Something to look forward to: Razer has introduced a new iteration of its desktop-replacement Blade 18 gaming laptop. Not only does it come with the latest RTX 5000-series mobile GPUs (up to an RTX 5090) and Intel Arrow Lake CPU, but it also offers a dual-mode display. That means users can enjoy a crisp 3840 x 2400 at 240Hz or a blistering 1920 x 1200 at 440Hz. Razer's Blade series often takes top spot in our best gaming laptops guides, thanks to the machine's combination of sleek looks, features, and power. The new Blade 18 keeps with that tradition, with Razer claiming that it's "the world's first 18-inch dual mode display."We're seeing an increasing number of monitors with this dual-display mode, including models from LG and Asus. The Blade 18 offers UHD+ at 240Hz or FHD+ at 440Hz. It also comes with a 3ms response time and a DCI-P3 100% colour gamut, which is Calman Verified and factory-calibrated.Pushing all those pixels around the screen at high speeds is a new RTX 5000-series mobile GPU. Buyers get the option of an RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090 (delivering up to 175W). In the case of this 18-inch Blade, the CPU choice is limited to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275H, which packs 24 cores and 24 threads with speeds up to 5.4GHz. The 16-inch model offers both Intel and AMD processors.Other specs include a Total Package Power of 280W, 32GB or 64GB of 5,600 MHz RAM, and 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB of NVMe storage.The Blade 18 keyboard has been completely redesigned with a new scissor switch that bumps the travel distance to 1.5mm, a 35% increase compared to the previous generation. It also comes with 63g of actuation force. There's an all-new 10-key numeric pad, and dual-LED per-key backlighting. // Related StoriesRazer boasts that the Blade 18 has a redesigned cooling system that includes a 3-fan vapor chamber cooler, new thermal hood design, and improved thermal gel. It also claims that the laptop has a slew of connectivity options that could rival a desktop: two Thunderbolt 5 ports (one of which is Thunderbolt 5), Wi-Fi 7, HDMI 2.1, Bluetooth 5.4 and Gigabit LAN.Rounding off the specs is a 5MP camera with a privacy shutter and six-speaker virtual surround sound with THX Spatial Audio support.One thing Razer hasn't changed is the Blade's high price. The new Blade 18 starts at $3,199.99 with an RTX 5070 Ti. The RTX 5080 adds $500 to that price ($3,699.99), while the RTX 5090 pushes it up to an eye-watering $4,499.99. The laptop can be pre-ordered now, which comes with some perks. Shipping is scheduled for late April.

The big picture: In recent days, the AI community has witnessed the emergence of a new generation of AI models, heralding a significant leap in capabilities and potential applications. Claude 3.7 and Grok 3 are pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve, particularly with complex tasks, mathematics, and coding. These Gen3 models represent a quantum leap in computing power utilized during training, according to a post written by Ethan Mollick in the Substack newsletter One Useful Thing. Grok 3, developed by Elon Musk's xAI, is the first known model to employ an order of magnitude greater computing power than its predecessor, GPT-4. Claude 3.7, for its part, showcases substantial performance improvements and introduces new coding and reasoning capabilities.The advancements in these models are underpinned by two critical "Scaling Laws" identified by OpenAI. The first law, illustrated on the left-hand side of the graph, demonstrates that larger models trained with more computing power exhibit enhanced capabilities. This relationship is not linear; typically, a tenfold increase in computing power is required to achieve a linear improvement in performance.Image credit: Ethan MollickThe scale of computing power involved in training these new models is staggering. Gen3 models utilize over 10^26 FLOPS during training, equivalent to running a modern smartphone for 634,000 years or the Apollo Guidance Computer for 79 trillion years.The second Scaling Law, represented on the right-hand side of the graph, reveals an intriguing phenomenon: AI performance can be improved by allowing the model more time to process information during problem-solving. // Related StoriesThis discovery has led to the development of "Reasoners," AI systems that can allocate additional computing resources to tackle complex problems more effectively according to Mollick.These advancements are not merely academic; they have profound implications for real-world applications. For instance, Claude 3.7 has demonstrated the ability to create interactive 3D visualizations of complex academic concepts and generate functional code through natural language conversations.In one example, the AI produced an interactive time machine artifact complete with pixel graphics, showcasing its capacity for creative and technical tasks.However, Mollick notes that while these systems are impressive, they are not infallible. They still make mistakes and have limitations. Nevertheless, the rapid pace of improvement suggests that AI capabilities will continue to expand.As they do, they challenge the prevailing "automation mindset" in corporate environments, which often view AI primarily as a tool for streamlining existing processes. Instead, according to Mollick, these new models invite a fundamental rethinking of what's possible, positioning AI as a potential intellectual partner capable of tackling complex analytical tasks, creative work, and even research-level problems.This shift will require a new approach to AI integration in organizations. Leaders must move beyond task automation to capability augmentation, asking not just what can be automated, but what new capabilities can be unlocked.As these models become more accessible, Mollick urges individuals and organizations to explore their capabilities firsthand. Both Claude 3.7 and Grok 3 offer unique features and strengths, with Claude 3.7 providing code execution capabilities and Grok 3 offering a broader set of capabilitiess, including deep research options.