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  • Captain America: Brave New World: How many post-credits scenes are there?
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    Table of ContentsTable of ContentsCaptain Americas post-credits scene, explainedWhat does it all mean?It usually goes without saying that a Marvel movie will feature an extra scene or two as the credits roll. Many fans expect a lot from Captain America: Brave New World, since the film is expected to set up the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As Sam Wilson and his allies fight to stop a conspiracy that threatens to launch World War III, the movie introduces the element Adamantium, an essential part of Wolverines origin story in Marvel Comics. On top of that, the film has revisited both the Celestial Tiamut, making it the source of the Adamantium, and the Avengers getting back together with Sam as their new leader.All these building blocks have laid the foundation for things like the next two Avengers movies and even the X-Mens debut in the MCU. With the next two Avengers movies just around the corner,Brave New World has built up Sam to lead Earths Mightiest Heroes in the fight to maintain peace as the new Captain America. All in all, there is a lot to look forward to after the events of Brave New World, and what the film reveals during the credits hints at a dark future for Sam and the Avengers.Recommended VideosMarvel Studios / Marvel StudiosCaptain America: Brave New World features one scene after all the credits have rolled. This scene is relatively simple: Sam visits the villain Samuel Sterns, aka the Leader, at his prison cell in the Raft. The latter ended up there after turning himself into the authorities to reveal his plans for revenge against Ross and expose the Presidents crimes against him.RelatedThough Sam gloats at his adversary over his supposed victory, Sterns counters by arguing that while Sam fights to protect the world, they are both a part of it and that there is more than one world. Sterns then questions what Sam and his fellow heroes will do when they have to face the others. The film cuts to black before revealing a title card saying, Captain America will return.Marvel Studios / Marvel StudiosWhile this may seem like a vague warning, considering Brave New Worlds place in the MCUs Multiverse Saga, the others Sterns is referring to are likely the universes outside the Sacred Timeline. This implication says a lot about whats in store for the MCU after Brave New World. Previous Marvel films, such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, have shown universes colliding with each other. All these cosmic encounters have been building up to another Multiversal War first teased in the Disney+ series, Loki. Given Sterns superhuman intellect and foresight, he seems to have predicted more multiversal conflicts soon.Sterns warning implies Sam and the Avengers will be forced to fight warriors from other universes, possibly even some heroes, to defend their own from destruction. Whether Sam and the Avengers end up fighting Kang the Conqueror, Doctor Doom, other versions of the Avengers, or even the X-Men, Sams will and morals will surely be tested as he and his allies end up having to make hard decisions while clashing with other worlds. He may even be forced to seek the Leaders help to stop the threat that is coming.In the end, Captain America: Brave New World says much about the MCUs future while showing very little. The franchises future may still be hazy to audiences after the film. However, Sterns made it clear that while Sam won the battle, he hadnt won the war. Whatever it will be, it is clear that Sam will continue to fight when he returns to the big screen.Editors Recommendations
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  • 3 underrated Netflix movies you should watch this weekend (February 14-16)
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    The Weinstein CompanyTable of ContentsTable of ContentsSing Street (2016)Someone Great (2019)The Half of It (2020)With Valentines around the corner, its the perfect time to get ready to watch romantic hits on Netflix like Hit Man and Love Actually. These are guaranteed crowd-pleasers that will definitely set the mood for date night or even entertain a group for Galentines.For anyone looking to watch films that are hidden gems, well, Netflix has a wide selection, with movies spanning a variety of genres. The following three movies are among these underrated films worth checking out, including a musical pick, an emotional breakup flick, and a unique coming-of-age story.Recommended VideosWe also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max,andthe best movies on Disney+.RelatedThe Weinstein CompanyIn 1980s Dublin, Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is sick of his troubled home life and experiences being bullied at his strict Catholic school. The one positive is his crush on the cool girl, Raphina (Lucy Boynton). To impress her and escape his day-to-day struggles, Connor forms a band with a group of similarly misfit friends. The titular band draws inspiration from the eras biggest acts Duran Duran, The Cure, and The Jam to create a nostalgic and eclectic sound that permeates most of the film.Perhaps overshadowed by director John Carneys previous hits (Once, Begin Again), Sing Street remains criminally underrated, never gaining the same mainstream traction despite arguably delivering the filmmakers most charming and heartfelt story. Its overly saccharine elements and naive optimism are soon forgotten thanks to the way its uplifting narrative pairs flawlessly with its irresistibly catchy soundtrack. Its not exactly among the greatest musical movies of the new generation, but its undoubtedly an enchanting one that delivers humor and heart.Sing Street is streaming on Netflix.NetflixNot exactly in the mood for Netflixs cheesy romance movies? Perhaps an unforgettable breakup film, Someone Great, is the pick for a night alone at home or with friends for Galentines. The 2019 film sees Jenny suffer the cost of an opportunity when, as a music journalist, she lands her dream job at Rolling Stone in San Francisco. Soon after, her long-term boyfriend Nate (LaKeith Stanfield) ends their nine-year relationship, unable to make long-distance work. Jenny is devastated but is eventually consoled by her best friends, Erin (DeWanda Wise) and Blair (Brittany Snow), who have one wild night full of spontaneous dancing, emotional confessions, random adventures, and lots and lots of tequila.Someone Great features stellar performances and emotional storytelling but is too often dismissed as just another breakup movie. Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, the film showcases how painful a breakup can be, but it also has a fantastic focus on the power of friendship, particularly among women. Its a bittersweet ode to new beginnings and a promise that no matter how deep the heartache is, it wont last forever.Someone Great is streaming on Netflix.NetflixDirector Alice Wus The Half of It takes place in the small town of Squahamish, where the brilliant and introverted Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) makes extra money writing essays for her classmates. When the stereotypical jock Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) asks her to help him woo Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire) by ghostwriting love letters, Ellie reluctantly agrees only to realize she has feelings for Aster herself. What starts as a simple transaction turns into an unexpected friendship between Ellie and Paul, which is obviously complicated by her unexpected emotions.The Half of It remains underrated despite a positive reception, possibly because it defies the typical teen rom-com formula. Its neither a straightforward love triangle nor a conventional LGBTQ+ romance, defying typical coming-of-age movie plots by forging its own path. It may occasionally suffer from awkward pacing, but even that goes with the films overall message of embracing the messy process of self-discovery. Dont expect a grand romantic ending, as The Half of It instead strives to encourage self-acceptance, even if the way towards it is challenging.The Half of It is streaming on Netflix.Editors Recommendations
