Season two of HBOs The Last of Us is just a month away, and as such the hype cycle kicked into full gear this past weekend. A full trailer finally arrived on Saturday during a panel at SXSW with the shows creators and cast (not to mention an in-depth preview in Variety), and both that trailer and the panel discussion reinforced at least one major change coming this season:more action.That could fix one of the bigger complaints fans had about season one, which garnered tons of praise from critics and fans alike. While season one brought the Infected to life in terrifying fashion, there were long stretches of the show where they simply werent around, making them feel like less of an ever-present threat. The new trailer shows off the town of Jackson, where Joel and Ellie settled at the end of season one along with his brother Tommy, under a massive siege of Infected, the kind of battle that might take up an entire episode. And show creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann hinted that Infected would play a bigger role this season, not just in numbers."It was important to us to always move the ball forward with the infected," Mazin said during the SXSW panel. "Its not a question of just more, but something else that is meaningful to what is going on so they dont just become NPCs. So definitely an escalation, were careful about it because we know we have space yet to go [in future seasons]." And in response to the panels moderator noting the balance between action and drama, Druckmann pointed out that, for the showrunners, "everything is drama, even the action scenes. They all have to be character-driven."To that end, the trailer showed off a new-but-old way for the infection to spread that wasnt present in the first season: spores. Anyone who played the games noted the absence of spores as a transmission for infection in the first season, but Mazin exclaimed "spores? Theyre back!" when talking about how the Infected were evolving for the new season. "There had to be a dramatic reason to introduce [spores] now," Druckmann said, "and now there is." Unsurprisingly, he wasnt more forthcoming about the details.I didnt really object to the lack of spores in season one; it felt more like a game mechanic than something crucial to the plot. But there are a few story beats in The Last of Us Part II that I can recall where having spores around leads to a crucial plot reveal, and Im looking forward to seeing how they get integrated here, and what the on-screen excuse will be for not seeing them before now. Similarly, I chalked the smaller number of Infected up to changes made to translate a video game to a show, though I feel like the first season could have had one more big throw-down but I feel like season two will answer those complaints and then some.Druckmann also said part of the reason the Infected werent more present was simply that the showrunners "werent exactly sure what we were doing." Thats not in terms of the story, but specifically in terms of showing the Infected on screen. "What should Infected look like? How much should be practical effects? How much can be VFX? Now, we know what were doing and we swung for the fences," he said. "In the game, we talk about how Jackson has had these attacks, but now we get to show it. And the reason we do it is we show you whats at stake, not for individuals but for an entire community."The notion of community plays into the overarching story that Mazin and Druckmann want to tell in season two. Druckmann said that the first season followed Joel and Ellie and was a lot about them against other communities, like the group in Kansas City or Davids flock of followers late in the first season. "Now, we get to see them settled in Jackson, thats their home, and theres a love there for a community," Druckmann explained. "That gets us into tribalism what happens when you go against another group and you dont see the humanity in them and how far will that take you, especially when they hurt someone you love."HBOMazin followed that up by noting that the show has tried to investigate "the cost of love" and is now trying to create a sense of a larger, communal love and how a smaller, tighter group can fit into it. "What happens if someone in your tight group is taken from you, and you feel alone? One thing Ellie said in season one was the thing shes most afraid of is ending up alone," Mazin said. "So all these characters have to face this potential threat of being alone, and without a tribe, and then what do you do?"The other big theme that came out of the panel focused on how new cast members Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina) and Young Mazino (Jesse) would fit in with returning stars Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Gabriel Luna (Tommy)."Yes, [the new cast] came in like