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsNot enough for serious typistsWe need an innovative solutionIm a lover of mechanical keyboards, so ever since I learned that Apple is supposedly working on a foldable tablet-slash-laptop, there was one concern that piqued my interest above all others: what will it be like to type on?After all, we know that Apple is at least considering a device like this. The company was recently granted a new patent detailing just such a product, and a slew of reliable leakers and supply chain analysts have exposed Apples plans in remarkable detail.Recommended VideosAnd while we dont know whether Apple is going to position this device primarily as an iPad or as a MacBook, in the end that all seems fairly irrelevant. Because really, youll almost certainly be able to use it in a laptop orientation. To save space and weight, that probably means a virtual keyboard, which will obviate the need for a separate iPad keyboard. After all, if this product can be folded out to become a large 20-inch tablet, as the rumors and patents have indicated, that means it will be an all-screen device.But that makes me rather worried: after all, a built-in keyboard in a foldable device surely means typing on a flat glass display. And as a fan of chunky, clicky, high-travel keyboards, thats absolutely the last thing I want to do.Digital TrendsWhile theyre fine for quick bursts, virtual keyboards are uncomfortable to type on for long periods of time. Tapping onto a solid glass surface with no give and movement is a sure-fire route to finger soreness, after all.A secondary problem is the lack of physical feedback, which leads to a dull typing sensation. Apple has a way to partially fix this using haptic feedback you can already enable this feature in iOS and iPadOS but will it be enough to satisfy serious typists? Im not convinced, especially when we consider the butterfly keyboard, which also offered little in the way of feedback and was a terrible typing experience from start to finish.And theres another issue: flat glass keyboards can also make you prone to mistakes. In the absence of defined keys with physical edges, landing your fingers on the right spots by touch alone is difficult. And if you have to keep looking down to hit the correct keys, youll be unavoidably slowed down.Aside from haptic feedback, we know Apple is thinking about other ways to improve flat keyboards. One solution as detailed in a patent is a deformable glass structure that could morph and move as you type. While that would probably be better than typing on a totally smooth surface, I cant imagine it will be able to compete with a more traditional keyboard.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsDont get me wrong, I think theres a lot to like in the idea of a large, foldable device like this iPad-MacBook hybrid. It could be fantastic for productivity, giving you a product that would be able to easily transition between tablet and laptop forms depending on your most pressing needs.But the keyboard remains a concern for me. If Apple cant get it right, a key part of the offering will be flawed, potentially leading to people either buying an external keyboard or avoiding the device altogether.Apples philosophy is to wait until it feels it has perfected a product before releasing it, and youll rarely see the company rushing to market just to compete with rivals (OK, Apple Intelligence aside). This gives me some hope that Apples foldable will come with an innovative solution to the typing problem and if theres one thing Apple excels at, its finding innovative solutions.Of course, theres no guarantee Apple will be able to overcome the obstacles sent its way by a flat glass keyboard. Just look at the butterfly keyboard Apples typing tendencies arent always on the money.For me, the keyboard will be the main test of this foldable device. It has to be enjoyable to actually use, especially if one of its main use cases is as a laptop. With the foldable expected to launch around 2028, Ill be waiting with bated breath.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsAn absolute beastWhat makes the Blade 18 special?Razer is kicking off the race for the fastest gaming laptops of 2025 with its new Blade 18 machine. The company says it is the most powerful Blade laptop it has ever made, and that its also the slimmest machine to offer Intels beefy HX-series processor.The laptop will be available in three graphics configurations, which include the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, and the top-of-the-line RTX 5090 GPU. Storage options start at 1TB and go all the way up to 4TB, while RAM options on the table are 32GB and 64GB.Recommended VideosThere are vacant slots for further memory upgrade, while the onboard M.2 slots will let buyers go up to 8TB of onboard storage. For folks who go with the top-end configuration with maxed out RAM and storage, they will have to part ways with a cool $4,899.99 for the laptop. Pre-orders are now live from Razers official store, which currently has the base model listed at $3,199.99 in the US. The Blade 18 comes equipped with Intels 24-core Ultra 9 275HX processor, which is based on TSMCs N3B process node and delivers a peak frequency of 5.4 GHz in boost mode. On the graphics front, we get Nvidias latest and greatest, the GeForce RTX 5090 GPU.RazerRazer says the new Blade laptop will deliver an astounding 280W of total package power (TPP), tapping into the full 175W output promised by Nvidia for its top-of-the-line mobile graphics engine.To handle the thermal load, Razer has also upgrade the heat management kit and equipped the Blade 18 with a large vapor chamber cooling system assisted by three fans and the thinnest exhaust fins in its class.Port selection is also quite generous, and ahead of the curve. There are two Thunderbolt ports (one each from Gen4 and Gen5), HDMI 2.1, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Ports, an RJ45 Ethernet port, and a UHS-II SD card slot.It natively supports 400W charging, but the in-built 99 WHr battery pack can also be charged via a USB Type-C cable with up to 100W peak output. The build is your usual CNC-milled aluminum, but unlike the previous-gen Blade 18, the 2025 version is only available in a single black trim with an anodized surface finish.The latest Razer flagship is the worlds first laptop with a dual-mode panel, allowing users to switch the resolution and refresh rate figures for the best experience. In its native state, the 18-inch panel sits at UHD+ (3840 x 2400 pixels) resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate.RazerFor those who need that added dash of fluidity, the refresh rate can go all the way up to 440Hz by downgrading the resolution to FHD+ (1920 x 1200 pixels) preset. It can reproduce the full gamut of colors in the DCI-P3 range and supports gaming-focused niceties such as Nvidia G-Sync.Razer has also revamped the keyboard foundations. On the Blade 18, the keys deliver a 1.5mm travel (35% better than the previous generation), and theres also a new 10-key shortcut system on the number cluster. The 5-megapixel webcam also gets a mechanical privacy filter. Audio output is handled by a THX Spatial Audio-ready system that includes two tweeters and four woofers.In addition to the Blade 18, Razer is also putting up the Blade 16 on the shelves, after originally showcasing it at CES earlier this year. The thinnest laptop ever made by Razer, this one offers up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, and a QHD+ 240Hz OLED screen.The Blade 16 starts at $2,799.99 for the entry-level model with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU.Editors Recommendations

