you'd prefer to wait for the film adaptation of this novel, it already has a release date of November 20, 2026.See more Hunger Games books:PreorderHunger Games 5-Book Hardcover Box SetSee it at AmazonHunger Games 4-Book Hardcover Box SetSee it at AmazonThe Hunger Games: Illustrated EditionSee it at AmazonThe Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesSee it at AmazonWhat Is Amazon's Preorder Price Guarantee?If you've never actually preordered anything from Amazon before, it's worth noting that if you purchase this book, it includes Amazon's preorder price guarantee. According to Amazon's own help page, this means that if the price decreases between now and when the item ships, you'll pay the lowest price. So in this case, if there ends up being an even bigger discount than the one we're seeing right now, that's what you'll pay. Though, it is unlikely that the preorder price will drop much lower than it is right now with the 30% discount.

Elon Musks MAGA politics are fast becoming a mega problem for Tesla.New registrations of Tesla vehicles plummeted across Europe last month amid widespread boycotts against the EV brand. While broader economic forces are at play, Musks role in the Trump administration and his open support of far-right politicians appears to be fuelling his companys precipitous fall from grace and gifting rival brands a golden opportunity.Germanys transport authority reported that new Tesla registrations in January fell by nearly 60% year-on-year. Thats despite the countrys battery-electric vehicles sector seeing a combined 53.5% growth in sales last month.Dramatic declines in registrations were also reported in Spain (75.4%), France (63.4%), Sweden (46%), and the Netherlands (42.5%). The dip has been linked to the behaviour of Teslas CEO.Register NowThere is no doubt that the Musk factor has influenced Teslas sales in the same way as his reputation impacted Twitter when he bought it and rebranded it as X, Andrew Fellows, an automotive industry expert at Star, a market intelligence firm, tells TNW.Musk, an already divisive figure, has gone on a MAGA rampage in recent months, with the worlds richest man and the social media platform X, which he owns fast becoming a mouthpiece for Trump-era conservatism.In Europe, Musk has openly endorsed Germanys populist AfD, even hosting an interview on X where he heaped praise on the partys leader Alice Weidel. At the Trump inauguration on January 20, Musk made a controversial hand gesture, which many interpreted as a Nazi-style salute.Musks actions are either despicable or courageous, depending on whom you ask. But for those who deplore his actions, Tesla a brand hard to set apart from its leader is an obvious target.The backlash against TeslaOn January 23, political campaigners beamed an image of Musk making the Nazi-like salute along with the word Heil onto Teslas gigafactory in Berlin.After Musk joined an AfD rally by video call in late January, Polands Tourism Minister Slawomir Nitras called for a boycott ofthe EV brand. In early February, a Tesla showroom in the Netherlands was defaced with swastikas and anti-fascist slogans.Its not hard to argue that public sentiment against Musk is souring. However, whether the entrepreneurs actions are hurting Teslas bottom line is harder to measure.One of the best ways to gauge that is to ask Tesla owners.In the Netherlands, one in three Tesla drivers want to get rid of their car because of Musk, according to a recent survey. One such individual is Tim Kraaijvanger, the founder of Tesla360.nl, a Dutch site dedicated entirely to Tesla products. In an ironic twist, Kraaijvanger recently sold his Tesla and bought a Polestar instead.I do not wish to be associated with [Musks] ideology, he told Wired. While Musk might get away with a [Nazi-like] salute in some parts of the world, European markets reject such behaviour.Musks antics could be good news for other EV-makers, as more people like Kraaijvanger jump ship. Its a fantastic opportunity for rival manufacturers, says Fellows.Among those poised to take advantage is Polestar, the Swedish EV brand. Polestars CEO Michael Lohscheller said that the company has seen a spike in enquiries from disgruntled Tesla owners in recent months and hes encouraging his salespeople to target them.We get a lot of people writing that they dont like all this, Lohscheller told Bloomberg News. Its important to listen closely to what they say. And I can tell you, a lot of people have very, very negative sentiment.Some drivers, not yet ready to part with their Tesla, have begun attaching stickers to their cars bearing messages such as, I bought this car before Elon went crazy. Even some of Teslas employees want to distance themselves from their boss, according to the Washington Post.As of today, Tesla stock has fallen 15% in the last month.Tesla is developing a serious reputational problem, says Fellows. The automotive industry expert believes Musk and Trump share around 30% of the blame for the EV makers sales decline. He attributes the remaining 70% to industry