Just a reminder that the algorithm is trying to maximize unregretted user-seconds. If far more credible, verified subscriber accounts (not bots) mute/block your account compared to those who like your posts, your reach will decline significantly.

The reason the government so insanely inefficient is that those in the government are spending your money on somebody else. Thats why we should minimize how much the government does. It is simply a giant version of the DMV!

If youre looking for a fun way to bring your kids favorite TV shows and movies to life, consider adding a licensed video game to your collection. These give you (and your kids) a chance to jump into the shoes of their favorite characters, including SpongeBob, Bluey, Paw Patrol, and many more. These games tend to be easy enough for newer and younger players, though some offer enough challenges to keep older gamers engaged too.Best Buy has dozens of these family-friendly games up for grabs, spanning PS5, Xbox, and Switch. Here's a look at a few that are available now. Baby Shark: Sing & Swim Party$20Baby Shark: Sing & Swim Party is an adorable music game that lets you explore Tropical Bay and Ocean City with the iconic family of fish. Youll choose from five customizable characters as you dodge obstacles to the beat of the song and try to earn as many points as possible. Its essentially a rhythm game for kids, and it even supports local four-player coop if the whole family wants to join in. See at Best Buy Bluey: The Video Game$20 - $40Along with a chance to play as Bluey in either a Story or Free Play mode, Bluey: The Video Game lets you roam around as Chilli, Bingo, or Bandit. Youll unravel a brand new story as you trek through the Heeler House, Playgrounds, and other popular spots from the hit TV show. Theres also a cooperative mode so you can play with a friend, as well as a variety of challenges to keep things interesting.See at Best BuyPS4 -- $40PS5 -- $20 ($40)Xbox -- $35 ($40)Switch -- $40 Disney Dreamlight Valley: Cozy Edition$35 - $40Part adventure game, part life sim, Disney Dreamlight Valley plays out a bit like Animal Crossing. But instead of meeting furry animal-like creatures, youll encounter familiar faces from the Disney universe. Youll be tasked with helping remove the Night Thorns from the land to restore it to its former glory, while also building your very own neighborhood and befriending its inhabitants. Its a relaxing game with plenty to explore, making it a wonderful fit for all Disney fans. The Cozy Edition includes bonuses like an exclusive double-sided poster, digital cosmetics, and in-game currency.See at Best BuyPS5 -- $35 ($40)PS4 -- $40Switch -- $40 Disney Epic Mickey Rebrushed$42 - $60The original Epic Mickey released in 2010--and whether you missed out on the adventure or are a longtime fan, this remake is the best way to play in 2025. Featuring updated graphics, improved controls, and new movement skills (like dashing and ground pound), the 3D platformer is better than ever. Youll be tasked with venturing through the Wastelands (a region filled with forgotten Disney characters) as you attempt to clear it from the mysterious Blot.See at Best BuyPS5 -- $42 ($60)Xbox -- $48 ($60)Switch -- $60 Dog Man: Mission Impawsible$40If youre a fan of the Dog Man books, check out this quirky 2D platformer. Youll play as Dog Man and his Supa Buddies as you track down the key to the city--which has suddenly fallen into the hands of the bad guys. Each character has its own ability (such as Rocket Boots and Retractable Claws), giving you plenty of ways to overcome all the obstacles standing between you and your goals.See at Best BuyPS5Switch Nick Jr. Party Adventure$20Join Dora, Blue, Blaze, and other iconic Nick Jr. characters in this family-friendly puzzle platformer. Before the party can start, you and up to one other player will need to locate all the missing party supplies. There are 25 different characters to meet across six hit shows, making it a fun way to see the Nickelodeon universe from a new perspective.See at Best BuyPS5PS4XboxSwitch Paw Patrol World$20This open-world adventure has you cruising around as all the iconic pups from the hit TV Show as they try to stop Mayor Humdingers super blimp. Youll get the chance to complete missions based on the show as you explore Jakes Mountain, Barkingburg, and