11 down, 2,217 to go 11 standouts from Steam Next Fests thousands of free game demos Let Ars help you find some needles in Steam's massive haystack of game trials. Kyle Orland and Kevin Purdy Feb 26, 2025 6:30 am | 2 Credit: Aurich Lawson Credit: Aurich Lawson Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreIf you head over to the Steam Next Fest charts right now, Valve will offer you a glimpse of the 2,228 games offering free downloadable demos as part of the event through Sunday, March 3. That is way too many games to effectively evaluate in such a short time, even with the massive resources of the Ars Orbiting HQ.But we haven't let that stop us from trying. With the assistance of some early access provided by Valve and game publishers, we've spent the last few days playing dozens and dozens of the most promising Next Fest demos in an attempt to pull out some interesting-looking needles from Valve's massive haystack. Below are the results of that searcha varied list of 11 titles we think are worth investing some time (and zero dollars of money) into a demo download.But this is just a starting point. Please use the comments below to share any other diamonds in the rough you think your fellow Ars readers need to know about.AfterblastDeveloper: Lumino GamesPlanned release date: April 2025Popular steam tags: FPS, Online Co-Op, Action Roguelike, RogueliteSteam pageStart with the roguelike, room-based shooting action of Returnal. Move it to a first-person perspective and add in the double-jump-and-dash movement system of the new Doom games. Throw in a Halo Infinite-style grappling hook that can be used for traversal or combat. The result would come pretty close to Afterblast, a twitch-action shooter that shines from the jump in this fast-paced demo.This is the kind of game where halting your movement for even a split second often means being instantly overwhelmed by enemies that swarm from all angles. Rather than being hard to handle, though, the game's zippy movement makes it feel relatively simple to jump and dash from ledge to ledge, avoiding bullet-hell style projectile patterns as you do.The grappling hook is by far the most satisfying part of the demo, though. Beyond jumping out of the way of opposing fire, you can also use it to drag yourself over to stunned enemies, exploding them into piles of goo and collectible items. Bouncing from enemy to enemy in this way, with a few well-placed jumps and dashes in between, felt like being a kid bouncing on a trampoline.The Afterblast demo provides a feel for the game's randomized item system, which gives access to automated drones, powerful grenades, and other superpowers that should make each run feel unique. We can't wait to see more.-Kyle OrlandCastle V CastleDeveloper: NopopoPlanned release date: "Coming soon"Popular steam tags: Card Battler, Roguelite, Card Game, PvESteam pageIf you remember cult-classic Flash game Castle Wars, you already know the basics of Castle V Castle. You and your opponent take turns using a handful of cards to either build up your own castle or break down the castle on the other side until one castle has been reduced to rubble. You then improve your deck and do it all again.Playing effectively means figuring out when to attack, when to defend, and when to use cards to bulk up the various resources needed to play future cards. Strong play requires thinking a few moves ahead, both to avoid being left with a hand of unplayable cards and to counter or reflect potential incoming attacks from your opponent (or deny them the resources they might need).An extremely clean black and white interface and quick, amusing animations make this a very easy game to pick up and play. But it's the strategy of taking on short-term risks to get long-term rewards that will keep you coming back for round after round. And while the demo's extremely punishing daily challenges are good for some continued longevity, we're hoping the final game will add online multiplayer battles rather than just letting us beat down the AI over and over again.-Kyle OrlandDragonkin: The BanishedDeveloper: Eko SoftwarePlanned release date: March 6, 2025 (Early Access)Popular steam tags: Action, Hack and Slash, Adventure, RPG, LootSteam pageIf you've grown tired of Diablo IV but are looking for another dark, mouse-based action RPG to scratch the same itch, Dragonkin: The Banished should be right up your alley. Just like in Diablo, the name of the game here is clicking to move and attack swarms of enemies in dark isometric dungeons, throwing in some magical attacks with the number keys on your keyboard as needed.The Dragonkin demo leads you through a lot of extremely expository and overwrought cutscenes, broken up by short playable vignettes that introduce you to the main character classes: the heavy, the archer, the fire mage, etc. These introductory characters seem extremely overpowered for the early game, cutting through enemy grunts like butter while barely taking a scratch from underpowered opposition attacks. But it gives a good feel for the wide variety of available attacks available, from radiating lightning to a satisfying bull charge.It's only after this introduction that you're thrown into a more standard challenge, clearing out a dungeon with a low-level character that needs all the help they can get. While the moment to moment gameplay will be familiar to Diablo heads, a few small touches like a handy dash-dodge maneuver make it all lean a bit more towards the "action" side of "action RPG."If you're looking for pyrotechnic explosions, cinematic cut scenes, and plenty of things to click on, you could definitely do a lot worse.