factors.The blame gameTeslas Model Y was Europes best-selling car in 2023, but intense competition has challenged the brands market share. In 2024, Teslas sales declined by 1.1%, its first drop in over 10 years. In September, Chinese automaker BYD became the worlds leading EV brand, thanks to its aggressive pricing strategy.While Tesla has made modest changes to its lineup in the past few years, rival brands like VW, Renault, and BMW have been rolling out new models, sometimes with lower prices.Tesla has also been subject to many of the same challenges as other EV makers slowing demand, supply chain shocks, and decreased subsidies for first-time buyers. But the company also has some unique issues of its own.Tesla was already facing several headwinds in 2025 before CEO Elon Musk found himself at the centre of several controversies with the potential to impact the companys sales volume and profitability, Peter McNally, senior analyst at London-headquartered research firm Third Bridge, tells TNW.Musks firm has also been busy updating its Model Y, which McNally believes contributed to the sales drop as customers wait for the latest model before upgrading. The refreshed Model Y is set to go on sale in the US next month.Musks antics couldnt have come at a worse time for Tesla, as it grapples with intense competition, an ageing model lineup, and a wider slump in demand for electric vehicles.Teslas reputation in Europe now largely hinges on its CEO unless the company decides to oust him. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Europes startup scene has entered troubled waters. Long overshadowed by Silicon Valley and now being chased down by China,thecontinent is urgently looking for boosts. Increasingly, the search is leading to ecosystems.The ecosystem model creates networks of individuals, organisations, and resources. Their shared expertise and resources can produce a multiplier effect, driving innovation and accelerating growth.A core component of European ecosystems is the EU. While its tech strategy often faces criticism, the bloc has also played a key role in driving startup success.Just ask Nicolas Benady, the CEO of Swan, a thriving banking-as-a-service (BaaS) fintech based in France.Our company wouldnt exist without the European Union, he says.The of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!Benady points to the impact of the Payment Service Directive, an EU law that established standardised rules for electronic payments. The legislation sparked the success of many global fintech leaders, from Revolut to Adyen. They finally had a chance to compete with banks in payments.Swan has reaped the benefits. Last month, the startup announced it had raised 42mn the second part of a Series B round that brought Swans total funding to an estimated 100mn.Without this directive, I dont think wed have so many fintechs today in Europe, Benady says.Fintechs are far from the only beneficiaries of the EU ecosystem but the network still needs work.At TNWs Nurturing Scaleup Success webinar on Tuesday, Benady joined a panel of European tech experts to explain the power and peril of ecosystems. Their message was clear: no startup scales alone. Their success depends on a thriving ecosystem of partners.4 pillars of a thriving ecosystemJason Lynch, CEO of quantum computing startup Equal1, has firsthand experience of the power of ecosystems. His company has partnered with Arm on computing breakthroughs, collaborated with Nvidia to blend hardware with software, and teamed up with the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) on product development.Equal1 also recently secured investment from TNO. To strengthen the alliance, the startup has set up shop in another component of the Dutch ecosystem: the House of Quantum in Delft, a national campus for quantum startups.Lynch has high hopes for the relocation. Being in a centre of excellence is a critical piece of an ecosystem, he says.At the TNW webinar now available to watch on-demand Lynch broke down four crucial benefits of an ecosystem.1. TalentAs Silicon Valleys network effects continuously prove, startups benefit immensely from proximity to talent. The House of Quantum provides another promising example. With a steady stream of experts flowing through the site, the centre is giving Equal1 a fresh talent pipeline.2. InfrastructureComputation costs for startups can be astronomical. With access to shared infrastructure, startups can achieve dramatic savings.3. PartnershipsTech firms often rely on complex supply chains. Ecosystems offer a route to bring each component together. What a centre of excellence like Delft offers is an ability to work very closely with companies that are just across the corridor, says Lynch.4. CustomersEnd users are drawn to areas with substantial expertise and companies. They help startups to validate and commercialise their products more quickly. A hub like this really attracts in those end users, says Lynch.Yet Lynch also has concerns about EU ecosystems. Chief among them is a failure to commercialise