In BriefPosted:11:07 AM PST March 5, 2025Image Credits:JASON REDMOND/AFP / Getty ImagesOpenAI reportedly plans to charge up to $20,000 a month for specialized AI agentsOpenAI may be planning to charge up to $20,000 per month for specialized AI agents, according to The Information. The publication reports that OpenAI intends to launch several agent products tailored for different applications, including sorting and ranking sales leads and software engineering. One, a high-income knowledge worker agent, will reportedly be priced at $2,000 a month. Another, a software developer agent, is said to cost $10,000 a month.OpenAIs most expensive rumored agent, priced at the aforementioned $20,000-a-month tier, will be aimed at supporting PhD-level research, according to The Information. Its unclear when these agentic tools might launch or which customers will be eligible to purchase them. But The Information notes that SoftBank, an OpenAI investor, has committed to spending $3 billion on OpenAIs agent products this year alone.OpenAI needs the money. The company lost roughly $5 billion last year after paying for costs related to running its services and other expenses.Topicsagents, AI, In Brief, OpenAI

Starting an independent visual effects company, like any entrepreneurial effort, is tough. But starting that company in Japan as a foreigner is another challenge entirely."Since Megalis VFX started out not aiming for the Japanese market, it removed a lot of the communication issues we could have struggled with from the beginning, notes co-founder and VFX Supervisor Christophe Rodo. But those Japanese projects came along later, and Japan is not a country that is easy for foreigners to navigate. So, there were a few administrative struggles and a number of catch-22 situations regarding visas, office rentals, and company registration.But a major creative hurdle for Megalis known for its work on Netflixs Oni: Thunder Gods Tale, HBOs The Nevers and Toei Companys Shin Kamen Rider was the apprehension Japanese entertainment companies expressed when it came to embracing unfamiliar new technology and production pipelines.From the outside, Japan seems like its on the cutting edge with their electric cities, says Jeffrey Dillinger, Megalis CEO and Head of CG. But you get here and theres a lot of hesitation. Theres a lot of pressure riding on someone who makes a decision like changing software or pipelines. No one wants to be the one who gets blamed if it doesnt work out.Dillinger worked in Hollywood for roughly 14 years, serving as lighting lead at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), an effects animator for Sony Pictures Imageworks on films like Castaway, and was also part of Imageworks Look Development and Lighting department for projects like Beowulf, Spider-Man 3, Smurfs, and others. But, after frequent trips to Japan, Dillinger made the official move to the Land of the Rising Sun in 2013. I knew two words of the language, but I fell in love with the place, says Dillinger. I was going back to Japan three times a year and people were like, Why dont you just live there? And I went, I should.Dillinger took a job at the Shinjuku-based video game publishing company Square Enix, which is responsible for releasing the Final Fantasy series, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts. Initially, he was excited to work on real-time CG asset creation for the Final Fantasy games. But after two years with the company, Dillinger learned why so many of his Japanese colleagues at Imageworks and ILM had chosen industry jobs in the West.I was working at my desk one day, using this tool that Id just been shown how to use, and this guy comes by and says, Oh I wrote that 12 years ago. Its cool were still using it, he recalls. But to me, it really wasnt that cool.Keep in mind, Japan is a country that just last year officially said goodbye to floppy disks, a computer storage method the U.S. has long considered obsolete.Theres this mentality that Japanese artists will all stay until the last train and get these projects done with insufficient tools, notes Dillinger. But Japanese artists are so talented and, if you go to SIGGRAPH, a good portion of the Emerging Technologies exhibits are coming from universities in Japan. But, in the Japanese workforce, you dont see them being used. I always felt, given the right leadership and tools, these professional artists could succeed on a bigger scale. And maybe even have dinner with their families.Little did Dillinger know that by 2015, Rodo, whom he had already crossed paths with at ILM, was two years away from founding Megalis VFX. And, as the good ol Field of Dreams quote goes, If you build it, they will come.A few production houses have been very active in Japan over the last 5 years, creating above average budgets and opportunities to increase the quality of VFX in Japan, notes Rodo. Its a great honor for Megalis to have been an active part of that landscape. We have been able to discuss reaching people internationally with many Japanese producers who contacted us because they saw us as a bridge to the international level of quality their audience needs. A big part of the shift Megalis has seen began in 2022, when Dillinger and Rodo joined forces to tackle Tonko Houses Oni.When Chris and I met again in Japan, he showed me the concept art for this project Daisuke Tsutsumi at Tonko House was working on, says Dillinger. Megalis was a company of 28 people at that time. Tonko House, which was a company of former Pixar artists who also decided to create their own studio in Japan, wanted Megalis to work with them. And Chris asked me to join the team. It was a good partnership, and we found a good synergy.Oni is a great example of how VFX and CG artists can use modern tools to create a classic style on a tighter time-frame and budget. Tonko House initially planned to use stop-motion animation. However, because of time and budget, they had to move series production to CG while still aiming to capture the look and feel of stop-motion within a medium that continues to advance and gravitate toward photoreal. The Oni team adopted the concept of limited frames from 80s anime and married it with CG software and stop-motion aesthetics.Going back to my previous hypothesis about the right leadership and the right tools, Chris and my philosophy is Let the artists be artists, says Dillinger. Give them the tools to make sure that the process is all about creating art, not creating data. Dice was an amazing partner in that.Using CG software called Solaris, compatible with Arnold and Houdini, Megalis created 1,000 assets and over 2,200 shots on the four-episode Netflix series. Though it was their first time using the lookdev, layout and lighting tool, the results speak for themselves.Oni was a huge step that made us build up all departments and parts of the workflow that we didnt have yet, notes Rodo, whose company had previously worked with Netflix on the first season of Love, Death & Robots, as well as other studios like Amazon, Nintendo and even Studio Chizu for Mamoru Hosodas award-winning feature, Belle. Its never simple to predict if a project, as interesting as it is, will become something that resonates with the audience But we kind of caught lightning in a bottle with Oni, adds Dillinger of the Annie Award-winning project. I read a review that said, You may think this is CG, but its actually stop-motion. Even though thats backwards, I take it as a compliment. We clearly did our job well.It was the most extensive project Megalis had worked on up to that point and Dillinger says it was definitely a turning point. Suddenly, more productions started approaching the company not only to provide services for their project, but to take the role of main vendor.Right after we did Oni, Netflix reached out to us and asked us to be the main vendor on the Japanese zombie film, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, notes Dillinger, referring to the live-action film adaptation of the streamers anime series of the same name. In the movie, a regular office worker wakes up one morning to find his world forever changed as a zombie virus overtakes his city. We were on set during the entirety of the shooting and responsible for delivering close to 1,000 shots on the film.One of those shots included a walking, zombified shark.As we were going through the manga, there was a bit where a zombie shark appears with 17 legs, notes Dillinger. Right away we knew we needed that to show up in the film. Coming from a lookdev background and having done a lot of creatures, I was super excited. And it became the main attraction of the movie.Once again using Solaris for its suite of look development and lighting tools within Houdini, Dillinger, Rodo and their team took on the unique challenge of developing a walk cycle for an amphibious predator with an odd number of legs that had never stepped on land before.We had to have it behave a bit clumsily at first and