-Kyle OrlandGlumDeveloper: CinderCat GamesPlanned release date: 2025Popular steam tags: Adventure, Funny, SingleplayerSteam pageFirst-person shooters are obviously all about the shootingit's right there in the name, after all. But the most satisfying part of these games is often running right up to an enemy and pounding them with a suspiciously powerful close-range melee attack.Glum takes this satisfying melee bit and makes it the focus of the whole game. Instead of fists or a bludgeoning weapon, though, your main melee weapon in Glum is a steel-toed boot. You'll see that boot hovering menacingly and incongruously in front of you as you zip around vaguely medieval-themed rooms, charging back with a bent knee for perfectly timed strikes as soon as an enemy gets in your face.The Glum demo already takes this "first-person booter" concept in some interesting directions, providing plenty of barrels and other heavy objects you can convert into single-use projectile weapons with a kick from the right angle. You can also kick off of walls and other angled surfaces to fly through the air in some surprisingly satisfying and floaty platforming, which is key to finding the many secrets hidden in the demo's tutorial-esque rooms.But the most satisfying part is still kicking an enemy directly and watching the ragdoll corpse fly off a wall and back toward your boot, where you can send it flying into other encroaching foes. The light-hearted comedy action is especially welcome in an industry that sometimes seems full of first-person games that are too full of themselves.-Kyle OrlandGuntouchablesDeveloper: Game SwingPlanned release date: "To be announced"Popular steam tags: Action Roguelike, Multiplayer, Post-apocalypticSteam pageSeeing and hearing the pre-game logo screen for Ghost Ship Games immediately puts my brain into Deep Rock Galactic mode: headset on, workday stress abandoned, beverage ready. Guntouchables,published by Ghost Ship and developed by Game Swing, could readily fit into that slot. It's a multiplayer-first overhead shooter in which you and up to three other sausage-y folks with tiny stick legs grab loot, kill baddies, and get the heck out of there. If it's been a moment since you and your squad have shot some things together, send them a message and link the demo.A horde of mutants have overrun the world, and you and your fellow redneck preppers are having their moment. You pick a weapon, like the precise but slow hunting rifle or pray-and-spray SMG, and a character, each with their own secondary weapons and skill trees. The game shows you a map with stuff to grab or destroy and the car you need to reach to escape. Then you're off, moving with WASD keys and aiming in a circle with a mouse. The demo wasn't ready for controller play yet, but I could see it coming in the future (along with another justification for the trackpads on the Steam Deck).I cajoled a friend into playing, and we had a great time, both blasting and winning, but also explaining to each other just how dumb that last move was. The game could do more to help you quickly identify and distinguish among your teammates, as they're currently all green names and health bars. And an optional tutorial mission would go a long way to help explain weapon and item mechanics that we had to test out live. But it's a demo, and the core experienceshoot, run, grab, swarm coming, panicalready feels plenty strong. There's a goofy, lightly icky charm to the voice-overs and visuals, and the upgrade paths are pleasantly addictive. It's a ridiculous game with a ridiculous name, and I recommend it.-Kevin PurdyHyper EmpireDeveloper: Fair Weather StudiosPlanned release date: Q1 2025Popular steam tags: 4X, Turn-Based Strategy, Auto Battler, StrategySteam pageWhen you play an RPG or strategy game, do you spend hours just staring at the tech tree, trying to figure out the upgrade path that will maximize your power going forward? If so, you'll probably love Hyper Empire, a super-condensed 4X space simulation where a good 80 percent of the game is spent staring at a menu screen and deciding how best to spend your limited resources.That's actually more interesting than it might initially sound. You need to spend money on a fleet of ships to defend your carrier from potential attack, of course. But spending too much on powerful ships means you can't invest in the outpost stations and tools that will bring in even more resources (and more powerful ships) later in the run. The balance between short-term risk and long-term reward seems well-tuned for those who like to agonize over every potential decision.When battles inevitably happen, they play out as automated orgies of interstellar explosions that can be a joy to watch, especially once you hit a critical mass of defensive ships. And while random happenings can influence your resources between those battles, none of them have seemed too impactful in the demo so far.The biggest problem with Hyper Empires right now is that the demo caps out at 30 turns, right when the "just one more turn" resource-building loop is starting to get good. We can't wait to continue to juggle a bunch of numbers like an intergalactic accountant in the full game.-Kyle OrlandMonaco 2Developer: Pocketwatch GamesPlanned release date: 2025Popular steam tags: Co-op, Heist, Indie, Arcade, Top-Down, LootSteam pageIt's been well over a decade since the first Monaco wowed us with its ultra-stylish overhead "heist simulator" gameplay. This long-delayed sequel keeps the same basic find-the-Macguffin-and-escape gameplay, but now with vibrant 3D graphics and more complex, multi-floor building layouts.As with the first Monaco, this is a stealth game that doesn't absolutely require stealth. Sure, it's easier if you sneak by the guards and cameras without raising the alarm, using handy sightlines and quiet movements to avoid detection. But if you're found, the game quickly transitions into something of a 3D game of Pac-Man, where you have to outrun the guards and use hidden corridors or hidey-holes to outsmart them.The Monaco 2 demo includes four classes of thieves, each with their own unique way of distracting or avoiding the guards. I especially liked the socialite, who uses a toy poodle to charm nearby guards into ignoring her, and the tech specialist, who can use a drone to interact with doors and items while he hides in relative safety.The updated 3D viewpoint loses some of the simplistic charm of the original's overhead perspective. Still, this modernized version of the classic stealth game is incredibly easy to pick up and play, especially with a few friends in co-op mode.-Kyle OrlandMonster Train 2Developer: Shiny ShoePlanned release date: "Coming Soon"Popular steam tags: Strategy, Card Game, Roguelike, Demons, PvPSteam pageMonster Train 2is a lot more Monster Train. Given that the original is in my top five of all-time Steam game hours, I'm happy about that. Just 30 minutes into testing it, I had to tell myself, "No, this really is the last round," and physically walk away to enforce it. Well, the last round, and then some upgrade shopping. OK, one more and then no more.Monster Train 2 is, like the original, an amalgam of turn-based tactics and roguelike deckbuilding, with a heaven-versus-hell backstory that is arch, goofy, and entirely skippable. Enemies enter your train on the bottom of three decks and fight their way upward, turn by turn. Your card deck has hellish monsters that you place across three levels of your train and spells that can damage, buff your monsters, and debuff their misguided angels. The music is high-energy melodic metal, the art pops off the screen, and the challenge is largely the same: balancing momentary threats against the need to prepare for future baddies.Besides new monsters, cards, and clans, the sequel adds some new things, all of which might add up to be a bit too much to manage for some folks. Hero-type creatures can have abilities with cooldowns. New card types include equipment you can put on creatures and abilities you can apply to train floors. You can customize your train and upgrade its core pyre with abilities. This demo had me forgetting monster abilities and feeling overwhelmed with where to focus my upgrades. And yet I had a good time, and I'll probably learn a new approach to turn actions over time. Hell, after all, devours the indolent.