Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicted that someday we'll have a billion cars on the road and they will all be robotic cars.Read More

Its technically already Pokmon Day in Japan, and while were still a few hours away from this years big Pokmon Presents showcase, theres a new animated short film out that right now feels like the perfect way to get pumped up for whatever surprises Nintendo has in store.Many of the Pokmon Companys animated projects outside of the mainline anime have been fun explorations of what people and their pokmon get up to besides battling. But director Maho Aokis Dragonite and the Special Delivery also feels like a reminder to thank your mail carriers for all the hard work they do.Produced by CoMix Wave Films the studio behind Suzume,Weathering With You, andYour Name Dragonite and the Special Delivery tells the story of Hana (Riko Fukumoto), a young Paldean postal worker who dreams of becoming an expert deliveryperson. While most deliverypeople get the chance to venture out into the world, as a letter sorter, Hanas days are usually spent behind a desk with her partner Fuecoco. But when Hana happens to find an unaddressed letter from a young boy who is trying to wish his traveling father a happy birthday, she recognizes it as an opportunity to prove that she has what it takes to become one of the postal systems greats like a certain friendly Dragonite.The short spotlights how it takes all kinds of specialized human and pokmon labor to keep the inter-regional postal system running smoothly. Unsurprisingly, CoMix Waves take on the pokmon world is a visual delight that makes all of the shorts creatures look downright majestic regardless of whether theyre ordinary or legendary monsters. The short also features a sweeping shot of Kalos Lumiose City and quite a few pokmon capable of Mega Evolution.Those details could be a nod to the location and mechanic both returning in Pokmon Legends: Z-A (and Flygon finally getting its due), but we wont know for sure until tomorrow morning.

In the rapidly evolving field of digital communication, traditional text-to-speech (TTS) systems have often struggled to capture the full range of human emotion and nuance. Conventional systems tend to read text in a flat, unvarying tone, missing the subtle inflections and emotional cues that make human speech so engaging. This shortfall poses a challenge for developers and content creators alike, who seek to deliver messages in a manner that truly resonates with their audience. The need for a TTS system that can interpret context and emotionrather than simply converting text into speechhas been clear for some time, paving the way for new approaches to voice synthesis.Humes Octave TTS represents a measured advancement in the realm of text-to-speech. Unlike earlier models that mechanically produce speech, Octave is designed to understand the context behind the text it processes. It is not merely about the literal conversion of words into sound; it is about conveying the subtleties of meaning, emotion, and style. Whether a piece of text requires a hint of sarcasm, a gentle whisper, or a firm declaration, Octave adjusts its output to better reflect the intended tone. This capability allows for the generation of custom AI voices that are tailored to fit a wide range of scenarios, from straightforward narration to more character-driven storytelling.Technical DetailsOctave TTS is built on the state-of-the-art large language model (LLM) that has been specifically trained for speech synthesis. This technical foundation enables the system to predict not only the words that should be spoken but also how they should be deliveredtaking into account rhythm, timbre, and cadence. One of the notable features of Octave is its Voice Design function. With this tool, users can provide a simple script or even just descriptive prompts to generate a voice that suits a particular role or character. For example, one might request a voice reminiscent of a patient counselor or a more assertive narrator, and Octave adapts accordingly.In addition to Voice Design, Octave also offers Acting Instructions, which allow users to fine-tune the emotional delivery of a speech segment. A single line can be rendered in multiple styleswhispered, calm, or even carrying a hint of disdaindepending on the instruction given. This flexibility extends the practical utility of Octave TTS, making it applicable across various domains such as education, entertainment, and customer service. Looking ahead, the team at Hume is also preparing to introduce a Voice Cloning feature, which will enable the replication of a specific voice using only a brief audio sample.Data Insights and Comparative EvaluationsThe development and evaluation of Octave TTS have been carried out with a focus on both technical merit and practical application. In an internal study involving 180 human raters, Octave was compared with an established competitor in the TTS field. Participants evaluated voice samples based on audio quality, naturalness, and fidelity to the provided voice description across 120 diverse prompts. The findings showed that Octave was preferred for audio quality in approximately 71.6% of the trials, for naturalness in about 51.7% of the cases, and for matching the intended description in roughly 57.7% of the assessments.These results suggest that Octave not only produces clear and pleasant audio but also better aligns with the stylistic and emotional expectations of the user. In tandem with these internal tests, Hume has launched the Expressive TTS Arena, a public initiative designed to foster a broader evaluation of expressive speech synthesis. This platform invites the community to test and compare various TTS systems using longer, more nuanced text samples, thereby helping to refine the performance of models like Octave over time.ConclusionHumes Octave TTS offers a thoughtful improvement over conventional text-to-speech systems by focusing on context, emotion, and flexibility in voice generation. Its ability to interpret and deliver subtle emotional cues allows for a more natural and engaging auditory experience, making it a useful tool for a variety of applications. The technical foundation of Octave, built on an advanced large language model, ensures that the generated speech is not only clear but also reflective of the deeper meaning behind the text.The internal evaluations and public testing initiatives underscore Octaves potential to set a new standard in expressive TTS without resorting to overly dramatic claims. Instead, the focus is on practical enhancements that benefit both developers and end users. As the system continues to evolvewith upcoming features such as Voice Cloning on the horizonHume remains dedicated to refining AI voice technology in a way that is both technically sound and sensitive to the nuances of human communication.Check outthe Technical Details.All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,feel free to follow us onTwitterand dont forget to join our80k+ ML SubReddit. Recommended Read- LG AI Research Releases NEXUS: An Advanced System Integrating Agent AI System and Data Compliance Standards to Address Legal Concerns in AI DatasetsThe post Hume Introduces Octave TTS: A New Text-to-Speech Model that Creates Custom AI Voices with Tailored Emotions appeared first on MarkTechPost.