then, as the shark learns to use its legs, have it become more fierce and threatening, notes Dillinger. We really had to think about what was physically going on with these legs. Was the pivot point at the hips of the people inside the shark's body or at the point where the legs extended out of the shark's skin? Once we understood what we were dealing with, we could build the rig and create the movement based on that.He adds, I think that one of the most enjoyable sequences was in the corridor. The shark has just started to get its feet under itself and the characters who are trapped there, as well as the audience, are getting their first look at what this thing is. Space is very tight, so the movement of the shark is very limited. Thus, the richness of the performance is really in the details.Along with the shark, another big challenge Megalis faced on Zom was creating Kabukicho, an entertainment district in Shinjuku, while seamlessly extending the practical set.Our office at the time was in Shinjuku, about a 20-minute walk from the location we were creating, says Dillinger. So, we spent a lot of time there taking reference photos and becoming familiar with the overall atmosphere of the area. Its a famous part of Tokyo and we knew that we had hit the target when I was looking at our work with the director and he said he can smell Kabukicho by just looking at the images. Most recently, Megalis worked on the live-action Yu Yu Hakusho, Toei Animations Hypergalactic 5 and Seasons 2 and 3 of Alice in Borderland for Netflix Japan. Theyve also expanded to include a new office in Toulon, France.We also have a few various internal projects we develop to update our workflow in parallel, shares Rodo. We are working on some high-end creature R&D, some small pilots, some Real Time shorts and some VR high quality graphics that we are very excited about.As for Dillingers Japanese language skills, he says, I know enough to get myself into trouble. But the company has been working to help all their employees overcome communication barriers by offering in-office language classes once a week.We have Japanese people working at Megalis who aren't super confident with English, and we have employees who are foreigners and don't really speak Japanese, says Dillinger. We want to foster an environment where everyone is comfortable. So, we offer English classes and Japanese classes so people can start to feel more at ease. One of our classes actually dived into the puns of Pokmon names. I wasnt at that class, but I wish I had been there. You'll usually hear laughter coming from the room when a language class is going on. People are learning but having fun while they're doing it. It's great to be able to offer that at the office.He adds, Plus, we are going to meetings with Japanese clients, and we want to do whatever we can do to give them more confidence in working with us.It seems to be working. Theres a Japanese company we keep working with called The Seven, which is a child company of TBS Television, shares Dillinger. "Its a partnership we went after from the beginning because they wanted to create things in Japan that would succeed internationally. We saw them as a company who would listen. I think the most exciting change for us has been the willingness of some creatives to explore new ways of working. They realize that the current system could be improved upon and are open to hearing our input and new ideas.He adds, And, going back to the SIGGRAPH thing, Chris and I are actually trying to make connections with universities here in Japan and in the U.S. to bridge connections through internships with us and inspire young people to take risks. There arent many universities in Japan preparing students to get into the VFX field. Many are self-taught. We want to offer these students tools and solutions as well. Victoria Davis is a full-time, freelance journalist and part-time Otaku with an affinity for all things anime. She's reported on numerous stories from activist news to entertainment. Find more about her work at victoriadavisdepiction.com.

Our industry is facing a very serious time. The collapse of Technicolor and its flagship VFX house MPC is a sobering reminder of the instability plaguing the visual effects industry. While external factors such as the post-COVID slowdown, the impact of industry strikes, and cash flow challenges were cited as contributing factors, many insiders also argue that years of financial mismanagement may have played a significant role. Technicolor had already been struggling, having filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 and undergone multiple restructurings. Despite attempts to consolidate its brands and pivot to new strategies, the company failed to secure long-term financial stability.The sudden impact of MPC, a major player responsible for high-profile projects such as Mufasa: The Lion King, has left thousands of artists without work and disrupted ongoing film productions, highlighting the precarious nature of employment in VFX. This first surfaced when Technicolor notified its U.S. employees last week that it would be required to cease our U.S. operations, including studios The Mill, MPC, Mikros Animation, and Technicolor Games. Companies such as The Mill have been shining lights of VFX mastery for years and are incredibly well regarded in the industry.Beyond Technicolors specific challenges, the broader VFX industry continues to grapple with systemic issues, including cost-cutting pressures, exploitative working conditions, and an unsustainable business model. VFX houses often operate on razor-thin margins, competing in a race to the bottom due to studios demand for cheaper and faster work. This results in a cycle of overwork, burnout, and, in many cases, eventual bankruptcy, as seen with Rhythm & Hues in 2013 and now at Technicolor. The reliance on tax incentives and outsourcing further complicates matters, making VFX work highly unstable. With major vendors collapsing and industry workers facing continued uncertainty, many are calling for structural changes, including better contracts, collective bargaining, and a more sustainable production pipeline. Without meaningful reform, the industry risks seeing more historic names disappear and countless skilled artists move to other fields.Last year, Quebecs animation industry was decimated, following the strikes in Hollywood and Quebecs tax credit reduction. Over half of all animation and VFX jobs in the Canadian province, including in the production hub of Montreal, have been lost since January 1, 2023, according to the Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC). Even after this weeks episode was recorded, today Walt Disney Animation Studios has laid off staff from its Vancouver studio as a result of a shift in business strategy from a focus on theatrical features complemented by short-form streaming content, a Disney spokesperson is reported saying, This means the studio is no longer making long-form content for Disney+. It seems each day brings more bad news.Scott RossScott RossScott Ross was a key manager at George Lucas companies in the 80s and in 90s he co-founded Digital Domain, along with James Cameron and Stan Winston.He has a new book out UPSTART: The Digital Film Revolution Managing the UnManageable. In this special episode, we spoke to Ross to gain a different perspective on the massive structural changes in VFX and the company failures rocking our industry.In the 1980s, Ross was general manager of ILM and under his leadership, ILM won five Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Innerspace, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Abyss, Death Becomes Her). The company re-organized in 1991 and Ross was named senior vice president of the LucasArts Entertainment Company, which comprised Skywalker Sound, LucasArts Commercial Productions, LucasArts Attractions, EditDroid/SoundDroid and ILM.Under Ross direction, from 1993 to 2006, Digital Domain garnered two Academy Awards and three nominations, receiving its first Oscar in 1997 for the ground-breaking visual effects in Titanic. That was followed by a second Oscar for What Dreams May Come. Digital Domain received additional nominations forTrue Lies,Apollo 13andI, Robot and won three Scientific and Technical Academy Awards for its proprietary software, including the birth of Nuke (now Foundry).* The highlight image for this fxpodcast story is the Pirate flag that flew once over DD headquarters in Vencie California.Dont forget to subscribe to both the VFXShow and the fxpodcast to get both of our most popular podcasts.This week in space, our lineup is:Matt Wallin * @mattwallin www.mattwallin.com.Follow Matt on Mastodon: @[emailprotected]Mike Seymour @mikeseymour. www.fxguide.com. + @mikeseymourWith special guest, Scott Ross.(Jason Diamond was on location filming this week but he will be back next week).Special thanks to Matt Wallin for the editing & production of the show with help from Jim Shen.