-Kevin PurdyReignbreakerDeveloper: Studio FizbinPlanned release date: March 18, 2025Popular steam tags: Indie, Hack and Slash, Action Roguelike, CombatSteam pageThe surface similarities between Reignbreaker and Hades are hard to ignore. But Reignbreaker's flavor of isometric run-and-gun-and-bash gameplay sets itself apart instantly with an extremely compelling steampunk aesthetic, full of clanging metal sound effects and relentless robotic enemies. That extends to the art direction, with thick outlines making it easy to pick out the color-coded hazards from the dull blues and grays of the metal-and-stone backgrounds.Reignbreaker also stands out for some extremely chunky-feeling melee attacks and a javelin that can be used for powerful ranged projectiles or slammed down as a temporary turret. Tight controls make it a joy to dash between enemy projectiles as you wait for the opportune moment to go in for the kill. The Reignbreaker demo also shows off a few of the powerful bosses that will require most players to acquire a few permanent power-ups before making it too deep into the game's randomized corridors.This is one to keep an eye on as Hades 2 continues to barrel through Early Access toward its eventual final release-Kyle OrlandShuffle TacticsDeveloper: Club SandwichPlanned release date: "Coming soon"Popular steam tags: Singleplayer, Roguelike, Tactical RPG, IsometricSteam pageLike any good game with the word "Tactics" in its title, Shuffle Tactics is all about positioning. Move your units on a grid to maximize the damage they can inflict on enemies while minimizing the counterattacks that will inevitably come on their next turn. You know the drill.But Shuffle Tactics adds just a hint of Slay the Spire into the mix, limiting your actions to those drawn from a deck of cards that you can build and modify between battles. As the game goes on, that means you might not be sure what options will be available on your next turn, forcing some quick improvisation if you want to maximize your chances.I'm already a big fan of the demo's satisfying sword-throwing mechanic, which lets you toss your melee weapon for a ranged attack and then call it back for more damage when it returns to your hand. I'm also enamored with the game's evocative pixel-art animations, which make every movement and attack a joy to watch.My biggest problem is that the demo gets very difficult very quickly; I had quite a few runs fall apart incredibly early when faced with an unavoidable "Elite" matchup that I wasn't yet powerful enough to conquer. Hopefully. the developer can work out the balancing issues before launch because this mix of tactical strategy and card-based luck is a match made in heaven.-Kyle OrlandSquirreled AwayDeveloper: Far SeasPlanned release date: "Coming soon"Popular steam tags: Exploration, Third Person, Cute, RelaxingSteam page"Be the squirrel" is Far Seas' description of its upcoming game, and while that's a big promise, Squirreled Away seems on track to deliver. You're not just a squirrel, mind you, but a tool-crafting, home-building, achievement-unlocking squirrel, owing to the demands of the gaming format. But when moving around, you get to experience the manic, sticky-pawed, and often weightless nature of squirreldom. Why do squirrels run corkscrews around the perimeter of a tree instead of climbing straight up? Maybe because, like me, they're trying to keep up with their camera view on their right controller stick while moving with the left.Squirreled Away's demo gives you a taste of its core mechanics, like stashing away items in a cache for winter or building an axe out of a pebble and twig so you can break larger branches into sticks for a fellow squirrel. The look, feel, and sound of the experience are decidedly calm, with single-instrument melodies lilting in and out as you scamper about, gather resources, and unlock quests and areas. You have health and stamina bars, but the game is gentle if you run them out, sending you back to safety or reminding you to eat some food.It feels like a more kinetic Animal Crossing, with friendly animals and low-stakes challenges. Except that at any time, you could bail on your tasks, scamper upward, and leap from one far-out branch to another, living out the daydreams of anybody who works next to a window overlooking a tree.- Kevin PurdyKyle Orland and Kevin PurdySenior Gaming EditorKyle Orland and Kevin PurdySenior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland has been the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica since 2012, writing primarily about the business, tech, and culture behind video games. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He once wrote a whole book about Minesweeper. 2 Comments

take three Framework Laptop 12 is a cheaper, more colorful take on a repairable laptop PC New laptop was designed with students in mind, will ship later this year. Andrew Cunningham Feb 25, 2025 2:10 pm | 52 The Framework Laptop 12 will come in five different two-tone color options. Credit: Framework The Framework Laptop 12 will come in five different two-tone color options. Credit: Framework Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreFramework has been selling and upgrading the upgrade-and-repair-friendly Framework Laptop 13 for nearly four years now, and in early 2024 it announced a larger, more powerful Framework Laptop 16. At a product event today, the company showed off what it called "an early preview" of its third laptop design, the convertible, budget-focused Framework Laptop 12.This addition to Framework's lineup centers on a 12.2-inch, 19201200 convertible touchscreen that flips around to the back with a flexible hinge, a la Lenovo's long-running Yoga design. Framework CEO Nirav Patel said it had originally designed the systems with "students in mind," and to that end it comes in five colors and uses a two-tone plastic body with an internal metal frame rather