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  • SNL50: Black cast members that changed the game
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    NBCTable of ContentsTable of ContentsGarrett Morris (1975-1980)Danitra Vance (1985-1986)Eddie Murphy (1980-1984)Maya Rudolph (2000-2007)Tracy Morgan (1996-2003)Leslie Jones (2014-2019)Kenan Thompson (2003-)Jay Pharoah (2010-2016)Tim Meadows (1991-2000)Michael Che (2014-)February is Black History Month, and 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the long-running series Saturday Night Live. Known as SNL, the sketch comedy series has been delighting fans every Saturday evening with hilarious skits and the clever ways it weaves social, economic, and political issues into everything from its cold open to skits, shorts, and monologues.Through the shows 50-year run to date, starting way back in 1975, SNL has had many influential cast members, some of whom have gone on to achieve great success in movies. This includes many Black cast members who left their mark on the show, some of whom completely changed the game.Recommended VideosGarrett Morris (1975-1980)NBCU Photo BankGarrett Morris was the first Black cast member in SNL history, and a member of the original cast. He was known for both singing classical music and notable characters like the Dominican baseball player Chico Escuela who spoke broken English and always repeated the same phrase about how baseballbeen berra berra good to me. Another memorable character was the president of a school for the hard of hearing who would shout the news on Weekend Update in place of sign language on screen.RelatedNot surprisingly for the time, Morris was often typecast in roles specifically written for a Black character. In fact, this is something that displeased him, as noted in the book Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live. His experiences on the show, however, were pivotal for Black cast members who came after, encouraging them to push to portray characters that went beyond their race.Danitra Vance (1985-1986)NBCWhile Danitra Vance was only a member of the cast for a single year, that fateful 11th season known as The Weird Year, she makes the SNL history books as the first Black female to appear on the show as a primary cast member, as well as the first lesbian cast member after Denny Dillon. She was one of the few new cast members with sketch comedy experience who was hired during a transitional year when creator Lorne Michaels returned to shake things up. As fans may recall, and as chronicled in the fourth episode of the Peacock docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, this is the year when the cast was made up of mostly younger movie actors, like Robert Downey Jr., Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael Hall, and Joan Cusack.Vance played characters like That Black Girl, a Black actress trying to make it big, and Cabrini Green Jackson, a professional teenage mother who advises others on teen pregnancy. She also did impressions of celebrities like Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson, Leslie Uggams, and Lola Falana. In SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, past and current Black female cast members like Ego Nwodim cite Vance as being an inspiration, and someone who opened the door for them to follow in her footsteps.Eddie Murphy (1980-1984)NBCEddie Murphy is one of the most prolific comedians of this generation and he was integral to the success of Saturday Night Live in the early 80s. He portrayed some of the most iconic characters from that time, which still go down as some of the best characters ever on SNL, overall. These include Buckwheat, Velvet Jones, Mr. Robinson, and Gumby. Mr. Robinson is a stand-out, Murphys take on Mister Rogers Neighborhood except Mr. Robinson lives in a tougher neighborhood and hes often up to no good. The advice he gives to kids isnt exactly proper, but he gives it in such a sweet, soothing voice thats contradictory to what hes actually saying.Murphys impressions of everyone from James Brown to Stevie Wonder were spot on as well. In the documentary Ladies & Gentlemen50 Years of SNL Music, former cast members like Maya Rudolph point out that what was so great about Murphys musical performances is that he can actually sing well, which made them all the more convincing. He remains one of the best cast members ever to be on the show. It comes as no surprise that Murphy went on to become a massive movie star.Maya Rudolph (2000-2007)Dana Edelson / NBCURecently returning to SNL to portray former vice president Kamala Harris, Maya Rudolph proved that women could do fantastic impressions, too. She also brought a musically comedic style to the show, tackling icons like Whitney Houseton and Tina Turner. Whether she was paying homage to Beyonce or pretending to be Oprah, she gave every performance her all through her tenure on the show.Rudolphs impressions transcended race as she portrayed musicians like Christina Aguilera and icons like Donatella Versace as well. Never afraid to go over-the-top with her comedy, Rudolph was also part of one of the most iconic Digital Shorts, D**k in a Box. Her physical comedy, impressions, and wonderful comedic timing was influenced by the Black female cast members who came before her, and has influenced many others who came after.Tracy Morgan (1996-2003)NBCRecalling in SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night how creator Lorne Michaels convinced him to stay when he didnt feel like he fit in, fans are glad that he did. Thats because Tracy Morgans eccentric personality made him a delight to watch on the sketch comedy show. He brought iconic characters into the mix, like Dominican Lou, Astronaut Jones, and Brian Fellow, the enthusiastic host of a show called Safari Planet who ironically didnt know much about animals.Also known for his impressions, including everyone from Bobby Brown to Cuba Gooding Jr. and Busta Rhymes, Morgan had fans in stitches every time he appeared on screen. But he has never shied from discussing his feelings of isolation while on the show, namely pertaining to his race, raising awareness of the issues Black cast members faced.Leslie Jones (2014-2019)NBCLeslie Jones didnt appear in a lot of sketches, initially hired as a writer. But she would frequently appear on the Weekend Update segment, usually discussing a timely issue in her signature loud and abrasive style. She made history as the oldest person to join the cast when she was 47 and her inclusion made it the first time SNL had more than one Black woman in the cast and a record of five Black individuals at the same time in season 40.Earning a Primetime Emmy Award for her work on the show, Jones wasnt afraid to discuss cultural topics and even push the envelope. In one appearance on Weekend Update, for example, she played an image expert who spoke out against Lupita Nyongo being named People Magazines Most Beautiful Person, suggesting they need to put out a most useful list instead. Despite dealing with controversies through her time on the show, she persevered and stood her ground. After personal photos of her were leaked, for example, Jones addressed it on the show, jokingly advising, if you want to see photos of Leslie Jones naked, just ask! She never took herself too seriously and her self-deprecating humor made her relatable and endearing.Kenan Thompson (2003-)NBCKenan Thompson holds the record as not only the longest-running Black cast member but also the longest-running cast member in SNL history, period. Starting way back in 2003, he is still going strong, now in his 22nd. As a member of some of the best SNL casts, he is also the longest-tenured cast member who was born after the show first went on the air. Thompson doesnt just hide among the cast either. Hes often front and center in multiple sketches every episode.Earning six Primetime Emmy nominations for his work on the show and winning one, he also holds the record for the most celebrity impressions ever performed, from Al Roker and Al Sharpton to Charles Barkley and O.J. Simpson. Its in original characters where Thompson truly