ideas.Its well-recognised that European research is leading the world. People would probably say that bringing that research to market is where Europe has more of a challenge. For me, thats about speed, getting out of the way of startups, and trying to lower the barriers as much as possible.The money streamsEU policymakers are often slated for providing insufficient support to startups. There are growing signs, however, that their attitudes are changing.Clotilde Hocquard, Public Affairs Lead at France Digitale, a European organisation that connects startups and investors, points to several positive developments.One is an expansion of funding streams, such as a new EU initiative to mobilise 200bn for AI investments. Another is Frances Tibi Initiative, which brings institutional investors together with accredited VC firms to encourage tech investing. It should be replicated at the European level, Hocquard says.Big ideas like this have been hard to bring to life, but theyre now attracting growing support. Hocquard noticed the momentum shift after last years publication of the Draghi Report, which revealed alarming problems for European innovation.Policymakers are starting to realise that they need to do something to make sure startups can thrive in Europe, she says.Despite the positive signs, Hocquard wants faster progress. She points to another example set in the US.We have to make sure to mobilise pension funds and insurers, like in the United States. And we have to make sure the money is targeted towards VC funds and to finance innovation.But funding isnt the only challenge for EU ecosystems.The double-edged sword of regulationSwan may only exist thanks to EU rules, but the blocs regulation is a double-edged sword.One big problem is the diversity of laws. Despite the single market, the EUs legislation is fragmented. We dont have anything single, says Hocquard. We have 27 member states doing what they want with their rules.This smorgasbord of laws raises barriers to scaling across borders. If the ecosystem could harmonise the rules, startups would face smoother paths to expansion.Hocquard points to company law as a powerful and straightforward initial target. She also urges member states to stop twisting EU rules in different directions.If theres a European law, it should be applied in a uniform way across the continent, she says.Ecosystems for scaleThe urge to scale can lead to premature decisions. Benady advises early-stage founders to first focus on the product-market fit.Once you start to see commercial traction, then you have to scale your company and this is a totally different game, he says.At that point, ecosystems become a key player. For Swan, they provided a vital boost to the companys progress.At first, however, Benady underestimated the value of two essential supporting structures.Even though my investors warned me, I paid attention a little bit too late to HR and finance, he admits. When you scale, you cant mess with HR and finance.Benady compares their impact to musicians in a band.Finance and HR are the drum and the bass. Thats not what you hear; you hear the singer, you hear the guitar but if you dont have a perfect drum and bass, you wont scale your company. So pay attention to finance and HR.To make sweet startup music, ecosystems need an orchestra of instruments. They require one section for talent, a second for infrastructure, another for partnerships, and a fourth for customers.They also need the public and governments to hum along. The goal now is convincing citizens that investing in innovation is actually investing in the future of Europe, Hocquard says. Once we have the citizens with us, we need the policymakers to make all the legal changes.With that support, Europes band of startups could be heading for the world stage.Ecosystems will be a hot topic at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at checkout to get 30% off the price tag. Story by Thomas Macaulay Managing editor Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he e (show all) Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse). Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 18.4. While its missing some of the most impressive Apple Intelligence features, it includes a ton of other new features and changes. Head below for our full roundup of everything new in iOS 18.4iOS 18.4 beta 1 detailsiOS 18.4 beta 1 is available now to developer beta testers. The update features the 22E5200s. Apple hasnt released iOS 18.4 to public beta testers yet, but we expect that to change sometime next week. Whats new in iOS 18.4 beta 1? Apple News+ FoodiOS 18.4 beta 1 adds a new Apple News+ Food section with thousands of curated recipes from top publishers. Those recipes are presented in a clear and clutter-free interface. Apple says: Coming with iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 in April, Apple News+ subscribers will have access to Apple News+ Food, a new section that will feature tens of thousands of recipes as well as stories about restaurants, healthy eating, kitchen essentials, and