• Qodos open code embedding model sets new enterprise standard, beating OpenAI, Salesforce
    venturebeat.com
    The 1.5B parameter version is available on Hugging Face under the OpenRAIL++-M license, allowing developers to integrate it freelyRead More
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  • Backend game engine Pragma levels up player engagement tracking with FirstLook acquisition
    venturebeat.com
    With more than 75,000 playtesters under its belt, FirstLook plans to add community management value to Pragma's game engine.Read More
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  • DoorDash will pay $16.8 million to New York delivery workers after misusing their tips
    www.theverge.com
    DoorDash is paying restitution after keeping tips from as many as 63,000 of its New York delivery workers thanks to a settlement with the New York Attorney Generals office, The New York Times reports. Attorney General Letitia James announced on Monday that DoorDash will pay $16.8 million, which will be spread across workers who were subjected to the companys guaranteed pay model that subsidized payments against customer tips.DoorDash will additionally pay up to $1 million in administrator costs to help make the payments happen. Some workers are expected to get several thousand dollars, others as much as $14,000, a spokesperson for the New York Attorney Generals office told The New York Times. The Office of the Attorney General will determine which workers are eligible and how much theyre repaid. DoorDash also made similar settlements with Illinois for $11.3 million in November and with Washington DC for $2.5 million in 2020.From May 2017 through September 2019, DoorDashs payment model would guarantee a certain payout to workers whether customers tipped or not. However, what the company didnt make clear was that it was really giving a base pay of $1 and would use tips from customers before doling out money towards the guaranteed amount. For instance, if a delivery job had guaranteed payment of $10 to the worker and the customer tipped $6, DoorDash would pay the worker $1 plus the $6 tip, then fill in the remaining $3 to add up to the guarantee. If they tipped $7 or $8, the worker wouldnt be paid anything extra DoorDash would pocket the difference instead.DoorDashs model of using tips for workers base pay came into light in July 2019 and was met with scrutiny by the workers and customers which pushed the company to promise change in the policy. In an August 2019 response to the situation, DoorDash CEO Tony Xu tweeted that they thought they were doing the right thing for Dashers by making them whole if a customer left no tip, but the feedback weve received recently made clear that some of our customers who were leaving tips felt like their tips didnt matter.Not only was the guaranteed pay system deceitful to workers, the state complaint alleged, but it was also misleading to customers since the app promised Dashers will always receive 100 percent of the tip, which is only technically accurate. The New York Attorney Generals office also noted that disclosures of how tips work were buried to the point of inaccessibility during the ordering process.During the 2021 pandemic, DoorDash and Grubhub were also sued by the city of Chicago for unfair fees and tipping policies. The case is ongoing.See More:
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  • Hotos 48-in-1 electric screwdriver set hits a record low $70
    www.theverge.com
    Many years ago, I built my first PC inside a repurposed Gateway chassis with just a regular old screwdriver and a grounding bracelet. Ill spare you the ugly details, but lets just say I wish I had tools specially made for the job. If you want to avoid pain in your own projects, you should consider picking up Hotos 48-in-1 Electric Precision Screwdriver set. It has everything you need to pry open gadgets for fine adjustments, yet costs just $69.99 ($40 off) on sale at Amazon and Walmart. That price matches the record low from Black Friday.RelatedThe cordless electric screwdriver is a bit skinnier but longer than some of the other Hoto variants weve recommended, which is what you want in tighter quarters. It offers two torque speeds, allowing you to dial it up for stubborn screws or down for softly reassembling fragile