badasses," said Pascal before then turning to Ramsey. "But you make it so easy, and so welcoming. I think we all really looked to Bella this time around as far as the cast is concerned. And this kind of open permission to be ourselves and to partner together in the scenes I think it is the sort of unspoken leadership that made it such an easy, horrifying place to step into." With his ever-present Dad-style humor, Pascal followed that by saying "The story was horrifying. Not Canada.""Theyre not new to me, because weve lived all this time together and it was seamless and I feel rather protective of you guys, and I love you guys, and you gave us everything," Mazin said. "Not a weak link in the chain," Druckmann interjected before Mazin went on to say how much he was looking forward to shooting with them yet again.Ramsey spoke to how well the new cast integrated itself during season twos filming. "I think its such a hard thing to do, to come into a world and a show thats already really established, it must be so intimidating and these people just came in and made it their own and fit in so well," they said. "Izzy brought a lot of joy and laughter and made everyone laugh consistently its just a joy to work with all three of these guys."HBOKaitlyn Dever owned up to the anxiety the shoot produced, saying that stepping into a world that was so beloved was "nerve-wracking and anxiety-inducing" and thats without mentioning the online hate that the character shes portraying (and its voice actor) received in 2020 when The Last of Us Part II was leaked two months before its release. Dever didnt get into that specific hornets nest during the panel, but did say that "there are so many expectations going into this, and it's just a matter of balancing that and also coming to it with my own ideas and building the character with Craig and Neil."The cast was an undeniable highlight of the first season of The Last of Us everyone on the show absolutely killed, regardless of whether they were in six episodes or were on the screen for six minutes. Projecting familial friendliness during a press tour is one thing, but the love and respect the actors have for each other as well as Mazin and Druckmann has been continually obvious over the last few years, particularly between Ramsey and Pascal.A fan shot a clip of Pascal watching the season two trailer during the panel, and he clearly gets emotional at the end of it, leaning over and giving Ramsey a big bear hug. As much as the show might be, on the surface, about fungal zombies, it only works because of the relationships between the characters on screen, whether thats Joel and Ellie or now Ellie and Dina or Abby and her WLF crew. Assuming everyone gets that right in season two, the show should satisfy again regardless of how many Infected are on screen.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-last-of-us-season-two-promises-a-lot-more-action-alongside-devastating-drama-170044014.html?src=rss

Is your Google Maps Timeline location history missing? Youre not alone.

The malware was downloaded more than 40,000 times.

The leading chipmaker slumped 5% on Monday, building on last week's losses as heavy selling continued across the tech sector.

Want more housing market stories from Lance LambertsResiClubin your inbox?Subscribeto theResiClubnewsletter.National active housing inventory for sale at the end of February 2025 was up 27.6% compared to February 2024. Thats just 23.1% below pre-pandemic levels in February 2019.However, while the national housing market has softened and inventory has surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic levels in some pockets of the Sun Belt, many housing markets remain far tighter than the national average.Pulling from ResiClubs inventory tracker, we identified the tightest major housing markets heading into the spring 2025 season, where active inventory is still the furthest below pre-pandemic 2019 levels. These markets are where home sellers have maintained more power compared to most sellers nationwide.Among the nations 200 largest metro area housing markets, 50 markets (see table below) at the end of February 2025 still had at least 46% less active inventory than in February 2019.Many of those tight markets are in the Northeast, in particular, in states like New Jersey and Connecticut.Unlike the Sun Belt, many markets in the Northeast and Midwest were less reliant on pandemic-era migration and have fewer new home construction projects in progress.With lower exposure to the negative demand shock caused by the slowdown in pandemic-era migrationand fewer homebuilders in these regions offering affordability adjustments once rates spikedactive inventory in many Northeast and Midwest housing markets has remained relatively tight, maintaining a sellers advantage heading into spring 2025.