more from the worlds top food publishers, including Allrecipes, Bon Apptit, Food & Wine, Good Food, and Serious Eats.More details:iOS 18.4 adds new Food section to Apple News+ with curated recipes in a clutter-free designPriority NotificationsiOS 18.4 includes the new Priority Notifications feature that Apple unveiled last year as part of Apple Intelligence. The feature automatically highlights important notifications with a unique design, making it easier to find notifications that require your attention. More details:iOS 18.4 enables Priority Notifications, a new Apple Intelligence featureNew Image Playground styleWhen Image Playground first launched with iOS 18.2, it offered two of the three promised image styles: Animation and Illustration. iOS 18.4 beta 1 adds the third and final style: sketch. Read more:iOS 18.4 beta 1 adds new Image Playground style with Apple IntelligenceApple Intelligence in more languagesThere are new languages for Apple Intelligence support: French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) as well as localized English for Singapore and India.Genmoji changeScreenshotApple has made the Genmoji button in the emoji keyboard significantly larger. Theres also a new popup that appears the first time you use the feature: Create your own original emoji to add to Messages or use as a sticker. New default app categories With iOS 18.4 beta 1, Apple continues to expand the number of default app categories that users can customize. You can now set a default Translate app in the United States and elsewhere. In the European Union, theres now support for setting a default Navigation app. Read more:iOS 18.4 lets you set default iPhone apps in these new categoriesAmbient musiciOS 18.4 beta 1 adds four new Control Center toggles for Ambient Music: ChillProductivitySleepWellbeingThese can be added to Control Center, assigned to your iPhones Action button, and placed on your Lock Screen. They are each assigned to a default Apple Music playlist, but you can customize it to any playlist in your Music library. Read more: iOS 18.4 beta adds Ambient Music to Control Center via Apple MusicCarPlay design update As spotted by my friend Jace on Threads, iOS 18.4 updates the CarPlay interface to add a third row of app icons on the Home screen. This change only applies to certain cars. New Mail app comes to iPadWith iPadOS 18.4 beta 1, the new Mail app that first debuted on the iPhone with iOS 18.2 is now on iPad. The Mail app can now automatically organize and sort your emails into four different categories:Promotions: Marketing emails and couponsPrimary: Personal and time-sensitive emailsTransactions: Confirmations and receiptsUpdates: News and social media notificationsRead more: Mail app redesign now available in macOS 15.4 and iPadOS 18.4 betasApple Vision Pro updates (coming soon)Apple announced that a new Apple Vision Pro app is coming soon to the iPhone as part of iOS 18.4 and visionOS 2.4 in April. Once available, this app will appear on your iPhone automatically after you update your iPhone to iOS 18.4 and your Apple Vision Pro to visionOS 2.4. If you dont have an Apple Vision Pro, you can download this app from the App Store to explore the Discover page and learn more about the spatial computing platform.iOS 18.4 also adds new accommodations for the Guest User feature on Apple Vision Pro. This feature will be available in a future update to iOS 18.4 and visionOS 2.4. Read more:Your Apple Vision Pro is getting a lot better with visionOS 2.4Photos app list viewIn the Photos app, theres a new interface for editing your Albums list.Age Range during setup When you set up a new iPhone from scratch with iOS 18.4, youll be prompted to pick the Age Range of the person who will use the device. Apple says this information will help iPhone set up parental controls and safety features. Child: 12 or youngerTeen: 13 to 17Adult: 18 or olderApple has added new Library and Shows widgets from the Podcasts app. These can be added to your iPhones Home screen to easily play episodes from a list in your library or play episodes from a show you follow. More iOS 18.4 beta 1 tidbitsIn addition to those changes, there are a handful of smaller changes included in iOS 18.4 beta 1. Apple has added two new Shortcuts actions for the Messages app: Open Conversation and Send Message.There are two new Australian voices for Siri in iOS 18.4. Apple has made a few design tweaks to Control Center, including a new picker for switching Focus modes, a new animation when adjusting volume, and a new design for the Cellular Data toggle.In the Settings app, the Camera App portion of the Camera Control interface now gets its own dedicated menu. As spotted by Aaron Perris on X, Japanese My Number Card Digital ID coming to Apple Wallet in iOS 18.4. Well have much more on everything new in iOS 18.4 soon. In the meantime, spot any changes in todays release of iOS 18.4 beta 1 or iPadOS 18.4 beta 1? Let us know in the comments below, onTwitter @9to5Mac, and onThreads @9to5Mac. Stay tuned for our full hands-on coverage with the new releases right here at9to5Mactoday and throughout the rest of the week.My favorite iPhone accessories: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

