Secret Perks in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, are hidden perks that can be obtained by completing certain objectives while performing the many skill-related activities in the game. Some of them are easier to obtain than others, but there's no way to measure when the players will be able to get them.

Pokmon Gos big Go Tour: Unova event takes place this weekend over the span of two days. If youre worried about missing out on the powerful addition of Black and White Kyurem or just looking to know how to schedule your weekend, we got your back.Below we explain what time Go Tour: Unova starts, along with an explanation on the other perks that exist outside of the event schedule.What time does Go Tour: Unova start and end?The main event begins on Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. local time and ends 6 p.m. local time. The event will also take place on Sunday, March 2 at the same times as the above.During the event, a plethora of Unova-region Pokmon will be spawning in large numbers, with different habitats rotating out every hour. Each habitat will rotate in twice per day. Youll also get a Its Not Over Yet Special Research starting at 10 a.m. on March 1 that rewards you with enough materials and the Pokmon necessary to get one Kyurem fusion of your choice, so even if you dont plan on playing all day, make sure to login and claim this research.All of the research (paid or free) from the lead-up event Road to Unova as well as the Go Tour Pass expire on Sunday, March 2 at 6 p.m. in your local time, so make sure to claim all your rewards before they poof into the void.What Go Tour: Unova bonuses are active outside of event hours?There are a few perks that will persist outside of the event hours on March 1 and 2:No limit on remote raidingMake up to 6 Special Trades per dayHalved Stardust cost for tradingThis should give you ample time to sift through all your acquisitions from the day, trade what you want with your buddies, and join any last-minute raids remotely to score extra fusion energy you may need. These perks will all end on Sunday, March 2 at 11:59 p.m. in your local time as does the free Incarnate Forme research that was released this week.

You've no doubt explored the app that came along with your smart lights, and found several handy tricks withinfrom getting your lights to turn on at scheduled times, to cycling between different colors and brightness settings over the course of the day. There's plenty more you can do, however, with the help of IFTTT.IFTTT (If This Then That) is a long-established web and mobile app for plugging different services into each other. It can, for example, automatically share Instagram photos to X (but only when a specific hashtag is used); forward SMS messages to your email; export Fitbit stats to Google Sheets; and plenty morethere are a wealth of options to explore.The tool plugs into several smart-light platforms, too, including Philips Hue, Lifx, TP-Link, Nanoleaf, and Govee. That means you're able to link certain triggers from all kinds of apps and services to automated actions on your smart lights. You can sign up for and use IFTTT free of charge. There are also Pro accounts available, which start at $3 a month: These give you access to more automations (known as applets), a greater selection of triggers and actions to choose from, access to AI enhancements, and a few additional features.How to set up an IFTTT applet It won't take you long to set up your first applet. Credit: Lifehacker Once you've registered an account with IFTTT and got yourself into the web interface, you can start building applets. Click Create, then choose Add next to If This. This is the trigger that will kick the automation into action. It could be anything from a new message in Google Chat to a new track from your favorite band on SoundCloud. You can also use times and dates as triggers.As you build your applet, you'll need to sign in to all the various services you're making use of, and give IFTTT access to your account credentials (which you can revoke at any time). If there's an app or service not available in IFTTT, it's most likely because there isn't an option for third-party plug-ins to attach themselves to it.You'll often be given options for your triggerif you're connecting Dropbox, for example, you can specify a particular folder that IFTTT monitors for activity. These options give you more fine-grained control over when triggers are launched, which can be useful in terms of controlling your smart lights.With your trigger selected, you can choose your action: Click Add next to Then That. (For the purposes of this article, you'll want to connect your smart lights of choice, but there are plenty of other options for building appletsyou can have emails sent to your inbox, or notifications sent to your phone.) The selection is slightly different for actions compared to triggers, and again, there are usually some customization options available.You'll need to log in and connect any new apps or services you connect to, and then you're almost done. Click Continue for an overview of the new applet, then click Done to confirm. You can manage your active applets through the My Applets section of IFTTT. They can be temporarily paused or fully deleted whenever you like.IFTTT applets to try with your smart lightsNow that you know how to build applets, you can turn your attention to your smart lightsways to use your lights as an alternative notification system for something, rather than checking your phone or email. For these examples I'll use Philips Hue lights, as those are the ones I've got, but various smart platforms are supported.You