Markets tumbled again on Monday after President Donald Trump said he wont rule out an upcoming U.S. recession, sending skittish investors into another sell off fueled by whiplash over tariffs, and overall economic uncertainty.When asked, Trump told Fox News on Sunday: I hate to predict things like that There is a period of transition, because what were doing is very big. Were bringing wealth back to America.Later, when pressed further, Trump said, All I know is this: Were going to take in hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs, and were going to become so rich youre not going to know where to spend all that money.And so, this week starts off, as it ended, with market turmoil and even more tariffs. While across-the-board tariffs on good from Canada and Mexico are delayed, 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. go in effect on Wednesday, aimed at China, but will effect Canada, Brazil and Mexico, where we get most of our steel. And many countries are promising to clap back with reciprocal tariffs, all of which will likely get passed on to American consumers.A look at the numbers shows all three major indexes fell in morning trading with the Dow Jones Industrial Averagedown almost 1%, S&P 500 shedding 1.7%, and the Nasdaq almost 3%. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropped to their lowest levels since September 2024, according to CNBC.Some of the biggest movers were tech stocks with Elon Musks Teslashares plunging down 8%, Palantir falling 7.5%, chipmakerNvidia shares falling 5%, and Meta and Alphabet both losing 4%, at the time of this writing. Not a pretty sight.Adding insult to injury, HSBC downgraded U.S. equities, saying there are better opportunities elsewhere, turning its eye toward stocks in Europe, citing the ongoing tariff debacle. What is a recession?Its unclear if we are heading into a recession, but what is clear, is how to measure one. A recession is defined as two consecutive (one after the other) negative quarters of gross domestic productthe value of all the goods and services the U.S. produces. But it can also be measured more broadly as a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in production, according the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)s Business Cycle Dating Committee, which tracks recessions. It looks at factors like unemployment, industrial production, real income, personal consumption, and wholesale-retail sales to determine the depth and breadth of economic decline.So far, the NBER has not declared a current recession in the U.S.Will there be a recession?Some experts say they are more worried about inflation, than a recession, and that while Americans worry about tariffs, that isnt a great indicator of upcoming consumer spending. (Inflation measures how much prices are going up, while a recession measures a period of time where there is negative economic growth, according to Fidelity Investments.)Demand is showing some fraying around the edges, but it hasnt accumulated to enough to be a meaningful risk of a downturn, Vincent Reinhart, chief economist at BNY Investments told CNN. Inflation is still a top priority.The Federal Reserve seems to also be more worried about inflation. Based on what we know today, given all the uncertainties around that, I do factor in some effects of tariffs now on inflation, on prices, because I think we will see some of those effects later this year, New York Fed President John Williams said, as reported by CNN. Going forward, the big question will be if inflation worries gain enough steam so we could see another rate cut. Well have to wait and see. Meanwhile, Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank, told CNBC on Monday, I dont think we will talk about a U.S. recession. The U.S economy is resilient, I would say, largely despite Donald Trump but was quick to call Trump an agent of chaos and confusion.

Final Deadline for 2025 is March 25th at 9 PM ESTget to work on your entry now with the help of this guide.Receiving an honor in the Core77 Design Awards takes a little more than just an exceptional design projectit requires turning that exceptional project into an entry that will grab the jury's attention. With the Final Deadline looming on March 25th, there is still plenty of time to submit your best work in a way that thoroughly impresses the jury and helps you stand out from your competition.We've created the following guide to help you nail every step of the submission process, so your entry is presented in the best light possible. Included are tips and tricks to highlight your project's strengths and maximize your entry's potential.Step One: Create a C77DA AccountHead to designawards.core77.com and click "Enter Now" to start the process. By doing so you'll enter the portal to begin your C77DA entry, use your email address and then add a password. If you forget your password, you can tell the system, and it will send you a new link and a way to update your password.Step Two: Begin your EntryOnce you've signed in, click the "Start + Enter" button in the middle of the page to the left. Or if you have started your entry will be listed under "My Entries" where you can click it and review what you've started. Next, choose your entry type: Professional or Student. If the project you are submitting was completed while you were actively enrolled in school between January 1, 2024 and March 25, 2025, select "Student". For all other circumstances, choose "Professional".Then choose from the 20 categories by clicking the perfect category for your project. Fill in your project name and click the button