TechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and InformaTechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.Together, we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics, serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original, objective content from trusted sources. We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities.Obituary: Legacy of Kain writer Jim Curry has diedObituary: Legacy of Kain writer Jim Curry has diedAlong with Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, Curry wrote Akuji: The Heartless and handled marketing for the Gex games.Justin Carter, Contributing EditorMarch 5, 20251 Min ReadImage via Ellen Curry.At a GlanceThe family of Game industry veteran and Legacy of Kain writer Jim Curry has confirmed his passing.Jim Curry, a writer and marketing manager on Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and the Gex series, passed away in mid-February.In an obituary on his Facebook page, his wife Ellen revealed he had been battling an undisclosed illness for "over two years.""It has been an exhausting, difficult, and sad struggle, and we have cherished many moments along the way," she wrote. "Jim died surrounded by family."According to MobyGames, Curry got his start in the industry as a special advisor on 1991's Marvel Land and on the "Hometek Team" for Rolling Thunder 2 that same year. Most of his credits, such as 3D Baseball and Abomination, pertain to product marketing. Along with Soul Reaver, his writing credits include Battle Cars (as a copywriter), Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain (cinematic script editor), and Akuji: The Heartless.Both Soul Reaver and its sequel were recently remastered in a bundle for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S, and serve as his final credited work.Read more about:ObituariesAbout the AuthorJustin CarterContributing Editor, GameDeveloper.comA Kansas City, MO native, Justin Carter has written for numerous sites including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. In addition to Game Developer, his writing can be found at io9 over on Gizmodo. Don't ask him about how much gum he's had, because the answer will be more than he's willing to admit.See more from Justin CarterDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

An example of an AI-generated review summary.Apple is bringing AI-generated review summaries to the app store with iOS 18.4. As spotted by Macworld, the latest developer beta for iOS and iPadOS adds brief summaries of user reviews to some App Store listings.The summaries are generated by large language models tocompile highlights and key information from users reviews into short paragraphs, according to details onApples developer site.Based on Apples example, the summaries use natural language to highlight what users say about the app, starting with positive feedback and finishing with negative feedback.Apple says the summaries will be refreshed at least once a week as new reviews are added, and users will be able to tap and hold on a review to report any problems with the feature.The summaries will initially be available in the US App Store for apps and games published in English, and only to those with enough reviews to generate a summary. They will be available in other countries and languages later this year. Apples move follows Amazons addition of AI-generated review highlights to its e-commerce site in 2023. These short paragraphs highlight the product features and customer sentiment frequently mentioned across written reviews and appear above the full reviews. In theory, review summaries should be helpful, saving you from reading through a bunch of reviews to get the highlights. But they also feel potentially ripe for gaming and will likely only encourage unscrupulous companies to flood review sections.From my experience with Amazons summaries, I find that its focus on the positive aspects first can feel disingenuous. I review products for a living, and if something is bad, that will absolutely be the first thing I say.

This is what the Galaxy Z Flip 7 might look like.Samsungs next Galaxy Z Flip phone may have a new all-screen outside cover, according to reputable leaker OnLeaks. The new Z Flip 7 renders shared by OnLeaks and Android Headlines are based on leaked information and show that Samsungs upcoming device resembles its main form-factor competitor, the Motorola Razr Plus. The new screen goes edge-to-edge on the cover and has hole punches for the cameras and flash.OnLeaks has a history of accurate leaks, revealing the designs of the Pixel 8 Pro, 9 Pro, Nintendo Switch 2, and more. These new renders come shortly after both OnLeaks and Android Headlines shared a different Z Flip 7 design that looked all too similar to the current Z Flip 6, including a tab-shaped screen that did not touch the camera lenses. In a post on X, OnLeaks Steve H. McFly says they misinterpreted the data, and the updated renders now show an edge-to-edge cover screen that is about four inches larger than the one on the Motorola Razr Plus.The other change with the Z Flip 7 is that the inner display is growing to 6.8 inches from the previous models 6.7 inches and it may have a less visible crease in the middle. Android Headlines says it expects the new device to come with 12 GB of RAM and options for 256GB or 512GB of storage with pricing expected to start at $1,099.

