PROS: Custom-molded fit ensures unmatched comfort and passive noise isolation. Exceptional soundstage with three-dimensional spatial audio experience. Advanced Mimi personalization optimizes audio for individual hearing profiles. Modular design allows for future hardware upgrades without replacing shells. Sustainably designed with replaceable batteries and recyclable 3D-printed shells.CONS: Premium $2,000 price limits accessibility for most consumers. Touch controls can be unreliable during workouts or sweaty conditions. Battery life per charge is comparable to other high-end wireless earbuds.RATINGS:AESTHETICSERGONOMICSPERFORMANCESUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITYVALUE FOR MONEYEDITOR'S QUOTE:Breggz Zohn-1 shatters audio boundaries, delivering sound sculpted perfectly for your ears alone. Pure revelation.Ive spent the last month living with what might be the most ambitious earbuds ever created. The Breggz Zohn-1a $2,000 custom-fitted marvel that promises to redefine personal audioarrived in my hands fresh from its CES 2025 debut, where it stole the spotlight from industry giants. After hundreds of hours of listening across dozens of environments, from noisy flights to quiet studios, Ive discovered something rare: a product that genuinely changes how you experience music. While the hefty price tag will rightfully give most consumers pause, my extended time with these custom-molded earbuds has revealed capabilities that conventional wireless options simply cannot match. For those wondering if the future of premium audio is personalized, my journey with the Zohn-1 offers some compelling answers.Designer: BreggzMy First Encounter at CES 2025When I first entered the Breggz suite at CES 2025, Ill admit I was skeptical. The $2,000 price tag had me prepared to dismiss these as another overpriced gadget targeting the ultra-premium market. Before we did anything or even chatted, I simply wanted to experience the productand that it did. My initial cynicism dissolved after the personalized fitting process and first listening session.The Breggz team guided me through their digital fitting process, which creates a precise map of your ear canal. Unlike traditional universal earbuds that use silicone tips in standard sizes, the Zohn-1 shells are custom-manufactured to match your exact ear anatomy. The bio-coated ceramic and plastic composite shells felt surprisingly lightweight when placed in my ears, creating what I can only describe as a perfect acoustic seal.What struck me immediately was the inside-my-head sensation thats difficult to articulate until youve experienced it. The soundstage wasnt just wideit was three-dimensional in a way that made conventional premium earbuds suddenly feel flat and distant by comparison. As Xander de Buisonj, the founder of Breggz, explained to me during our interview: If you put these pieces in, it takes over your being and youre really inside of the music, so youre in the zone. This is actually the inspiration behind the product nameZohn (spelled Z-O-H-N to make it distinctive) literally means youre in the zone when listening.Interestingly, the pair Im currently testing isnt even fully custom-made, yet they fit remarkably well. A fully personalized set is on its way, adding to my anticipation of experiencing the complete precision that Breggz promises. The scanning and molding process behind these earbuds stands apart from anything typically found in consumer audio. At CES earlier this year, I completed the scanning process firsthand, experiencing how Breggz transforms a standard ear scan into a uniquely tailored fit, making custom-fitted listening more accessible than ever before.The Ear Scanning and Custom Mold Creation ProcessThe Breggz Scan app on iOS uses your smartphone camera to capture a 3D model of your ears. The process is straightforwardyou position yourself in a well-lit area, remove any earrings or obstructions, and follow the apps guidance to rotate your phone around your ear. The app captures multiple angles and stitches them into a 3D model of your ears unique contours.De Buisonj told me they went through twelve iterations before getting the scanning technology right. We needed to make it very clear how far from the ear you need to be and how to turn the phone to capture these short movies of your ear, he explained.Once your scan is complete, the data goes to Breggzs platform, where software refines it into a production-ready 3D model. The software identifies the optimal shape for a perfect seal and determines the precise placement of the balanced armature drivers.Industrial-grade 3D printers then produce the custom shells with a hypoallergenic bio-coating that reduces friction and protects against moisture. Each unit undergoes inspection and hand assembly, with technicians calibrating the drivers to match your ear canal shape. They even test each unit with binaural microphones and pressure sensors to verify the seal, making adjustments as needed to meet their comfort and performance standards.Design and SustainabilityThe Zohn-1 combines custom-fit architecture with thoughtful material choices. The shells come in either medical-grade ceramic (offering