When you're deciding on avirtual private network (VPN), you have several choices. You can install VPN software directly on the devices you want to protect, install a VPN on your router, or you buy a router with your favorite VPN pre-installed.VPNs are excellent security tools that encrypt your online communication and activities, making it more difficult to track you or steal your information. VPNs also mask your IP address to appear as if you're in a different location, which can help you access streaming services and avoid geo-location blocks.Also:Best cheap VPNs of 2025Setting up a VPN environmentvia your routerprovides blanket coverage across devices connected to the hardware, including your smartphone, PC, and smart TV. This eliminates the need to install VPN software on each individual device, and the process is easier than you thinkas long as you have a compatible router.A handful of VPN providers have also teamed up with router manufacturers to provide you with hardware that has their VPN already installed. In any case, opting for a VPN-ready router is an excellent way to improve your home security and privacy online.What is the best VPN router right now?ZDNET has years of experiencetesting VPN solutions and hardware. Overall, our pick for the best VPN router is the Privacy Hero 2. This $180 router hasour top VPNpreinstalled, saving you the job of setting up and configuring the software. It also offers impressive speeds, coverage, and server selection.Read on to discover our other picks that offer excellent VPN compatibility, speed, coverage, and additional privacy features. Sort by All The best VPN routers of 2025 Show less View now at Flash Routers The Privacy Hero 2, available from Flash Routers, is our top pick for VPN-ready routers in 2025.After reviewing this model, what stood out the most is how easy it is to set up and use. The idea of spending time diving into the technical area of a router to configure a VPN won't appeal to most. With the Privacy Hero 2, this job is done for you.The Privacy Hero 2 is lightweight, and the VPN itself can be managed through an online dashboard. You can select from VPNs including NordVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access, or opt for WireGuard. In addition, you can quickly swap between streaming servers and the country you would like to appear from.This model is suitable for medium-sized homes and offers speeds of up to 3,000Mbps. An ad-blocker is also included by default.The Privacy Hero 2's typical recommended retail price (RRP) is $250. At the time of writing, this model is on sale for $180 and comes with a year of free NordVPN access.Privacy Hero 2features: Dual-band| Wi-Fi 6 - Wireless AX|1.3GHz CPU| Up to 3000Mbps | WireGuard compatible| Medium home support|One year of NordVPN free| Currently on sale Pros Easy to use Streaming options VPN flexibility Reasonable price Cons Short Ethernet cable Privacy Hero 2 The Privacy Hero 2, available from Flash Routers, is our top pick for VPN-ready routers in 2025.After reviewing this model, what stood out the most is how easy it is to set up and use. The idea of spending time diving into the technical area of a router to configure a VPN won't appeal to most. With the Privacy Hero 2, this job is done for you.The Privacy Hero 2 is lightweight, and the VPN itself can be managed through an online dashboard. You can select from VPNs including NordVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access, or opt for WireGuard. In addition, you can quickly swap between streaming servers and the country you would like to appear from.This model is suitable for medium-sized homes and offers speeds of up to 3,000Mbps. An ad-blocker is also included by default.The Privacy Hero 2's typical recommended retail price (RRP) is $250. At the time of writing, this model is on sale for $180 and comes with a year of free NordVPN access.Privacy Hero 2features: Dual-band| Wi-Fi 6 - Wireless AX|1.3GHz CPU| Up to 3000Mbps | WireGuard compatible| Medium home support|One year of NordVPN free| Currently on sale Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less The ExpressVPN Aircove is another one of our top picks thanks to its speed, ease of setup, and security. It offers dual-band connectivity for homes and offices, providing coverage of up to 1,600 square feet.When you pick a VPN-ready router, you need to consider stability and speed. The $189 Aircove manages speeds of up to 1,200Mbps (600Mbps/2.4GHz) when the VPN is not in use, although, as you should expect, speeds will drop when you are connected to VPN servers.ExpressVPN is one of our favorite VPNs of 2025, largely due to consistently minimal speed loss during our speed tests, as well as its suitability for beginners, streaming, and traveling. If you plan to use a VPN on your router 24/7, it is an excellent choice -- either via Aircove or another VPN-ready router.There's also a feature to diversify the servers used by devices connected to the router. For example, you might not want to connect your gaming PC to the VPN and have an office laptop run through a U.S. or U.K. server. Parents and guardians can also take advantage of parental control settings.Also: ExpressVPN vs SurfsharkCustomers report excellent speed and performance, but it can be tricky to set up.You will also need an ExpressVPN subscription, but a free trial is included with the router. We consider ExpressVPN to be one of the top VPNs on the market with excellent speed and stability. Plans typically begin at $6.67 per month, but during its current promotional period, you will pay only $5 per month on a two-year contract. Four months of free access are included.ExpressVPN Aircove features:Wi-Fi 6| Built-in VPN | 802.11ax, 802.11ac| Diverse server locations | Ad-blocking | Threat manager | Parental controls |Includes free trial Pros Built-in VPN Up to 1,600 sq. ft. coverage US and international versions Cons VPN exclusivity VPN subscription is expensive The ExpressVPN Aircove is another one of our top picks thanks to its speed, ease of setup, and security. It offers dual-band connectivity for homes and offices, providing coverage of up to 1,600 square feet.When you pick a VPN-ready router, you need to consider stability and speed. The $189 Aircove manages speeds of up to 1,200Mbps (600Mbps/2.4GHz) when the VPN is not in use, although, as you should expect, speeds will drop when you are connected to VPN servers.ExpressVPN is one of our favorite VPNs of 2025, largely due to consistently minimal speed loss during our speed tests, as well as its suitability for beginners, streaming, and traveling. If you plan to use a VPN on your router 24/7, it is an excellent choice -- either via Aircove or another VPN-ready router.There's also a feature to diversify the servers used by devices connected to the router. For example, you might not want to connect your gaming PC to the VPN and have an office laptop run through a U.S. or U.K. server. Parents and guardians can also take advantage of parental control settings.Also: ExpressVPN vs SurfsharkCustomers report excellent speed and performance, but it can be tricky to set up.You will also need an ExpressVPN subscription, but a free trial is included with the router. We consider ExpressVPN to be one of the top VPNs on the market with excellent speed and stability. Plans typically begin at $6.67 per month, but during its current promotional period, you will pay only $5 per month on a two-year contract. Four months of free access are included.ExpressVPN Aircove features:Wi-Fi 6| Built-in VPN | 802.11ax, 802.11ac| Diverse server locations | Ad-blocking | Threat manager | Parental controls |Includes free trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon If you want speed and power first and a VPN second, consider the TP-Link AX6600 Wi-Fi 6 gaming router (Archer GX90).The tri-band Archer offers speeds of up to 4,804Mbps (5GHz) / 1,201Mbps (5GHz) / 574Mbps (2.4GHz) and has been designed with gamers in mind -- hence the 4.8Gbps Game Band. It combines a plethora of wide area network (WAN) and local area network (LAN) ports with a 1.5GHz processor. Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) and multi-user, multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO) support is included, alongside a gaming accelerator, to reduce latency and lag.Review: Best gaming VPNs of 2025You can also add a OneMesh extender if you want to use mesh networking to increase coverage in your home and eradicate connectivity blind spots.To set up this router with a VPN service, you must configure either OpenVPN or a point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP) VPN, so be prepared to spend some time tuning the router to your needs. Many customers consider the Archer GX90 a solid, fast router, but its design doesn't suit everyone. If you're concerned about the antennas, they are detachable.At the time of publication, Amazon offers this router for $205 -- a savings of $45.However, it is important to note that TP-Link is currently the subject of a probe by U.S. authorities. According to the Wall Street Journal, TP-Link devices are being investigated for potential links to cyberattacks that could pose a national security threat. A ban is also possible, so keep this in mind if you are considering a TP-Link model for your home.TP-Link Archer GX90 features:Tri-band| High speeds|1.5GHz Quad-Core CPU| Beamforming | Game Accelerator | Parental controls | Large home support|TP-Link HomeShield | Currently on sale Pros Tri-band Extreme speed Game accelerator Great sq. ft coverage Cons Requires configuration Expensive Bulky design If you want speed and power first and a VPN second, consider the TP-Link AX6600 Wi-Fi 6 gaming router (Archer GX90).The tri-band Archer offers speeds of up to 4,804Mbps (5GHz) / 1,201Mbps (5GHz) / 574Mbps (2.4GHz) and has been designed with gamers in mind -- hence the 4.8Gbps Game Band. It combines a plethora of wide area network (WAN) and local area network (LAN) ports with a 1.5GHz processor. Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) and multi-user, multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO) support is included, alongside a gaming accelerator, to reduce latency and lag.Review: Best gaming VPNs of 2025You can also add a OneMesh extender if you want to use mesh networking to increase coverage in your home and eradicate connectivity blind spots.To set up this router with a VPN service, you must configure either OpenVPN or a point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP) VPN, so be prepared to spend some time tuning the router to your needs. Many customers consider the Archer GX90 a solid, fast router, but its design doesn't suit everyone. If you're concerned about the antennas, they are detachable.At the time of publication, Amazon offers this router for $205 -- a savings of $45.However, it is important to note that TP-Link is currently the subject of a probe by U.S. authorities. According to the Wall Street Journal, TP-Link devices are being investigated for potential links to cyberattacks that could pose a national security threat. A ban is also possible, so keep this in mind if you are considering a TP-Link model for your home.TP-Link Archer GX90 features:Tri-band| High speeds|1.5GHz Quad-Core CPU| Beamforming | Game Accelerator | Parental controls | Large home support|TP-Link HomeShield | Currently on sale Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The Asus RT-AX1800S is an affordable VPN solution. The Wi-Fi 6 model, available for only $69, operates on the 2.4GHz frequency and offers up to 1,000Mbps speeds. It also offers free internet of things (IoT) device security via Asus AiProtection. The router has a built-in VPN, Asus Instant Guard, which you can activate with the press of a button.This router is compatible with AiMesh and includes five Ethernet ports -- one Gigabit WAN and four Gigabit LAN. You can also purchase Wi-Fi extenders if you need to increase its range in larger homes.Customers say this router is great value for the money, and many are impressed with the parental controls and security functions. Thefree VPN is designed to be user-friendly, but some customersreport occasional disconnection issues.Asus RT-AX1800Sfeatures: Dual-band |2.4GHz | Up to 1,000Mbps speeds | Parental controls |AiMesh compatible |One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports | Currently on sale Pros Affordable Free security Ai Mesh compatible Cons Bland design Some users report speed issues The Asus RT-AX1800S is an affordable VPN solution. The Wi-Fi 6 model, available for only $69, operates on the 2.4GHz frequency and offers up to 1,000Mbps speeds. It also offers free internet of things (IoT) device security via Asus AiProtection. The router has a built-in VPN, Asus Instant Guard, which you can activate with the press of a button.This router is compatible with AiMesh and includes five Ethernet ports -- one Gigabit WAN and four Gigabit LAN. You can also purchase Wi-Fi extenders if you need to increase its range in larger homes.Customers say this router is great value for the money, and many are impressed with the parental controls and security functions. Thefree VPN is designed to be user-friendly, but some customersreport occasional disconnection issues.Asus RT-AX1800Sfeatures: Dual-band |2.4GHz | Up to 1,000Mbps speeds | Parental controls |AiMesh compatible |One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports | Currently on sale Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon This VPN-ready router is future-proof. Since it's optimized for gamers, they will appreciate its gaming accelerator, 2.5G/10G LAN and WAN ports, and quad-core processing power. This option also includes Asus' VPN Fusion feature.VPN Fusion lets you connect to multiple VPN servers simultaneously. You can assign your devices to different VPN tunnels, such as selecting a server for your PC, another for your smart TV, and so on.Customer reviews suggest the VPN is an excellent option for gamers, and the VPN Fusion feature is popular with those who do not mind getting technical. Still, some customers consider the price point to be high.Also: Best Mini PCs of 2025This router is currently on sale for $278, saving you $53 on the 10G port model. Alternatively, opt for the Wi-Fi 6E 10G port model, the GT-AXE16000, for a $150 discount, bringing the cost down to $450.Asus ROG RaptureGT-AX11000features:Wi-Fi 6E | Tri-band | 6GHz band | VPN Fusion |2.5G, 10G LAN/WAN ports| Quad-core processor | Gaming accelerator | Range booster | Currently on sale Pros Stylish Flexible VPN server options 6GHz compatible 10G port Cons Expensive This VPN-ready router is future-proof. Since it's optimized for gamers, they will appreciate its gaming accelerator, 2.5G/10G LAN and WAN ports, and quad-core processing power. This option also includes Asus' VPN Fusion feature.VPN Fusion lets you connect to multiple VPN servers simultaneously. You can assign your devices to different VPN tunnels, such as selecting a server for your PC, another for your smart TV, and so on.Customer reviews suggest the VPN is an excellent option for gamers, and the VPN Fusion feature is popular with those who do not mind getting technical. Still, some customers consider the price point to be high.Also: Best Mini PCs of 2025This router is currently on sale for $278, saving you $53 on the 10G port model. Alternatively, opt for the Wi-Fi 6E 10G port model, the GT-AXE16000, for a $150 discount, bringing the cost down to $450.Asus ROG RaptureGT-AX11000features:Wi-Fi 6E | Tri-band | 6GHz band | VPN Fusion |2.5G, 10G LAN/WAN ports| Quad-core processor | Gaming accelerator | Range booster | Currently on sale Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Flash Routers The GL.iNET Beryl-AX is an excellent option if you want flexibility in your VPN choice, and you want to take your router with you when you travel.This pocket-sized powerful router has a 1.3GHz processor and can reach speeds of up to 3000Mbps. It also includes a Gigabit Ethernet port and a USB port.The router offers implementation options with all the major VPN providers, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, and Private Internet Access as it supports the OpenVPN, Wireguard, and OpenWRT protocols.As a bonus, you can have your router preconfigured with your preferred VPN upon purchase.Customers say this router is portable, works extremely well, and is easy to configure. At $150, many users also consider this router to provide value for their money. Service plans are also available, but they are expensive.For further protection when you're traveling, check out ZDNET's extensive research on the best travel VPNs.GL.iNET Beryl-AXfeatures:Multi VPN-compatibility| Travel-friendly| 1.3GHz processor | Gigabit Ethernet port |OpenVPN, Wireguard, and OpenWRT compatibility | Currently on sale Pros VPN flexibility Gigabit Ethernet port Portable Sleek design Cons A lack of ports Expensive support plans The GL.iNET Beryl-AX is an excellent option if you want flexibility in your VPN choice, and you want to take your router with you when you travel.This pocket-sized powerful router has a 1.3GHz processor and can reach speeds of up to 