can, for example, get your smart lights to tell you about a new episode of your favorite podcast on Spotify. Choose Spotify and New followed show as the trigger, then set Philips Hue and Blink lights as the action. You don't have to blink the lights across your whole houseyou can choose one individual light for this or any other action. Get an alert every time there's a new podcast on Spotify. Credit: Lifehacker Getting weather alerts is a fun one, because you can make use of the colors on your smart lights. Choose Weather Underground then Current condition changes to as the trigger, and select Rain as the condition (your location should be detected automatically). The trigger for Philips Hue lights then needs to be Change colorset it to "blue" to get rain warnings, or tweak the settings for any different conditions.What about if your Android phone is in another room or in a desk and you want to know when it needs charging? Pick Android Battery then Low battery as the trigger, then Philips Hue and Set a scene in a roomyou can specify a light change to warn you a recharge is needed. For this to work, you need the IFTTT Android app installed on your phone to monitor battery levels.Another potentially useful way of using your lights is with your schedule. IFTTT lets you select Google Calendar and Any event starts as a triggeryou can then set a blink or a color change in the Philips Hue action to signify that an event is starting within a specified number of minutes. You can set this for a specific calendar in your account (like your meetings calendar), so you're not overwhelmed with notifications. You can also connect IFTTT to your Google Calendar. Credit: Lifehacker Or what about connecting your smart lights to your video doorbell? If you pick Ring and New Ring Detected as your trigger, the resulting action could then be a color or scene change on your Philips Hue lights, or a quick blink of some or all of them. If you don't have a doorbell you can hear easily, or instant access to your phone, this can be truly handy.These are just a few options you can explore across the IFTTT platform, and there's a lot more that's possible. IFTTT plugs into iOS Shortcuts too, for example, giving you even more ways to mix and match your automated connections.

If you've been waiting in earnest for interest rates to drop, I have some bad news: The Federal Reserve has effectively put rate cuts on hold until President Donald Trump and Congress establish a clear policy direction that won't make inflation even worse. According to the Federal Reserves January meeting minutes, released this week, this cautious stance is a result of the Fed simply not knowing how the economic effects of potential government policies might play out.While the federal funds rate is designed to set what banks charge each other, it trickles down to everything from mortgages to student loans. If youre planning on applying for a credit card, a home, or a car loan any time soon, heres how the Fed's waiting game will impact you.Higher inflation is still a thingAssuming there isn't a sudden spike in the unemployment rate, Fed officials said they would want to see further progress on inflation before making additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate. In the meantime, inflation has proved to be more resilient than hoped, with the numbers from January coming in hotter than expected. While no rate movement in either direction is the most likely outcome for the time being, there's a chance that if inflation worsens again, the Fed's next move would be not a rate cute, but a rate hike.Market expectations for interest rate cuts have already declined significantly. The latest CNBC Fed Survey showed 65% of respondents predict two rate cuts in 2025, down from 78% in the prior survey. And if the Fed does cut rates this year, the first cut may not come until June or July, according to the CME FedWatch tool. In other words, the Fed has adopted a "wait and see" approachit is unwilling to lower rates amid uncertainty about the new administration's economic policies. Trump's tariff plans could raise prices even moreThe biggest contributor to said economic uncertainty is President Trump's stated plans for tariffs on imports. While earlier announced tariffs on Canada and Mexico are on hold (at least for now), China is facing new 10% tariffs, and additional tariffs on those and other countries aren't out of the realm of possibility.The Peterson Institute estimates that tariffs on just China, Mexico, and Canada could cost the average American family approximately $1,200 annuallyand this estimate doesn't account for Trump's broader reciprocal tariff plans. This is because when tariffs drive up the cost of a product being imported, those costs get passed on to the customer.Large purchases like automobiles, appliances, and electronics are likely to see some of the most noticeable price increases, according to Johnston. These items often rely heavily on global supply chains and imported components. Even products assembled in the United States frequently depend on imported parts, meaning tariffs could affect prices even for "American-made" goods.The bottom lineIf you were hopeful interest rates might drop in the next few months, don't hold your breath. We've been battling persistent inflation for years now, and with inflationary pressures from tariffs on the horizon, the Fed appears committed to maintaining higher rates until there's compelling evidence that inflation is firmly under control. But hey, while higher interest rates raise costs for borrowers, they can also mean higher yields for saversso here's how you can take advantage of that.