than the mostly aluminum exterior Framework has used for the 13 and 16. Framework will also sell the laptop with an optional stylus.For better or worse, the Framework Laptop 12 appears to be its own separate system, with motherboards, accessories, and a refresh schedule distinct from the 13-inch laptop. While the Laptop 13 already offers first-generation Intel Core Ultra-based and (as of today) AMD Ryzen AI 300-based processors, the first Framework Laptop 12 motherboard is going to use Intel's 13th-generation Core i3 and i5 processors, originally launched back in late 2022. Despite the age of these chips, Framework claims the laptop will be "unusually powerful for its class." Looking carefully at these photos, you can see that the laptops have two expansion card ports on the left side and two on the right plus a standalone headphone jack, same as the Framework Laptop 13. Looking carefully at these photos, you can see that the laptops have two expansion card ports on the left side and two on the right plus a standalone headphone jack, same as the Framework Laptop 13. The laptop has a 16:10 touchscreen and what appears to be a Lenovo Yoga-style flexible hinge. The laptop has a 16:10 touchscreen and what appears to be a Lenovo Yoga-style flexible hinge.Looking carefully at these photos, you can see that the laptops have two expansion card ports on the left side and two on the right plus a standalone headphone jack, same as the Framework Laptop 13.The laptop has a 16:10 touchscreen and what appears to be a Lenovo Yoga-style flexible hinge.As in the Framework Laptop 13, making the laptop easy to upgrade and repair was a priority for the company. It supports up to 48GB of DDR5-5200 (implying just a single DDR5 RAM slot) and up to 2GB of NVMe storage, both of which will be user-accessible and upgradeable. The photos of the laptop that Framework has shared show it using four of the company's USB-C expansion cards, the same number as the Framework Laptop 13, plus a dedicated headphone jack. The laptop will officially support both Windows 11 and Linux.Framework didn't share much else about the Framework Laptop 12 today, but the company hopes to begin preorders in April and to begin shipping the laptop in mid-2025. The lower-end processors and plastic body will both make the laptop cheaper than the Framework Laptop 13; we've asked Framework if it has any pricing information to share, and we'll update if we get a response.Andrew CunninghamSenior Technology ReporterAndrew CunninghamSenior Technology Reporter Andrew is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica, with a focus on consumer tech including computer hardware and in-depth reviews of operating systems like Windows and macOS. Andrew lives in Philadelphia and co-hosts a weekly book podcast called Overdue. 52 Comments

Jean-Philippe Avelange, CIO, ExpereoFebruary 26, 20254 Min ReadPaul Brady via Alamy StockAs tech leaders, we know that AI is not a new concept. The tireless workhorse has been quietly operating in applications ranging from automation and data analysis to gaming and search engines for decades. So, we can be forgiven if its sudden and explosive popularity among the public surprised many of us, including chief information officers.Its not just the extreme pace at which AI has evolved or the ever-growing dearth of generative AI applications that has the C-suite rethinking its tech priorities. A substantial percentage of executives are scratching their collective heads about who will be tasked with tapping AIs potential, who will keep AI expectations realistic, and, perhaps most importantly, where we will find workers with the requisite skills to keep pace with technological demands.Searching for SkillsAccording to research from our company and IDC, businesses in every significant sector are adopting increasingly complex AI technologies as they seek to automate repetitive tasks, drive innovation, and increase productivity. Surprisingly, theyre not finding that they are replacing their workers with AI robots, as many anticipated and feared; instead, enterprises everywhere are struggling to find workers with the skills required to meet growing and more complicated AI needs.Related:Over one-third of the 650 companies surveyed contended a skills-based worker shortage could cause delays or worse for their 2025 AI initiatives. Workers with experience with cybersecurity, networking, data, and automation are in high demand and are also most challenging to come by, according to Enterprise Horizons 2024.There needs to be more than recruitment to advance AI programs in 2025. To meet their goals, organizations must also implement reskilling and training programs. In the interim, external tech partners will be critical to keeping AI initiatives moving forward as companies recruit and retrain.CIO: Agents of ChangeCIOs are poised to serve as agents of change, helping usher in and implement new AI apps and services. As this happens, its never been more critical for the CIO to align technology with business strategy to deliver consistent communications to board members and the rest of the C-suite, and this will be pivotal to advancing the companys AI programs in 2025. With 47% of Enterprise Horizons 2024 respondents reporting that their board has unrealistic demands regarding the impact of AI, it will be crucial for the CIO to act as a conduit between executive management and the rest of the organization. Not just to help temper board expectations about AI but also to act as a translator to effectively relay the companys technological needs in simplified, streamlined language.Related:This is when CIOs should ask themselves, What problems are we trying to solve? The answer to that question will help guide the organizations AI strategy and fill skills gaps. Amidst all the hype, it is incumbent upon the CIO to take a breath and remember that they are still solving problems -- they just have access to different tools to solve them.As the CIO role shifts toward change agent, translator, and strategist in 2025, savvy businesses will seek a leader who oversees their organization's AI strategy and implementation. This is where the new, somewhat nebulous role of chief AI officer (CAIO) enters. Although 40% of technology leaders say a CAIO role will take over much of the CIOs responsibilities within two years, and 38% are worried that AI could replace their or their teams role, we need to consider the possibility that the CAIO role can complement the CIO role, not replace it.The CIO and CAIO can accomplish more as a team than either role can achieve. With 64% of surveyed business leaders reporting that they find it challenging to meet their businesss technology demands, splitting the duties and allowing each leader to