usually excels, however, like DeAndre Cole, the host of the show Whats Up With That? who constantly interrupts his guests to break into singing the shows theme song again and again. Theres also Elliot Pants, host of the game show Whats Wong With This Picture? where contestants keep giving elaborate and inappropriate answers instead of pointing out the obvious. As the shows most enduring star, Thompson has made SNL his career.Jay Pharoah (2010-2016)NBCJay Pharoah represented a new generation of cast members and remains one of the best at doing impressions of everyone from Barack Obama to Kanye West and Jay-Z. Any time Pharoah was interviewed, hed often be asked to do a series of impressions, leaving people bewildered at just how good he is. Naturally, this translated well to his post on SNL where he could not only play these celebrities, but do so convincingly well.It was after he did an impression of Obama on the show, however, that Pharoah started to get more screen time and his star began to rise as one of the best cast members through his tenure. While Pharoah did appear in a few sketches as fictional characters, he proved that an impressionist could add so much value to sketches, paving for the way for new cast members like James Austin Johnson and Chloe Fineman who excel in this same area.Tim Meadows (1991-2000)NBCBefore Darrell Hammond then Kenan Thompson broke the record for being the longest-tenured cast member, Tim Meadows held that honor. He was on the show for 10 seasons and was one of only five cast members who werent let go during the big purge of 1995, the first since the weird season 11 in 1984. His humor and comedic timing led to a successful TV and movie career after, including reprising his SNL character Leon Phelps, a.k.a. The Ladies Man, for the film of the same name.Along with doing dozens of impressions and portraying The Ladies Man in the hilarious recurring sketch, Meadows also popularized a sketch whereby he played himself doing or saying silly things. He found ways to get screen time even when there werent specific characters for him. Despite being on the show for so long, Meadows is one of the most under-rated former cast members. When you rewatch sketches with him, you gain a greater appreciation for his ability to command the screen, even for just a few minutes on Weekend Update, and leave you in stitches.Michael Che (2014-)NBCThere has arguably been no other cast member so is so authentically themselves as Michael Che. Starting on the show as a writer, he worked his way up to become on-screen co-host of Weekend Update, solidifying its position as one of the most popular, if not the most popular, weekly segments of the show. Fans love his chemistry with co-host Colin Jost and the way they roast one another, Che never shying away from delivering race-based jokes that some might find controversial. A favorite is when they write jokes for one another that the other doesnt see until they read them on the live show.Now holding the record as the second-longest tenured Weekly Update anchor (Jost is the first) and celebrating his 200th milestone episode in 2024, fans are excited to hear Ches commentary on the news every week, including his under-the-breath comments and giggles at the humor. As a writer, both the content and his delivery shine, and Ches braveness in saying jokes others might not be comfortable saying make him a game-changer.Editors Recommendations
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  • How long is Avowed?
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    When it was first revealed, Avowed drew a lot of comparisons toSkyrim. Both are fantasy RPGs playable in first or third-person and set in open worlds, so it made some sense to compare the two. However, Obsidian later clarified that Avowed was not an open world in the same sense as an Elder Scrolls, and was more hub-based like The Outer Worlds. This left fans wondering just how long of an RPG this would be. Even though the game will be available on Game Pass, it is important to know how long or short of a time investment is before deciding when you want to start it. Heres how long you can expect to spend exploring the Living Lands in Avowed.Xbox / XboxEven though the world in Avowed isnt anywhere close to as big as Skyrim,each zone is dense with activities, side quests, and secrets. Your playtime will heavily depend on how much optional content you decide to partake in. In our experience, doing most of the primary side content, our playthrough took around 35 hours. Had we focused only on the main story, we predict it could be finished in between 15 and 20 hours depending on the difficulty level and your individual skill. This is roughly the same as The Outer Worlds.Recommended VideosFor those who want to do and see everything Avowed has to offer, there are likely 40 hours worth of content to keep you occupied. This includes finding collectibles, doing side quests, reaching the max level, and more.RelatedThis gives players a lot of room to decide for themselves how much time they want to invest in this game but is still on the shorter side in the realm of RPGs.Editors Recommendations
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  • Samsung could reinvent the S Pen for its next foldable phone
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    Samsung is reportedly making a major stylus input change for its next book-style foldable device as it moves forward in pursuit of slimmer phones. According to a report from ET News, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will switch the stylus input to a format similar to that of the Apple Pencil.Citing industry sources, the Korean outlet mentions that Samsung has decided to remove the digitizer element from the upcoming phones display assembly. The digitizer is a pressure-sensitive layer that converts the physical input from a stylus and converts those strokes into digital information.Recommended VideosRemoving the digitizer layer has reportedly allowed Samsung to shave 0.6 millimeters from the phones cross section. The report mentions that the thickness profile of Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be under 10 millimetres, and that it has been modeled after the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition.Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 with the Fold Edition stylus. Ajay Kumar / Digital TrendsThe latter is slimmer than the current-gen Galaxy Z Fold 6, and packs a larger inner display. For the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the company is eyeing a slightly bigger 8-inch inner foldable screen, but one without a digitizer element to trim the phones waistline.Please enable Javascript to view this contentSo, how is a stylus going to factor in the equation without a digitizer? Samsung is reimagining the entire stylus stack, it seems, and will reportedly adopt the active electrostatic (AES) system.Instead of a digitizer layer, the AES tech requires specialized sensors integrated within the display to produce an electrostatic grid. These grids interact with the stylus, which comes fitted with its own transmitting unit, among other innards.This is what the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could look like. SamsungHere is Wacoms explanation of the interaction process for an AES stylus:One sensor grid and the pen act as the transmitting unit that generates an electrical field; the other grids act as receiving units. The pens position is identified based on differences in the charge amount detected on each sensor grid receiving unit.This approach reduces input latency to milliseconds, without sacrificing input accuracy or niceties such as pressure sensitivity. On the flip side, the stylus gets heavier.Thats not necessarily a bad sign, as the likes of Apple Pencil work just fine for basic note-taking as well as advanced sketching. It has found widespread acceptance in the creative community that uses an iPad on a daily basis.SamsungThe only major hassle is that the stylus will have to be charged on a regular basis to top up the battery inside. How Samsung manages that, remains a mystery. Apples stylus options rely either on magnetic charging, or use a wired USB-C format to juice up the battery pack fitted inside their cylindrical chassis.So far, Samsung has sold a custom stylus under the Fold Edition label for the Galaxy Z Fold series phones, which is thicker and more rounded than the one it offers with the Galaxy S series, or the erstwhile Galaxy Note series phones.It would be interesting to see what design language (and pricing model) Samsung implements for its new foldable-friendly stylus. And yeah, its quite likely that a price hike is in the pipeline.Editors Recommendations