Here are the best deals for Wednesday, February 26. Highlights include The Wild Robot in 4K UHD for just $5 (half price compared to yesterday's deal), a PS5 digital console for under $350, a 15" laptop backpack for $12, Xbox controllers for $39, a massive 8TB WD Black SSD for the lowest price ever, and more.Check out "the best deals under $30" for any impulse buys on items that you never knew you needed until you visited this page. Read on lower for some great deals that cost over $30 and may require a bit more involved decision-making.New Deals TodayXbox Wireless Controllers for $39Shock BlueXbox Wireless ControllerVelocity GreenXbox Wireless ControllerCarbon BlackXbox Wireless ControllerRobot WhiteXbox Wireless ControllerAmazon has dropped the price of the official Xbox Series X|S wireless controllers to $39. Four different color options are available: Carbon Black, Robot White, Shock Blue, and Velocity Green. Not only is this still the de facto standard controller for Xbox, it's also one of the best PC gaming controllers as well. It can connect to your PC via Bluetooth (if your PC is Bluetooth enabled), an Xbox dongle (sold separately), or wired via USB Type-C.New PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Console (Import) for $337Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition ConsoleAliExpress is currently offering a Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console for only $336.83 after a hefty $69 off coupon code: "IFPJIKZ" is applied during checkout. This is a genuine PlayStation console that's imported from another country; region locking is determined by your PlayStation account, not by console, so this system will play in the US without any problems. You'll also be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here. This product is stocked in a US warehouse, so it ships free and arrives within about a week. Note that imported consoles have an overseas warranty that won't be honored here in the United States. Fortunately, AliExpress has a 15-day free return policy and guarantees a refund if your order doesn't arrive within 20 days.The Wild Robot (4K UHD) for $5Update: Price has gone back up to $10The Wild Robot (4K UHD Digital)Update: Price just dropped from $10 to $5A digital copy of The Wild Robot in 4K UHD is currently available to purchase on Amazon for only $4.99 after a 75% instant discount. If you haven't yet watched this movie, you're missing out. In our The Wild Robot review, Siddhant Adlakha wrote that "a deeply human film with no human characters, The Wild Robot is a tear-jerking and unpredictable animated adventure and another triumph for Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon co-director Chris Sanders."Lenovo 15" Laptop Backpack for $11.87Lenovo B210 15" Laptop BackpackAmazon is offering this Lenovo laptop backpack for a rock bottom price of $11.87. This backpack features a padded compartment that fits up to a 15.6" laptop, plenty of storage for your accessories including a front zippered pocket, water-repellent polyester material, quilted back panel and adjustable shoulder straps for comfort. It's also a pretty unassuming design that doesn't attract unwanted attention.PreorderAssassins Creed Shadows Shogi Board GameThe limited-edition Assassins Creed Shadows shogi board game blends Japanese culture and the iconic Assassins Creed universe to create a visually and intellectually interesting game of strategy.$199.00 at IGN StoreSamsung Galaxy SmartTag2 Bluetooth Tracker for $16Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 Bluetooth TrackerIf you're looking for a Bluetooth tracker akin to an Apple AirTag but you don't use an iPhone, then check out the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2. Right now Amazon has it for nearly 50% off. It serves the same purpose as an AirTag or Tile, but it pairs better with Android phones, especially the Samsung Galaxy. It has up to 120 foot range, lasts hundreds of hours on a single CR2032 battery (which is user replaceable), and has a built-in speaker so it's easier to find.WD Black SN850X 8TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD for $533WD Black SN850X 8TB PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 SSDThe massive 8TB WD Black SN850X solid state drive is down to the lowest price we've seen. Amazon currently has it for "only" $533.10, which is about $42 less than the best deal we saw during Black Friday. The SN850X is the latest generation of WD's flagship Black series M.2 SSDs. In terms of performance, it's considered a top-tier SSD with sequential read speeds of up to 7,300MBps and write speeds of 6,600MBps.Apple iPad 10.9" 10th Gen for $279BlueApple iPad (10th Generation) 64GB Wi-FiSilverApple iPad (10th Generation) 64GB Wi-FiYellowApple iPad (10th Generation) 64GB Wi-FiPinkApple iPad (10th Generation) 64GB Wi-FiAmazon dropped the price of the latest model 10th gen Apple iPad to $279 shipped. For most people, the iPad (not the Air, Mini, or Pro) is the best model to get because it offers nearly all the benefits of the iOS operating system and snappy performance at an affordable price. This model has significant improvements over its predecessor. For starters, it boasts a larger 10.9" screen without adding to the overall dimensions thanks to a slimmer bezel. It also has a faster A14 Bionic chip, which is a 20% increase in CPU performance and a 10% increase in GPU performance over the A13. It's now compatible with the Magic Folio keyboard so you can convert it into a mini laptop for better workflow (making it one of the best iPads for students). Other practical upgrades include USB Type-C charging, a better camera, and Wi-Fi 6.More Deals Under $30Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 for $19.99Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1Both Amazon and Best Buy have dropped 50% off the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, now only $19.99 for all three consoles editions. This matches the best price we saw during Black Friday, and happened to be one of our best selling games during that time period as well. This anthology includes Metal Gear (1987), Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990), Metal Gear Solid (1998), Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001), and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004).Olight Sphere Smart Night Light for $13.99Amazon