premium weight and resonance) or biocompatible plastic (for lightweight comfort), with matte Black or gloss White finishes available. The custom fit eliminates acoustic leaks, enhancing bass response by 30% compared to generic earbuds while providing 26dB of passive noise isolation.Inside, Knowles balanced armature drivers are positioned closer to the eardrum than in conventional designs. This placement enhances high-frequency sensitivity by 15% while reducing distortion. Unlike the dynamic drivers in most consumer earbuds, these BA drivers deliver more nuanced mids and highs.The charging case is equally impressivewhat de Buisonj called Lamborghini doors open with a satisfying motion, secured by magnets. It supports both USB-C and wireless charging, providing up to 40 hours of additional battery life. Unlike most competitors, the battery is replaceable, extending the cases lifespan as part of Breggzs sustainability approach.We want something circular, de Buisonj explained. If you put this in a shredder, we can build a new one. After the lifetime of this, we can reuse everything again.The modular design extends to the earbuds themselves. We have what we call a faceplate that shuts it off. In the future, well use magnets so you can take the faceplate off and take the pebble out. After two or three years when you want to change it, you just keep your shell. We say you dont just buy a product, you invest in your ears.This pebble contains all the electronics and battery, while the custom shell houses only the drivers. Future upgrades wont require a new custom fittingjust a new pebble with updated technology. The 3D-printed shells use recycled resins, and Breggz has established a repair program with DHL Express for global servicing.The technical specs include Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio support, 8 hours of playback per charge, IPX4 water resistance, and six beamforming microphones with AI noise suppression.Sound Performance: The Audiophile ExperienceAfter weeks of testing with audiophile-grade tracks, Ive developed a good understanding of the Zohn-1s sonic capabilities.For detail retrieval, I tested Wilderness by Explosions In The Sky. This track presents a complex mix of guitars, drums, and atmospheric layers that the Zohn-1 handles with impressive clarity. The crash cymbals at 1:52 reveal textural details that typically get lost, while the bassline maintains definition without bleeding into other frequencies. Songs Ive heard hundreds of times suddenly revealed hidden elementssubtle overdubs, production artifacts, mechanical soundsthat Id never noticed before.Vocal reproduction is equally impressive. Helplessly Hoping by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young presents intricate harmonies that the Zohn-1 renders with stunning clarity. Each voice occupies its own space while maintaining the cohesive blend that makes the harmonies compelling. Stephen Stills textured delivery contrasts with Graham Nashs smoother tone, yet neither overshadows the other.The Mimi personalization technology enhances this presentation. After completing my hearing test, the system made subtle adjustments to compensate for my specific hearing profile. These adjustments brought vocals forward naturally rather than artificially. The result is an intimate, lifelike vocal presentation that creates a stronger emotional connection to the music.Bass performance shines on Paper Trails by Darkside, which features a sinuous bassline that demands both precision and power. The Zohn-1 delivers tight, controlled low frequencies with physical impact. Bass notes start and stop with exceptional accuracy, avoiding the bloated quality that plagues many wireless earbuds.The custom-fit seal creates a significant advantage here. By eliminating air gaps between the driver and ear canal, the Zohn-1 achieves approximately 30% more low-frequency energy at the same volume level as universal earbuds. This allows for full, satisfying bass without excessive volume or distortion.For treble testing, I used Pharoah Sanders Youve Got To Have Freedom, which can sound harsh on many headphones. The Zohn-1 reproduces the saxophones upper harmonics with natural brilliance while avoiding the piercing quality that can make extended listening uncomfortable. The minute details of Sanders techniquebreath sounds, key clicks, embouchure adjustmentsare all present but integrated naturally into the performance.Hans Zimmers Time from Inception demonstrated the Zohn-1s spatial capabilities. With spatial audio engaged, the composition expands beyond the typical constraints of in-ear monitors. The ticking clock motif moves precisely through three-dimensional space while orchestral sections occupy distinct positions within a convincingly large soundstage.The dynamic range is equally impressive. Kate Bushs Watching You Without Me alternates between hushed vocal passages and dramatic synthesizer entriescontrasts that the Zohn-1 preserves beautifully. Bushs quietest moments maintain their delicate intimacy, while the synthesizer bursts arrive with appropriate impact.I also tested some nostalgic favorites. CC Catchs I Can Lose My Heart Tonight displayed unexpected