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  • 3 PBS shows you should watch in February 2025
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    Table of ContentsTable of ContentsFunny Woman Season 2Nature Museum Alive with David AttenboroughSecrets of the Dead Plunderer: The Life and Times of a Nazi Art ThiefPBS rarely disappoints when it comes to original programming. After all, who can complain when the Public Broadcast Service offers so many free options? Although theres only one fresh British drama/comedy to enjoy in February, we can recommend two other special episodes for discerning viewers like you.Theres still plenty of time to catch the other new shows on PBS in February. You can even go back and revisit the great PBS shows to watch in January as well. For now, here are our recommendations for the three PBS shows you should watch in February.Recommended VideosWhen youre done here, check out the best new movies to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best new shows on Max, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and the best shows on Disney+.RelatedSky MaxWhats a Bond girl like Gemma Arterton supposed to do in the next stage of her career after starring in films like The Kings Man? She went off to headline Funny Woman, a series that kind of plays like a British version of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.In the 1960s, Barbara Parker (Arterton) adapted her stage persona, Sophie Straw, to break into Londons comedy scene in the first season of Funny Woman. Now that season 2 has arrived, Sophie has to figure out how to handle her increasing fame while pursuing love with Dennis (Arsher Ali). Sophie may want to have it all, but there are no guarantees in life or show business, not even for a funny woman.Watch Funny Woman on PBS.PBSIn the Jurassic Park movies, the late Richard Attenborough played a man who wanted to bring history back to life literally! Now, his younger brother,Sir David Attenborough, is doing just that in Museum Alive with David Attenborough. And we can practically guarantee that no one will be eaten in this Nature special.Through CGI, the long-dead animals in Londons Natural History Museum come back to life and interact with Attenborough as he shares insights about them to educate viewers. And like his brothers Jurassic Park character, Attenborough is a natural showman.Watch Nature Museum Alive with David Attenborough on PBS on February 19.Secrets of the Dead: Plunderer-Life and Times of a Nazi Art ThiefUnless youre a student of art history, the name Bruno Lohse probably wont mean much to you. But in the world of art, Lohse was one of the Nazis who looted priceless artwork in Europe before and during World War II. Lohse was so good at what he did that he was called the Plunderer.Plunderer: The Life and Times of a Nazi Art Thief offers an in-depth look at Lohses life and crimes, including a rare video of Lohse as well as interviews with his friends and the descendants of Nazi art theft victims. Even after the war, the stolen artwork was traded and sold through an unscrupulous network of dealers and collectors. The effects of their actions are still felt in the present.Watch Secrets of the Dead Plunderer: The Life and Times of a Nazi Art Thief on PBS on February 19.Editors Recommendations
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  • The Galaxy S25 Ultras camera crushed its old rival in our test
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    html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Table of ContentsTable of ContentsCamera specsMain cameraWide-angle cameraTelephoto cameras30x and 100x zoomNight modeAn easy winIs the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra worth an upgrade if you own the last Ultra phone? Equally, if the Galaxy S25 Ultra is on your buy list, understanding how Samsung has improved the camera this time around will be an important point to understand before splashing out on it. To help answer these questions, we put Samsungs latest Ultra phone against its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, in a serious camera battle.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and the Galaxy S25 Ultra Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThe first thing to understand is not much has changed on the hardware front. Both have a 200-megapixel main camera with an f/1.7 aperture, phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) and optical image stabilization (OIS). Its joined by a pair of telephoto cameras on both, one 10MP telephoto with OIS for a 3x optical zoom, and another 50MP telephoto with OIS for a 5x optical zoom.Recommended VideosThe single hardware change is the wide-angle camera, which is a 12MP camera on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and a new 50MP wide-angle on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The new wide-angle camera has an f/1.9 aperture compared to the f/2.2 on the S24 Ultra, while both have the same 120-degree field of view.RelatedInside each phone is a different processor, which can have a considerable impact on the photographic experience. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powers the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and its the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite inside the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Both chips have been optimized for Galaxy, which Samsung says improves overall performance.1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra2. Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraThere is very little to split the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultras main cameras, but there are two things you need to know before deciding whether to upgrade. The tiny differences in tone, color, and dynamic range will be split by personal preference, as one isnt better than the other, but Ive continuously noticed the Galaxy S24 Ultras main camera takes sharper photos with a wider focal area.The front of the church is a great example. Take a close look at the windows on the building deeper in the frame than the entrance, and youll see the S25 Ultra introduces blur where the S24 Ultras photo is pin sharp. Its evident elsewhere in the photo too, but because you have to look really closely, it wont bother everyone. However, it detracts from the overall photo once youve seen it.1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra2. Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraThe Galaxy S25 Ultra can redeem itself with less noise, which can be seen in the photo of the street, specifically under the awning and through the window. Lets finish with a photo that shows the differences as a whole. The Firebird sign and sky in the photo below has better white balance in the S25 Ultras photo, but isnt as sharp as the S24 Ultras picture, and although the contrast is well-judged in the S25 Ultras photo, I prefer the color pop in the S24 Ultras photo.1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra2. Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraIts very difficult to say one is better than the other, as some wont notice the differences at all, and both do have positive and negative points. I wouldnt rush to upgrade the S24 Ultra to the S25 Ultra, but I also wouldnt hold back on the S25 Ultra over any concerns the camera is somehow worse. The main camera category is a draw.Winner: Draw1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wide-angle2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wide-angleNow we come to the category where the Galaxy S25 Ultra should beat the S24 Ultra. Out test against the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has already shown the wide-angle camera takes good photos, so how does it do next to the Galaxy S24 Ultra? Anyone expecting dramatic differences is going to be a little disappointed.The wide-angle photo of the church shows you have to look very closely to spot any differences at all, and even when you do, theyre negligible. Theres a bit less noise in the S25 Ultras photo, but more pop in the S24 Ultras photo, and both have an almost identical level of detail. Neither photo is better than the other.1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wide-angle2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wide-angleThe Galaxy S25 Ultras wide-angle camera is a little better in low light. In the shot of the cabinets inside a cafe, theres markedly less noise and edge blurring at the top of the S25 Ultras photo, and the white balance is more accurate too. However, if I didnt tell you about these differences, would you actually notice?1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wide-angle2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wide-angleHeres a test for you. Which wide-angle photo out of the two above do you prefer? The Galaxy S25 Ultras wide-angle camera takes sharper photos, but its really marginal, and Im not convinced it makes that much of a difference. Both photos are technically quite similar, with no obvious negative points. Yes, the Galaxy S25 Ultras wide-angle camera is better than the S24 Ultras, but whether you will ever notice is another thing entirely. It gets the win, but dont read too much into it.Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 3x2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 3xFinally, as we reach the telephoto category, we can see some consistent improvements in the photos taken by the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Across the 3x, 5x, and 10x zoom the S25 Ultra takes sharper and less noisy photos than the S24 Ultra, and you dont always need to pixel-peep to see the changes.The 3x zoom photo of the archway is the hardest to immediately see the changes, but the wooden archway and gate do have more sharpness and texture when you take a moment to examine the photo. This continues into the background. I do prefer the S24 Ultras visual pop though, a running theme throughout the test.1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5x2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5xThe photo of the cat was taken at 5x zoom, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra has nailed the color of its coat, and lessened the intense contrast of the S24 Ultras image, giving it a natural look and tone. Theres a lot less noise in the background too.1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 10x2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 10xFinally, the clock at 10x zoom shows how much the S24 Ultra relies on smoothing to keep noise at bay. The textures in the stone around the edge of the clock face are sharper in the S25 Ultras photo, and theres a lot less pixelation in the darker sections at the top of the image. The Galaxy S25 Ultras three primary zoom levels easily surpass the quality of the S24 Ultras cameras.Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 30x2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 30xMore for fun than anything else, heres how things have changed for the 30x and 100x zoom levels both phones can achieve. Interestingly, the 30x zoom is getting more and more usable, with far less smoothing, more sharpness, and additional texture to make the 30x photos taken by the Galaxy S25 Ultra much improved over the S24 Ultra.1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 100x2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 100xThe 100x zoom photos still arent ones youd take and want to keep, but similar updates to the 30x mode make them less artificial looking than before, with more texture and realism. Its advancements made in the software and processing which make all this possible, rather than the camera hardware, and its perhaps the area where we can see the most obvious changes between the two phone generations.Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra2. Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraThe software and processing improvements extend to the Galaxy S25 Ultras lowlight performance too. The first photo was taken in practically dark conditions, with ambient light coming from a security lamp behind me. The S25 Ultras photo is sharper, and makes better use of the contrast and exposure time to make the scene look more natural, and bring out more of the textures in the wood.1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra2. Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraThe next two photos show the S25 Ultras greater ability to take a natural looking photo in lowlight. The first has plenty of ambient light, but it was nowhere near as green as the S24 Ultra makes it seem, but theres a lot less noise in the photo due to its additional smoothing. However, textures are greater and more realistic in the S25 Ultra, such as on the tarmac and the tree trunk.1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra2. Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraAll this is then emphasized in the photo of the same scene taken from a different angle. The S25 Ultras colors are much more accurate, and theres less blur on the vehicles too. However, its less effective at capturing the text on the van, and both photos have noisy skies. When the Galaxy S25 Ultra is this effective in very lowlight, itll suit more environments than the S24 Ultra.Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and the Galaxy S25 Ultra Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThe Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has beaten the S24 Ultra in all but one category, with the telephoto sections proving to be the most decisive. The new wide-angle camera is obviously improved, but its not as dramatic as you may expect. However, I have been really impressed with it outside of this test piece, and you can see more examples of the photos it takes in our review.Its no surprise the two main cameras are equally matched as the hardware is unchanged, but I remain concerned about the introduction of blur and a lack of sharpness. I dont think this should happen on a camera attached to a $1,300 smartphone, and look forward to Samsung addressing it in future software updates.While the Galaxy S25 Ultra has won this test, its hard to say it provides a compelling reason to upgrade if you own the Galaxy S24 Ultra, unless you use the telephoto cameras a great deal. Its not like the S24 Ultra has a bad camera, as it still managed to beat the iPhone 16 Pro Max at the end of 2024. Weve got some other interesting tests if youre still considering the S25 Ultra, as weve also put it against the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and weve got an in-depth look at how the telephoto capabilities compare to its rivals here.Editors Recommendations
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  • Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 review: A very business-like laptop