items.Among the included magnetic screwdriver bits are half a dozen options with 45mm shafts for extra reach. Youll get 20 more 28mm bits to cover a range of common screw heads. The package also contains a variety of spudgers, picks, priers, and tweezers, along with a suction cup, a magnetic pad that doubles as a ruler, and things to help you stay grounded to protect yourself and your electronics. Everything is neatly secured in the included storage case, which also has a dedicated magnetizer and demagnetizer, plus an external USB-C port to charge the screwdriver while its docked.Hoto Electric Precision Screwdriver Kit Pro$70$11036% off$70Hotos comprehensive electric precision screwdriver kit has everything you need to tinker with and fix small to medium electronics and projects. The screwdriver is tall and cylindrical with two torque speeds, and comes in a carrying case that includes bits, spudges, tweezers, and other helpful tools.Other deals you might likeSamsung just announced a blistering fast PCIe Gen 5 SSD, but if youre buying an SSD purely for gaming, you can get by just fine and save money with the last-gen Samsung 990 EVO Plus. The 1TB model is down to $74.99 ($35 off) at Amazon, or you can step up to 2TB for $129.99 ($55 off) both are new record lows. The M.2 NVMe drives are primarily limited to PCIe Gen 4 speeds, with read/write values of 7.2GBps and 6.3GBps, respectively. Thats still very fast for heavy file transfers and more than enough for SSD-optimized PC games to play their best. You can also install one inside a PlayStation 5 for expanded storage.Prime members can get Ugreens MagFlow 2-in-1 charging stand for $23.99 ($36 off) at Amazon, which is an all-time low price. It has a magnetic holder for your MagSafe iPhone, but note: it doesnt have Qi2s 15W charging speed. That might be fine if youre just using it as a bedside stand for overnight charging, however. The stand features a ball join that lets you adjust the viewing angle. Theres also a Qi pad in the base to charge your wireless earbuds. Be aware that the package doesnt include the required 20W wall adapter.The JBL Authentics 200 is available at a new all-time low of $199.95 ($150 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The smart speaker sounds really good for its small stature, but surprisingly, it doesnt have a battery to make it truly portable like the bigger and more powerful Authentics 300 does, which is also on sale for a record low $299.95 ($150 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Both take on a retro-inspired appearance, but include modern smarts with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built in, plus diverse connectivity options including Wi-Fi (supporting AirPlay, Chromecast, and the like), Bluetooth, and aux. Read our hands-on impressions.See More:
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  • Beehave Behavior Trees for Godot
    gamefromscratch.com
    Beehave Behavior Trees for Godot / Uncategorized / February 27, 2025 Today we are looking at BeeHave, and addon for the Godot game engine (Godot 3 and 4 versions exist) that implement behavior trees in Godot. Behavior trees are commonly used for visually representing and designing AI behavior, which often makes it easier to reuse. Beehave provides this functionality using Godots traditional node-based approach. Additionally it provides tools such as a visualizer and profiler for debugging and optimizing your generated behavior trees. The project is open source under the MIT license and is implemented using the GDScript language.Beehave is described as:Beehaveis a powerful addon for Godot Engine that enables you to create robust AI systems using behavior trees.With Beehave, you can easily design complex NPC behaviors, build challenging boss battles, and create other advanced setups with ease.Using behavior trees, Beehave makes it simple to create highly adaptive AI that responds to changes in the game world and overcomes unexpected obstacles. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, Beehave is the perfect tool to take your game AI to the next level.Key LinksBeehave GitHubBeehave DocumentationBeehave Tutorial by BitbrainGodot 3.x SampleGodot 4.2 Behave Text TutorialYou can learn more about behavior trees and the Beehave plugin for the Godot game engine in the video below.