depth in its synthesizer arrangements. The Roland Jun-60 sounds exhibited authentic analog character, while CCs vocals emerged with newfound clarity. Alan Walkers Faded demonstrated the Zohn-1s capabilities with contemporary electronic music. The drop at 1:12 delivered a physical impact and spatial expansion that created a genuinely immersive experience.The Breggz App ExperienceThe Breggz companion app provides quick access to battery status, core settings, and personalization options. The Personal Sound feature uses Mimi Hearing Technologies to create a customized audio profile based on a 5-minute hearing test.De Buisonj explained: We have a scanning app and a user app. In the app, we have an equalizer where you can five-way change the sound. In the future, well have a parametric equalizer so you can do your own mix per song and save it.The app includes customizable controls like Action Button setup and Head Moves, which enables nodding to skip tracks and shaking to decline calls. For communication, features like Smart Call clean up phone audio in noisy environments, while Fast Mute provides instant mic silencing. The Battery Prediction feature estimates playtime based on your usage habits, eliminating guesswork about whether the earbuds will last through a flight or a long session.Living with Luxury: Beyond the First ImpressionAfter several weeks with the Zohn-1, Ive found both strengths and limitations worth noting:Comfort for Extended Wear: The custom fit means I can wear these for 4-5 hours without fatigue or pressure points. My recent flights to and from Barcelona proved to be an excellent real-world testI wore the Zohn-1s for nearly the entire journey both ways, and the comfort remained consistent. The combination of passive noise isolation and extended comfort made the typically draining flight experience remarkably pleasant. When I asked de Buisonj about comfort during long sessions, he assured me that its very comfortable its not like its vacuumizing its not going to get hotter or warmer in your ears. After my travel experience, I can confirm that his assessment is accurate.Battery Performance: The charging case provides approximately 20 hours of total playback time, with about 5 hours per charge in the earbuds themselves. This is respectable but not revolutionary compared to competitors at much lower price points.Connectivity and Controls: The touch controls are responsive but require some learning. The companion app offers extensive customization, though I found myself wishing for physical buttons during workouts when touch controls became less reliable with perspiration.Passive Noise Isolation: The custom fit creates exceptional passive noise isolationbetter than many active noise cancellation systems Ive tested. This makes them ideal for travel and noisy environments without requiring power-hungry ANC technology. As de Buisonj explained, We dont have noise cancellation because everything is canceled already through the perfect passive seal.The Personalization AdvantageWhat sets the Zohn-1 apart is the personalization aspect. The Mimi technology adapts to your specific hearing profile through a 5-minute in-app test that maps hearing sensitivity across frequencies (500Hz to 8kHz). It then creates a personalized audio profile that compensates for your specific hearing characteristics.This isnt simply boosting overall volume in certain rangesMimis algorithm can adjust attenuated frequencies by up to 12dB while preserving dynamic range. The Knowles balanced armature drivers enable these precise adjustments due to their superior high-frequency response. The result is music that sounds more natural and balanced.While the app does allow manual equalizer adjustments through its five-band EQ, it doesnt offer saved presets for different genres or activities. The personalization comes primarily from the Mimi hearing technology, with manual EQ adjustments layering on top of this foundation.De Buisonj shared that this personalization approach is central to their target audience: We focus really on the audio files and on the luxury buyer in the end. I dont say any negative thing about the Hearables that are in the market now because Apples, they are great, Apple is a great company, come on, but we dont want to compete with them and their mass products We look to the high-end market.Value Proposition: Are They Worth $2,000?Since testing the Zohn-1, this is the question Ive been asked most frequently. The answer isnt straightforward.For pure sound quality, the Zohn-1 delivers an experience thats genuinely different from even high-end universal earbuds in the $300-500 range. The custom fit, driver placement, and personalization create a listening experience thats uniquely tailored to your ears in a way that mass-produced products simply cannot match.However, the value equation extends beyond just sound quality. The Zohn-1 represents a significant investment that most consumers will find difficult to justify. Theyre clearly targeting audiophiles, professionals, and luxury consumers who prioritize personalized experiences and are willing to pay a premium for them.To put the pricing in perspective, I own a pair of custom