Prime Members OnlyOlight Sphere Smart Night LightAmazon has dropped the price of the Olight Sphere from $20 to $13.99 for Amazon Prime members. The Olight Sphere is a tiny portable light that can be controlled via on-board buttons or mobile app. This is an RGB light that's capable of standard white or warm white lighting as well as a wide range of colors. It's not particularly powerful (it's rated for 75 lumens), but it works great as an ambient night light or a portable emergency light that you can carry around with you. You don't need to swap out batteries, because it recharges quickly over USB Type-C.Anker 30W USB Type-C Nano Wall Charger for $12.99Anker 30W USB Type-C Nano ChargerAmazon has this compact Anker 30W USB Type-C wall charger for only $12.99 after you apply coupon code "0UDQ9XZX". You don't need to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of this deal, either. The Anker nano charger can output up to 30W of Power Delivery over USB Type-C, which is good enough to max out the charging rate of the Nintendo Switch (18W) and close to the maximum charging rate of the Steam Deck (40W). A USB-C cable is also included.2-Pack LED EDC Flashlights for $62-Pack Hausbell A100 LED EDC FlashlightsThis is a good deal to jump on if you need some cheap flashlights for emergencies. Amazon has this 2 pack of Hausbell flashlights for only $5.99 after you clip a 40% off coupon. These LED flashlights take three AAA batteries and feature five different light modes (three different intensities, SOS, and strobe), retractable zoom lens, and IPX6 water resistance.Dreamegg Portable White Noise MachineDreamegg Portable White Noise MachineIf you're looking for an affordable noise machine that's small enough to take with you on you travels, then look no further than this Dreamegg portable white noise machine. It's currently on sale for a mere $8.10 after you clip a $5 off coupon and apply another $5 off promo code: P4JUC4GV during checkout. The Dreamegg measures less than 2" cubed, weighs in at under 2 ounces, can easily last all night long on its 1,000mAh battery, and recharges using USB Type-C. The portable sound machine offers 16 soothing nature sounds, including ocean waves, rain, birds, fan sounds, and white noise.Baseus 10,000mAh Magsafe Power Bank for $19.79Qi2 certified with up to 15W of wireless chargingAmazon Prime Members OnlyBaseus 10,000mAh 22.5W Magsafe Power Bank with Qi2 Certified 15W Wireless ChargingI've seen plenty of MagSafe or wireless power banks on sale recently, but rarely one that's rated for Qi2 (15W) charging. Today, Amazon is offering Amazon Prime members only this Baseus 10,000mAh 22.5W Magsafe Power Bank for only $19.79 after you apply coupon code "YT35U53Z" during checkout. This power bank features 15W of Qi2 certified wireless charging, which doubles the 7.5W maximum for Qi1 chargers.Sofirn SC31T 2,000-Lumen Pocket LED Flashlight for $25.34Sofirn SC31T 2,000-Lumen Rechargeable Pocket LED FlashlightAmazon is offering this Sofirn SC31T 2,000-lumen pocket LED flashlight for only $25.34. There's a 15% coupon code that's automatically applied when you go through the landing page, and then clip another 20% off coupon on the product page. Sofirn is a well-known and reliable seller of affordable LED flashlights. This model uses a single powerful SST-40 LED that delivers 2,000 lumens of light with a 6,500K color temp and up to a 206-meter range. It has 6 different intensities all the way down to 1 lumen to extend your battery life. The battery is rechargeable over USB Type-C.40% Off Stray for PCPC DownloadStrayCat lovers rejoice because Stray is currently 40% off exclusive at Humble. This is the PC version and it will install via your Steam client. You star as a brave little orange tabby cat trying to escape a cyberpunk-themed underworld filled with robotic denizens. In our Stray review, Tom Marks wrote that "Stray is a delightful adventure in a dark but endearingly hopeful cyberpunk world, and thats thanks in no small part to the fact that you are playing as an adorable cat the whole time. Its mix of simple platforming and puzzles with item-hunting quests is balanced very well across the roughly five-hour story... Whether I was scratching at a carpet or curling up into a ball and taking a catnap, Stray does a great job of setting itself apart in a way that feels like more than just a novelty."8-Pack Magnetic Cable Clips for $6.398-Pack Lisen Magnetic Cable ClipsAmazon is offering this eight pack of Lisen magnetic cable clips for only $6.39 after you clip a 14% off coupon on the product page and apply a promo code "20H4SF7V" during checkout. That averages out to just under 80 cents per clip. They're great for organizing your most used cables, since the magnetic closure means that removing and replacing cables is a quick and easy one handed operation.Humble Choice Games for February 2025Read more about this dealHumble Choice - February 2025See it at Humble ChoiceIf you're searching for your next new game to play, Humble Choice February is now live, and this is the perfect bundle to discover something new! This month, Immortals of Aveum headlines the bundle, with seven other games like Total War: Pharoah Dynasties, Fabledom, and more included. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to grab these games individually, you can get all eight games for just $11.99 at Humble Bundle for this month only.Super Mario RPG for $29.99SwitchSuper Mario RPGWoot! (which is owned by Amazon) is offering the excellent Super Mario RPG remake for Nintendo Switch for only $29.99. Amazon Prime members get free shipping (the rest of us pay $5). Super Mario RPG is a remake of the 1996 SNES classic. It was one of the best games to grace the console back then amidst a sea of other incredible titles, and Nintendo did a great job of staying faithful to the game's charm and fun factor.Sonic X Shadow Generations for PS5 for $26.99PS5Sonic X Shadow GenerationsToday Woot! is offering Sonic X Shadow Generations for even lower than what I saw during Black Friday. You can get it for only $26.99 (46% off) and if you're an Amazon Prime member you also get free shipping. Sonic X Shadow Generations is easily one of the best Sonic games in recent history. In our 9/10 Sonic X Shadow Generations review, Jada Griffin wrote that "Sonic X Shadow Generations takes an already excellent game and spring jumps