3000Mbps. It also includes a Gigabit Ethernet port and a USB port.The router offers implementation options with all the major VPN providers, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, and Private Internet Access as it supports the OpenVPN, Wireguard, and OpenWRT protocols.As a bonus, you can have your router preconfigured with your preferred VPN upon purchase.Customers say this router is portable, works extremely well, and is easy to configure. At $150, many users also consider this router to provide value for their money. Service plans are also available, but they are expensive.For further protection when you're traveling, check out ZDNET's extensive research on the best travel VPNs.GL.iNET Beryl-AXfeatures:Multi VPN-compatibility| Travel-friendly| 1.3GHz processor | Gigabit Ethernet port |OpenVPN, Wireguard, and OpenWRT compatibility | Currently on sale Read More Show Expert Take Show less Our favorite VPN routers, compared VPN routerPriceBuilt-in VPN?SpeedPrivacy Hero 2$180Up to 3,000MbpsExpressVPN Aircove$170Up to 1,200Mbps (disconnected) | 180MbpsASUS RT-AX1800S$69Up to 1,000MbpsASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000$278xUp to 11,000MbpsGL.iNET Beryl-AX$150xUp to 3,000MbpsTP-Link Archer GX90$205x4,804Mbps/1,201Mbps/574Mbps*MSRP at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons. Show more VPN router vs VPN app: How do you decide? There are advantages and disadvantages to using a VPN-enabled router or a standalone VPN app, the most important of which are below.VPN routerVPN appA VPN router provides blanket coverage for all of your devices at home.A VPN app's coverage is limited by the number of simultaneous connections you are allowed under one account.A VPN router can be complicated to set up, and most routers do not come with a built-in VPN. You could also risk your router's warranty when installing a VPN.VPN apps are typically easy to install and use.Install once, and protect everything.You must install VPN apps individually.VPN coverage and security is on permanently.VPN apps have to be opened and services have to be enabled.You need a VPN subscription and, in most cases, a paid one.Free, limited plans and paid options are available.You need a compatible router.You need a compatible PC or mobile device.A VPN router can protect devices that don't have native support, such as TVs.VPN usage is limited to the available apps and operating system (OS)compatibility. Show more What is a VPN router service and why should you use one? A VPN router service is a VPN that can either be installed directly on your router or has already been enabled on a specific router. Today's routers are often compatible with VPNs but installing them isn't all the same.Some VPN providers also offer routers with preinstalled VPN software, but you must sign up for a subscription. Consider using a VPN-ready router if you do not want to install the software manually on all of your devices or if you want to ensure that every device connected to your Wi-Fi network is protected. Show more How to set up your VPN router: Configuration and encryption made simple Installing a VPN on your router allows all your devices to access the same VPN network and connection. This creates blanket protection and IP masking, but it can be challenging to set up.Remember that your router will act as a VPN client rather than a server and share the VPN with devices connected to it. Here are some general steps to take, although they may change depending on your router and existing setup:Check your router's compatibility. Not every router will run a VPN natively -- although many modern routers do have the capacity.Sign up for a VPN service. Unless your router comes with a built-in VPN, you will likely need a subscription.Access your VPN's firmware. You will need to do so through your router's IP address.Under settings, you should find a VPN tab, and you will need to enable VPN services and choose between a static or dynamic IP address.The VPN client can now be installed, although you may need to tweak your network settings.For an extensive guide on installing a VPN on your router, check out:How to set up a VPN on your router Show more Choosing the right VPN router Choosing the best VPN router involves many factors. If you want to purchase a VPN-ready router, you will find the best use cases for each of our recommendations below.Choose this VPN router...If you want...Privacy Hero 2The best VPN-ready router overall. The Privacy Hero 2 is one of the most user-friendly options on the market with good coverage and speed. It's compatible with NordVPN -- one of our favorite VPNs.ExpressVPN AircoveA user-friendly VPN router with solid coverage and speed. While the router is exclusive to ExpressVPN usage, it is one of our favorites due to its price, reliability, and easy setup.Asus RT-AX1800SAn affordable VPN solution. This model has highly positive customer reviews and, for the price point, is a steal -- especially when you consider its built-in VPN and additional security controls.ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000VPN versatility at home. You can use the Asus VPN Fusion feature to customize your VPN experience and operate multiple server connections simultaneously.GL.iNET Beryl-AXTo take your VPN router with you on your travels. This router is one of the best travel-friendly, portable routers that is compatible with major VPN providers.TP-Link Archer GX90A heavy-duty, powerful router. This gaming router offers tri-band connectivity and while it does require configuration, the Archer is a future-proof router with excellent speeds. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a VPN router When you are researching a new VPN router, consider these points before making a purchase:DIY: If you want a VPN for your home network, consider whether you want to install a VPN directly on your router.Preinstalled options: If you don't want to tamper with router settings yourself to install a VPN, consider a router model that comes with a VPN preinstalled.Affordability: VPN routers are available for a variety of budgets. If you can, consider a future-proof VPN router that can support next-generation Wi-Fi and provide good coverage and speeds.VPN: You also need to take into account the VPN service you want to use. If you have a preferred VPN, ensure that the router you want supports it.Subscriptions: You will likely need to purchase a subscription. While there are a handful of free VPN plans offered by trustworthy vendors, most of them come with limitations. These may not be suitable for use on a router, as you may quickly run out of bandwidth. As a result, you should factor in the cost of a VPN subscription, even if it is just a basic, paid plan.Other purposes: The VPN might be the most important aspect, but you should also consider whether other features are important to you,such as tri-band functionality, gaming optimization, or additional security features. Show more How did we choose these VPN routers? While compiling our recommendations for the best VPN routers of 2025, we considered several crucial factors, including:Speed: There's no point investing in a new router capable of handling VPN environments unless it serves its core purpose: providing solid and stable connections to the internet. We considered traditional router models and options that provide mesh networking for larger homes.VPN support: We included a range of models with built-in VPNs, VPN support for standalone VPN services, and mobile products for VPN protection on the go. We know that what might suit one user won't always suit another, so there must be flexibility in the VPN options.Budgets: We covered different budgets. Although our priorities are security, speed, and reliability, we wanted to ensure that we included affordable products alongside future-proofed routers.Customer reviews: We also examined customer reviews in depth, including positive and negative experiences, and we factored this feedback in when deciding on our recommendations.Vendor reputation: We considered the reputation of router manufacturers, including their popularity, variety, and product accessibility.Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We listed VPNs with an available support team.For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensiveVPN testing methodology page. Show more The bottom line: Is a VPN router worth it? If you want to install a VPN directly onto a router, the process can be more of a hassle than just signing up for an app. It can also save you time in the long run as any device that connects to your router will use the VPN and be protected. This can be particularly useful if you have internet-connected devices, including TVs and IoT products, that cannot support a VPN on their own hardware.You might want to consider setting up a VPN on your router if you work from home with numerous devices needing protection. If you are a remote worker, some organizations may require you to use their own VPN to access corporate resources.Some online platforms, such as streaming services, will detect when you are using a VPN and may block you. If this is the case, you may have to temporarily disable your VPN service to resume watching. Show more FAQs on VPN routers What VPN should I use for my router? Here's a list of ZDNET's favorite VPNs:NordVPN: A solid combination of speed, security, and serversExpressVPN: Incredibly fastSurfshark: Suitable for any budgetPrivate Internet Access: An open-source optionProton VPN: A VPN with security at its coreAlso:The best VPNs of 2024 Show more Can any router be a VPN router? Many routers are now intelligent devices capable of far more than providing an internet connection. Today, you can install VPN software on many different routers, and VPN support is often promoted as a major feature.A word of caution: Installing third-party software on your router might void its warranty, just as jailbreaking mobile devices invalidate a warranty. Show more Why would anyone use a VPN? A VPN can be a great tool for protecting your privacy. At the very least, VPNs should be used when you are taking advantage of public Wi-Fi hotspots, but using them while you're online as a default is the better option to protect yourself and your information. VPNs are also beneficial in circumventing geolocation blocks and censorship.Some countries either ban VPN usage entirely or heavily discourage it. If using a VPN is illegal, you may be fined or prosecuted. According to NordVPN'scountry guide, Belarus and Iraq ban VPNs, whereas governments in China and Russia only permit specific VPNs. Show more Does a work VPN expose my home network to my employer? It's possible, but it depends on several factors. VPNs handle traffic in different ways, but overall, it is highly unlikely that company IT administrators will be able to access your home network via your VPN connection. If you are on a work-issued laptop with software that allows such connections, however, IT administrators will most likely be able to monitor your activities and tap into resources on the device.Additionally, while VPN tunnels encrypt your traffic and mask your online activities, you can be monitored if you use a VPN designed, licensed, or owned by your employer. VPNs can protect corporate resources, and you should keep work and private online activities separate. Show more Does a VPN slow down your internet connection? Yes, but a high-quality VPN shouldn't make a noticeable difference. There are caveats; for example, you should expect a slowdown when connecting to servers across a long distance, such as from the U.K. to Australia. If, however, you experience severe speed loss when you are connecting to servers closer to you, such as from New York to Washington, this may indicate a problem with either the VPN or your ISP connection. Show more Do I need to pay for a VPN when I buy a VPN router? Sometimes. Some router manufacturers, like Asus, will include a VPN or VPN support, but if you want a high level of control over your VPN, you will likely need to factor in the cost of a VPN subscription.Typically, VPN providers market their pricing on monthly equivalent models. However, you often pay for your chosen subscription upfront. For example, a VPN marketed with a $1 per month cost on a yearly contract will likely require you to pay $12 upfront, plus tax.However, some VPN router providers will give you the first year of a VPN subscription for free.You enjoy the best discounts when signing up for longer terms. Two years is usually the longest term you can sign up for, although some VPN providers offer five-year subscriptions. Show more Other VPN routers Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

How to solve today's Wordle.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Wednesdays Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here:Welcome back, dearest Wordlers, to your hip and swingin daily Wordle Guide! Its Thors Day, which means we need to solve yesterdays Wordle Wednesday puzzle before moving on to the Wordle itself.This was the puzzle:The Great Race of EldoriaFour legendary creaturesa griffon, a wyvern, a centaur, and a dire wolfset off from the enchanted city of Eldoria toward the distant Crystal Peak, each traveling at their own pace.The griffon flies at a speed of 60 miles per hour, but every 3 hours, it must rest for 1 hour.The wyvern flies at 80 miles per hour, but it tires quickly and needs to rest for 30 minutes every hour.The centaur gallops tirelessly at a steady 45 miles per hour.The dire wolf runs in bursts60 miles per hour for 40 minutes, then it must slow to 20 miles per hour for the next 20 minutes before repeating the cycle.If the Crystal Peak is exactly 240 miles away, in what order to the creatures arrive? The answer:1st place Griffon, 2nd place Dire Wolf, 3rd place Centaur, 4th place WyvernOkay, Wordle time!How To Solve Todays WordleThe Hint: Notification.The Clue: This Wordle begins with a vowel.Okay, spoilers below!...The Answer:Today's WordleScreenshot: Erik KainWordle AnalysisEvery day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. Boy oh boy did I get lucky today! I picked TREAD because I didnt want to start with an S or a C and settled on a T word, and then just used the first one that came to mind that didnt have a double T (TREAT was my first instinct, but I swapped that to TREAD). Only 2 words remained: ALERT and AVERT and I chose the more likely of the two. Huzzah!Competitive Wordle ScoreToday's Wordle BotCredit: Erik KainI get 2 points for guessing in 2 and another point for beating the Bot. 3 points! The Bot gets 1 point for guessing in three and -1 for losing to me, for a total of zero points!March Running Total: 9 points.Wordle Bot Running Total: -4 points.How To Play Competitive WordleGuessing in 1 is worth 3 points; guessing in 2 is worth 2 points; guessing in 3 is worth 1 point; guessing in 4 is worth 0 points; guessing in 5 is -1 points; guessing in 6 is -2 points and missing the Wordle is -3 points.If you beat your opponent you get 1 point. If you tie, you get 0 points. And if you lose to your opponent, you get -1 point. Add it up to get your score. Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.Fridays are 2XP, meaning you double your pointspositive or negative.You can keep a running tally or just play day-by-day. Enjoy!Todays Wordle EtymologyThe word "alert" comes from the Italian phrase "all'erta", which means "on the lookout" or "on the watch." "All'erta" is a contraction of "alla" (meaning "to" or "on") and "erta" (meaning "height" or "elevated place").It originally referred to soldiers standing on high ground, staying vigilant for danger. The term entered English in the 16th17th century, first as a military term, before evolving into its broader modern meanings related to awareness and readiness.Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when Im not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsHow to watchWhat to expectSpaceX is close to conducting its first crew launch in six months. The spaceflight company is targeting Wednesday, March 12, for the launch of Crew-10 from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.The Crew Dragon spacecraft will carry NASA astronauts Anne McClain, commander; and Nichole Ayers, pilot; along with mission specialists JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to the International Space Station (ISS), where theyll live and work for around four months.Recommended VideosThis is the 10th crew rotation mission and the 11th human spaceflight mission for NASA to the space station supported by the Crew Dragon spacecraft since 2020 as part of the space agencys Commercial Crew Program.Please enable Javascript to view this contentSpaceX is targeting 7:48 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 12, for the launch of Crew-10 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.You can watch it on NASAs website or on SpaceXs X account.If you want to watch the buildup, NASA coverage starts at 3:45 p.m. ET.Viewers who tune in early will see the astronauts heading out to the rocket and taking their seats inside the Crew Dragon. Theyll also get to witness the Falcon 9 rocket powering the crew-filled capsule to orbit, with the launch streamed from multiple angles using cameras both on the ground, attached to the rocket, and inside the capsule.The crew is expected to dock with the ISS at around 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 13. NASA will also live stream this part of the mission, as well as the moment the crew enter the space station at around 11:45 a.m. ET.As with any mission, the schedule could change. Well keep this article updated with any alterations to the current plan.NASA and SpaceX last launched astronauts to the ISS in September 2024 with the Crew-9 mission. The flight carried two crew members instead of the usual four as two seats needed to be kept for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who flew to the ISS on the Starliner spacecraft last year but ended up staying way longer than expected due to issues with the Starliner, which had to return to Earth empty. Wilmore and Williams are expected to return to Earth in the coming weeks.Editors Recommendations