If youve ever tried listening to your favorite playlist only to have it drowned out by chatty commuters, airplane engines or other distracting noises, you might want to consider some headphones with active noise cancelation (ANC). Whether youre working in a bustling coffee shop, catching a flight, or just trying to focus at home, a good pair of headphones with ANC will block out those distracting outside sounds so you can fully immerse yourself in your music, podcasts, or that new audiobook youve been dying to finish.Noise-canceling headphones are designed for all kinds of situations, and each model will be a little different. Some feature plush memory foam ear cushions and an adjustable headband for all-day comfort, ideal for long listening sessions. Its also worth considering a pair of headphones that offer hours of battery life that will keep the music going from morning meetings to evening workouts. If youre after high-end sound quality and smart features like customizable ANC, theres a pair out there that will suit your needs. Table of contents Best noise-canceling headphones for 2025 How to choose the best noise-canceling headphones for you How we test noise-canceling headphones Other noise-canceling headphones we tested Noise-canceling headphones FAQs Best noise-canceling headphones of 2025 How to choose the best noise-canceling headphones for you Design When youre shopping for the best wireless headphones, the first thing youll need to decide on is wear style. Do you prefer on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the purposes of this guide, I focus on the over-ear style as thats what most noise-canceling headphones are nowadays. Sure, you can find on-ear models with ANC, but over-ear, active noise-canceling headphones are much more effective at blocking outside sounds since your ears are completely covered. For gamers, there are also gaming headsets that feature noise cancellation some even have detachable microphones, so they can double as over-ear headphones. However, for the purpose of this article, were only going to be focusing on noise-canceling headphones rather than headsets. Look for models with a comfortable headband and memory foam ear cups to ensure you can wear them for long periods without discomfort. Many headphones also come with a range of color options, so if aesthetics matter to you, youll find plenty of choices beyond just black or white. Whether youre looking for something neutral or a bold pop of color, brands now offer a variety of styles to match your personal taste. Finally, if youre planning to wear your headphones for long periods of time, its important to pick a model with a comfortable fit. Memory foam ear cups, an adjustable headband, and lightweight materials can make all the difference during extended listening sessions. After all, great sound is only part of the equation; comfort matters just as much. Type of noise cancellation Next, youll want to look at the type of ANC a set of headphones offers. Youll come across terms like hybrid active noise cancellation or hybrid adaptive active noise cancellation, and there are key differences between the two. A hybrid ANC setup uses microphones on the inside and on the outside of the device to detect outside noise and cancel it out. By analyzing input from both mics, a hybrid system can combat more sounds than regular ANC, but it does so at a constant level that doesnt change. Adaptive ANC takes the hybrid configuration a step further by continuously adjusting the noise cancellation for changes in your environment and any leakage around the padding of the ear cups. Adaptive noise-canceling also does a better job with wind noise, which can really kill your vibe while using headphones outdoors. Some high-end headphones also support Dolby Atmos, which enhances spatial audio and makes everything from music to movies sound more immersive. For the purposes of this best headphones list, Im only considering products with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups because those are the most effective at blocking noise and improving your overall listening experience. Customization Youll also want to check to see if the ANC system on a prospective set of headphones offers adjustable levels of noise cancellation or presets. These can help you dial in the amount of ANC you need for various environments, but it can also help you save battery life. Master & Dynamic, for example, has ANC presets that provide both maximum noise blocking and more efficient cancellation that is more energy efficient. Other companies may include a slider in their companion apps that let you adjust the ANC level to your liking. Some high-end models even allow you to fine-tune the ANC for specific types of environments. How we test noise-canceling headphones The primary way we test headphones is to wear them as much as possible. I prefer to do this over a one-to-two-week period, but sometimes deadlines dont allow it. During this time, I listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the headphones to take both voice and video calls. Since battery life for headphones can be 30 hours or more, I drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent). Due to the longer battery estimates, Ill typically power the headphones off several times and leave them that way during a review. This simulates real-world use and keeps me from having to constantly monitor the process for over 24 straight hours. To test ANC performance specifically, I use headphones in a variety of environments, from noisy coffee shops to quiet home offices. When my schedule allows, I use them during air travel since plane noise is a massive distraction to both work and relaxation. Even if I cant hop on a flight, Ill simulate a constant roar with white noise machines, bathroom fans, vacuums and more. I also make note of how well each device blocks human voices, which are a key stumbling block for a lot of ANC headphones. ANC-related features