it to new heights with a creative Shadow campaign and an appreciable graphical upgrade." This game is actually a collection of two games in one: a remaster of the 2011 Sonic Generations and - the highlight - an original campaign starring Shadow the Hedgehog.Anker PowerExpand USB-C Hub for $12.50Amazon Prime Members OnlyAnker PowerExpand 6-in-1 USB Type-C Hub with 85W Power DeliveryAnker's handle little USB hub is 50% off for Amazon Prime members, now only $12.50 (normally $25). This versatile 6-in-1 hub features a USB Type-C port with up to 85W of passthrough charging, two USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI port (4K @ 60Hz), an SD card slot, and a 3.5mm audio output.Preordered the iPhone 16E? Get a Screen Protector for $6amFilm iPhone 16e Tempered Glass Screen ProtectorIf you're in line to get the successor the the budget-minded Apple iPhone SE series of phones, then here's an early bird deal for you. Amazon has an amFilm iPhone 16e screen protector for only $5.99 after you apply coupon code "5PIM3OFI. Here's your chance to have a screen protector ready before your phone even arrives. AmFilm is an extremely well known and popular screen protector brand, and this particular model includes the auto alignment kit and camera lens protector.GE Color Changing Night Light for $4.52GE Color-Changing LED Night LightNight lights are an inexpensive, efficient way to provide a bit of practical accent lighting to your home at night. This GE color changing night light goes one step further by offering eight different colors to choose from, with a color changing mode for a bit of RGB flair. The built-in light sensor means it will automatically turn itself off when it isn't needed. It's normally well-priced at just $9, but there's a 50% instant discount right now that drops it to under $5.Aurora Paper/Credit Card Shredder for $22.64Aurora AS890C 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper/Credit Card ShredderWith the prevalence of paperless billing, paper shredders aren't as necessary as they used to be, but there are still plenty of instances when you'll want to destroy physical sensitive documents or old credit cards. Amazon currently has this Aurora shredder for only $22, which is at the bottom end of the scale for a shredder nowadays. It is powerful enough to crosscut up to 8 sheets of paper (up to 8.7" wide), credit cards, paper clips, and staples.More Deals Over $30Not all of the best deals are dirt cheap. Here are some excellent deals if you're willing to spend a little or a lot more depending on the items, including video games, TVs, gaming PCs, gaming handhelds, high-end chairs, and more.$39.99 Nintendo Switch Video Games at Woot!SwitchAnimal Crossing: New HorizonsSwitchKirbys Return to Dream Land DeluxeSwitchLuigi's Mansion 3SwitchSuper Mario OdysseySwitchSuper Mario PartySwitchMario Party SuperstarsSwitchNew Super Mario Bros. U DeluxeSwitchMario Golf: Super RushWoot! has also dropped several must-have Nintendo Switch video games from $59.99 to $39.99, a savings of 33%. You won't lose out even if you plan to upgrade to the Switch 2, since the new console has been confirmed to be backwards compatible with nearly all Switch games.Apple Watch Series 10 From $329Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm)The most popular Apple Watch deal during Black Friday is back. Right now, Amazon is offering an Apple Watch Series 10 42mm model for only $329 and the bigger 46mm model for $359. If you own an iPhone, the Apple Watch is indisputably the best smartwatch for you. It's sleek and stylish, it's chock full of useful features that complement your iPhone better than any other smartwatch brand, and it's surprisingly affordable. The Apple Watch Series 10 is the newest generation mainstream model. Improvements over the Apple Watch Series 9 include a bigger OLED Retina display, a new S10 processor (that isn't faster but it's thinner, which allows the watch itself to have a slimmer profile), a slightly larger base model size (42mm vs. 41mm), and some admittedly trivial features like a water depth gauge.WD Black C50 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox for $109.99WD C50 1TB Expansion Card For Xbox Series XSStarting today, Amazon has dropped the price on the officially licensed WD Black C50 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series consoles to $109.99 shipped. That's a 30% price drop from its original $158 list price and the best price we've seen for an officially licensed 1TB Xbox expansion card since Black Friday. The C50 is one of the best SSDs for the Xbox, which isn't surprising since your options are pretty limited.Samsung 990 Evo Plus 2TB PS5 SSD for $129.99Samsung 990 Evo Plus 2TB PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 SSDSamsung's newest SSD - the Samsung 990 Evo Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe solid state drive - is on sale today for $129.99, which is actually lower than what I saw during Black Friday. This is an excellent drive for both your gaming PC and your PlayStation 5 console, with speeds of up to 7,250 read and 6,300MB/s write. This is a much faster drive than the 990 Evo non-Pro but not quite as fast as the 990 Pro. The main difference between this drive and the more expensive 990 Pro is that this is a DRAM-less drive. Because it is a single-sided SSD, it is power efficient and doesn't generate much heat, so you probably don't need to stick a heatsink on it, although you certainly could for peace of mind.WD SN5000 4TB SSD for $199.99WD SN5000 4TB PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 SSDSSD prices have been trending upwards for a while now, so it's much more difficult to find a fast 4TB M.2 SSD for under $200. Fortunately, there's one on sale today. Amazon has dropped the price of the WD SN5000 4TB PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 solid state drive (SSD) to only $199.99 shipped. This is a newer WD SSD that's actually quite speedy given the low price point, with sequential read speeds of up to 5,500MBps and write speeds of up to 5,000MBps.44% Off Omron 10 Series Blood Pressure MonitorOmron 10 Series Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure MonitorOne of the best health tracking devices you can get for home use is a blood pressure monitor, and Omron is perhaps the biggest and most reliable brand out there. Today, the Omron 