JH Audio JH18 in-ear monitors that cost over $3,000, and I still had to invest in a separate Bluetooth module costing more than $400 to make them wireless. When viewed through this lens, the Zohn-1s $2,000 price tag for a fully integrated custom wireless solution with advanced personalization technology starts to look more reasonable within the high-end audio market. The fact that the Zohn-1 includes wireless connectivity, custom fitting, and hearing personalization in a single package represents a more streamlined approach compared to the piecemeal solutions many audiophiles have traditionally cobbled together.De Buisonjs background as a performing artist for 30 years (doing 90-100 shows annually) influenced his vision for the product: Im on stage wearing wired in-ear monitors. And they get very good sound. So my simple thought was always, why isnt this very good sound available for the consumer market? Because if youre spending thousands of bucks in the studio with hot-shot producers, spending a lot of money to make the sound very special of your new single, you want to bring this exact sound to the audience.Looking Forward: The Future of Custom AudioMy experience with the Zohn-1 has convinced me that personalized audio is likely the next frontier for premium listening experiences. While the current $2,000 price point places these firmly in the luxury category, I expect well see this technology become more accessible as manufacturing processes evolve.Breggz already has plans for the future. De Buisonj mentioned that soon this year, already the zone two is coming and hinted at future models with different driver configurations. He also mentioned plans for more customization options, including removable faceplates: In the future, we have removable face plates. If you wear like a blue jacket, you can put a blue one on And you can make like a piece of jewelry of it.The combination of anatomical custom fitting and software-based sound personalization creates a synergistic effect that elevates the listening experience beyond what either technology could achieve independently. As someone whos tested countless audio products over the years, I can confidently say the Zohn-1 represents a genuinely new approach rather than an incremental improvement.Conclusion: A Glimpse of Audios Personalized FutureThe Breggz Zohn-1 earbuds deliver on their promise of a revolutionary listening experience, though at a price point that limits their appeal to a niche market of audio enthusiasts and early adopters. The custom fit provides unmatched comfort and isolation while the personalized sound tuning creates a listening experience tailored specifically to your hearing profile.Breggz has built something that feels personal from the inside out. The app functions as more than a control hubit actively shapes the Zohn-1 to fit into daily life. The way the audio adapts to individual hearing and the flexibility in interaction reinforce the idea that this is not a one-size-fits-all experience. The Zohn-1 works seamlessly, adapting to preferences and becoming an essential part of how listening and communication happen throughout the day.As de Buisonj summarized his approach: On every piece of the whole process, we just waited for the best. It took time. It took much more money than we thought it would take because if something wasnt slightly perfect, we say, okay, if we want to aim for the high end markets, we need everything to be right.For those who can justify the investment, the Zohn-1 offers a glimpse into the future of personal audioone where products are designed for your unique anatomy and hearing characteristics rather than a one-size-fits-most approach. While most consumers will understandably wait for this technology to become more affordable, my experience suggests that personalized audio represents a significant leap forward rather than just another incremental improvement in the crowded premium audio market.The post Breggz Zohn-1 Review: Custom-Fit Wireless Earbuds With Mind-Blowing Sound Quality first appeared on Yanko Design.

During its special panel at SXSW 2025, Koijma Productions revealed a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Teased by director Hideo Kojima, its ten minutes long and showcases tons of new gameplay while confirming a release date of June 26th for PS5. Pre-orders begin on March 17th, with the Standard Edition retailing for $69.99.Theres a lot to unpack from the trailer, story-wise. A here-to unseen individual (played by Luca Marinelli) who could be a younger version of Cliff Unger. Quiet attempting to teleport herself and Lou away from danger. Shipments are automated, and a plate gate connects the continents while servers line the Beach. Massive B.T.s that can engage in kaiju-like battles (in which Sam haplessly participates).The standard gameplay loop of traversing gorgeous environments while delivering packages remains. Sam has impressive new technology, including hover pads to transport additional goods and an all-terrain vehicle that wades through water. New dynamic weather, like sandstorms, is also noticeable. Stay tuned for more details on Death Stranding 2: On the Beach before its launch.