are something else to consider. Here, I do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as I work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the headphones Im testing are an updated version of a previous model, Ill spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of headphones that I review. Other noise-canceling headphones we tested AirPods Max Apples AirPods Max are premium, well-designed headphones that incorporate all of the best features you find on standard AirPods: solid noise cancelation, spatial audio and easy Siri access. However, their $550 starting price makes them almost prohibitively expensive, even for those with Apple devices. There are better options available at lower prices. Sonos Ace The Sonos Ace is an excellent debut for the companys first headphones. The combination of refined design, great sound quality and home theater tricks creates a unique formula. However, ANC performance is just okay and key functionality is still in the works for many users. Beats Studio Pro The Studio Pro lacks basic features like automatic pausing, and multipoint connectivity is only available on Android. Moreover, theyre not very comfortable for people with larger heads. Overall sound quality is improved, though, and voice performance on calls is well above average. Noise-canceling headphones FAQs Does noise cancellation block all noise? Noise cancellation doesnt block out all noise, though it does drastically reduce the volume of most external sounds. Is there a difference between wired vs wireless noise-canceling headphones? In terms of sound quality, if you have two headphones one wired and one wireless with similar specs, the difference is going to be very minimal. However, wireless headphones offer more convenience, allowing you to move around more freely with your headphones on, which is why they often feature noise cancellation to minimize external sounds. Does noise cancellation impact sound quality? ANC does bear some weight on sound quality, but the impact of this often doesnt outweigh the benefits. Noise cancellation reduces ambient noise, allowing a greater focus on audio detail. For audiophiles, however, there may be a small difference in sound fidelity when ANC is turned on.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-noise-canceling-headphones-130029881.html?src=rss

Apple is far from saintly, but, compared to its fellow tech giants, it did something right. The company's shareholders have voted to keep its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, following a push by conservative think tank, the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), to remove them, Reuters reports. The Center's proposal, Request to Cease DEI Efforts, failed 8.84 billion votes to 210.45 million votes or about 2.3 percent of the vote.Many of these programs emerged or expanded when the Black Lives Matter movement exploded onto the global stage in 2020. However, President Trump's criticisms and threats that DEIs could violate the law along with spineless greed from executives has seen companies like Meta and Google reduce or even fully remove these programs. Those in favor of the proposal at Apple argued that the company could face an uptick in discrimination cases if current policies remain.At the meeting, Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that "strength has always come from hiring the very best people and then providing a culture of collaboration, one where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate."Now, none of this is to say that Apple has incredible DEI efforts. Previously, its shareholders rejected greater transparency about its racial and gender gaps. They also voted down a measure that would require Apple to further investigate the risks of its AI efforts.Cook is also doing plenty of appeasing when it comes to Trump. The pair reportedly met last week and Apple has announced $500 billion in US-based spending over the next four years. He also donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration and attended it alongside Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and other tech executives.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-is-keeping-its-dei-program-130033491.html?src=rss

Benioff says "very exciting" move shows potential of Salesforce for US government.

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In early January, as the Eaton Fire approached their neighborhood in Altadena, California, Ronald Dunlap and his wife made a last-minute decision to evacuate. We got a warning to be ready to leave, [but] we never got the warning to leave, says Dunlap, a 78-year-old artist. All of the sudden, the power went out and we looked out the window and the fire was pretty close.Hours later, the neighborhood was gone. Theres nothing, he says. Its just like somebody walked through with a blowtorch and just took everything out.For more than three decades, he and his wife had lived in a small, charming house originally built in 1912 as a maids quarters for a larger adjacent house. We bought that house after saving for years, he says. At the time, it cost $165,000. Just before it burned down, it was worth around 10 times that much.The couples home insurance can cover only around half the money needed to rebuild, Dunlap says. (And at nearly 80 years old, he doesnt want to spend the years it might take to go through the typical process of building a house in the area.) At the same time, he and his wife cant easily move elsewhere in L.A. County since the cost of a modest home is now stratospherically higher than what theyd originally paid. Several of their elderly neighbors face the same challenges, he says.But now Dunlap is hoping they may be chosen as part of a new project. A new nonprofit, founded in the wake of the fires, plans to donate small prefab houses to lower-income fire victims who cant afford to rebuild either because they were underinsured or dont have insurance at all.