2025-03-06T02:05:26Z Read in app The National Park Service has leases being targeted for termination on top of the recent staff cuts, advocacy group says. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Over 30 National Park Service leases could be canceled, advocacy group NPCA said.The NPCA said the canceling the leases could impact visitor experiences and safety.The potential lease terminations are part of the Trump administration's push for spending cuts.More than 30 leases that house National Park Service operations from visitor centers to law enforcement and search and rescue facilities are on the chopping block, according to an analysis by the National Park Conservation Association, or NPCA.The NPCA, a nonprofit that advocates for the national parks, compiled a list of leases that have been targeted for termination by the Trump administration. If approved, the terminations would take effect at various times this year or next depending on the locations, according to the list."Whoever's making these decisions is not making them in the best interest of the park service or park visitors,"Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs at NPCA, told Business Insider. "Sure, you could be saving some money, but at the expense of public safety."The potential cancelations are part of the Trump administration's push for efficiency and spending cuts across the federal government, which has included mass firings as well as lease terminations by various agencies.Park advocates and employees have already expressed concern about staffing cuts around 1,000 NPS employees were believed to have been fired last month while an additional 700-plus opted into the deferred resignation program, according to an internal NPS memo viewed by BI. They said the staff cuts would make the parks less safe and less enjoyable for visitors. NPCA said canceling these leases would have a similar effect."The Department of the Interior and its bureaus are committed to upholding federal responsibilities to communities and tribes," a spokesperson for the Department of the Interior, which includes NPS, told BI, adding that the department is working with the General Services Administration, or GSA, "to ensure facilities or alternative options will be available for the continued delivery of Interior services as we embrace new opportunities for optimization and innovation in workforce management."The GSA, whichSo what could that mean for travelers headed to National Parks for their vacations?The facilities being targeted include at least eight visitor centers, including some that have no apparent alternative location, Brengel said. The visitors centers on the list include the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center, the visitor center for Little River Canyon National Preserve in Alabama, the visitor center for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in Minnesota, and the visitor center for the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Seattle.Brengel said visitor centers are the first stop for many park-goers, who rely on park rangers at those centers to get information on what to do or see, park history, and how to stay safe while exploring, as well as any trail closures or potentially dangerous weather conditions.Other facilities that NPCA found could have their leases terminated include those used for law enforcement or search and rescue, or SAR. One facility in Utah is located centrally to several national parks and houses staff and equipment, including some used to address wildfires and for SAR. NPCA said it's currently unclear where these resources would be relocated if the lease was terminated.The list also includes facilities focused on science, like water quality testing, and that house delicate artifacts that require specific conditions to be safely stored, like theSoutheast Archeological Center in in Tallahassee, Florida. The potential impacts are compounded by the staffing cuts, which advocates and park service employees said could lead to overflowing trash cans and poorly maintained bathrooms and other facilities, as well as long entrance lines to enter parks or closed off areas.Some park service employees are making the case that the leases are necessary and are appealing to the GSA for exceptions, Brengel said. It's unclear when the appeals would be granted or when the final termination orders would be issued.Brengel said it seems like these only reason these particular leases were targeted was because they were considered "soft-term," meaning they were in a period of their contract in which they could more easily be terminated.If the superintendents of the parks had been consulted in advance of proposing cuts, she said, they would have found NPS has been "underfunded and understaffed for 15 years."Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at kvlamis@businessinsider.com or Signal at @kelseyv.21. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

2025-03-06T02:01:01Z Read in app Dr. Jamal Bryant, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, is fasting from Target. Courtesy of Jamal Bryant. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Some Americans have promised to boycott companies that dropped their DEI policies.A pastor in the Atlanta area is encouraging his congregation to "fast" from Target for 40 days.The timing of the boycott aligns with Lent, which started on Wednesday.Thousands of people have committed to boycotting corporations in the name of now-defunct diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that companies have dismissed since President Donald Trump's rise.Now, some are boycotting in the name of the Lord.Jamal Bryant, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church outside Atlanta, is calling on his congregation to "fast" from Target this Lenten season, which began Wednesday. Christians who observe Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, typically do so by fasting or giving something up."Lent is a holy season of prayer and is about sacrifice," Bryant told Business Insider. "So not only are we picketing with our pocketbooks, but partitioning with our prayers." Bryant said Target has "put consumerism over decency."Target did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Target announced in January that it would be rolling back several DEI initiatives. Some Target shoppers were outraged that the company followed the lead of several others that have dismantled their DEI policies, many of which were bolstered in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter movement.During his first week back in office, President Donald Trump promised the end of DEI programs in the federal government and reversed a 1965 order that barred government contractors from engaging in employment discrimination. Many major companies were quick to pull back on their diversity programs to remain in the good graces at the White House.About 1 in 8 Target shoppers is Black, according to a data analysis from Numerator, which assesses retail consumers."The way that the Black community has had brand loyalty to Target, but them to not express that same loyalty to our community," Bryant said, "we felt was a slap in the face."Bryant started a pledge to encourage people to fast from Target, and he said 110,000 people have signed on thus far. Those who commited to the fast received a digital directory of Black businesses they can support instead, Bryant said."People are still spending," he said. "They're just being more mindful about where they spend and how they do it."