that says you meet all the requirements. NOTE: your project name will be used throughout the system and for the announcement of winners. Click "Save + Next" and head to the next section. You can go back and edit as often as you would like. You can also continue to edit your entry until the final deadline. Step Three: Fill Out the "Submitter + Contact for the Win" Information In this section you are giving the C77DA the submitter's name AND the name of the person to contact should your project win an award. Please don't use a blind email address that's never checked in this section of the form. By giving us the best way to contact you, we are both assured that you learn the results, get your trophy copy confirmed, and your trophy shipped to the right place. Step Four: Fill out the "Entry" InformationAll questions in the "Entry" information section are REQUIRED unless they are marked as "(optional)". The Solution/Project Description is the MOST important section. You have 1500 words to describe the problem, the process, the unique features, and the solution your project provides. Frame the problem you were given and then include all pertinent information such as unique design solutions, materials, sustainability features, or anything that makes your solution special.Following the first section you will insert the "Designer Name"if it is a team project then put your Firm Name in the Designer First Name section followed by the word "Team" in the "Designer Last Name" section. In the Additional Design Credits section, you can give recognition to those who helped your project become fully realized. Make sure to list everyone here who was involved so we can congratulate all the right people if your project is honored.Use the "Other" field to list any other contributors, vendors or fabricators that have not been listed in the previous fields. Step Five: Submit your AttachmentsThis is the "show" in your C77DA submission. You can submit up to 11 attachmentsJPEG or PDF fileseach with a maximum file size of 15mb. Use a video to show how your project works. Video attachments must be hosted on a video site such as YouTube or Vimeo, so all you need to insert is the URL for your video. Make sure website URLs are publicly accessible and are active URLs that lead to a landing page. Please ensure any applicable usernames and passwords are provided and active.Please do not upload any further written material within the attachments. Your project description should fully explain everything about your submission.Don't forget to check the box to be eligible for the Autodesk Fusion prize! If you used Autodesk Fusion as part of your design process then you are eligible. We will follow up during the judging process to collect additional information regarding this prize for those who enter. Tips for filling out entry elements: Your Solution/Project Description should describe your intent as you approached your project. What is your point of view? Talk about the process that informed your project. Think about research, ethnography, subject matter experts, materials exploration, technology, iteration, testing and anything else that went into it. It also helps to describe the stakeholder interests your project considers, such as audience, businesses, organizations, labor, manufacturing and distribution. The jury loves to read about these facets of the project but be sure to keep it to 1500 words or less. The final point to consider when describing your design in your Solution/Project Description section is how your project earns its keep in the world. What is its value? Discuss the type of social, educational, economic impact it has, whether it's paradigm-shifting, sustainable or if it creates an environmental, cultural or gladdening effect. Also check that you haven't exceeded the character limit in your Solution/Project Description, especially if you cut and pasted your text from another file. We don't want your words to get cut off! Your Attachments must be either JPEG or PDF formats. The maximum individual file size is 15MB. Sorry, but we can't accept Zip, Stuffit or other compressed files. When you are uploading your files, double and triple check that your sizes and file types are correct! Think carefully when selecting the category or categories in which you are entering your work. We have full definitions here on the Categories Page. We recommend reviewing them all to ensure you enter the most appropriate category. You can enter the same project in multiple categories. You never know... your design might be perfect as a Consumer Product entry, and it might also fit into the Interaction category. Step Six: Submit and Pay for your EntryAfter you fill in all the required elements, and any of the optional elements you want to include, click on the Submit button near the bottom of the page. This will take you to the check-out page. Here you will be asked to: 1. Add all your entries into the payment process. (So, fill out all your entries, then check-out and pay for all of them at one time). 2. Apply any discount codes you may have received from our partners.Choose your Payment Method and fill in your information. You can use MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB or Maestro. A receipt will be emailed to the email address used by the "Submitter".With this guide, the power to build the perfect Core77 Design Awards entry is now in your hands. If you find you're still running into problems, please contact us at awards@core77.com.The 2025 Core77 Design Awards call for entry closes on March 25th. Start your entry and knock the socks off the Judges today!