Having central air is nice, but not every living space comes with that luxury. Sure, you could install something like a window air unit, but that can be a hassle, and you need to make sure your windows are suited for the job. Thankfully, there are also portable air conditioner units. With one of these, you can get your desired temperature without having to install a permanent unit, and they can be much more affordable than central air. You can move them around the house if needed, too. Along with their intended purpose, many units are true workhorses, providing additional functionality like dehumidification and smart assistant compatibility.No matter your preferences or price point, there is a compact air conditioner to meet your needs. To help you narrow your search, this list includes the best options available. Our Picks Best high-end portable AC unit Midea MAP14HS1TBL View details $700 at Walmart View details Best portable AC unit for small spaces Black+Decker BPP08WTB (Update: out of stock) View details See at Walmart View details Best value portable AC unit Haier QPWA14YZMW (Update: out of stock) View details See at Wayfair View details Table of Contents What is the best overall portable air conditioner? Whether you need a portable AC for an apartment, a stuffy room or any other space, weve tested top units in the CNET Testing Lab to find the best at cooling and maintaining comfort. But if you're looking for a straightforward answer, our newest pick, the Black+Decker BPP08WTB, is the best budget portable AC unit.Read more: Best Smart Home Gifts $700 at Walmart Not only did the Midea MAP14HS1TBL excel in performance compared with the other larger portable air conditioners we tested, but it also has a lot of features and specialty options. This model isn't cheap, but it's a well-rounded luxury AC unit with everything you need -- and then some.To start, the MAP14HS1TBL has the highest cooling capacity of any other model we tested. Those 12,000 BTUs come in handy for cooling larger spaces up to 550 square feet, and it showed in the performance. The Midea model beat out the two other larger AC units in this list, the Haier QPWA14YZMW and the LG LP1419IVSM, in both of our performance tests.This model also comes with a standard remote control and has sleep mode, timer and dehumidifier functions, as well as an app and support for Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.Overall, the Midea MAP14HS1TBL has all the premium features and options you'd expect for its price. Throw in its stellar performance and this unit is our top pick to cool larger spaces. Keep in mind that this air conditioner was also the heaviest unit we tested at 77 pounds, but like the rest, it comes with wheels for easy maneuvering. See at Walmart See at Amazon Quiet, powerful, compact and efficient. The Black+Decker BPP08WTB delivers power at a very competitive price, earning the title of best small portable AC unit.In our temperature consistency test, it outperformed all other units, maintaining a set point of 68 degrees Fahrenheit with a score of 48.3%. No other small portable AC unit achieved this level of performance. This unit offers exceptional value.Key features include an easy-to-use LCD remote control with a follow me function, allowing you to set the thermostat to your desired temperature from a distance. This unit is ideal for areas with high humidity, as it also functions as a dehumidifier, capable of removing up to 80 pints of moisture per day. See at Wayfair The Haier QPWA14YZMW is an excellent midpoint between the Black+Decker and Midea AC units. Its price sits in the middle of the best small and best high-end air conditioners, yet it offers similar specs and performance to the Midea model but without some of the advanced features.Specifically, this Haier AC unit has a 9,700-Btu cooling capacity and can cool up to a 550-square-foot room. While its cooling capacity is lower than the 12,000-Btu Midea air conditioner, the Haier unit held its own during testing. It managed to maintain a 68-degree set temperature for over 75% of its running time (compared with the Midea's 85%). It also maintained its lowest temperature 70.9% of its running time, after the Midea's 80.1% and the Whirlpool's 73.5%.Regarding features, this unit has a remote control, timer and dehumidifier functions. It also has an app, but you won't have support for voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.Overall, this Haier portable air conditioner performed well but cost less, and it has fewer features than the Midea AC unit. If you don't want all the extras of the Midea, the Haier QPWA14YZMW is a solid alternative at great value. If you don't need a portable air conditioner that can cool up to 550 square feet, look instead to a smaller unit. The contenders We tested 10 portable air conditioners for this best list (some of which are no longer featured): the