10 Series wireless blood pressure monitor is down to $59.22 after a massive 44% off instant discount. I've owned an Omron blood pressure monitor for years; I test myself regularly and I've gone to the doctor more than a few times for elevated blood pressure, and the readings were hospital verified.Andaseat Novis Gaming Chair for $179.10Use 10% off code: AndaIGNAndaSeat Novis Gaming ChairFor 2025, AndaSeat has just released a new line of gaming chair that's sure to be a hit with the budget-minded audience. The Andaseat Novis gaming chair which retails for just $199 is now shipping. Even better, you can use our 10% off IGN code "AndaIGN" to drop the price further to $179.10. The Novis looks like it has most of the comfort, features, and styling of other high-end gaming chair minus some of the more common gimmicks (like "4D" armrests) in exchange for a more affordable price. AndaSeat isn't as big of a name in the congested gaming chair market as some other brands like Secretlab, DXRacer, or Razer, but it does make some high-quality gaming chairs. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Headset (Refurb) for $79.99RefurbishedSteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless Gaming Headset (PS5, PC)Woot is offering a refurbished SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P gaming headset with 90-day Woot! limited warranty for only $79.99. A brand new model retails for $179.99. The Arctis Nova 7P is one of the best headsets you can get for PS5 and PC. IGN writer Matthew Adler reviewed the PC version of the Arctis Nova 7, saying: "SteelSeries continues to push the boundaries of what a headset is capable of. The Arctis Nova 7s new design is sleek, lightweight, and still remains one of the most comfortable headsets Ive ever used." I own a pair of these myself and highly recommend it.Nerf LMTD Halo Needler for $67.18Nerf LMTD Halo Needler Dart-Firing BlasterFor you Halo fans out there, have we found a deal for you. Right now you can save 33% off the NERF LMTD Halo Needler Dart-Firing Blaster. It's normally $100, but this discount drops it down to only $67.18 shipped. NERF's LMTD is a collection of fan-service weapons that are designed after iconic weapons from popular movies and video games, and the Halo Needler is definitely one of the coolest looking guns in the lineup, with a lot of cool little touches like the needles and accents that light up whenever you grip the handle, a 10-dart rotating drum (10 Elite darts included, but it will also take standard darts), and a display stand that activates all the light-up features when mounted.4-Pack Apple AirTags for $67.994-Pack Apple AirTagsAmazon and Best Buy are both offering a four-pack of Apple AirTags keyfinders for only $67.99. That's $30 off the retail price and only $16.99 for each AirTag. This is a very practical accessory for anyone who owns an iPhone and tends to lose small wearables like wallets, keys, or remotes.Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD for $69.99 (2TB for $120)Crucial X9 Pro 1TB USB 3.2 Portable SSD2TB for $119.99The Crucial X9 Pro is one of the fastest portable hard drives out there, thanks to a fast SSD drive and USB 3.2 interface that can deliver both read and write speeds of up to 1,050MB/s. The 2TB model is actually $10 less than the best deal we saw during Black Friday and, in my opinion, the best deal to get.Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld for $449.99Read more about this dealAsus ROG Ally AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Gaming HandheldStarting this week, Best Buy is taking $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, now only $449.99. That's the lowest price I've seen for a brand-new unit, even during Black Friday. In addition, you get a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of a Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The ROG Ally This is one of the best gaming handhelds currently available, especially if you don't want to be tied to Steam's ecosystem.Preorder Elden Ring: Nightreign at Best Buy, Get $10 Gift CardRead more about this dealBonus $10 Best Buy Gift CardElden Ring: Nightreign (PS5, Xbox)$39.99 at Best BuyElden Ring Nightreign is set to release for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on May 30. A new standalone game set in the world of Elden Ring, Nightreign lets you team up with two other players to slice your way through an oppressive fantasy world. Its kind of like a faster-paced remix of the original game. Its available for preorder in a number of editions, so read on for the details about what comes in each one.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

If you're in the market for a new PlayStation 5 console and bottom-line pricing is your utmost priority, here's a deal worth consideration. AliExpress is currently offering a Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console for only $336.83 after a hefty $69 off coupon code: "IFPJIKZ" is applied during checkout. This is a genuine PlayStation console that's imported from another country; region locking is determined by your PlayStation account, not by console, so this system will play in the US without any problems. You'll also be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here. This product is stocked in a US warehouse, so it ships free and arrives within about a week.New PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Console (Import) for $337Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition ConsoleThis is a brand new, genuine PlayStation 5 console, but keep in mind that it is imported. The overseas warranty that's attached to it will not be honored in the United States. Fortunately, AliExpress has a 15-day free return policy and guarantees a refund if your order doesn't arrive within 20 days.The PS5 had the best holiday ever last year, and it's not hard to see why. The PlayStation 5 console is current generation hardware capable of running games in 4K at up to 120Hz and - more importantly - it has an incredible library of games that includes excellent exclusives or timed exclusives like Astro Bot (2024 GOTY) Final Fantasy Rebirth, Spider-Man 2, God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Gran Turismo 7, and more. It's also backwards compatible with PS4 games.Other PlayStation Deals This WeekRefurbishedSteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless Gaming Headset (PS5, PC)Woot is offering a refurbished SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P gaming headset with 90-day Woot! limited warranty for only $79.99. A brand new model retails for $179.99. The Arctis Nova 7P is one of the best headsets you can get for PS5 and PC. IGN writer Matthew Adler reviewed the PC version of the Arctis Nova 7, saying: "SteelSeries continues to push the boundaries of what a headset is capable of. The Arctis Nova 7s new design is sleek, lightweight, and still remains one of the most comfortable headsets Ive ever used." I own a pair of these myself and highly recommend it.Samsung 990 Evo Plus 2TB PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 SSDSamsung's newest SSD - the Samsung 990 Evo Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe solid state drive - is on sale today for $129.99, which is actually lower than what I saw during Black Friday. This is an excellent drive for both your gaming PC and your PlayStation 5 console, with speeds of up to 7,250 read and 6,300MB/s write. This is a much faster drive than the 990 Evo non-Pro but not quite as fast as the 990 Pro. The main difference between this drive and the more expensive 990 Pro is that this is a DRAM-less drive. Because it is a single-sided SSD, it is power efficient and doesn't generate much heat, so you probably don't need to stick a heatsink on it, although you certainly could for peace of mind.Preorder Elden Ring: Nightreign at Best Buy, Get $10 Gift CardBonus $10 Best Buy Gift CardElden Ring: Nightreign (PS5, Xbox)$39.99 at Best BuyElden Ring Nightreign is set to release for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on May 30. A new standalone game set in the world of Elden Ring, Nightreign lets you team up with two other players to slice your way through an oppressive fantasy world. Its kind of like a faster-paced remix of the original game. Its available for preorder in a number of editions, so read on for the details about what comes in each one.PS5Sonic X Shadow GenerationsToday Woot! is offering Sonic X Shadow Generations for even lower than what I saw during Black Friday. You can get it for only $26.99 (46% off) and if you're an Amazon Prime member you also get free shipping. Sonic X Shadow Generations is easily one of the best Sonic games in recent history. In our 9/10 Sonic X Shadow Generations review, Jada Griffin wrote that "Sonic X Shadow Generations takes an already excellent game and spring jumps it to new heights with a creative Shadow campaign and an appreciable graphical upgrade." This game is actually a collection of two games in one: a remaster of the 2011 Sonic Generations and - the highlight - an original campaign starring Shadow the Hedgehog.PlayStation 5 ExclusiveStellar BladeStellar Blade, the first stateside non-gacha from Shift Up, is a well-reviewed game that's best known for its challenging soulslike gameplay, outstanding graphics, killer soundtrack... and, of course, its suggestive character design. Check out more of the best PlayStation deals today.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Apple Intelligence has raised the bar when it comes to RAM requirements as AI-based features require a device with at least 8GB of RAM. With Apple working to expand the capabilities of Apple Intelligence even further, the company is now rumored to put 12GB of RAM in the iPhone 17 Pro models.iPhone 17 Pro expected to feature 12GB RAMRumors about some of this years iPhone models having 12GB of RAM are not new. In fact, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted the RAM increase for the 17 Pro lineup in August last year after Apple announced Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024. However, its now becoming clearer that this years iPhones will get another RAM upgrade.In a note to investors seen by 9to5Mac, analyst Jeff Pu of GFHK Tech Research corroborates the rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max having 12GB of RAM, compared to 8GB in the current models. According to the analyst, the increased demand for AI capabilities has pushed PC and smartphone manufacturers to upgrade the RAM in their devices.Meanwhile iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to migrate to LPDDR5 12GB, this transition alone will contribute to a 3.5% YoYincrease in smartphone DRAM content across an estimated 100 million new iPhone units, the analist said.In 2023, only the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max were equipped with 8GB of RAM, while the non-Pro models only have 6GB of RAM. Last year, Apple put 8GB of RAM in the base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models. As a result, Apple Intelligence is only available for iPhone 15 Pro and later. The recently announced iPhone 16e also has 8GB RAM and support for Apple Intelligence.While the RAM increase will certainly make the iPhone 17 Pro more future-proof, it also hints at new Apple Intelligence features that may require even more RAM, and consequently will only be available on these iPhone models. For instance, Apple last year updated its entire Mac lineup including the old M2 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM.Latest rumors on the new iPhonesBased on recent rumors, the entire iPhone 17 lineup will come with major design changes. The devices are expected to feature a new camera layout and video features that will make them more appealing for vlogging. Apple is also rumored to introduce a new ultra-slim iPhone that will sit between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, possibly replacing the current Plus model.The new iPhones are likely to be announced in September.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

Heart Month may be coming to a close, but Apple Watch continues to save lives.The latest story comes out of Austin, Texas. Mike Gomez credits the Apple Watch with helping to save his life after receiving a number of irregular heart rate notifications and an Afib detection alert.Because Gomez took action based on feedback from his Apple Watch, he was informed enough to make the decision to seek medical assistance at the hospital. These early signs of a heart health issue likely prevented Gomez from experiencing a stroke.Watch his story below:Apple Watch is capable of monitoring your heart rate in the background while wearing it. If your heart rate spikes or drops, heart rate notifications can alert you and bring it to your attention. Apple Watch Series 4 and later as well as Apple Watch Ultra 1 and later include the ECG app for taking an electrocardiogram. Both Apple Watch SE models support heart rate notifications, but lack ECG.watchOS 11, the latest version of Apple Watch software, supports Apple Watch Series 6 and higher, Apple Watch Ultra 1 and higher, and the second generation Apple Watch SE.Best Apple accessoriesFollow Zac Hall on X, and listen to Runtime with co-host Sophia Tung on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.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