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  • Score a Victrola Stream Onyx Turntable for 58% Off at Woot
    www.ign.com
    If you've got a record collection, it's only right that you have a solid turntable to play everything on. If you're on the hunt for something new, Woot's offering an excellent deal right now on the Victrola Stream Onyx Turntable. It's currently listed for $249.99, a whopping 58% off its list price of $599.99. That's a fantastic deal, and one that won't stick around for long, as Woot notes that it's only available for a couple more days or until it's all sold out. If you've been hoping to get a new turntable, you don't want to miss out on this discount.Victrola Stream Onyx Turntable for $249.99Victrola Stream Onyx TurntableBoasting a matte black finish, this record player has a sleek design that blends in nicely with a room. And when it comes to playing your favorite records, this turntable also has built-in Sonos compatibility. With this, you can stream your records right to your Sonos system to enjoy them all around the house. If you're looking to add some new records to your collection as well, we've got a few that are worth keeping on your radar right now. The massive Mass Effect Trilogy Collection on vinyl is now available to preorder, complete with 85 tracks to play. Or, if you long to have another vinyl collection from a classic game series, the original Halo trilogy soundtrack on vinyl is also up for preorder right now.If you're curious to see even more of our turntable recommendations, have a look through our roundup of the 10 best Bluetooth record players for 2025. This includes a variety of excellent picks from the likes of Audio Technica, Sony, and more. And if you're curious to see more tech deals, check out our roundup of the best deals of the day which features some great discounts on iPads, power banks, and more right now.Upcoming Vinyl SoundtracksOut July 11Mass Effect Trilogy Collection Original Soundtrack Box Set$120.99 at AmazonOut April 11Halo Original Trilogy Original Soundtrack Box SetOut May 23Diablo IV Original Soundtrack Box Set$137.98 at AmazonOut May 30Persona 4 Arena & Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Original Soundtrack Box Set$90.98 at AmazonOut May 30Persona Q Shadow Of The Labyrinth Original Soundtrack Box Set$137.98 at AmazonOut May 16The Sims 25th Soundtrack / Various - Clear with Neon Green Splatter$77.99 at AmazonOut May 9Far Cry Music: 20th Anniversary Original Soundtrack$69.99 at AmazonOut May 30Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time Trilogy Original Soundtrack$69.99 at AmazonHannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.
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  • How to Play the Pokmon Games in Chronological Order
    www.ign.com
    The mainline Pokemon games make up one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. From Pokemon Red and Blue to the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, these games have amassed a huge audience that just keeps coming back for more.If you haven't played all of the Pokemon video games in the series, however, you may find yourself in a bit of a dilemma trying to figure out where to start in 2025. Most of the major titles in the series are excellent standalone games to dive into, but if you want to start from the beginning, there are two different ways to play in order: Chronologically or by release date.Jump to:It's Pokemon Day! Check Out Some of Our Favorite Deals and Restocks: Pokmon TCG: Collector Chest $29.99 at AmazonPokmon TCG: Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex Box $21.99 at AmazonPokemon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box $49.99 at AmazonPokmon - Trading Card Game: Azure Legends Tin $26.99 at Best BuyPokemon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Booster Bundle$28.99 at AmazonPokmon GO $50 Gift Card (7,000 PokCoins)SanDisk 1TB microSDXC Card Licensed for Nintendo-Switch, Pokmon Snorlax EditionSanDisk 256GB microSDXC Card Licensed for Nintendo Switch, Pokmon Edition PikachuSquishmallows Original 14-Inch Marill Pokmon PlushWhich Pokemon Games Should You Actually Play First?Choosing where to start boils down to what Nintendo console you currently have, though the recent Delta emulator may change that for you. If you only have a Nintendo Switch, you can start with Let's Go Pikachu or Let's Go Eevee, which are kind of like remakes of the original Yellow version from 1998. You can also play Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl for another remake experience. Pokemon Legends: Arceus is also an option, but it is very different from the other mainline games.If you're wanting to dive right into Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it's worth noting that you likely won't be missing out