Take-Two wants to charge 100 or more for GTA 6 claims another analystGameCentralPublished March 6, 2025 1:00am How much would you pay for GTA 6? (Rockstar Games)The idea of GTA 6 costing at least $100 has returned, as analyst Michael Pachter adds his voice to those warning of a major price increase.No one likes a price increase, but console video games have cost around $50/50 since the 8-bit era. In fact, the average price went down when the original PlayStation console popularised the move from cartridges to discs.Over time, that slowly crept up to 60 and in the last few years most publishers have migrated towards $70/70 for the biggest titles, especially with those with online components, like Call Of Duty and EA Sports FC.For some time there has been talk that GTA 6 will attempt to force another increase, with a massive leap forward to $100 which, if true, is almost certainly going to mean 100 in the UK.Talk of a $100 price point has been prevalent in the Grand Theft Auto fan community for several years now but came to a head earlier in the year, when analyst Matthew Ball claimed that other game publishers hope that GTA 6 will priced at somewhere between $80 to $100 so that they are then justified in charging the same amount for their games.Many games already have deluxe editions that frequently cost $100 or more. For example, Take-Twos recent release of Civilization 7 costs 60 for the standard edition but it was much criticised for the fact that many standard features of the series are only available if you buy the DLC or the 90 Deluxe Edition. An even more expensive Founders Edition, with additional exclusive content, cost 120 at launch.Although its practically guaranteed that a game of GTA 6s status would follow a similar pricing structure, the rumours suggest that 80 to 100 will be the starting point. GTA 6 it could be a milestone for several reasons (Rockstar Games)We think the company has plans to sell the game at a previously unheard of price point, and suspect that management can offer consumers an incentive to pay $100 or more per unit by rewarding them with a large amount of in-game currency to be spent in GTA Online, wrote Wedbush Securities managing director Michael Pachter in a new research note.There is precedent for integrating an online game experience with a premium game, as Activision did so with both Call of Duty Warzone and Call of Duty Mobile content prior to the release of its annual Call of Duty premium instalment.In Activisions case, the integration led to a 40% increase in sales of Call of Duty premium; in Take-Twos case, we think a successful integration of GTA Online and GTA 6 can lead to a $100 price point for the premium game.More TrendingTheres little doubt that many, perhaps most, players will pay that much but such a sudden price rise will not be welcomed and other publishers trying to follow suite are likely to suffer harsh criticism.What Take-Two and developer Rockstar Games intend to do about GTA Online the live service component of GTA 5, that is behind much of the games enduring success remains a mystery, with no clue as to whether there will be a GTA Online 2 or what will happen to existing players once GTA 6 is released.There have been very few rumours, believable or otherwise, about GTA 6 in recent months and so it remains a mystery as to why there still has not been a second trailer, with the initial one now being 15 months old.This seems to point towards a delay for the game, into 2026, but Take-Two has repeatedly insisted that it will be released in 2025. However, at what point an actual release date, and price, might be announced remains completely unknown.To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser thatsupports HTML5videoUp NextEmailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

By Isaac Schultz Published March 5, 2025 | Comments (1) | The Firefly Blue Ghost Lander, a white dot in the inset box. Image: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University NASAs Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter managed to capture a photo of Firefly Aerospaces Blue Ghost lander on the surface of the Moon, in a stunning instance of the orbiters surveillance power. Ghosts are notoriously hard to photograph, and this (very real) commercial spacecraft is no different. Blue Ghost landed on the Moon early Sunday morning, finishing a 45-day journey to our rocky satellite. The lander touched down in Mare Crisium (which literally translates to Sea of Crises), a crater formed by an ancient asteroid impact on the Moon. Remarkable landing footage from Blue Ghost itself was revealed yesterday, showing the lunar surface in sharp relief. LRO took the image when it was roughly 109 miles (175 kilometers) east of the Blue Ghost landing site; the image was taken with the orbiters Narrow Angle Cameras on March 2, 2025. The Firefly Blue Ghost Lander, a white dot in the inset box. Image: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University If you were expecting a high-res image of the lander you may be in for a disappointment. The NASA LRO image was taken from lunar orbit, so its hard to spot the little landerits actually a single pixel in the image above. If you look closely, the Blue Ghost is the white splotch casting a shadow in the middle of the box. The base of Mons Latreille, a lunar mountain in Mare Crisium, can be seen in the lower left corner of the full image. The lunar landers mission is dubbed Ghost Riders in the Sky and involves 10 NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) demonstration instruments. You can keep up to date with the landers first mission on the Firefly website.Since the lander touched down on the lunar surface, it has begun deploying its payloads, sampling Moon rock (or regolith), and taking additional photos from the surface. It will spend two weeks (a lunar day) analyzing the topside of our satellite, using NASA instruments that will help scientists understand the Moon in preparation for a more sustained human presence on its surface.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Passant Rabie Published March 4, 2025 By Passant Rabie Published March 3, 2025 By Adam Kovac Published March 1, 2025 By Adam Kovac Published February 28, 2025 By Isaac Schultz Published February 28, 2025 By Adam Kovac Published February 26, 2025