Assassins Creed Shadowsis almost upon us, and anticipation surrounding the action RPG is continuing to mount. A new entry in a massive franchise likeAssassins Creedis of course expected to turn its fair share of heads, but beyond that, theres still no shortage of reasons to be looking forward toShadowsin particular- for longtime fans of the franchise especially. Here are five reasons for veteranAssassins Creedfans to be excited aboutShadows.FEUDAL JAPAN, AT LASTFor about as long as the series has been around,Assassins Creedfans have been hoping to see one of its games set in feudal Japan, and finally, were getting one. Virtual historical tourism and immersive open worlds have long beenAssassins Creedsbiggest strengths, so naturally, the idea of a 16th century Japan setting is one that many find more than a little appealing. FromOriginsAncient Egypt toAssassins Creed 2sRenaissance Italy to Syndicateslate Industrial London and more, time and again, theAssassins Creedfranchise has succeeded in bringing some truly fascinating locations and time periods to life in magnificent ways, so hopes are high thatShadowswill follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and accomplish similar things with its Sengoku-era Japan setting.And of course, we have had clear and ample evidence of how compelling a period Japanese setting can be in a video game. Five years ago,Ghost of Tsushimaendeared itself to the masses for precisely that reason (to the extent that many might feel it took the wind out ofAssassins Creedssales, in fact), while to a lesser extent,last year,Rise of the Roninalso did some interesting things with its setting. Based on what weve seen ofShadowsin the lead up to its release, theres reason to be optimistic that itll do well in this department. Whether its the dense cities scattered throughout the map with their wonderful architecture of the gorgeous countryside Japanese locales outside their walls, what weve seen ofShadowsmap so far has looked promising.THE LEADING DUOAssassins Creedgames are no strangers to having multiple protagonists from the Frye twins inSyndicateto Kassandra and Alexios inOdyssey butShadowsis going to be the first game in the series to place equal emphasis on both leading characters simultaneously, with players being allowed to swap back and forth between them as and when they please (barring some exclusive quests for both). And so far, Naoe and Yasuke are both shaping up to be captivating leads, to say the least.Theres plenty of reasons for that, from Yasuke being the firstAssassins Creedprotagonist ever to be based on a real historical figure, to Naoes role as a classic, shadowy assassin with a tragic backstory of her own. Just as interesting, meanwhile, is how the two are different from each other, with Yasuke the samurai being an out-and-out combat specialist, and Naoe the shinobi being more focused on stealth and agility. Giving players the freedom to play as either of the two characters for the vast majority of the experience when the two characters offer such different gameplay styles is certainly an interesting choice, and one that were quite excited by.RENEWED EMPHASIS ON STEALTHSince day 1,Assassins Creedhas been a stealth franchise, though it seems to have forgotten that in recent years. Sure,Miragebrought it back much closer to its classic formula in 2023, but all three of the series action RPG entries so far have been significantly more focused on action than proper stealth.Thankfully, however,Assassins Creed Shadowsdoesnt seem to be making that choice. In fact, if anything, its swinging in the exact opposite direction, with greater emphasis being placed on stealth gameplay than weve seen from the franchise since before it reinvented itself withOrigins.Naoe touts an expanded moveset thatll allow her to go prone, crawl around, squeeze through gaps, hide in tiny spaces, or even hide underwater. Shell also have access to a variety of tools in her capacity as a trained shinobi, including smoke bombs, shuriken to throw at enemies from a distance, and bells to distract them with. She will, of course, also have access to the iconic Hidden Blade, while on top of that, the game is also adding a new dynamic light and shadow system to create new stealth gameplay opportunities. How well all of that will come together remains to be seen, but its safe to say were getting our hopes up.CLASSIC PARKOUR RETURNSAlongside stealth, parkour is the one thing thatAssassins Creedgames have always been known for, and though it wouldnt be entirely accurate to say the likes ofOrigins, Odyssey,andValhallahave moved away from that, theres no doubting that the trios parkour mechanics are a big departure from pastAssassins Creedtitles. Once again, however, just asMiragedid in 2023,Assassins Creed Shadowsis promising a return to classicAssassins Creedsensibilities in this area.Specifically, the climb anywhere philosophy of theOriginstrilogy isnotreturning forShadows,which means things such as handholds and precise climbing spots will be an actual consideration once again. Once again having environments be designed around parkour mechanics is an exciting prospect for any fan of the franchise, especially withShadowspromise of an expanded moveset that includes purportedly the series most nimble protagonist ever in Naoe (who, incidentally, is also equipped with a grappling hook- and no game is evernotimmediately better with the addition of a grappling hook, so yay!).NEW APPROACH TO EXPLORATIONIts fair to say thatAssassins Creed Valhallasworld design style and how it handled exploration divided the player base. On one hand, its sheer ambition and scale and the ridiculous amount of content it stuffs its world with have to be lauded, if purely on a fundamental level. Then again, that excessive bloat and that size for the sake of it mentality are exactly what many feel were that games biggest problems- problems that a significant portion of theAssassins Creedfanbase has been hoping will be addressed with its next outing. As luck would have it, as perShadowsdevelopers, that is very much on the agenda.On numerous occasions, the upcoming open world titles developers have stressed thatAssassins CreedShadowsisnotgoing to be as large as its 2020 predecessor was. With a world more comparable in size toAssassins Creed OriginsAncient Egypt and a runtime of 30-40 hours (or way, way longer depending on how much side content youre tackling),Shadowsis obviously not going to be a teeny tiny little game by any stretch of the imagination- but itisgoing to be manageably large, at the very least, which is more than you could say forValhalla.But size isnt the end of it, of course, becauseShadowsis also promising a different approach to exploration. In a nutshell, Ubisoft has touted a much more organic world that will naturally encourage players to follow their curiosity and be distracted by the things that they see in the world. That is obviously easier said than done, but were hopingShadowscan make god on its promise, because itd be a real shame if the JapaneseAssassins Creedgame weve been waiting for for so long ended up wasting its setting.