To anyone who pays an energy bill, harvesting free power from the sun sounds attractive. But solar remains prohibitively expensive, at least in the U.S. The up-front cost of the panels and the installation mean the overall savings take years or decades to accrue, which is too long for most homeowners.A British company called Power Roll is in the process of disrupting this space. Their eponymous product is a film-like solar harvesting material that can be produced in rolls; their production method is closer to producing photographic film than building solar panels. And rather than relying on expensive rare-earth metals like indium, Power Roll's product uses widely-available perovskite, a mineral, as the "active ingredient" that turns sunlight into electricity. The company says their manufacturing costs are inexpensive and scalable. Moreover, because the product is a film, the thinking is that installation will be far easier. Not just the roof, but every surface of a house could in theory be sheathed with the stuff.That extra surface area might come in handy. An important component of solar harvesting materials is the PCE, or Power Conversion Efficiency rating, which is simply a measure of how much sun-borne energy hitting the panel actually gets converted into usable electricity. Traditional silicon-based solar panels have a PCE of 22% to 25%. Power Roll's product currently achieves just 12.8%. However, the company notes that the material is still under development and they expect to optimize it further. Even with a PCE roughly half of the incumbent technology, if Power Roll's product is indeed low-cost, scalable, and easy to install, it would potentially have a gigantic impact on the solar market. "?In just one hour," the company writes, "enough sunlight hits the earth to power the whole world for a year. We need to generate more solar energy. On more surfaces. In more places." Here's the company's vision for how their product would be integrated into our environment:

LEGOs latest collaboration with Nintendo has shattered size expectations and design conventions. The Mario Kart Mario & Standard Kart set introduces a colossal 12.5-inch-long, 8.5-inch-tall brick-built Mario in his iconic kart. Released for MAR10 Day 2025, this 1,972-piece behemoth transforms the beloved video game character into a sophisticated display piece that commands attention in any space. The set represents a bold design philosophy shift for LEGO, prioritizing adult collectors while honoring the playful spirit of the Mario Kart franchise.Designers: LEGO + NintendoLEGOs latest collaboration with Nintendo has shattered size expectations and design conventions. The Mario Kart Mario & Standard Kart set (72037) introduces a colossal 12.5-inch-long, 8.5-inch-tall, 7.5-inch-wide brick-built Mario in his iconic kart. Announced on MAR10 Day 2025 with a May 15 release date, this 1,972-piece behemoth transforms the beloved video game character into a sophisticated display piece that commands attention in any space. The set represents a bold design philosophy shift for LEGO, prioritizing adult collectors while honoring the playful spirit of the Mario Kart franchise.Engineering a Giant: The Technical Feat Behind Super-Sized MarioThe sheer scale of this set creates immediate visual impact. Mario towers at 8.5 inchesa massive leap from the tiny electronic figure in previous sets! This dramatic size increase enabled LEGO designers to incorporate unprecedented detail throughout the build. Marios distinctive features are faithfully recreated in brick form, capturing the characters iconic look.Articulation brings this static display piece to life. Marios head and arms are poseable, allowing builders to create different poses. His arms move independently, creating opportunities for dynamic positioninggripping the steering wheel or raising in victory. These movement points transform what could have been a static sculpture into an expressive character piece.The engineering extends beyond Mario himself. The karts chassis maintains the smooth, curved aesthetic of the in-game vehicle while providing structural support for the model.Display Dynamics: The Art of PresentationThe included display stand transforms this set from a static model to a dynamic display piece. The clever tilting mechanism allows you to show the kart at dynamic angles as if it is being driven at speed or drifting in a Mario Kart race. This feature gives collectors flexibility in how they showcase their builds.The stand provides a stable platform for these dynamic display options, ensuring the model remains secure even when positioned at an angle. This thoughtful design element adds movement and energy to what would otherwise be a static display.A Collectors ExperienceBuilding this set delivers a sophisticated