One of the real achievements of tabletop crowdfunding has been the freedom to experiment with ambitious ideas. Instead of needing to target a mainstream audience with wider appeal, video-game-to-board game adaptations have been able to aim at more niche audiences whose hobby identity overlaps between both mediums. This has allowed a game like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game to thrive, offering a full-blown analog experience that is enormously rich and full of life, just as the original franchise fully deserves.This is a complex and expensive game chock-full of content. In it, up to four players take on the role of STALKERs, cooperating to achieve mission objectives such as rescuing a prisoner, retrieving an artifact, or hunting a massive beast in the irradiated environs of Chernobyl. Setting up the tiles, tokens, overlays, and cards can take a solid 20 minutes. Sneaking or fighting your way through the zone while handling all of the necessary aspects of play is another two or three hours. These estimates are for players who are familiar with the game and its rules as your first session is likely to stretch even longer. This experience is the inverse of the recent Mass Effect board game, instead seeking to offer an entire world to immerse yourself in at the cost of accessibility. Fortunately, all of this effort is absolutely worth it, for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a marvelous experience on the tabletop.The default mode of play is a story-focused campaign that lasts three scenarios. This is a more modest and reasonable commitment than popular campaign board games such as Gloomhaven or Divinity: Original Sin the Board Game. Crucially, it means players are far more likely to actually finish the game.It plays like a mashup of a traditional dungeon crawler with adventure game aspects. Each player controls a different STALKER outfitted with a variety of firearms, armor, and supplemental items. You then take turns performing one of several actions, including the expected moving and shooting, but also more unusual options like tossing bolts to distract enemies or interacting with terrain elements on the map.Fortunately, the effort is absolutely worth it, for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a marvelous experience on the tabletop.The environment is dynamic and unpredictable. This is a key quality of the game, as it seeks to capture the danger and mystique of the Zone. You accumulate radiation moving through certain areas, hopefully possessing some kind of suit to offer protection. You also manipulate objects depending on the scenario and your goals. This may mean you have to locate a hidden trapdoor and pry it open, or choose between climbing a shaky ladder and descending into a drainpipe to enter a ruined building cut off from your approach. Often these environmental challenges are displayed on cards that are laid atop the map tiles. After spending an action to trigger or interact with their features, you flip the card over and reveal the outcome. Theres a strong sense of the unknown, particularly on your first playthrough of each scenario. This core element of mystery is most strongly conveyed through anomalies. These swirling elemental entities are a significant detail of the video games setting, and theyre fundamental in establishing the character and personality of the post-apocalyptic surroundings. The board game adaptation of these oddities is spectacular. Theyre represented by a standee and sit atop a translucent template on the board. The template contains various symbols spread across multiple map spaces, establishing a tense threat for any who would approach. Any figure that enters such a space must roll a die. If the symbol rolled matches one in the current space, it triggers the anomalys reaction. The effects depend on the specific type of anomaly, but often this means substantial damage with occasional detrimental status afflictions. To successfully navigate the area of threat, STALKERs must toss bolts to cover the face-up symbols and find a safe path through the chaos. This system is fantastic, as it captures the tone and atmosphere of the source material in a way that's not overly cumbersome. It also uses a unique set of components that is unusual in the board game space, which adds an esoteric quality and emphasizes its alien nature.The enemy AI is also well implemented. After all of the STALKERs have activated, a card is flipped and a menu of actions is performed. Different enemy types, such as mutants and humans, behave somewhat differently, and they also take into consideration whether the protagonists were overly loud or acted with stealth. Players running and gunning like lunatics draw more attention and receive a higher degree of aggressive response. This system provides strong incentives to conduct stealthy operations, and the tools afforded as well as the construction