other familiar spots. You can also customize your character and vehicles with a variety of unlockable cosmetics. Cooperative play supports up to two players. See at Amazon PJ Masks Power Heroes: Mighty Alliances$20Rebuild PJ Power HQ as you travel through 2D levels to discover all of your headquarters' missing components. Characters have unique skills to help you on your journey (such as super speed and creating snowballs), which should keep things interesting as you fend off the bad guys and locate all your missing gear. Controls are designed to be easy and accessible for everyone, making it a great game for players of all ages.See at Best BuyPS4XboxSwitch Rugrats Adventures in Gameland$40Dive into retro Rugrat gameplay with this cooperative platformer. You and up to one other player will work through six different levels inspired by the Pickles residence, playing as Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil. The game features hand-drawn animations that do a solid job of recreating the shows unique art style, and youll have the option to swap between 8-bit and HD graphic styles.See at Best BuyPS5Switch The Grinch Christmas Adventures$40Were a long way from Christmas, but its never too early for the Grinch to start crafting a plan to stop Christmas. Follow him on this 2D journey as he steals presents from Who-ville, which features colorful graphics inspired by the original Dr. Seuss book. This version also includes four holiday postcards as a bonus.See at Best BuyPS5Switch SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake$24 - $30Jump into the aquatic shoes of SpongeBob as he and Patrick set out to rescue the citizens of Bikini Bottom from the alternate realities theyre trapped inside. Aside from the usual 3D platforming hijinks and the show's trademark sense of humor, youll get to unlock dozens of hilarious costumes, learn a variety of skills and karate moves to help you overcome even the most challenging obstacles, and enjoy a soundtrack consisting of 101 songs from the TV show.See at Best BuyPS4 -- $24 ($30)Switch -- $30 SpongeBob SquarePants: A Patrick Star Game$26 - $30Prefer Patrick over SpongeBob? Then A Patrick Star Game might be a better fit. Youre free to roam around Bikini Bottom and cause mayhem, making liberal use of the games wild physics system as you tear through the Krusty Krab, Glove World, and other famous locations at the bottom of the sea. Along with all the usual faces, youll have the opportunity to unlock funky new costumes for Patrick, giving your mayhem a bit of structure. A steelbook version is also up for grabs exclusively at Best Buy.See at Best BuyPS5 -- $30PS4 -- $30Xbox -- $30Switch (Steelbook) -- $30Switch -- $26 ($30) The Smurfs: Dreams$43 - $50Gargamel has trapped the Smurfs in a deep slumber, and its up to you to free them from his evil grasp. You and up to one other player will head out on a 3D platforming adventure to overcome Gargamels traps and locate each missing Smurf. Each level features new and increasingly devious obstacles to avoid, and youll find plenty of hidden collectibles along the way.See at Best BuyPS5 -- $50Switch -- $43 ($50) The Smurfs 2: Prisoners of the Green Stone$31 - $40An attempt to steal the powerful Green Stone from Gargamel goes wrong, causing the Green Stone to explode into fragments that scatter throughout the land. It also unleashes a new evil force, Stolas, and itll be up to both the Smurfs and Gargamel to prevent Stolas from destroying Smurf Village. The cooperative 3D platformer lets you see three new regions in the Smurf universe and enjoy deeper combat thanks to the latest innovation in Smurf technology--the SmurfoMix.See at Best BuyPS5 -- $31 ($40)PS4 -- $40Xbox -- $40Switch -- $35 ($40) The Smurfs Village Party$40The Smurfs Village Party is essentially two games in one. The first mode is Adventure, which tasks you with exploring 10 regions and meeting over 100 Smurfs as you complete a variety of quests. The second mode is Party Game, which supports up to four local players and has you battling it out in 50 mini-games. These fall into six different categories (sport, luck, memory, battle, accuracy, and quickness), so only the most versatile Smurf will emerge victorious. Give it a look if youre seeking a fun game the whole family can enjoy.See at Best BuyPS5 -- $40Switch -- $33 ($40)