focus on a specific aspect of those demands increases efficiencies and gives tech leaders time to innovate. Together, the two roles oversee the companys technology strategy, including growth, infrastructure, risk management, and AI innovation and implementation, among many other aspects of the business.Related:Optimism AboundsThe year ahead will undoubtedly include its fair share of unforeseen challenges and continued stress and anxiety as organizations around the globe determine how to make the most of AI. While its a stressful time to be a tech leader, CIOs, and other tech leaders are excited about the current pace of innovation and the seemingly endless possibilities.As we look forward to 2025, its safe to say AI will continue to excite, confound, and ignite the creative fire in business leaders everywhere. Enterprises, and in particular CIOs, would do well to prepare now by starting to retrain their current workforce, launching recruitment campaigns, and preparing the C-Suite for the inevitable changes ahead.About the AuthorJean-Philippe AvelangeCIO, ExpereoJean-Philippe Avelange has been chief information officer at Expereo since 2017, following an IT Telecoms career in cloud computing, internet, telecom or e-commerce industries. He started with Capgemini Telecom and Media in 2000 before co-founding Inoven, a consulting firm with a focus on bridging the gap between business and technologies. Building the company from five co-founders to 40 consultants in 2010, he then became an independent consultant advising businesses on cloud solutions, digital transformation and agile methodologies and is experienced in helping customers deal with complex information systems architecture across multiple technologies.See more from Jean-Philippe AvelangeNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Tourists to Odense, Odenses robotics success has its roots in the more traditional industry of shipbuilding. In the 1980s, the Lind shipyard, owned by the Mrsk Group, faced increasing competition from Asia and approached the nearby University of Southern Denmark for help developing welding robots to improve the efficiency of the shipbuilding process. Niels Jul Jacobsen, then a student, recalls jumping at the chance to join the project; hed wanted to work with robots ever since seeing Star Wars as a teenager. But in Denmark [it] didnt seem like a possibility, he says. There was no sort of activity going on. That began to change with the partnership between the shipyard and the university. In the 90s, that relationship got a big boost when the foundation behind the Mrsk shipping company funded the creation of the Mrsk Mc-Kinney Mller Institute (MMMI), a center dedicated to studying autonomous systems. The Lind shipyard eventually wound down its robotics program, but research continued at the MMMI. Students flocked to the institute to study robotics. And it was there that three researchers had the idea for a more lightweight, flexible, and easy-to-use industrial robot arm. That idea would become a startup called Universal Robots, Odenses first big robotics success story. In 2015, the US semiconductor testing giant Teradyne acquired Universal Robots for $285 million. That was a significant turning point for robotics in the city. It was proof, says cofounder Kristian Kassow, that an Odense robotics company could make it without being tied to a specific project, like the previous shipyard work. It was a signal of legitimacy that attracted more recognition, talent, and investment to the local robotics scene. Kim Povlsen, president and CEO of Universal Robots, says it was critical that Teradyne kept the companys main base in Odense and maintained the Danish work culture, which he describes as nonhierarchical and highly collaborative. This extends beyond company walls, with workers generally happy to share their expertise with others in the local industry. Its like this symbiotic thing, and it works really well, he says. Universal Robots positions itself as a platform company rather than just a manufacturer, inviting others to work with its tech to create robotic solutions for different sectors; the companys robot arms can be found in car-part factories, on construction sites, in pharmaceutical laboratories, and on wine-bottling lines. Its a growth play for the company, but it also offers opportunities to startups in the vicinity. In 2018 Teradyne bought a second Odense robotics startup, Mobile Industrial Robots, which was founded by Jacobsen, the Star Wars fan who worked on the ship-welding robots in his university days. The company makes robots for internal transportationfor example, to carry pallets or tow carts in a warehouse. The sale has allowed Jacobsen to invest in other robotics projects, including Capra, a maker of outdoor mobile robots, where he is now CEO. The success of these two large robotics companies, which together employ around 800 people in Odense, created a ripple effect, bringing both funding and business acumen into the robotics cluster, says Sren Elmer Kristensen, CEO of the government-funded organization Odense Robotics. There are challenges to being based in a city that, though the third-largest in Denmark, is undeniably small on the global scale. Attracting funding is one issue. Most investment still comes from within the countrys borders. Sourcing talent is another; demand outstrips supply for highly qualified tech workers. Kasper Hallenborg, director of the MMMI, says the institute feels an obligation to produce enough graduates to support the local industrys needs. Even now, too few women and girls enter STEM fields, he adds; the MMMI supports programs aimed at primary schoolers to try to strengthen the pipeline. As the Odense robotics cluster expands, however, it has become easier to attract international talent. Its less of a risk for people to move, because plenty of companies are hiring if one job doesnt work out. And Odenses small size can have advantages. Juel, the mayor, points to drone-testing facilities established at the nearby Hans Christian Andersen Airport, which, thanks to relatively low air traffic, is able to offer plenty of flying time. The airport is one of the few that allow drones to fly beyond the visual line of sight. The shipyard, once the citys main employer, closed down completely shortly after the 20072008 financial crisis but has recently become an industrial park aimed at manufacturing particularly large structures like massive steel monopiles. The university is currently building a center to develop automation and robotics for use in such work. Visit today and you may see not ships but gigantic offshore wind turbinesassembled, of course, with the help of robots. Victoria Turk is a technology journalist based in London.