Black+Decker BPP08WTB, the Black+Decker BPACT14WT, the Frigidaire FHPC082AC1, the GE APCD08JALW, the Haier QPWA14YZMW, the LG LP1419IVSM (Out of Stock), the Midea MAP10S1CWT, the Midea MAP14HS1TBL, the Whirlpool WHAP131BWC and the Whynter ARC-14S. In the chart below, you can get an overview of each unit and how they compare in terms of pricing, specs and features. At a glance, you can see we tested some units with similar specs, while also covering a wide range of options. Not only do the prices vary from $310 to $699, but half of the units are designed to cool smaller 350-square-foot rooms, while the rest can handle larger spaces up to 500 or 550 square feet. They also vary in terms of BTU, which ranges in the units we tested from 5,500 to 12,000 BTU.It's worth noting here that there are currently two different standards for determining BTU capacity: the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers' BTU rating and the Department of Energy's Seasonally Adjusted Cooling Capacity Btu rating. For that reason, many manufacturer sites list both the Ashrae and the SACC ratings in their specs.For example, the Frigidaire FHPC082AC1 we tested has an Ashrae capacity of 8,000 BTU, while the DOE's SACC rating for the same unit is 5,500 BTU. The SACC standard was developed more recently and is being broadly adopted across manufacturers, so we use the SACC Btu capacity as the default standard anywhere we reference Btu capacity in this list. Still have questions about this? Learn more about the SACC standard here (PDF). How we test To test portable air conditioners, we heat a climate-controlled room to 92 degrees. After the room reaches 92 degrees, we turn off the heat and turn on the portable AC unit to cool mode, with a medium fan speed and a set temperature of 68 degrees. We run the unit for 2 hours and 30 minutes and repeat the same test twice per AC unit. We then use the data collected during the tests to measure two things:How consistently the portable air conditioner keeps the room within 5% of 68 degreesHow consistently it kept the room within 5% of the AC unit's individual lowest temperatureOnce we have this information, we compare the results across the units to see which ones maintained the set temperature for the longest period of time. We also look at which units maintained their individual lowest temperature for the longest time. We did this so that if a unit didn't reach 68 degrees in the allotted time, we were still able to track how consistently it maintained the lowest temperature it achieved. The higher the percentage, the better the unit performed.When looking at performance, it's important to note that the units we tested don't have identical specs, so direct performance comparisons aren't the only thing we consider when arriving at our list of best portable air conditioners. We also look at a unit's features and other options in reference to its price and specifications to determine its overall value.We also don't draw direct performance comparisons when looking at units of vastly different sizes and capabilities, say, the 12,000-BTU Midea MAP14HS1TBL versus the 5,500-BTU Frigidaire FHPC082AC1. For this reason, we compared performance results in two groups based on coverage area. Specifically, we compared the smaller Midea, Black+Decker, Frigidaire, Whirlpool and GE models (which all have coverage areas of up to 350 square feet) against each other and the larger Black+Decker, Whynter, Haier, LG and Midea models (which have 500-to-550-square-foot coverage areas) against one another. Show more Performance Delving a little more into performance, you can see how long all 10 portable air conditioners maintained a temperature set point of 68 degrees. Because we're not comparing the larger units directly with the smaller ones, we've displayed the two groups in separate charts. The Midea air conditioner performed the best, maintaining the 68-degree set point for 85.4% of its runtime. The Haier model came in second with 75.5% and the LG model in third with 74.2%. For the smaller units, the Black+Decker came in at 48.3%, followed by the GE at 39.7% and the Whirlpool model at 25.2%.For the second test, we looked at how consistently the unit maintained its lowest temperature. The Midea air conditioner once again outperformed the other large units by maintaining its lowest temperature for 80.1% of its runtime. The LG model came in second with 73.5% and the Haier model in a close third with 70.9%. For the smaller units, the GE model performed extremely well, closely trailing the larger Haier air conditioner at 68.9%. The Midea model wasn't far behind, at 66.2%, followed by the Frigidaire model at 57%.In addition, we made charts to track the temperature changes of each unit over time. In the chart representing the larger units, the Midea unit's temperature dropped more quickly than the others and maintained the lower temperature for most of its run. For the smaller units, the Black+Decker unit dropped the temperature more quickly, held the lead for much of its run, and cooled to a