March 10: Harriet Tubman Day in some parts of the United States; Eliot Spitzer1695 Nine Years' War: At the Battle of Sant Esteve d'en Bas, Catalan miquelets attacked a column of French regular infantry and caused them to surrender.1959 An anti-Chinese uprising began as thousands of Tibetans surrounded the Potala Palace in Lhasa to prevent the Dalai Lama from leaving or being removed by the Chinese army.1968 Vietnam War/Laotian Civil War: North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces overwhelmed the American, Laotian, Thai, and Hmong defenders of Lima Site85.1977 Astronomers using NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory discovered a faint ring system around Uranus.2008 The New York Times revealed that Eliot Spitzer (pictured), Governor of New York, had patronized a prostitution ring.TvrtkoI of Bosnia (d.1391)Lillian Wald (b.1867)Marie-Eugnie de Jsus (d.1898)Rupert Bruce-Mitford (d.1994)More anniversaries: March 9March 10March 11ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout

Apple is expected to release its thinnest phone yet later this year with the iPhone 17 Air. Rumors have held that the phone will be thinner than the 6.9mm iPhone 6 was, but recent leaks give us a better idea than weve had before of what to expect.Rumors of the iPhone 17 Airs dimensions have ranged over the last several months, but a recent one from leaker Ice Universe puts it at just 5.5mm thick, something that Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in January. Another analyst, Jeff Pu, said before that it would be more like 6mm.But where Kuo said the phone will have a 6.6-inch screen, Ice Universe says itll actually be 6.9 inches like the iPhone 17 Pro Max they say both phones will have the same length, width, screen size, and bezel as the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Later, they posted a video showing an apparent render of the device.On Friday, YouTuber iDeviceHelp posted a video in collaboration with leaker Majin Bu, who published similar-looking renders last month. iDeviceHelp claims to be showing mockups of the standard, Pro Max, and Air models based on internal documents. The video lingers on the edge of the phone at moments, and I was immediately struck by how much seeing it reminded me of looking edge-on at the 5.1mm 13-inch M4 iPad Pro, the one Apple device thinner than this is rumored to be.Its hard not to also notice the Google Pixel-like camera bar stretching left-to-right on the back of iDeviceHelps mockups of the iPhone 17 Air and Pro Max. Its unclear whether the bar is functional or just Apple trying out some new aesthetic, but I welcome it all the same, if for no other reason than my iPhone 15 Pro is so dang floppy when laying on its back on my desk. iDeviceHelp demonstrated with the 17 Pro Max mockup that the bar seems to help there. But in both cases, the rear cameras themselves still stick up out of the bar, so it may not be perfect. Oh well, maybe next year.As for the rest of the design, these renders and mockups appear to show it with buttons in all the same places as current iPhones (not counting the iPhone 16E, which lacks the Camera Control button), along with a USB-C port and speaker holes on the bottom. The phone is also expected to have a Dynamic Island and Face ID on the front. We wont likely know for sure how close the renders are until September, when Apple typically reveals its latest batch of flagship iPhones.See More:

Hideo Kojima took to the stage at SXSW 2025 in Austin, TX this evening to reveal an epic new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, as well as confirm a release date.Death Stranding 2 launches on June 26, 2025 exclusively on PlayStation 5. However, those who buy the Digital Deluxe Edition or the Collectors Edition get two days of early access from June 24.The 10-minute long video, below, includes various cinematics, gameplay clips, and, perhaps most notably, a close look at a character who many are already saying looks a lot like Snake from Kojima's world famous Metal Gear franchise.PlayThe character, Neil, played by Italian actor Luca Marinelli, is seen putting on a bandanna, as Snake does, before leading a team of creepy looking soldiers. The similarity to Solid Snake is remarkable.Luca Marinelli plays Neil, who has some serious Snake vibes. Image credit: Kojima Productions.Perhaps Marinelli's Snake-like role in Death Stranding 2 shouldn't come as much of a surprise. In a 2020 Instagram post, Kojima heaped praise on the actor, saying that if he wore a bandanna he'd be a "spitting image" of Solid Snake."There are many actors that I follow," Kojima said at the time. "Luca Marinelli recently