of the scenarios themselves make this a satisfying strategic approach. Much like the anomalies and environment facets, the intersection of enemy behavior and player conduct is a well considered system that is surprisingly satisfying.The story-focused campaign is interesting, with its own quirks worth exploring, but its lifespan is limited. The narrative offers two branches of missions you can embark on, which means you can replay the game to pursue the pathway you neglected. Each playthrough consists of only a few missions, but you may even find some joy in replaying scenarios youve already bested. Some terrain elements are randomized, and most scenarios offer multiple viable solutions to accomplishing the objective. The campaign also offers some neat between-mission diversions. You can visit scavenger camps, interact with armorers, and unearth forgotten stashes. This is handled through an overland map of the nearby area, with newly discovered location nodes applied to the map via sticker. Two blank maps are included in the game as a fresh sheet is needed for each campaign you embark upon. These small location visits are executed fairly well, as they bring in a more macro view of the setting and help add context to the more zoomed-in missions.The single best feature in this box is the Zone Survival module.If thats all S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game was, it would still be a solid entry into the tabletop gaming space. Fortunately, there's more: the single best feature in this box is the Zone Survival module. This is a full-fledged scenario generator that combines several randomized components to create a unique procedurally crafted mission. The event deck is constructed from a random allotment of cards, and your objective is either randomized or chosen from a list. You select the map from one of 10 layouts, and various environmental details are created through card draw. This system is bonkers. Nearly half the cards and tokens in the game are dedicated to this fully developed and robust system. The story-driven campaign could have been removed wholesale, and this mode alone would have established S.T.A.L.K.E.R. as one of the years best board games. Yes, the setup here is even more finicky and detailed, but the ensuing one-off scenario is full of surprises and drama. The degree of variability here is wild, and the game looks to support near endless play.S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game is a complete and hefty package, but its also one with an enormous amount of future potential. The core game comes with miniatures for the STALKERs, and cardboard standees for all foes and anomalies. Optional miniatures sets can be purchased, alongside several content expansions that add more detailed personal narratives to the characters, factions to interact with, and new narrative campaigns to embark upon. The commitment by the publisher is staggering, and this game looks to have long legs.Where to BuySee it at Board Game BlissCheck Out More Board Games Based on Video Games: Resident Evil 2: The Board GameSee it at AmazonBloodborne: The Board GameSee it at AmazonSlay the Spire: The Board GameSee it at AmazonPac-Man: The Board GameSee it at AmazonStardew Valley: The Board GameSee it at AmazonDoom: The Board GameSee it at Amazon

For this week only, Best Buy Buy is offering this capable Lenovo LOQ RTX 4060 gaming laptop for only $799.99 shipped after a $200 instant discount. This is currently Best Buy's best deal on a budget gaming laptop. It features a 15" 1080p display, AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS CPU, GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.Lenovo LOQ 15.6" RTX 4060 Gaming Laptop for $799.99Lenovo LOQ 15" AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS RTX 4060 Gaming Laptop with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSDThe LOQ is Lenovo's lineup of budget-oriented gaming laptops. LOQ laptops are more affordable than Legion laptops, but in return they offer fewer customization options, a slightly bigger footprint and heavier weight, and less premium materials. If you're looking for a high end gaming laptop equipped with an RTX 4070, 4080, or 4090 GPU, then you would have to go with a Legion laptop because LOQ laptops aren't equipped with such. However if an RTX 4060 GPU suits your needs, the LOQ is a better bang for your buck because spec-for-spec, the LOQ performs similarly to the Legion.How powerful is the RTX 4060 GPU?The RTX 4060 GPU in the Lenovo LOQ boasts a 115W TGP (140W with Dynamic Boost), which is the maximum amount of power that can be supplied to an RTX 4060 mobile GPU. Performance-wise, the RTX 4060 sits right in between the RTX 3070 and RTX 3070 Ti. It should run pretty much any game on the native 1920x1080 display and can push even higher framerates if the game supports DLSS 3.0.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.