on any overly pertinent information from the previous games. The only games in the main series you might not want to jump right into is Black 2 and White 2 as those are sequels.Pokmon: Let's Go, Eevee! - SwitchPokmon: Let's Go, Pikachu! - SwitchHow to Play the Pokemon Games in Chronological OrderThe Pokemon timelne may seem pretty linear at first glance, but without enough obvious details to go off of, it can be pretty confusing to try to follow the chronology from title to title. Luckily, a now deleted tweet from Toshinobu Matsumiya has given us a starting point for some of the games. For the rest, we can only make educated guesses based on a few key details witin the games.1. Pokemon Legends: ArceusThe first game in the chronology is very clearly Pokemon Legends: Arceus seeing as it's set in a time when the relationship between humans and Pokemon was only just starting to form. You spend a large portion of your time running around a vast open wilderness catching and battling wild Pokemon, and the people you interact with are clearly just beginning to understand the world of Pokemon. This game features crafting and research tasks, which greatly differentiates it from the usual gym battle formula we are used to.Though we don't know just how long ago Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes place compared to the other games in the series, we do atleast know that it seems to feature the ancestors of Diamond and Pearl characters.Related Guides2. Pokemon Red, Blue, and YellowAs the original games in the series, Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow are up next in the timeline. Bringing the first-generation Pokedex and introducing us to the classic Pokemon game formula, these best-selling games are what started it all.Although we can't know for sure that these Game Boy games are up next in the timeline, the deleted Tweet from Game Scenario writer Toshinobu Matsumiya confirmed that the series starts with these. The technology featured in the game is also fairly limited compared to some of the newer games -- though still advanced enough to bring fossils back to life!Pokemon Blue VersionNintendoOct 15, 1996Related GuidesBonus: Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreenPokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are remakes of the original Red and Blue games and thus are at the same exact point in the timeline. Much of the plot is the same as the originals with some key differences -- including visiting the Sevii Islands after becoming champion of the Elite Four.3. Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and EmeraldPokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald brought all new Pokemon and throws you into the Hoenn region -- which is some distance from both the Kanto and Johto regions. Considering this game features the third generation of Pokemon and some new technology, it seems most likely that it would take place after both Red and Blue and Gold and Silver. However, according to that same deleted tweet from Matsumiya, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire take place at the same point in time as FireRed and LeafGreen.This also means that Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are at the same point in the timeline here seeing as they are remakes.Pokemon Ruby VersionGame FreakNov 21, 2002Game Boy AdvanceRelated Guides4. Pokemon Gold, Silver, and CrystalAs the second game in the series (in terms of release date) Pokemon Gold and Silver take place three years after the events of Red and Blue. With some exciting new Gen 2 Pokemon and some of the best post-game content in the series, Gold, Silver, and Crystal were an excellent follow up to the original games. By traveling to the Kanto region after becoming the champion of Johto, you get a firsthand look at the passage of time. You even get to battle the protagonist from the first games, Red, who is quite strong.This placement in the chronology also applies to the remakes: HeartGold and SoulSilver. Although the remakes offer some additional content, they are essentially just updated versions of the originals.Pokemon HeartGold VersionGame FreakSep 12, 2009Nintendo DSRelated Guides5. Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and PlatinumIn terms of series release order, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl came a few years after Ruby and Sapphire. However, we now know from that deleted tweet from Matsumiya that Diamond and Pearl actually takes place at the same time as HeartGold and SoulSilver. This may seem a little bit confusing considering the advancements in technology we see in Diamond and Pearl, but we can likely just chalk it up to the actual date the games were created rather than the chronology within the Pokemon universe.This would also mean that the remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are set in the same point of the timeline. Though the timeline gets a bit wonky with the inclusion of Fairy-type Pokemon considering those weren't introduced until X and Y.Related Guides6. Pokemon Black and WhiteFeaturing the fifth-generation of new Pokemon, Black and White was the second mainline game to come out on the Nintendo DS. Although we don't know exactly when the story takes place in the Pokemon universe, we do that it takes place after Diamond and Pearl thanks to Matsumiya's tweet. Since there aren't any obvious links to the previous games, we can only assume that Black and White takes place more than 3 years after Red and Blue.Related Guides7. Pokemon Black 2 and White 2As a true sequel to Black and White, Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 offer a fairly obvious transition through the chronological timeline. We see changes where gym leaders pass on their duties to the next generation, Team Plasma has advanced their plot, and there is a new Champion. Between all of these things, we know that roughly two years have passed since Black and White, progressing the timeline forward in an uncharacteristically linear fashion.Pokemon Black Version 2Game FreakJun 23, 2012Nintendo DSRelated Guides8. Pokemon X and YAs the first game in the series to allow payers to explore and battle in 3D, Pokemon X and Y was a fresh take on the classic Pokemon formula. While this is largely due to it being the first title in the series to be a Nintendo 3DS game, it definitely helped set up future games. While we don't know exactly when the game fits in the chronology, thanks to Matsumiya we atleast know that X and Y take place at the same time as Black 2 and White 2. However, it's possible that it is set in a different universe due to Mega Evolution being a thing.Pokemon XNintendoOct 12, 2013Nintendo 3DSRelated Guides9. Pokemon Sun and MoonHappening a few years after X and Y, Pokemon Sun and Moon takes us to the Alola region. While we don't have any information from Matsumiya about where this game fits in the timeline, it features a few characters from X and Y that indicate that time has passed between games. An adult Red and Blue also make an appearance, though their exact age isn't revealed, so we still don't know exactly how much time has progressed since Red, Blue, and Yellow.This also means that Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon take place at the same point in time as they are essentially remakes of Sun and Moon with some additional content.Pokemon Sun VersionGame FreakNov 18, 2016Nintendo 3DSRelated Guides10. Pokemon Sword and ShieldWith the arrival of the Nintendo Switch came the first Switch-exclusive mainline Pokemon game: Sword and Shield. Featuring a brand-new region, new Pokemon, and the introduction of Gigantamax, Sword and Shield is essentially a soft reboot of the series. So that being said, we have no idea where it fits on the chronological timeline. There aren't really any hard references to the previous games, so there is no way of accurately fitting it into the known Pokemon universe.One of the only clues we have about the timeline comes in the form of new technology. The addition of the Rotom Phone seemingly places us further in the chronology than Red and Blue at the very least, but that's all we can really gather. It's possible that Pokemon Sword and Shield simply takes place in an entirely different universe than any of the other games.Related Guides11. Pokemon Scarlet and VioletAs the latest entry in the series, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet brings all-new Gen 9 Pokemon and the open-world Paldea region to the Nintendo Switch. There haven't been any obvious clues revealed about where it lands on the timeline, so we unfortunately don't have enough information to try to accurately place it. That being said, if it follows the chronological structure of previous mainline games, it's possible that it takes place at the same time as the events of Pokemon Sword and Shield.Pokemon ScarletGame FreakNov 18, 2022Nintendo SwitchRelated GuidesHow to Play the Pokemon Games by Release DateI you want to play the games in the order they were released rather than try to attempting to go through the convoluted chronological timeline, here are all of the mainline Pokemon games by release date:Pokemon Red and Blue - February 27, 1996 - Game BoyPokemon Yellow - Game Boy - September 12, 1998 - Game BoyPokemon Gold and Silver - November 21, 1999 - Game Boy ColorPokemon Crystal - December 14, 2000 - Game Boy ColorPokemon Ruby and Sapphire - November 21, 2002 - Game Boy AdvancePokemon FireRed and LeafGreen - January 28, 2004 - Game Boy AdvancePokemon Emerald - Sepember 16, 2004 - Game Boy AdvancePokemon Diamond and Pearl - September 28, 2006 - Nintendo DSPokemon Platinum - September 13, 2008 - Nintendo DSPokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver - September 12, 2009 - Nintendo DSPokemon Black and White - September 18, 2010 - Nintendo DSPokemon Black 2 and White 2 - June 23, 2012 - Nintendo DSPokemon X and Y - October 13, 2013 - Nintendo 3DSPokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire - November 21, 2014 - Nintendo 3DSPokemon Sun and Moon - November 18, 2016 - Nintendo 3DSPokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon - November 17, 2017 - Nintendo 3DSPokemon Sword and Shield - November 15, 2019 - Nintendo SwitchPokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl - November 19, 2021 - Nintendo SwitchPokemon Scarlet and Vilolet - November 18, 2022 - Nintendo SwitchPokemon Legends Z-A - TBA Late 2025Upcoming Pokemon GamesPlayWhile a new Pokemon Legends game was technically announced last year, we finally got an official gameplay reveal during this year's Pokemon Day. Titled Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the upcoming game is set in Lumiose City, within the same Kalos region as Pokemon X and Y. The city itself is in the midst of a technological evolution to support trainers and Pokemon thriving together. As a Legends game, Z-A's starter Pokemon are a throwback: Chikorita and Totodile from Gen 2 alongside Tepig from Gen 5. Like in Legends: Arceus, these familiar starters will be getting new final evolutions. The gameplay trailer also showed off new battle mechanics, like positioning, dodging, and aiming your Pokemon's attacks. Unfortunately, the one thing the trailer didn't confirm is a release date: the game is still set for a tentative "late 2025" release, most likely on Switch and Switch 2 consoles. PlayThat wasn't the only game reveal from the 2025 Pokemon Day announcements. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company also announced Pokemon Champions, a new battle game for both Switch and mobile devices. This is most likely the "multiplayer Pokemon game" that was alluded to in earlier leaks. More like Pokemon Showdown than other Pokemon releases, Pokemon Champions will allow trainers to battle with Pokemon they've caught and trained in other games through the Pokemon Home app. No release date information has been revealed. Looking for more video game timelines? Check out these guides:Looking for additional Pokemon content? Check out our guide to the best Pokemon movies and Pokemon Video Games for more. You can also shop for the coolest Pokemon merchandise at the IGN Store for some of our favorite Pokemon toys.
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  • Free Play Days Catan, Worms W.M.D and Dragon Ball FighterZ
    news.xbox.com
    Prepare for battle this weekend with Free Play Days! Catan, Worms W.M.D and Dragon Ball FighterZ are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday February 27 at 12:01am Pacific until Sunday, March 2 at 11:59pm Pacific.How To Start PlayingFind and install the games on each of the individual game details page onXbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.Keep The Fun GoingPurchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Membership Required)CATAN Console EditionDovetail Games206$16.99$5.09Get it nowCatan: Console EditionOptimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart DeliveryCharmed by opportunity and the promise of faraway riches, you and a collection of likeminded adventurers abandon your homeland andlivelihoods to discover new lands, untouched by humanity and abundant in resources.But you are not the first to set foot on this new island, there are others who are looking to thrive and survive. Acquire resources, master new strategies, and build your settlements across a board that comes to life. Challenge friends in your living room or play against smart & dynamic AI to become the winning Catanian, then take these skills online with full cross-play compatibility. Want to keep playing? Catan Console Edition will be up to 70% off from March 4 10.Worms W.M.DTeam17 Digital LtdGet it nowWorms W.M.DWorms W.M.D is all out tactical worm warfare for up to six players. Theres a huge arsenal of new and classic weapons to cause chaos with as well as vehicles, crafting, buildings and more. This is the ultimate Worms experience for Xbox players. Plus, you can get up to 80% off.DRAGON BALL FighterZ (Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One)BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.512$59.99$8.99Get it nowDragon Ball FighterZOptimized for Xbox Series X|SDragon Ball FighterZ is born from what makes the Dragon Ball series so loved and famous: endless spectacular fights with its all-powerful fighters. Partnering with Arc System Works, the game maximizes high end Anime graphics and brings easy to learn but difficult to master fighting gameplay.