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    Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6MSRP$1,737.00 Score Details The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 looks exactly like a ThinkPad and acts like one, too, but its battery life is too short.ProsSolid build qualityReasonably thin and lightFast productivity performanceGreat keyboardVery good IPS displayConsTouchpad is just okayDesign is getting a little long in the toothExpensiveTable of ContentsTable of ContentsSpecs and configurationDesignKeyboard and touchpadConnectivity and webcamPerformanceBattery lifeDisplay and audioBest for business users who love ThinkPadsIf youre looking for a 14-inch laptop, which is perhaps the most popular form factor around today, there are certain brands you might gravitate toward. Dells XPS lineup, HPs OmniBook, and Lenovos Yoga come to mind. Another is the ThinkPad, an iconic brand that goes way back and is instantly recognizable. The ThinkPad has a loyal fan base, but it also tends to appeal to one of two kinds of users.Recommended VideosI recently reviewed the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13, a ThinkPad thats aimed at a wide consumer market. The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is similar in design, and its aimed more at commercial customers. Its a very nice laptop, held back only by battery life that doesnt keep up with the competition.RelatedLenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6Dimensions12.30 x 8.60 x 0.66 inchesWeight2.86 poundsDisplay14.0-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS touch, 60Hz14.0-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS non-touch, 60HzCPUAMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360GPUAMD Radeon 880MMemory32GB64GBStorage256GB SSD512GB SSD1TB SSDPorts2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 42 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 11 x HDMI 2.11 x 3.5mm headphone jack1 x Nano SIM (optional)Camera5MP with infrared camera for Windows 11 HelloWi-FiWi-Fi 7 and Bluetoth 5.4Battery58 watt-hourOperating systemWindows 11Price$1506+The ThinkPad T14s has a configuration currently priced at $1,506 (on sale from $2,739) for an AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 chipset, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 14.0-inch FHD+ IPS display. The Lenovo web store sometimes has strange pricing, and this is one such case, where that configuration is less expensive than youll be able to configure. One option, for example, is to upgrade to 64GB of RAM for an extra $337.However, most people will buy the laptop through Lenovos corporate purchasing program and wont pay whatevers the list price. That means prices will vary based on the number of units purchased, which is difficult to reflect here. Suffice it to say that you can get similar components for less with a consumer-focused laptop.Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsThe ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 looks a lot like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 that I recently reviewed. In fact, although I dont have them sitting side by side, Im fairly certain that they would be difficult to tell apart even up close. They both have the same all-black ThinkPad aesthetic with several red accents the red LED i on the logo on the lid, the TrackPoint nubbin in the middle of the keyboard, and a few others that make it instantly recognizable as a member of the old-school ThinkPad lineup. ThinkPad fans will love it, and its attractive enough that most laptop buyers will probably like it. The ThinkPad Z13, for example, shows off Lenovos movement toward a more modern design, but theres nothing wrong with the ThinkPad T14ss design.In terms of its build quality, Lenovo used its combination of aluminum and carbon fiber that results in a reasonably robust construction with just the slightest bit of bending in the lid and keyboard deck. Ive used laptops that are more solid, including the HP EliteBook X G1a that has zero bending, flexing, or twisting. That puts the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 a very slight step behind, but still quite good. The hinge requires two hands to open the lid, but its certainly nothing to complain too much about.The top and bottom bezels are a little thick, compared to the slim side bezels, and thats even with Lenovos reverse notch at the top of the display that houses the webcam and other electronics. The bezels are plastic, too, which I always find detracts from a high-quality look. Even so, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is reasonably sized in width and depth, and its quite portable without winning any awards in thickness or weight. The Apple MacBook Air 15, for example, is a lot thinner at just 0.45 inches.Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsThe keyboard is the usual old-school ThinkPad version with highly sculpted keycaps and lots of key spacing. Unlike some Ive used in the past, the switches on this one dont require too much pressure but are light and snappy. That makes for a very confident feel thats different from Apples Magic Keyboard with its shallow travel, which is my usual favorite, but just as good.The touchpad is a mechanical version thats fine, although the two buttons supporting the TrackPoint nubbin controller in the middle of the keyboard takes up a bit of space. That makes the touchpad a bit too small, and while Lenovo might offer an option for a haptic version (Im not sure if they do or will), this is a little bit of a disappointment.Connectivity is a mix of modern and legacy ports. Unusually, there are two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4; most AMD-based laptops use USB4 rather than Intels standard. Wireless connectivity is fully up-to-date, and theres a nano-SIM slot for optional always-connected internet connectivity.The webcam is a high-resolution 5MP model that matches up well with the fast Neural Processing Unit (NPU) running at 45 tera operations per second (TOPS), exceeding Microsofts 40 TOPS requirement for its Copilot+ PC AI initiative. That means it supports the enhanced videoconferencing features of Copilot+, along with other AI features coming down the road, with fast and efficient on-device processing.Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsThe ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 uses an AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 chipset, which uas eight cores and 16 threads, running at up to 5GHz. It uses 28 watts of power that can ramp up to 54 watts, meaning its aimed more at performance than efficiency compared to some other new chipsets. Its fast at CPU tasks, as we can see in our benchmarks, keeping up with all but the the fastest Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipsets and beating out Intel Lunar Lake.The AMD PRO features mean the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 can plug into advanced enterprise security and management environments. That makes the ThinkPad a great option for large companies that need to manage lots of machines.As you can see, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is very fast for demanding productivity workflows, but its Radon 880M integrated graphics dont do a lot for games or creativity apps that can use the GPU. Its around the same CPU speed as Apples M3 chipset, but the M3s GPU cores are considerably faster. Overall, the ThinkPad is a speedyCinebench R24(single/multi)Geekbench 6(single/multi)Handbrake(seconds)3DMarkWild Life ExtremeLenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6(Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 / Radeon 880M)104 / 6722677 / 12187734406Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13(Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V)121 / 4472752 / 110961174771Acer Swift 14 AI(Ryzen AI 9 365 / Radeon 880M)110 / 8772795 / 14351565669Acer Swift 14 AI(Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V)121 / 5252755 / 11138925294Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition(Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V)109 / 6302485 / 10569885217Asus Zenbook S 14(Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V)112 / 4522738 / 107341137514HP OmniBook X(Snapdragon X Elite / Adreno)101 / 7492377 / 13490N/A6165MacBook Air(M3)141 / 6013102 / 120781098098Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsThe AMD chipset is aimed at performance rather than efficiency, which is different from Intel Lunar Lake and Qualcomm Snapdragon X, both of which are highly focused on increasing battery life. That doesnt mean it cant squeeze out some longevity, as demonstrated by the Acer Swift 14 AI with the Ryzen AI 9 365.However, for some reason, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 didnt do very well. It couldnt make it to eight hours in our web browsing test or even nine hours in our video looping test. Thats a lot shorter than every other laptop in the comparison group, and a lot more like older Windows laptops. Apples MacBook Air M3 remains the best overall performer.Web browsingVideoLenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6(Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360)7 hours, 39 minutes8 