When it comes to those old farmhouses we know and love, one thing is a constant, there is nothing about them that feels cookie cutter. Each has a personal, soulful look that appears seasoned over time and is filled with character-rich pieces that collectively tell a story.Heres the good news: Even if your house is newly built and in the middle of the city, you can still give it that warm and inviting farmhouse style by taking a slow decorating approach. Think: Mix, dont match; layer; collect. But, while this is a look that favors maximalism over minimalism, there is a difference between farmhouse style and a messier, anything goes boho look. In other words, you do need to be intentional with all that stuff. Here are a few things we see time and time again that give a home (yes, any home!) a one-of-a-kind, truly timeless farmhouse-style look: For More Farmhouse Decorating Ideas:Acquired-Over-Time CollectionsRikki Snyder for Country LivingWhen it comes to decorating our homes, theres a real desire to be finishedto tie up the loose ends and be done with it. But if our spaces are truly a reflection of ourselves, they should, like us, evolve over time, with additions that reflect new interests and pieces that come with new stories. (Well, this one time in Round Top...) In grammatical terms, home is an ellipsis, not a period. Perhaps no one understands that dot-dot-dot approach to decorating like a collector, who trades box- store convenience for curation over time. While psychological research says that people gain more happiness from experiences than possessions, when possessions are tied to experiences, its the best of both worlds. Brown Wood FurnitureStacy Zarin GoldbergIn an age where fast fashion has given way to fast furniture, a welcome shift is underfoot. Interior designers and discerning homeowners are shirking mass-produced items in favor of well-made antiques with classic silhouettes and a singular hue: brown. Once the scourge of the design world with resounding cries of too dark or too dated, pre-1940s stained and unpainted wood furniture is having an honest-to-woodness renaissance. Think of it this way: In a room full of exclamation points (think bold color or whimsical pattern), sometimes its good to swap in a periodsomething more understated to help balance the energy. Brown furniture is the anchor of a spaceevery room needs it for contrast, clarity, and sturdiness, says designer Ariel Okin. (Note: For a more humble, farmhouse-y feel, scrubbed pine is a good alternative to more stately mahogany.) RELATED: Brown Wood Furniture is Trending AgainHeres How to Make it WorkHodgepodge Hutches Stephen Karlisch for Country LivingIt used to be that heirloom-worthy tableware was only to be admired from afar, tucked away neatly in a hutch. The hutch, by association, took on a tone of do-not-touchnessaccessed only on special occasions. Fortunately, the dictums around dishware have lately loosenedthe notion of using the good china has become synonymous with seizing the day, after allbut the hutch and its close cousin, the china cabinet, have for the most part maintained an air of aloofness. Until now. With newfound interest around eclectic interiors, homeowners are taking their cues from the curiosity cabinets of yore (all the way back to the Italian Renaissance), with a case-goods-as-conversation-pieces mindset. By peppering in acquired items alongside (or in lieu of) fine chinathink quirky trinkets and sentimental mementos that reflect personal passions and antiquing obsessionshomeowners have helped the hutch shake off its dust. What used to be a fusty piece of furniture has become a celebration of shelf-expression. And thats far more precious than porcelain.RELATED: 6 Elements of Farmhouse Style That Are Truly Trend-ProofTeetering Book PilesCourtesy Sean A. PritchardThe unofficial anthem of book lovers all over might as well be just one moreas in, just one more page, just one more chapter, just one more book, just one more precariously built bundle on the nightstand reflecting the best of your reading intentions. As Henry Ward Beecher said: Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house. And why limit such beauty to the confines of shelves? Theres no warmer welcome than well-worn hardcovers occupying every surface. Walking into a home with books that spill into every nook and out of every cranny evokes an eclectic charm and a limitless curiosity, providing a friendly, get-to-know-ya glimpse at whatever makes the home- owners spirit sing, be it historical fiction, offbeat British humor, or the earliest works of Joan Didion. Its a deliberately unfussy way to tuck a conversation piece into any corner, setting a convivial tone that beautifully translates to an atmosphere of hospitality almost as if each book knowingly nudges you to sit and stay awhile, whispering, In this house, theres always room for just one more.RELATED: The Best Bookshelving Ideas to Style Your Collections A Welcoming Front DoorRoger Davies for Country LivingAs much as love a stately black door (psst: Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black is a designer favorite), a colorful front door (a Dutch door, preferably) is like a neighborly wave hello. And out here in the country, the further you are from the road, the brighter you can dare to go. Pink pairs well with a pretty Victorian, like the Texas farmhouse above owned by Bailey McCarthy, but when in doubt remember that the color red has age-old country cred. In Colonial times, a red front door indicated weary travelers were welcome to spend the night. (Try Positive Red by Sherwin-Williams to set your own inclusive tone.) RELATED: The Best Paint Colors for Front DoorsTour a Few of Our Favorite Farmhouses: Rachel Hardage BarrettRachel Barrett is the Editor-in-Chief of Country Living. She can't pass up a vintage seascape, drives an '89 Woody Wagoneer (that is, when it'll start), and hopes to buy you a lemonade at a future Country Living Fair.