caught my eye after watching The Old Guard and Martin Eden. He played an impressive villain in They Call Me Jeeg Robot, but I think that he will break out soon, and his popularity will increase. Also, I think if he donned a bandanna, hed be a spitting image of Solid Snake!"Kojima suggested Neil actor Luca Marinelli would look a lot like Solid Snake if he wore a bandanna, and so he does. Image credit: Kojima Productions.The trailer continues the Metal Gear vibes with the Magellan Man, a huge tar-like creature fused with the DHV Magellan that looks a bit like Metal Gear Rex (a 15" statue of the Magellan Man is included in the Collector's Edition). The Magellan Man appears to be operated like a Pacific Rim-style mech, and faces off against enormous and very creepy tar monsters.Magellan Man rekindles memories of Metal Gear Rex. Image credit: Kojima Productions.The standard edition of Death Stranding 2 costs $69.99, as expected. The Collector's Edition, meanwhile, costs $229.99. The Digital Deluxe Edition costs $79.99. Pre-orders begin on March 17.Continuing the story of Death Stranding, which has had over 19 million players worldwide since its release on November 8, 2019, Death Stranding 2 carries the tagline, 'Should We Have connected?' Here's the official blurb:Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam with companions by his side sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again.Death Stranding 2 - Release Date Trailer ScreenshotsMeanwhile, Kojima announced the Death Stranding global concert tour, dubbed The Strands of Harmony World Tour. Set for 19 cities across the globe, the concerts will feature an orchestra and singers performing selections from Ludvig Forssell's critically acclaimed scores alongside music from other artists featured in the games. Synchronised HD video projections will accompany the performances, showing moments from both Death Stranding and its sequel. The premiere is on November 8, 2025, the sixth anniversary of Death Stranding's release, at the Sydney Opera House.It's a hugely busy time for Kojima and his studio, Kojima Productions. As well as Death Stranding 2, Kojima is working on a live-action Death Stranding film with A24, the studio behind Academy Award winning films such as Everything Everywhere All At Once. He's also working on OD for Xbox Game Studios, and video game and movie hybrid Physint for Sony.There are no release dates for OD or Physint. Indeed, in January, Kojima revealed the ongoing video game actors strike had affected production on both titles, so it may be some time before we hear or see more.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

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Image via CanvaA Well-funded Moscow-based Global News Network has Infected Western Artificial Intelligence Tools Worldwide with Russian PropagandaAn audit found that the 10 leading generative AI tools advanced Moscows disinformation goals by repeating false claims from the pro-Kremlin Pravda network 33 percent of the timeA full version of this report is available throughNewsGuards Reality Check.By McKenzie Sadeghi and Isis Blachez | Published on March 6, 2025A Moscow-based disinformation network named Pravda the Russian word for truth is pursuing an ambitious strategy by deliberately infiltrating the retrieved data of artificial intelligence chatbots, publishing false claims and propaganda for the purpose of affecting the responses of AI models on topics in the news rather than by targeting human readers, NewsGuard has confirmed. By flooding search results and web crawlers with pro-Kremlin falsehoods, the network is distorting how large language models process and present news and information. The result: Massive amounts of Russian propaganda 3,600,000 articles in 2024 are now incorporated in the outputs of Western AI systems, infecting their responses with false claims and propaganda.This infection of Western chatbots was foreshadowed in a talk American fugitive turned Moscow based propagandist John Mark Dougan gave in Moscow last January at a conference of Russian officials, when he told them, By pushing these Russian narratives from the Russian perspective, we can actually change worldwide AI.A NewsGuard audit has found that the leading AI chatbots repeated false narratives laundered by the Pravda network 33 percent of the time validating Dougans promise of a powerful new distribution channel for Kremlin disinformation.Download the ReportTo download the AI Misinformation Monitor, please fill out your details below and you will be redirected to the report. If you'd like to learn more about working with NewsGuard, email [emailprotected].