Dragon Ball is a series full of incredible transformations fans can't get enough of. The Saiyans have enjoyed several forms that let them reach new heights of power and decimate their foes in style. Even Dragon Ball GT couldn't shy away from letting fans enjoy a brand-new transformation, even though the series' primary focus was on channeling the spirit of adventure present at the very start of the series.

One of the greatest things about Red Dead Redemption 2 is that it allows players to use a lot of different outfits and masks to cover up their identity and express themselves through Arthur. While some outfits look rather normal, others are very extravagant and can definitely make him stand out anywhere.

Meta has offered up a lucrative new executive bonus plan, according to a company filing released Thursday. Under the new plan, executives could earn a yearly bonus of 200 percent of their base salary, which is up from 75 percent. This comes just after Meta announced sweeping layoffs impacting five percent of its workforce.A committee for Metas board of directors approved the change on February 13, on the grounds that the target total cash compensation for its executives was at or below the 15th percentile of the target total cash compensation of executives holding similar positions at rival companies. Its worth noting that the new bonus plan doesnt apply to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Dont worry about his bottom line, however, as hes worth nearly $250 billion.Meta has also decided to slash its annual distribution of stock options by around ten percent for thousands of its regular employees, according to a report by The Financial Times. The exact reduction could differ depending on where the employees live and what they do, but Meta hasnt commented further on the decision.As previously noted, Meta is in the process of laying off five percent of its global workforce. This is despite the fact that company shares are up nearly 50 percent over the past year, with a current stock price of around $687 per share. Also, it recently announced that its fourth-quarter revenue grew 21 percent year-over-year to more than $48 billion. The company has cut more than 20,000 jobs in the past couple of years."A leaner org will execute its highest priorities faster. People will be more productive, and their work will be more fun and fulfilling," Zuckerberg said at the tail-end of last year. Nothing says fun and fulfilling more than watching your co-workers get laid off while the executives get massive bonuses.If youre a current or former Meta employee with thoughts on this new executive bonus structure, hit me up on Signal at LawrenceBonk.96. Ill ensure that things are kept anonymous.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/meta-approves-massive-bonuses-executives-183222206.html?src=rss

If you couldnt stomach $800 for a new iPhone with Apple Intelligence, dont worry: Apple just announced the iPhone 16e. At $599, it strikes a balance on specs, which is the soft and cosy way to say it doesnt have everything.It has a lot, though. With a 6.1-inch screen, its a much bigger device than the 4.7-inch iPhone SE, with a notch for FaceID (no more TouchID), USB-C (adios, Lightning) and the companys A18 processor. Theres also an action button, which arrived with the iPhone 15 series, but no Camera Control.AppleThats the same processor as the $800 iPhone 16, so youve got access to what seems to be the full gamut of Apple Intelligence. That includes generative AI writing tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence and ChatGPT integration. So yeah, a mixed bag.The notable hardware standout might be the single 48-megapixel Fusion camera, at a time when 'pro' iPhones have three. The last time I tested a single-camera smartphone was the Pixel 4a back in 2020. Oh, and the last iPhone SE.Apple has dropped both wireless charging and MagSafes magnetic ring for the iPhone 16e too, which is a surprise. Im not a huge fan of wireless charging. Its slow, inefficient and confusing. Having said that, I hope this isnt the beginning of the end for Apples wireless charging feature. I love the mag part of MagSafe, which has introduced far more elegant tripods and phone mounts that lock iPhones in place without needing a clamp or a plug. In recent years, weve got unofficial MagSafe cases for other smartphones, so I can do the same with my Android phones.The iPhone 16e lands on February 28 in black and white, but dont worry, there will be fizzy color cases. Even if they dont have MagSafe.(And kudos to this hilariously timed discount on the Pixel 8a, now only $399. I love a good troll deal.) Mat SmithA $599 iPhone 16e is a cruel jokeGreat cameras, not Apple Intelligence, is what people want from an iPhone 16eThe iPhone 16es lack of MagSafe doesnt make senseGet this delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!Humanes AI pins will stop working in 7 daysHP has bought the companys IP, but it doesnt want the pins.EngadgetThe company behind the widely ridiculed AI assistant badge/thing has sold all its assets to HP for $116 million not the billion-dollar buyout it hoped for.In a note to its customers, the company said AI Pins will continue to function normally until 12PM PT on February 28, less than a week from now. Customers still within the 90-day return window (why did you buy it?!) will get a refund.Continue reading.The Humane AI Pin is the solution to none of technology's problemsAfter its reputation went up in flames, Humane warns users its charging case may tooOppos Find N5 is a very thin foldable with a giant batteryAnd a price tag to match the Galaxy Z Fold 6.EngadgetOppos Find N5 is thinner than a headphone jack when unfolded and weighs only 229 grams. Thats just a few more than a typical flagship phone. Despite that footprint, it packs a 6.62-inch outer display and an 8.12-inch inner screen, with a seven-core Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a 5,600mAh battery, which supports 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Its technically impressive, but theres no word on when the device will make it to the US. Typically, the devices hit the US under OnePlus branding, but that company says there will be no OnePlus Open 2 this year, so you may have to go out of your way to get your hands on one. Also, expect to pay just shy of $2,000.Continue reading.The biggest tech stories you might have missedLenovo Legion Go S (Windows version) review: Not so fastDJIs Osmo Mobile 7P gimbal can track you around on any Android or iOS camera appxAI launches Grok 3 AI, claiming it is capable of human reasoningYou can now apply for the opportunity to purchase an RTX 5090 or 5080 from NVIDIAThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121944067.html?src=rss

Another busy week in tech draws to a close, and we're here to help you catch up on everything that happened.

The Handmaid's Tale season 6 will be available to stream on Hulu in April 2025 here's everything we know about the dystopian drama's return, while we wait.