Studies have indicated that psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin and MDMA, have swift-acting and enduring antidepressant effects. Though the US Food and Drug Administration denied the first application for medical treatments involving psychedelics (an MDMA-based therapy) last August, these drugs appear to be on the road to mainstream medicine. Research into psilocybin led by the biotech company Compass Pathways has been slowed in part by the complexity of the trials, but the data already shows promise for the psychedelic compound within so-called magic mushrooms. Eventually, the FDA will decide whether to approve it to treat depression. If and when it doesa move that would open up a vast legal medical marketwho will grow the mushrooms? Scott Marshall already is. The head of mycology at the drug manufacturer Optimi Health in British Columbia, Canada, he is one of a very small number of licensed psilocybin mushroom cultivators in North America. Growers and manufacturers would need to do plenty of groundwork to be able to produce pharmaceutical psilocybin on an industrial, FDA-approved scale. Thats why Optimi is keen to get a head start. A nascent industry Marshall is at the cutting edge of the nascent psychedelics industry. Psilocybin mushroom production was not legally permitted in Canada until 2022, when the country established its limited compassionate-access program. Our work is pioneering large-scale, legal cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms, ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and consistency, he says. Backed by more than $22 million in investment, Optimi received a drug establishment license in 2024 from Canadian regulators to export pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin to psychiatrists abroad in the limited number of places that have legal avenues for its use. Oregon has legalized supervised mushroom journeys, Australia has approved psilocybin therapy for PTSD and depression, and an increasing number of governmentsnational, state, and localare considering removing legal barriers to psychedelic mushrooms on a medical basis as the amount of research supporting their use grows. There are also suggestions that the Trump administration may be more likely to support federal reform in the US. But the legal market, medical or otherwise, remains tiny. So for now, almost all of Marshalls mushroomshe has grown more than 500 pounds since joining Optimi in 2022stay in the companys vault. By setting the bar for production and [compliance with] regulation, he says, were helping to expand scientific understanding and accessibility of psychedelics for therapeutic use. Learning the craft Before Marshall, 40, began cultivating mushrooms, he was working in property management. But that changed in 2014, when a friend who was an experienced grower gave him a copy of the book Mushroom Cultivator: A Practical Guide to Growing Mushrooms at Home (1983). That friend also gave him a spore print, effectively the seeds of a mushroom, from which Marshall grew three Psilocybin cubensis mushrooms from the golden teacher variety, his first foray into the field. I kept growing and growing and growingfor my own health and well-beingand then got to a point where I wanted to help other people, he says. In 2018, he established his own company, Ra Mushrooms, selling cultivation kits for several varieties, including illegal psilocybin, and he was regularly posting photos on Instagram of mushrooms he had grown. In 2022, he was hired by Optimi, marking his journey from underground grower to legal market cultivatoran unbelievable dream of mine. Mattha Busby is a journalist specializing in drug policy and psychedelic culture.

Victoria Wejchert founded a fast food company in Poland in her early 20s.Later, she created Kinship, an app for wealth managers, in the US.Polish people respected her title, and she encountered more biases in the US, she said.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Victoria Wejchert, partner at Copia Wealth Studios and founder of Kinship. It has been edited for length and clarity.I grew up in a family that did business around the globe. My parents were Polish, but they fled the country during communism, so I was born in Ireland. When I was about 7, we returned to Poland.My parents ran a media company in Europe, and I learned about entrepreneurship from them firsthand. They rarely had a day off, and it was typical for them to attend board meetings during our family holidays.Once, as a teenager, I was trying to figure out what to do with my life during a drive. My dad pulled the car over to look at me. "Your skill is entrepreneurship," he told me. He died only a few years later when I was 20, but it turns out he was right.Now I'm 35, and I've successfully founded and exited two companies one in the US and one in Poland. I've learned a lot about the differences between being a female founder in those markets.In Poland, people respected my title and toughnessWhen I was in my early 20s, I was visiting a family member in Warsaw and noticed that there was nowhere to eat. At the time, I was working in London, where lunch options were endless. In Warsaw, people were still selling sandwiches from baskets that they brought to office buildings.I saw an opportunity for more dining options. At the time, Starbucks was just starting to come into Poland, and the idea of a restaurant chain was new. I cofounded Friends Taste Your Time, a healthy fast food option, and grew it to 12 locations within three years before it was acquired.Although I was young and female, all I needed to do to earn respect in the restaurant industry was show up and be tough. Culturally, there's a lot of respect for the boss. People always referred to me formally by my title, which translates as "Ms. CEO." They took those seriously once colleagues knew I had expectations and boundaries like not allowing workers to drink on the job.In the US, I was more likely to be overlooked as a founderBy comparison, I felt like an outsider at a boys' club when I started a tech company in the US in 2019. Recently, a European asked me if it was harder starting a company in the more patriarchal, conservative Poland. He was surprised when I said no there are biases against women everywhere, especially in the US.Once, I was presenting at a conference, standing with a man. Another gentleman came up and started talking to him, assuming he was the founder of Kinship, my wealth management software. That sort of thing happens everywhere.I overcame that by working extra hard. Before I started fundraising, I read that it typically takes a man 100 meetings to close a round of funding, while female founders need 200-300 meetings. So, I doubled down, knowing I'd have to do 2-3 times as much work. Luckily, people in America were also much more generous about sharing their contacts, which helped me get those extra meetings relatively quickly.It's easier to grow a company in AmericaOne major difference is the pace of work in the US versus Europe. In Europe, it's typical for people to take all of August off. I didn't take a vacation in the US for five years because I was constantly working on the company.To be honest, that was fine with me. America's faster pace makes it easier to get work done, and companies can grow more quickly. Plus, I was raised by parents who rarely took time off despite their European roots. They taught me to prioritize the responsibility a founder has to employees, their families, and customers and to celebrate once the hard work pays off.I did that last year after Kinship was acquired. I took a two-week vacation to Mongolia, my first real time off work in years. Knowing that my hard work had paid off made it extra enjoyable.