Ever walked into a room and felt instantly calmer, only to realize it was painted light blue? Thats no coincidence. Light blue is a soothing, relaxing color that has been shown to improve focus and productivity. It can also reduce blood pressureand, in todays world, who wouldnt benefit from that? Plus, blue hues are versatile, so theyre perfect for everything from the powder room to the primary suite.The tricky part can be finding the right colors to match. Light blue can be coastal without being kitschy, modern without feeling cold, and traditional without a hint of stuffiness. Yet many of us hesitate at the threshold of possibility. Should you go bold with contrasting yellows and oranges? Lean into an analogous color scheme with greens and purples? Or perhaps anchor it with earthy neutrals? The options are endless, which is precisely what makes light blue both a designers dream and occasionally their delightful dilemma.We're here to help. Below, weve combed through the ELLE DECOR archives for designer-approved colors that go with light blue.1RedFrancesco lagneseIn the living room ofAmy Fine Collins'sfamily getaway, a powder blue wall complements red Louis XVI chairs that surround a 1940s table from Sutter Antiques. Unexpected red, mastered. The floral upholstery ties the palette together, while the rustic stone fireplace grounds the vibrant interplay.2Gold AccentsKelly MarshallGold accents and light blue are a match made in design heaven. This kitchen, designed by Beth Diana Smith, balances soft, airy light blue cabinetry with warm metallic hardware and wood tones, while a patterned floor and vintage rug add personality and charm. Functional, fabulous, and full of character!Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3TerracottaLaure JolietTerracotta meets tranquility in this dining space by Reath Design. Here, the interplay of warm and cool tones creates a layered, inviting atmosphere, while vintage accents add timeless charm.4OrangeWilliam Waldron; Produced by Robert RufinoThis coastal-inspired living room in a Hamptons beach house pairs light blue walls with pops of vibrant orange, proving opposites really do attract. The warm citrus tones energize the blue backdrop, creating a space thats both refreshing and dynamic.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Dark GreenPatrick BillerGlamour and personality abound in this charming Victorian home, designed by Tommy Smythe. Jewel-toned greens and reds pop against blue walls for a maximalist masterpiece.6PurpleBen PentreathPurple reigns supreme in this light blue wonderland designed by Ben Pentreath. The bold, cosmic artwork and rich velvet chairs add depth and drama, while the blue wallpaper keeps the mood playful yet sophisticated.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7BrownFrank FrancesIn this dreamy powder room designed by Sheila Bridges, light blue sets the stage for a whimsical, aviary-inspired wallpaper with pops of brown, and we cant get enough.8Mint GreenLaure JolietThis bathroom by Reath Design, pairs light blue accents with mint green walls, a green checkered floor, and a cheerful yellow clawfoot tub. Proof that bold color combinations can still feel refreshingly calm.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9YellowThomas LoofLight teal upholstery anchors this living room, designed by Rafael de Crdenas, with a soothing focal point, while mustard-yellow chairs add a sunny pop of energy. The natural wood tones and soft pink accents keep the palette grounded and effortlessly chic.10PinkPatrick BillerThis bedroom, designed by Tommy Smythe, layers light blue tones with a whimsical floral wallpaper. The coral and blush accents add just the right touch of warmth.Julia CancillaEngagement EditorJulia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, where she manages the brand's social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, art and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.

The best culinary experiences go far beyond the food on your plate. From the height of the seat to the level of the lighting, every design decision is carefully considered. The best spaces in this regard are the ones that subtly enhance the experience but do not attempt to compete with it, says Gradient Architecture founder Ben Krone, the man behind The Fat Radish and Estela in New York. Luckily, you dont have shell out for a Michelin Starstudded meal at Eleven Madison Park or Le Bernadin to feast on some incredible interiors. You can find some of the best restaurant design in dive bars and hole-in-the-wall diners. Whether youre inspired by the fictional worlds of The Bear and The Menu, with their minimalistic silhouettes and swanky wood tones, or the vinyl booths and vintage decor of old-fashioned lunch counters, theres a modern eatery to suit your taste. Keep reading to see our favorite restaurant design moments, from a vinyl lounge in Nashville to a caf in South Korea.Related StoriesCapital City DinerMatt KisidayClassic American diners never go out of style, but theyre definitely having an aesthetic moment. Capital City Diner in Albany, New York, elevates simple food and easy company with mod-inspired design. Danu Kennedy of Parts and Labor Design, the firm responsible for the moody upgrade, explains that the intention was to honor the heritage of the space without covering it up completely. It felt important to celebrate the qualities of the existing building as much as possible, he says. One of our favorite aspects of the space is how