[Photo: Samara]Steadfast LA, the nonprofit, plans to initially donate between 80 and 100 of the houses, most of which will be 950 square feet each. Joe Gebbia, one of the cofounders of Airbnb, is donating $15 million to the effort, which Steadfast LA plans to match with other donations. Gebbias other company, the prefab home manufacturer Samara, is building the homes at cost, with no profit. Steadfast LA also hopes to partner with other modular-home companies.Building homes in a factory can help with one of the biggest challenges the region faces: With some 16,000 structures destroyed, the construction industry isnt set up for that kind of capacity, says Mike McNamara, cofounder and CEO of Samara. And obviously people want to get their homes as quickly as possible.[Photo: Samara]Also, the Trump administrations immigration policies could shrink the pool of available construction workers, adding to shortages that existed even before the fires. By building offsite, the company can avoid putting more strain on the labor market. It also can use a different supply chain. The homes are built primarily with metal instead of wood and dont have the same competition for materials.When you think about the overall construction costs, its tiny compared to building a giant home on-site, McNamara says. The whole idea that we could just do all this work off-site is pretty interesting from a supply chain standpoint.[Photo: Samara]The startup has a 150,000-square-foot factory in Mexico where it builds its homes on an assembly line. (Although the Trump administration may put tariffs in place for Mexican goods, McNamara says that it shouldnt affect the company because it can use American building materials.) Automated equipment turns steel into 2-by-6 studs that are framed. Along other parts of the assembly line, the company builds roofs, walls, floors, and other components. As the structure is assembled, wiring, plumbing, and insulation are added. When the homes are shipped to a site, they essentially just need to be placed on a foundation and connected to utilities. The company also builds decks that are customized to the slope of the land on each property. The houses are designed for durability and should last 100 years, McNamara says.Normally, Samaras homes are used as accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The smallest is a 420-square-foot studio. But its largest two-bedroom model is 950 square feet, similar in size to many of the homes that were lost in Altadena. The Dunlaps house was around 1,300 square feet. Around 600 of the houses that burned in the area were less than 1,000 square feet. In Pacific Palisades, some of the homes that were lost were mobile homes.[Photo: Samara]Steadfast LA will be screening homeowners to make sure they meet certain criteria, including being under certain income limits. But some other homeowners might choose to buy the houses directly, particularly if thats all that their insurance money can cover. (A 950-square-foot two-bedroom unit starts at $261,000 plus an installation fee.) Some fire victims who have reached out to the company say they also want to take the opportunity to downsize. People [are saying] Hey, Im older, my kids are gone, McNamara says. We just talked to a gentleman last week who was like, My house is 2,800 square feetI dont even want a 2,800-square-foot house.'[Photo: Samara]Because Samara is based in California, the houses have been designed for fire resistance. The roof and siding are made from metal. The doors and windows have dual-pane glass with aluminum frames. The homes dont have attics with eaves, where embers often enter in a fire. The air-purification systems are specifically designed to handle wildfire smoke if theres a fire nearby.Before houses can be built on lots that burned in the fire, federal and state workers need to clear out rubble and contaminated soil, and then properties will need to be greenlit for construction. Utilities on each street may need to be repaired. Its not clear how long it will take before new construction can begin on each site, though the first stage of cleanupremoving household hazardous wastewas completed this week.Once the permits are in place, Samara can move quickly. Building a home in the factory takes around six weeks, and multiple houses can move through the assembly line at once. Imagine every two days or three days, a unit pops off the back of the line, McNamara says.Its only a partial solution; even if the homes can be built quickly, residents will likely have to move back onto desolate blocks with empty lots where construction hasnt yet begun. Meanwhile, multiple groups, including Steadfast LA, are pushing to find ways to help accelerate development overall. All of this is happening in the context of L.A.s massive housing shortage. We have to continue to address this broader housing shortage at the same time as we try to rebuild, says Shane Phillips, the housing initiative project manager for UCLAs Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies. That includes doing more to encourage people to rebuild multifamily housing, or housing with ADUs, he argues, rather than just replacing single-family homes.Steadfast LAs founder, Rick Caruso, is a billionaire developer known for building malls. He also previously ran for mayor of L.A. and lost, and has criticized the current mayor for her handling of the wildfiresthough the extreme weather conditions and the limitations of urban water infrastructure likely made stopping the fires impossible. (Altadena, it should also be noted, is separate from the City of L.A.) The new nonprofit is running parallel to a separate rebuilding program run by the city, as well as another run by the state. Caruso is widely expected to run for office again; if he does, hes likely to make the fires and rebuilding part of his campaign. Theres no question that theres a political motivation behind Carusos effort here, Phillips says. But that doesnt mean [its] not a positive thing.