lower final temperature. Portable air conditioner FAQs Do portable ACs have to vent through the windows? Yes. Air conditioners work by absorbing thermal energy -- heat -- from inside and transferring it outside through coils full of refrigerant. Venting through the window gives that heat somewhere to go that isnt inside your home, the space youre trying to cool. Show more How do portable AC units work? These devices might look more like an air purifier than an air conditioner, but they work similarly to a window unit. Theyll probably contain a water basin, like a dehumidifier, since they serve that purpose as well. A single-hose unit will use a condenser to cool the air inside and then vent the heat outside through a hose mounted into the window. A dual-hose unit will pull fresh air from outside, cool it and circulate it through the room, using a second hose to vent the heat and warm air. Show more What portable AC brand is best? It depends on what youre looking for, including the size of the room, how you want it to vent and how much youre willing to pay. Show more Is it worth buying a portable air conditioner? If youre just trying to cool a small space, a portable air conditioner can deliver results at a far more reasonable price than installing a central air system. A port

Around a dozen current and former federal workers are behind a new website created as an outlet to share anonymous stories and technical expertise about the Department of Government Efficiencys dismantling of government agencies.We the Builders aims to be a secure outlet for government workers to share how their workplaces are being impacted by DOGE, and a place to explain the real world impact of its access to government tech systems, a former federal worker behind the project tells The Verge. The website was created by people who made government websites easier to use while protecting the integrity of your personal information, according to its description. Had DOGE wanted to use technology to build a more efficient country, they would ask us, the site says. But they havent. They are destroyers. We are the builders.The website is aimed at informing the general public about whats happening inside federal agencies, as well as explaining how a database being accessed by DOGE in Washington, DC could impact citizens in tangible ways all across the country. I want to make sure that people understand that data matters, says the former federal worker, who was granted anonymity for fear of retribution and harassment in going public, but whose identity has been confirmed by The Verge. If I can explain that in a way that helps you to be able to protect yourself and advocate for yourself, then Im doing my job.Are you a current or former US federal government worker? Reach out securely on a personal device with tips to Lauren Feiner via Signal at laurenfeiner.64.While social media forums like Reddit and Instagram have already become gathering places for federal workers to commiserate, We the Builders aims to offer an alternative outlet for workers who may be fearful to share their stories even through an anonymous social media account. The team says they are working with a security consultant to ensure that submissions remain secure and anonymous to the public. They also plan to vet submissions for accuracy and use their networks to confirm that they are coming from real federal workers.So far, the site hosts a couple anonymous blog posts explaining the work of the US Digital Service which has been renamed to incorporate the acronym DOGE under President Donald Trump and comparing the former USDS and DOGEs approach to efficiency. It describes USDS method as Precision Engineering for Public Good, and DOGEs as Disruption Without Understanding.The former government employee says they hope visitors to the website can walk away with a more nuanced understanding of whats happening. Im hoping that federal workers can see stories of people like them, and also help them make decisions for themselves, and to feel supported.See More:

All eyes are on the Birdman.Earlier this week, professional skater Tyshawn Jones mentioned how he was in a new Tony Hawk remaster "coming out" soon.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Hey everyone! I have recently been working on various ways to improve the lighting on niagara particles. I will use this thread as a repository for multiple techniques I have been messing with.This is the most recent technique I have been working on. I wanted to achieve particle normals based on a density gradient. I am using the neighbor grid 3d to save the particle counts in each cell and then I do a gradient calculation along each axis. The final vector is fed into the materials via the dynamic materials parameter and plugged into the normals slot. I can also control the delta offset for the gradient calculation, the larger the offset, the smoother/more blurred the resulting normals become. Smaller values will capture more high frequency details but can become noisy if you go too low. Enjoy, Feedback welcome!

By Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show Published February 21, 2025 8:34pm EST close Cell phones banned in LA schools Family therapist Thomas Kersting joins 'Fox & Friends' to weigh in on Los Angeles classroom cell phone ban. Linda recently called my national radio show with a question that flooded my inbox. Clearly, a lot of you have experienced a similarly eerie moment."I was shopping yesterday at Walmart, looking at kitchen knives. I called my friend and told her where I was in the store. I didnt buy the knives. Today, I received an email advertising the very knives I was looking at! How did that happen? I never looked knives up online."IM A TECH EXPERT: 10 AI PROMPTS YOULL USE ALL THE TIMEWin an iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence ($999 value).No purchase necessary.Enter to win now!I hear you: "Kim, her phone was listening!" The answer isnt that simple, but I can explain whats really going on.Your digital trailEven if Linda never searched online for knives, her smartphone was busy collecting data. Your phone tracks your location, not just through GPS but also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals. A woman is pictured texting on her phone. (iStock)If youve connected to a stores Wi-Fi or walked in with Bluetooth on, Walmart and other retailers can track your movements. They know where youre standing in the store. They also know you didnt buy the knives.Retailers sell this data to ad networks that then work with data brokers to get your email address. Bingo. Linda got an email from the knife company. I bet she starts seeing ads for knives and related items online, too.But wait, theres moreFacebook, Instagram, Google and weather apps track your location, even when running in the background. If youve granted them location access, they know where you are and later use that data to serve you ads.5-MINUTE CLEANUP FOR YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTERYoure being secretly tracked by 3 settings on your phoneThrow AI into the mixOdds are, Linda is now going to get email pitches and see ads on social media for new cutlery, charcuterie boards and cooking classes. This is how AI-driven advertising works. It takes one interest (kitchen knives) and expands it into related categories.How to protect your privacyTheres a lot you cant control in this whole tracking mess. That makes it even more important to do what you can. The Google logo is displayed at the Google headquarters on September 2, 2015, in Mountain View, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Erase your digital breadcrumbsDont stay logged into Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc., while youre shopping. The easiest way is to open a new incognito or private window thats separate from the accounts youre signed into.Heres how to start your browser in Incognito mode by default:For Chrome on a PC, drag the icon from your Start menu to the desktop to create a shortcut. Then right-click and select Show more options > Properties. There, youll see the URL string under "Target." Add -incognito to the end.On Safari for Mac, click Settings> General> Safari opens with a private window.For Android phones, tap and hold the browsers icon, then select Open in Private tab.On iPhone, press and hold your browsers icon and choose New Private Tab (for Safari) or Incognito Search (for Chrome).10 TECH UPGRADES TO SAVE YOUR TIME, PRIVACY AND MONEY THIS YEARI recommend you regularly clear cookies on your phone, too. If youve never done that,here are the steps.Manage location trackingTurn off location tracking for retail apps in your phones settings.Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use.Avoid public Wi-Fi, as retailers use it to log your visit. A close-up shot of a woman using a laptop while working from home. (iStock)Adjust your ad settingsVisitGoogle Ad Settings to turn off ad personalization.Update ad preferences on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon and the rest.Review app permissionsTurn off microphone access for apps like Facebook and Google.Limit background app tracking in your phones settings.Its a creepy feeling when this sort of thing happens. Remember, this combination of retailers, advertisers and data brokers is trying to get you to spend a buck.Get tech-smarter on your scheduleAward-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.National radio:Airing on 500+ stations across the US -Find yours or get the free podcast.Daily newsletter:Join 650,000 people who read the Current (free!)Watch: OnKims YouTube channelPodcast: "The Current powered by Kim Komando" - Listen wherever you get podcastsCopyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.