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  • 30 Charming French Country Decorating Ideas That Designers Love
    www.housebeautiful.com
    John BesslerTheres a certain je ne sais quoi when it comes to homes decorated in the French country style. They can feel so effortless and curated, which often gives the impression that this aesthetic is hard to achieve and purely aspirational if youre not already living in the south of France. However, once you break down French country decorating, it is actually a very simple aesthetic with some well established design rules to follow.French country style is not at all avant-garde or untouchableits a warm, inviting aesthetic characterized by neutral tones, natural fibers and materials, vintage touches, a healthy serving of pattern play, and organic shapes. Because it has a rustic edge, it tends to feel more lived-in than other overly elegant spaces, but it brings some class to your interior thanks to its focus on botanical themes and aged, ornate accents. Its also very personalizable, giving any interior designer room to infuse more colors and materials into the casually elevated space.If youre intrigued by this inviting aesthetic, we recommend you keep scrolling to find 30 designer examples of French country decorating in the home. Maybe itll inspire your next redesign.Additional copy by Hadley Mendelsohn, Lauren Smith McDonough, and Kate McGregor. For more charming home inspiration:1Patterned TileLauren MillerLean into the more elevated rustic elements of French country design by choosing dainty, hand-painted tile for your kitchen backsplash. Designer Ashley Montgomery chose this terra-cotta tile by Tabarka Studio for this charming kitchen, displaying vintage accessories in front of the wall to further enhance this European aesthetic.Tour the Entire Home2Pops of ColorDavid TsayYou dont want your home to be too colorful if youre yearning for the French country aesthetic, but pops of color here and there give your interior more character. In this bright kitchen, designer Fran Keenan kept the color scheme mostly neutral, emphasizing those gorgeous wooden beams on the ceiling, but she added green and dark blue accents to give the room more depth.Tour the Entire HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Farmhouse SinkChaunte VaughnA farmhouse sink, even if its new, has an aged quality to its design, making it the perfect addition to your French country kitchen. In this airy kitchen by Meta Coleman, the designer worked the white sink into the blue island, choosing brass hardware to add even more warmth to the room.Tour the Entire Space Related Story: If You Have a Farmhouse Sink, You Need to Read This4Natural InspirationPatrick BillerTaking the beauty of nature and infusing it in your French country home is one way to expertly capture the aesthetic. From organic materials to botanical themes to highlighting the view outside your window, like in this living room by Allison Willson, you can give your home that lived-in, elevated feel.Tour the Entire Home Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Warm AccentsJoseph BradshawWhile warm hues are typically used in French country decor, if you do decide to use cooler tones, like this muted green, then layer on the warm accents. In this scullery by designer Lindsey Black, she used warm wood tones to bring in more of a French country style.Tour the Entire Home6Hand-Painted WallsHouse BeautifulRather than opt for patterned wallpaper or a solid wash of paint, designer Erin Martin went a third route: a large mural. Accentuating the arched ceiling, the symmetrical painting brings attention to the room's curves and soft natural light.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Repurposed FurnitureTrevor TondroPowder rooms often lack the furniture required for a true design moment, but that doesn't mean French country decor stops at the doorway. In this powder room by Mallory Kaye, an antique table gets new life as a vanity, and a stone sink adds rustic flair.Tour the Entire Home8Antiques on DisplayTrevor TondroWithout the gleaming metal pot rail, this kitchen by designers Carey Maloney and Hermes Mallea might look sparse and bare. Not only do the copper pots add warmth and character, but the rail also offers extra storage for the collection to grow over time.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Playful ShapesDonna DotanUnlike modernism's sleek straight lines, French country decor embraces curves and soft edges. In this Ariel Okin designed New York apartment, a scalloped console table and whimsical lamps soften the room's architecture.Tour the Entire Home10Soft PastelsChaunt VaughnRather than a stark white, designer Meta Coleman painted this pantry a buttery yellow to complement the warm-toned hardwood floors. Combined with the other two primary colors, this simple palette yields a space that is anything but. Tour the Entire HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Cubism On DisplayJames MerrellIn the dining room of this Cape Cod estate, designer Kathryn M. Ireland chose a sea-grass rug to cover the floor and reupholstered the owners' Gustavian chairs to keep a traditional touch. And then there's that fun Cubist moment in the corner.Tour the Entire Home12French DoorsRomanek Design StudioInterior French doors are a bucket list item as far as chateau-inspired decor goes. In this grand living room by Romanek Design Studio, the pared-back design set against the backdrop of a classic, ornate architectural canvas represents a modern take on classic French country decorating. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Rococo FlairJohn BesslerChannel Marie Antoinette with cheerful pastels, layered prints, curvy lines, and fun details, like a fringed awning. Here, John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon of Madcap Cottage painted a jaunty mint green and white diamond pattern to disguise the damaged parquet floors. "That was more than seven years ago, and the paint has held upproof that painted floors are practical and full of pizzazz," they say, adding, "dining chairs move around so much easier on a wood surface than on carpet." 14Vintage ScoresDouglas FriedmanIn the dining room of this Manhattan duplex, designed by Garrow Kedigian, is a circa-1900 mahogany table that's surrounded by antique chairs that were purchased at a Paris flea market and re-covered in a Schumacher velvet.Tour the Entire HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Slim Profiles Corey Damne JenkinsAnother common characteristic in French Country design is furniture with slim profiles. Read: Ditch your bulkier items. Looking for a way to put a more modern spin on it? Designer Corey Damen Jenkins mixes colorful abstract art and modern photography with more classic elements, like the antique desk and accessories while the lucite chair provides some contemporary flair.16Copper CookwarePHOTO: Alexandra Ribar: DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors White painted bricks and stone tile floors set the country chic scene in this kitchen by Leanne Ford. And with that wrought-iron hardware and hanging copper cookware, we can almost smell the French food from here. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Robust Gallery WallsLaura ResenA full gallery wall, like designer John Mayberry put up in this room, complete with antique gilt frames and classic portraits is a great way to introduce dimension in the living room. And of course, a Louise XV-style settee is always a good touch. Tour the Entire Home18Exposed BeamsAnnie SchlechterExposed ceiling beams, distressed wood floors, colorful textiles, and antique paintings and trays on display create a truly charming dining nook. Designer Jane Hawkins Hoke says the pillows and banquet cushions add "texture and a lot of presence, without being busy."Tour the Entire HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Modern Twists Studio RazaviStudio Razavi gave this historic home in Lyon, France, some modern updates while still honoring the integrity of the space. The floating shelves and bright emerald green accents and blond flooring anchor the living room in the modern era while the raw materials of the mantel and exposed beams stay true to its history. 20And Trusses! William AbranowiczDesigner Darryl Carter added wood beams and trusses to this 1980s living room for a storied French country feel.
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  • Apple might be forced to disable a key iPhone privacy feature in France
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    Apple has been under investigation by authorities in France for nearly two years over App Tracking Transparency, a privacy feature that lets iPhone users decide whether their activity can be tracked by advertisers or not. Youve likely seen many of the Ask App Not to Track pop-ups. Now, per a new Reuters report, the case is about to wrap up and looks set to end unfavorably for Apple.A two-year investigation into Apples App Tracking Transparency feature in France is expected to conclude in the next month. And the outcome doesnt look great for Apple.Foo Yun Chee writes at Reuters:[The French regulator] is expected to issue its decision next month ordering Apple to halt its anti-competitive practice and will likely impose a fine too, the people said, making it the first regulatory veto against the ATT. French antitrust fines can be as much as 10% of a companys global annual revenue.So there are two main actions expected as the case concludes:Apple will be forced to disable the feature for French usersThe company may receive a fine tooAs we reported when this investigation first started in 2023: Apple is accused of abusing its dominant position by implementing discriminatory, non-objective and non-transparent conditions for the use of user data for advertising purposes.Apple provided the following statement to 9to5Mac during another ATT dust-up:At Apple, we believe that a users data belongs to them and they should get to decide whether to share their data and with whom. App Tracking Transparency simply gives users the choice whether or not they want to allow apps to track them or share their information with data brokers. These rules apply equally to all developers including Apple and we have received strong support from regulators and privacy advocates for this feature.Outside of France, Apple is also facing App Tracking Transparency investigationsin Germany and Italy. For the most part though, concerns arent focused on the feature overall, but rather how it applies to Apples own apps.In the US, the main pushback has come from a variety of companies most notably Metarather than regulators. The feature has been blamed for negatively impacting advertising revenue.What do you think of these concerns against App Tracking Transparency? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 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
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