the light hits. It streams in through the windows and drenches the space in dappled sunlight. The original glass blocks and chrome detailing of the facade were restored, while the vintage silhouettes and materials on the interior, like wood, vinyl, and checkered floor tile, were updated with trendier lighting and color palettes.888 Yoshihiro MakinoYoshihiro MakinoPart Japanese restaurant, part vinyl lounge and listening room, 888 is Nashvilles latest hospitality design moment. Decked out in wood paneling and featuring a cobalt blue, tiled DJ stand, the space has the signature warmth and eccentricity that Commune Design is known for. Inspired by kissa bars in Japan, the firm looked to reintroduce natural materials in new, detailed ways. Particularly inspiring was the imaginative use of humble materialsconstruction-grade plywood, washi papers, linoleum, acoustic batting, sonotubeto enhance the custom hi-fi soundscape designed in collaboration with Devon Turnbull and highlight a highly curated record collection.LolasLiz ClaymanLiz ClaymanThe design of Lolas began with an heirloom necklace passed down by chef Suzanne Cupps grandmother. Krone, who worked with Cupps on the build, recalls how all the pieces fell into place. The jade [stone] became green tiles and accents (used in the banquettes as well). We mixed this with a lot of ash wood, which has a wide, pronounced grain and a golden hue. The ceiling also has a defined structure, much like the gold from the piece Suzanne had provided us with an image of. One long hallway, the restaurants layout was designed to highlight the green-tiled back kitchen bar and workspace, an area often hidden from view. Va Bene CicchettiCourtesy of Va Bene CicchettiLocated in Warsaw, Poland, but inspired by Venice, Italy, Va Bene Cicchetti has a distinct burgundy and green color-blocked design. Additionally, the phenomenon of acqua alta the periodic flooding in Veniceis reflected in the colors of the floors and lower parts of the walls, the team behind NOKE Architects explains. In the summer, the bars windows are flung open and the design incorporates the sounds and visuals of the street to heighten the feeling of community and camaraderie. The owners wanted guests to treat the space casually: All orders are placed at the bar, and all furniture is movable to create space for larger groups or smaller, more intimate seating arrangements. Entre NousSean DavidsonSean DavidsonAn all-natural wine bar in Brooklyn, Entre Nous is bringing French flair to the neighborhood of Clinton Hill. Kiki Goti and Vincent Starapoli, the cofounders of The House Special Studio, wanted to recall the unpretentious elegance of Old World European bistros, where the design of the space took a backseat to the food and company youre with. Inside, warm orange tones are central to the design scheme, as is the wraparound copper bar, chosen for its ability to patina. Inspired by the historic building where the bar is located, the firm was adamant that it should feel like its always been a part of the block. Parconido Bakery CafeCourtesy of ParconidoThe concept for Parconido, a unique rooftop bakery and cafe in northern Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, began with the idea of European plazas or town squares. The owners worked with Hyunhee Park from Sukchulmok to incorporate elements of Italian design, like the arched architecture and 1950s minute square tile. The soft, rounded shapes and natural-toned color palette throughout the space are designed to evoke a similar sense of coziness, Hyunhee says.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Apples new MacBook Air is here, headlined by an M4 chip upgrade and a lower price. There are a few other tidbits you should know. External display supportThe M1 MacBook Air was a step back from its Intel predecessor insofar as it could only power one external display. The same was true for the next-generation M2 MacBook Air. With the M3 MacBook Air last year, Apple added support for two external displays, but only when the laptop lid was closed. The M4 MacBook Air rights these wrongs once and for all. Apple says: MacBook Air can easily power a multi-display setup to make viewing and interacting with content a breeze, for anyone from business professionals at the office multitasking across multiple windows, to students in a dorm room tackling a big project across several apps. For users who like to spread their work out, MacBook Air now supports up to two 6K external displays, in addition to its built-in Liquid Retina display.And here are the details from Apples tech specs page: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60HzThunderbolt 4 digital video outputSupport for native DisplayPort 1.4 output over USB-CWi-Fi 6E supportJust like the M3 MacBook Air, the new M4 model supports Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, not the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard. This means the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max are still the only Apple products to support Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. MagSafe chargerThe M4 MacBook Air comes in a new sky blue color that replaces space gray in the lineup. Youll get a color-matched USB-C to MagSafe cable in the box when you buy the sky blue MacBook Air.Apple has also started selling a USB-C to MagSafe charging cable separately for $49. Whether you need a spare cable for your new MacBook Air or want a sky blue cable to go with your current Mac, this is a nice option. Easier setupWith the release of the macOS 15.4 beta last month, 9to5Mac reported on a new proximity setup feature that lets you set up a new Mac using a nearby iPhone or iPad. In todays press release for the M4 MacBook Air, Apple confirmed this feature: Next month, macOS Sequoia 15.4 will make it easier than ever to set up the new MacBook Air with iPhone. By simply bringing iPhone close to Mac, users can quickly and conveniently sign in to their Apple Account to get their files, photos, messages, passwords, and more on their new MacBook Air.Pricing and availability The new MacBook Air is available to order now, with the first shipments arriving on March 12. You can order from Apples website or via retail partners like Amazon. 