In a 2018 essay, The Atlantic's Adam Serwer attempted to make sense of the political chaos unfolding roughly a year and a half into president Donald Trump's first term.His argument, that "cruelty is the point," became a common catchphrase among Trump critics, denoting his politics of demonization and exclusion, which seemed to be about intentionally inflicting pain. Serwer made the case that cruelty was central to the Republican Party, which incentivized fear and vindictiveness.Serwer's analysis now feels more relevant than ever following Trump's return to the White House.And it's not just Trump, who has taken a far more hands-off approach this time around. His top hatchet man, White House advisor and multi-hyphenate billionaire Elon Musk, has seemingly made it his personal mission to pick up where Trump left off sowing confusion, uncertainty, and doubt every step of the way.His Department of Government Efficiency which confusingly isn't actually being led by him,the White House admitted this week has torn through numerous federal government departments, likely breaking various laws in the process, and leaving pure mayhem in its wake.Federal workers have had to contend with some seriously mixed messages, to put it lightly. Even Trump had to step in this week after Musk's DOGE team of underqualified kids emailed virtuallyall federal workers, demanding that they summarize what they did over the past week or be fired if they refused.DOGE has also attempted to fire thousands of government workers, many of whom had to be reinstated not long after to keep the US nuclear weapons stockpile from falling apart or to appease furious medical device industry lobbyists following job cuts at the Food and Drug Administration.Musk promised transparency during the process, but that was a bald-faced lie. Instead of an orderly process, the cuts have been executed as a series of sucker punches that leave government workers unsure whether they'll still have a job, scientists and doctors unclear whether they'll still have funding, and business owners guessing at what regulation they'll have to deal with under the new administration.And that's without getting into Musk's gutting of the United States' international aid program, which will unquestionably lead to countless deaths from disease and starvation.The baffling level of mismanagement raises fundamental questions about Musk's motives. Is he really trying to streamline the government, or is he an angry divorced man, struggling to deliver on his business promises, who's now trying to inflict as much pain as possible on the widest group he can?Musk has done little to hide his attempts to reemploy the playbook he used after acquiring Twitter for $44 billion in 2022. He's used the same "Fork in the Road" resignation offer letter to coerce federal government employees into resigning, as NPR points out. His more recent "What did you do last week?" email also closely resembles a letter he sent to Twitter employees (many of whom have since scored a legal victory after suing the company over illegally denying them severance.)Is Musk trying to take revenge on a government that has held him and his business accountable? His DOGE has singled out government agencies that once investigated the likes of Tesla and SpaceX, demonstrating his unabashed willingness to serve his own bottom line. And that's despite his businesses collecting tens of billions of dollars in government contracts over the last two decades.Musk has long held a reputation for being a "horrible boss" who incessantly cracks the whip, forces his workers to literally sleep on the floor at the office, and threatens them with being fired if they don't fall in line."All of this just seems to further solidify Musks public image as a kind of cultural cliche of like the absolute, ultimate terrible boss," MSNBC host Chris Hayes said during a Tuesday broadcast, referring to the "What did you do last week?" email. "Just the worst boss. Everyones had a bad boss in their life, this guy is the worst of them."Judging by X-formerly-Twitter's ultimate fate the company has wiped out 80 percent of its value after Musk alienated advertisers and ditched content moderation in its entirety it's a destructive approach that's unlikely to turn the federal government into a leaner but still effective version of itself.Beyond triggering a surge in anti-Musk sentiment and mass protests at Tesla dealerships across the world, Musk's trampling has resulted in a growing number of lawsuits from worker unions and attorneys general, which will likely take years to move through the judicial system.And the Trump administration's major culling of the government is only getting started. The Office of Personnel Management has sent out a memo notifying that agencies have until mid-March to come up with "Agency Reorganization Plans," which are expected to result in even more mass firings.Add it all up, and it's hard to believe anything except the obvious: that Musk is rotten to the core, a damaged man with untold power who's now dead set on inflicting as much suffering on others as he can.Share This Article