adult LEGO experience. The construction process involves assembling Mario, the kart, and the display stand to create the complete presentation. The set includes step-by-step instructions to guide builders through the process, making it accessible even to LEGO newcomers who are Super Mario fans.For those who prefer digital guidance, the LEGO Builder app offers intuitive building instructions with tools that let you zoom in and rotate a 3D digital image of your model as you build. The app also allows you to track your progress and save all your sets in one place.At $169.99 in the US, 139.99 in the UK, and $249.99 in Australia, this set positions itself firmly in the premium collector market. The price reflects both the piece count (1,972 pieces) and the sets status as a display-oriented adult collectible.The Perfect Gift for Gaming EnthusiastsAs part of LEGOs growing collection of sets designed specifically for adults, this Mario Kart model offers a relaxing, hands-on creative activity. Its perfect for those looking to unwind while celebrating their love of gaming culture.Once built, this supersized Mario and his kart will absolutely steal the spotlight wherever you place it. Imagine walking into your game room and seeing this vibrant red racer perched on your shelf, or having it greet visitors from your office desk. Its the kind of display piece that makes people stop and say, Whoa, thats awesome!Beyond just looking cool, building this set becomes a journey in itself. Theres something deeply satisfying about clicking those final pieces into place after navigating the 1,972-piece challenge. And when friends spot it? Get ready for the inevitable Did you build that? conversations that let you share your Mario Kart memories and LEGO building adventures.The post LEGO Super-Sizes the Fun: A Designers Look at the Mario Kart Collectors Edition first appeared on Yanko Design.

Im a sucker for things that have dual purposes or multiple functions, probably because I dont have much space for stuff but at the same time, Im a certified hoarder. Its also fascinating to have things around that look like one thing but can also be another thing. Browsing through various online shopping apps and youll come across things like these but not always of the best quality. Still, the creativity that comes into creating products that can serve several purposes at the same time is always something to be admired. Designer: Dami SeoSoom is a concept for a series of products that are hiding in plain sight. The designers tagline is take it out and hide it, referring to the fact that these items can be part of your spaces interior decoration while also hiding things that you want to not be so visible. The products in the concept include a lamp thats also a hidey hole for small things, a clock that can also keep your remote controls, and a hanger that can also turn into cleaning materials. The basic idea is to be able to maximize the value of your space and your interiors through hiding. The Soom Lamp not only provides you with illumination but can also keep the things that you want to hide in the dark. This bright orange sculpture-like lamp structure has space underneath it to keep small items like keys, glasses, earphones, etc. Just place it in the space around the bulb and it will be sucked in and hidden from plain sight. Meanwhile, the Soom Clock is actually a container for your remote controls (and you probably own more than one) but theyre placed at the back of the watch face. The yellow device tells you the time and also hides your RCs so you wont panic when you cant find it on your couch. Lastly, the Soom Hanger lets you, well, hang clothes, hats, or bags on it. But when you need some cleaning, just separate the rod and you get yourself a mop. Ultimately, Dami Seos Soom concept highlights a crucial aspect of modern living: the need for adaptable and efficient design. In a world where space is often a premium, and the desire for both functionality and aesthetic appeal is paramount, Soom offers a clever solution. Its more than just a collection of multi-purpose objects; its a philosophy that encourages us to rethink how we interact with our belongings and our spaces. By seamlessly blending utility and disguise, Soom transforms everyday items into subtle, yet indispensable, components of our homes. It reminds us that even the most mundane objects can be imbued with ingenuity, turning the act of organizing and decluttering into a delightful discovery. Soom isnt just about hiding things; its about revealing the hidden potential within the objects that surround us, proving that true design brilliance lies in the ability to maximize both form and function.The post Concept for household items brings hidden functions for small spaces first appeared on Yanko Design.