13-inch M4 MacBook Air from $99915-inch M4 MacBook Air from $1199Add 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

Apples new M4 MacBook Air is an easy product to recommend to just about everyoneeven M3 owners. But if youre currently holding on to an M1 MacBook Air, what exactly will the new M4 model get you? Heres what you should know.Design: Modern look will be an advantage for mostThe MacBook Air hasnt changed its design since the M2 model debuted in 2022. Youll get that same modern design with the new M4 model.The M1 MacBook Air, however, features the more classic tapered finish that dates back to the very first Air.Depending on your preferences, the M4s design could either be a pro or con.For me personally, while I appreciate a lot about the new design, Ive always loved that classic MacBook Air look and feel, and the newer models dont hit the same way. Id love to see a next-gen design arrive in the future thats more like the classic 12-inch MacBook: inspired by the original MacBook Air, but significantly thinner and more modern.Display: Bigger and brighter, with one drawbackThere are several key advantages youll get with the M4 MacBook Airs display.For starters, it comes in two sizes: 13.6 inches and 15.3 inches.Both of these are bigger than what the M1 Air offers with its 13.3-inch display.You also get a brighter screen on the new M4 Air, with up to 500 nits of brightness versus only 400 on the M1 Air.Theres one drawback of the new model though: the notch.Most users forget the notch is even there after a short period of use. But your experience may vary.M4 vs M1 processor: All upside for all usersAs you would expect for a chip three generations down the line, the M4 in Apples new MacBook Air offers big performance improvements over the M1.The M4 features a 10-core CPU, versus only 8 in the M1M4 also has an up to 10-core GPU, beating out the M1s 7 coresthe 16-core Neural Engine is also much more powerful, well equipped for AIBased on Apples claims for other M4 products, youre looking at up to 1.7x gains for daily productivity, and up to 2.1x for more demanding tasks like photo editing and gaming.The M4 supports more unified memory too, starting at 16GB of RAM and maxing out at 32GB. The M1 model offered half that at both the low and high end.Hardware-accelerated ray tracing is also supported by the M4, which gamers will care about. And hardware-accelerated ProRes and ProRes RAW is another M4 advantage.Camera, microphone, and speaker improvementsIf video calling is important to you, the M4 MacBook Air has a big upgrade in store. Heres how the cameras compare:M4: 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View and 1080p HD video recordingM1: 720p FaceTime HD cameraMany of us use AirPods Pro or other headphones with our Mac, but its always good to have strong built-in speakers and microphones too.On that front, the M4 MacBook Air has a four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio support. The M1 Air only has stereo speakers and no Spatial Audio.The M4 also powers some key microphone features not found in the M1 model, like Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum modes for enhanced clarity.MagSafe charging, external displays, and wireless connectivityCharging: One nice advantage of the M4 MacBook Air is that it supports MagSafe charging. This not only provides a safer way to charge your device, but it also means you get to free up one of the two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Additionally, the M4 Air is fast-charge capable with a 70W or higher USB-C adapter.External displays: The M1 MacBook Air infamously only supports one external display. With the M4 model, you can drive two external monitors plus continue using the MacBook Airs built-in display.Wireless connectivity: Apples new MacBook Air supports more modern wireless standards than the M1.M4: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3M1: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0M4 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air: wrap-upIts pretty clear that a lot has changed in the MacBook Air lineup since the M1 model debuted in 2020.The M4 MacBook Air brings advantages in basically every category.The biggest reason not to upgrade? Id say simply: if you dont feel the need (or want) to. Almost five years on, the M1 MacBook Air is still holding up fine. Thanks to Apple Silicon, its a very capable computer even to this day.But if you want a faster computer, with a more modern design, an extra port thanks to MagSafe, a much improved camera, better display capabilities, and morethe M4 MacBook Air is fantastic. Especially at $999.Do you plan to upgrade to an M4 from your M1? Let us know in the comments.Best Mac 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