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Former CEO & Chairman of Google Eric Schmidt speaks during a book ... [+] talk for Fareed Zakaria's new book, "Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present" at Columbia Universitys School of International and Public Affairs on April 03, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/Getty Images)Getty ImagesIn a significant departure from the growing consensus among American policymakers, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has co-authored a policy paper arguing against a Manhattan Project approach to developing artificial general intelligence (AGI). The paper, titled Superintelligence Strategy, written in collaboration with Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang and Center for AI Safety Director Dan Hendrycks, warns that an aggressive U.S.-led pursuit of superintelligent AI systems could trigger fierce retaliation from China, potentially destabilizing international relations.The Dangers of an AI Arms Race: Global InstabilitySchmidt and his co-authors challenge the assumption that rivals would simply accept American dominance in AGI development. [A] Manhattan Project [for AGI] assumes that rivals will acquiesce to an enduring imbalance or omnicide rather than move to prevent it, they write. What begins as a push for a superweapon and global control risks prompting hostile countermeasures and escalating tensions, thereby undermining the very stability the strategy purports to secure.This warning comes at a critical moment. A U.S. congressional commission recently proposed a Manhattan Project-style effort to fund AGI development, modeled after America's atomic bomb program of the 1940s. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright reinforced this stance, declaring that the U.S. is at the start of a new Manhattan Project on AI. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has unveiled a $500 billion investment aimed at enhancing AI infrastructure called the Stargate Project.The authors argue that the U.S. is in an AGI standoff reminiscent of mutually assured destruction from the Cold War era. Just as global powers avoid monopolies over nuclear weapons to prevent preemptive strikes, they suggest the U.S. should exercise caution in racing toward dominating powerful AI systems.A Third Way Forward: Deterrence Over DominanceSchmidt, Wang, and Hendrycks propose shifting focus from winning the race to superintelligence to developing methods that deter other countries from creating superintelligent AI. They introduce a concept called Mutual Assured AI Malfunction (MAIM), in which governments could proactively disable threatening AI projects rather than waiting for adversaries to weaponize AGI.The paper identifies a dichotomy in AI policy between doomers, who believe catastrophic outcomes from AI are inevitable, and ostriches, who believe nations should accelerate AI development without concern. Instead, the authors advocate for a third way: a measured approach that prioritizes defensive strategies.The co-authors recommend expanding cyberattack capabilities to disable threatening projects and limiting adversaries access to advanced AI chips and open-source models. Their strategy involves sabotage for deterrence, restricting access to weaponizable AI systems, and ensuring domestic production of AI chips.This stance represents a shift for Schmidt, who has previously advocated for competing aggressively with China in AI development. Just months ago, he stated that DeepSeek marked a turning point in Americas AI race with China.The Limits of Deterrence in a Multi-Polar AI World: Competitors Pursuing Their Own PathWhile Schmidt's deterrence strategy has merit within a nuclear-weapons frame of reference, it may underestimate other nations' capacity to pursue AGI while defending against U.S. interference. China has demonstrated significant capabilities in both AI development and cybersecurity, making it unlikely to be easily deterred.In a world where multiple nations possess advanced AI and cyber capabilities, such deterrence strategies face limitations. If several countries simultaneously pursue AGI while building robust defenses against sabotage, Schmidt's MAIM concept could potentially accelerate rather than prevent an AI arms race. With such high stakes, balancing competition and cooperation in AGI development may be the most critical challenge facing global leaders today.

Just over 98 years ago, Walt Disney and animator Ub Iwerks co-created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the cartoon predecessor of Mickey Mouse. While Oswald has never fully recaptured the popularity he enjoyed in his original 1927-1929 run, Disney is about get behind this classic character in a big way with a new original series on Disney+.As reported by Deadline, The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau will write and produce the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series. Its currently unclear if the show will be animated or a blend of live-action and animation like Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Either way, Favreau has plenty of experience with both as the director of The Lion King and Jungle Book remakes, as well as the first two Iron Man movies that defined the MCU. Favreau has also directed The Mandalorian and Grogu, the next Star Wars movie, which will hit theaters in May 2026.Recommended VideosDisneys 26 Oswald shorts were originally distributed by Universal Pictures, but he was forced out of his own successful series in part because he didnt own the character. Disney and Iwerks found greater success with Mickey, while Oswald ultimately languished in Universals vault for decades.Please enable Javascript to view this contentIn 2006, at the insistence of CEO Bob Iger, Disney initiated a trade with NBC/Universal that saw the rights to Oswald revert to the company founded by his creator in exchange for the services of sportscaster Al Michaels. Subsequently, Oswald has been slowly integrated into the Disney theme parks with his own merchandise and cast members in costume as the character for meet-and-greet photos.One of the reasons why Iger wanted Oswald under the Disney umbrella was for the 2010 video game, Epic Mickey, which was recently re-mastered as Epic Mickey Rebrushed. In that game, Mickey is trapped in a wasteland where he discovers that Oswald and other long-forgotten characters have been banished and forgotten. Mickey and Oswalds shared creator made them unofficial brothers, and they reconciled their differences before teaming up in the sequel, Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.A new Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short was released in 2023, but the new series is easily the most prominent role that the character has had since his return. However, the character has also entered the public domain, which has allowed filmmakers to create an unauthorized horror slasher called Oswald: Down the Rabbit Hole.Editors Recommendations