Late last night, Donald Trump took to Truth Social, the social media platform he has a majority stake in, to publish a hallucinatory AI-generated video of what he purports a Trump-ruled Gaza Strip might one day look like.The video opens with synthetic clips depicting a war-torn Gaza, where ominous automatic rifle-wielding figures stand by while children run through rubble. That dire scene then melts away, and viewers are instead greeted with a string of AI-generated clips advertising an imagined Gaz-a-Lago: seaside high-rises, a person who looks like billionaire Elon Musk eating snacks and throwing cash at kids, a giant golden statue of the current American president, and Trump himself dancing with a scantily-clad woman and lounging poolside with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.People in this imagined Gaza also, apparently, according to the video, carry around golden balloons designed to look like Trump's head, and buy tiny golden statues of the self-styled American king. (The advertisement is even soundtracked by a promotional song, which sounds to be likely AI-generated as well.)And yet, somehow, that's not even all.Incredibly, the video also showcases a cohort of AI-generated dancers moving sensually on a beach, who despite their more traditionally feminine, ab-baring outfits have long hair and beards that present as masculine. Indeed: in Trump's gold-filled Gazan fantasyland, his imagined "riviera of the Middle East" includes gyrating trans, genderfluid, or otherwise gender-nonconforming bellydancers.The inclusion of the dancers in the clip is confounding given Trump's and his MAGA base's contempt for transgender and gender nonconforming people.Immediately after taking office, the 47th president signed an executive order decreeing that it's now the "policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female." Trump has also signed executive orders blocking people under the age of 19 from access to gender-affirming care, banning trans women from competing in women's sports, and forbidding trans people from serving in the military. Several of these actions, among others, are under some level of federal review. But as judges weigh the legality and scientific accuracy of the orders, the message is loud and clear: the Trump White House thinks there's something wrong with trans people, and will do anything possible to make their lives more difficult.On an intertwined note, the administration has also been hard at work waging a war on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including the erasure of references to LBGTQ+ health from public databases. The president has elsewhere piled in on the demonizing of drag shows, canceling future drag events at the Kennedy Center where Trump, breaking from past presidencies, recently took over the board and programming while parroting the baseless far-right claim that drag performers target American kids."Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth," the president claimed again, baselessly earlier this month in a Truth Social post. "THIS WILL STOP."All to say, it feelsvery unlikely that the current president's vision for Trump Gaza would include provocatively dancing seaside xaddies rocking long beards and midriff-revealing bikinisand skirts.But here we are, and to that end, the dancing figures' inclusion in the promotional video raises unfortunate questions. After all, this isn't the account of a random poster; this is an official channel of the president of the United States.It's hard to believe that the clip went through any comprehensive review by a communications team, let alone careful scrutiny by the president himself.Of course, Trump has a well-documented affinity for AI. During the run-up to the 2024 election, he posted AI-generated images depicting his then-opponent, former vice president Kamala Harris, as a communist; synthetic pictures himself praying; and AI-made imagery showing fake lines of immigrants pouring out of apocalyptic-looking hospitals. And on the note of scrutiny, he's also been known with alarming frequency to mistake synthetic content as the real deal: the faux "Swifties for Trump" debacle was a perfect example, as was his recent mistaking of an AI crypto meme for a real image of a General Motors car. (It's also worth noting that the AI slop has been embraced more broadly by the MAGA movement though other folks have been dipping their toe in that pool these days, too.)To be sure, there are plenty of real things wrong with this video. That the president of the United States would post AI slop advertising the remodeling of a war-torn region a place where tens of thousands of Palestinians, children included, are dead and dozens of Israeli hostages are still awaiting release at a time when continued peace talks are entering a crucial and tentative new phase is disturbing on its face. The AI-generated Trump Gaza ad also fails to show the grim realities of what it means to forcibly displace millions of people, as Trump himself has said his grand remodeling idea would involve. And, by the way, Judeo-Christian texts are pretty clear that installing giant golden statues in or near the Holy Lands is... well, not great.Add it all up, and our bearded beachfront heroes feel like the only real glimmer of hope in this synthetically-crafted dreamscape even if their inclusion is likely the result of a too-quick social media trigger finger.More on Trump Administration close-reading: Trump Appears to Have Accidentally Declared That Every Person in America Is Now FemaleShare This Article

iTrade is a commercial Barter company out of Arizona that specializes in luxury travel and media. Our team reaches out to Luxury Resorts worldwide and offers a variety of media options to them full trade. There is no cash involved in the transaction, but simply offering resorts the option to advertise in luxury publications and on line, in exchange for equal value of resort credit. If you understand media and the benefits of resorts advertising then this might be for you. We offer an incredible compensation package based on your results.This is a full time position that requires a phone and computer. We will set you up with an email and provide you with the materials and training necessary to engage with clients. The hours would be Arizona time, 8:30 am to 5pm.You will receive 250.00 usd for every 10,000 in media sales plus an additional 150.00 for each resort when rooms are booked. The average client representative average 45-80,000 per flip with approximately 5-8 flips per month.There is some training that will take some time your first month, but the right candidate can average 5,000 the first month. We look forward to hearing from you.You must be an excellent at typing, self motivated, excellent with customers, understand the basics of advertising and luxury resorts. This is a very self driven position that requires a self starter. Please email your interest to [emailprotected] for immediate consideration.