hours, 47 minutesLenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13(Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V)10 hours, 34 minutes15 hours, 58 minutesAcer Swift 14 AI(Core Ultra 7 258V)17 hours, 22 minutes24 hours, 10 minutesAcer Swift 14 AI(Ryzen AI 9 365)14 hours, 6 minutes18 hours, 36 minutesLenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition(Core Ultra 7 258V)14 hours, 16 minutes17 hours, 31 minutesAsus Zenbook S 14(Core Ultra 7 258V)16 hours, 47 minutes18 hours, 35 minutesMicrosoft Surface Laptop(Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100)14 hours, 21 minutes22 hours, 39 minutesHP Omnibook X(Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100)13 hours, 37 minutes22 hours, 4 minutesApple MacBook Air(Apple M3)19 hours, 38 minutes19 hours, 39 minutesMark Coppock / Digital TrendsTheres just two display options with the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6. Both are 14.0-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS panels, one touch-enabled and one non-touch. Personally, I think FHD+ isnt quite sharp enough with 14-inch displays because I stare at words all day and hate pixellated text, but most people are likely okay with it. And IPS helps with battery life over OLED.This is a very good IPS display, in line with what most manufacturers have used for the last several years. The display is bright at 396 nits, well above the 300-nit baseline thats been our standard for years now and probably should be adjusted. Contrast is excellent at 1,510:1, above our 1,000:1 threshold but not as good as the inky blacks OLED provides. Colors were wide enough at 100% of sRGB, 76% of AdobeRGB, and 76% of DCI-P3, again not as dynamic as OLED and not great for creators, but very good for productivity use. And color accuracy was good at 1.52 (less than 2.0 is more than adequate).Ultimately, this is a very good IPS display that will please the laptops commercial users. Creators will want to look elsewhere, but the laptop isnt meant for that kind of work in any event. Audio is just okay, with two downward-firing speakers that are good enough for typical use. Headphones are recommended for anything else.The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is a very nice laptop with one glaring flaw. Its built well, looks good, has a great keyboard and strong performance, and its perfect for large companies with a lot of laptops to manage.At the same time, its battery life isnt great. And, its a bit expensive, although large commercial customers who buy it will do so at better group purchase prices. So its an easy laptop to recommend for commercial buyers but not as easy for mainstream users.Editors Recommendations
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  • WhatsApp gets a chat redesign
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    If youre a fan of WhatsApp, we have some good news for you. The free messaging and video calling app now includes chat themes, which should make your experience a little more customized.To make the change, go to the Chats menu in Settings. From there, select Choose a new wallpaper, then select one of the preset options under two subcategories: Light or Dark.Recommended VideosPerhaps more importantly, if you dislike the presets, you can choose an image from your photo library. You can also adjust the brightness of the background and the color of your outgoing messages.Please enable Javascript to view this contentPreviously, chat themes were available in beta versions of WhatsApp.When you change a chat theme, the look will be changed across all your chats. However, you can adjust the theme on a chat-by-chat basis. The steps differ whether youre on an iPhone or Android device.On iPhone, you can create a custom wallpaper for each chat by choosing Contact or Group Info and then Wallpaper. You can do this on Android by choosing the three dots in the upper right of the display and then selecting the Chat theme.Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital TrendsChat themes are a great idea; surprisingly, WhatsApp hasnt offered these until now. Still, its important to note that any change you make will only be shown on your side of a chat. Other folks will continue to see their theme.If youre not one of the billions of people not already using WhatsApp, you can download the app from the App Store or Google Play now. It will look perfect on your new Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 16.Editors Recommendations
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  • This 2013 movie predicted the future of technology. Heres what came true
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    Table of ContentsTable of ContentsYou wont have to write your own lettersThere are no carsNo more keyboards in desktop PCsRed, red everywhereAdvertising gets classierAll you need is an earpiece (or two)Holographic gamingTechnology as a fashion statementIs AI love real yet?Twelve years have passed since Spike Jonzes hit film, Her, arrived in theaters. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Scarlett Johansson, Her is a sci-fi romantic drama set in a near-future Los Angeles. The movie follows the story of introverted writer Theodore Twombly (Phoenix), a man who leads a lonely life and writes letters for other people for a living. Everything changes when, on a whim, he decides to buy an advanced AI operating system referred to as OS1, later known as Samantha (Johansson).Her is a moving story that weaves elements of love, connection, and what it means to be human with some quite bold predictions about what the future of technology could possibly look like. Upon watching Her in 2013, wegathered a list of things that may or may not one day become true based on the movie. Shockingly, several are now commonplace.Recommended VideosRead on to learn what Spike Jonzes AI-centric flick got right, and what is still far off. Spike Jonze / Warner Bros. PicturesThe lead character inHer makes a living by writing letters for other people. Hes essentially a ghostwriter, and sometimes, his work means that he knows more about the relationship between two people than they themselves are aware of.Based on Theodores occupation, we assumed back in 2013 that one day, none of us would have to write our own letters anymore wed hire people to do it for us. We were right, to an extent, as instead of paying for ghostwriting services, most people now lean into AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, or even the latest fad DeepSeek.Of course, many people still do hire ghostwriters for services such as LinkedIn posts, cover letters, or even wedding speeches. There are certain things that truly benefit from a human touch, and although AI is super advanced in 2025, it still cant replace a good writer. (Considering my own job, I hope that it never will.)Be that as it may, for those things that dont require heartfelt emotion or really good writing, chatbots are now commonplace. We can use ChatGPT, Jasper AI, and more to do the creative writing for us, be it an email or a blog post. In fact, such services are now public enemy number one for teachers around the globe, as students lean into AI as opposed to writing their own essays.Verdict:TrueSpike Jonze / Warner Bros. PicturesOne interesting thing aboutHeris the very limited presence of cars and a focus on public transport. Well, as we all know, thats one claim that most certainly did not come true.With that said, cars and public transport have seen their fair share of improvements over the last decade. Electric cars are now a lot more common, and theres a bigger focus on eco-friendly solutions than back in 2013. Many urban areas have excellent public transit, walkability, and car-free zones to encourage going car-less.Moreover, not having a car is becoming more normalized, with apps like Uber reducing vehicle dependency. However, the roads are still full of cars and were all doomed to spend hours in traffic every single month.Verdict:FalseJacob Roach / Digital TrendsAs I sit here writing this article on my delightfully pink mechanical keyboard (the Razer Blackwidow V3, in case you were wondering, which is one of the best Razer keyboards around), I am happy to report that this is another one thatHer, and we, got wrong.In the world ofHer, people interact with their devices through voice. Desktop computers still exist, as do smartphones, but you dont need touch inputs or a keyboard and mouse just speaking is enough to operate the system. And, while voice controls are very much a thing in 2025, we are yet to ditch the good old keyboard and mouse entirely. Seeing the latest advancements, Im not sure when itll happen lets check back in another decade.With that said, there have been a great many improvements in terms of voice controls since the film came out in 2013. Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and ChatGPT enable hands-free interaction both with our smartphones and with our computers.In addition, certain systems rely on voice commands more than anything else; think Apples Vision Pro headset. And, with the help of voice assistants, you can now control your PC through voice to do things like write your emails or schedule meetings.Weve made some progress, but a fully voice-controlled tech world is still far off.Verdict:Partially trueWarner Bros. PicturesIn our review of the movie, we noted that the color palette inHer was largely red. Many directors lean into color to express additional layers of depth in their works, and although I am no film critic, I believe the use of color in Her was meaningful, and the cinematography in each scene was very well thought out.That aside, the color red didnt suddenly bleed all over the world of technology. Sure, weve seen smartphones and other pieces of tech in red-ish hues since 2013, but its hardly the most trendy color. Silver, black, and white still dominate.Verdict:FalseSpike Jonze / Warner Bros. PicturesThis is a tough one. In the sleek, more polished version of Los Angeles that we see in Spike JonzesHer, advertising is really understated and unintrusive. Its also pretty strange, surreal, and otherworldly (which makes one wonder just how effective itd be). A lot of it remains open to interpretation and its far from pushy in the way that were used to these days.Although marketing technology evolved by leaps and bounds in the past decade, minimalism isnt the name of the game for every brand out there. Luxury brands often pivot towards more minimalist, artistic, or sophisticated ways to advertise, but outside of that, were still bombarded with commercials at every turn.If anything, Id say this one became less true as time went on. Were now back to annoying pop-ups (which were a hallmark of the early 00s and late 90s but calmed down a little bit around the time this movie came out), and things arent any better when we step outside. Every city is littered with billboards. Moreover, the rise of AI voice assistants means that we also get spam calls from bots that almost sound like people (but not quite), adding even more annoyance to an already tiring aspect of our lives.Verdict:FalseAndy Boxall / Digital TrendsIn a world where keyboards arent used and all you need is your voice, its no wonder that a single earpiece is all it takes for Theodore and others to control their electronics. Similar earpieces have been around for quite some time youll often see them used as a companion to a smartphone, favored by people who need to be hands-free but newer and better solutions have also largely taken their place.Two things stand out here. First, the nature of the earpiece. Although we can control our devices or take calls with just an earpiece, youre more likely to see a pair of AirPods or Galaxy Buds as opposed to something that only goes in one ear (which cant be fun when you want to listen to music).These earpieces can be used for a lot of things that the main character in Her wouldve used them for, including making calls, scheduling meetings, putting things in your calendar, or searching the web. Other devices, such as the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, are also used for similar purposes.The second, and perhaps even more major thing, is the fact that Theodore Twombleys life is not ruled by screens. His earpiece makes most of what he needs to interact with technology. Meanwhile, were more glued to our screens than ever before, be it smartphones or computers so that one didnt quite pan out.Verdict:Partially trueAlan Truly / Digital TrendsIn Her, Theodore is seen playing a video game while sitting alone in the dark. He doesnt use a screen, though. The game is a holographic projection that takes place in front of him, and its huge. He interacts with it through voice and motion controls. Sounds familiar? So it should, because this type of tech is pretty much here.The last decade was pretty transformational for gaming, to the point where the reality in Her is no longer such a reach. Devices such as the Apple Vision Pro and the Meta Quest 3 go a long way toward making holographic gaming possible, but its not quite the same thing that Theodore deals with in the movie. You still need to wear a bulky headset, and youll still hold joysticks in your hands in order to tell the game where youre pointing.Of course, its a much more immersive experience than using a keyboard and mouse, but there are downsides, such as a lack of comfort and a limited game library. In another decade, the vision weve seen inHer very well might be a reality.Theodores interactions with in-game characters are a lot more natural than the usual player-to-NPC dialogue were all used to now, but that might soon change. Nvidias ACE is bringing generative AI to gaming, which may one day result in much more lifelike interactions, dialogue, and a wider range of personalities in NPCs.Verdict:Partially trueAndy Boxall / Digital TrendsNow heres one I can fully get behind. Over the last 12 years, weve seen tech go from bulky to fashionable, which falls more in line with what we see in Her.Weve got wearables galore, from smart glasses to smartwatches and smart rings. Smartphones, while even bigger than in 2013, are also sleek and elegant most of the time.Current wearable trends arent loud; instead, our devices are meant to blend in with any outfit and situation. Classic-style smartwatches are on the rise for those who prefer that style, but they still pack all the latest features, including the voice controls that play such a big role in Her.Its not just about the design language of these devices; its more about the fact that they support the way the characters live in an unintrusive way. In the movie, everything is seamless and works together perfectly so as not to distract from living your actual life. Now, in 2025, I can safely say that were finally getting to a point where our reality is somewhat similar to the reality in Her at least in that regard.Our wearables are all connected, and if you pick tech from one ecosystem, youll benefit from automatic syncing across devices. iPhones, Apple Watches, and MacBooks all work together in the background; meanwhile, people who prefer Android and Windows can use Phone Link to benefit from something similar, but not quite on the same level.All the tech giants are constantly pushing for more AI, but a lot of it is meant to be unobtrusive. Assistants such as Copilot or Siri can now do more than ever before, from reading our texts to reminding us to call our family members, but theyre meant to ease our lives instead of invading our privacy. Its a thin line to navigate, though, but weve made a lot of progress in the last decade.With all that said, truly invisible AI is still in its infancy.Verdict:TrueWarner Bros. PicturesSpike Jonzes Her tells a poignant story of a lonely man who falls in love with his AI companion. Sure, the way Samantha is integrated into Theodores reality is different than what we have access to today, but the bottom line remains the same: A human being develops feelings for something thats meant to be artificial.But is Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, a sentient being or just a computer-powered voice?Existential questions of a similar nature are now becoming more and more pressing as we advance deeper into the world of artificial intelligence. Samantha, much like many large language models (LLMs), has the ability to learn and evolve. Today, AI is trained on enormous datasets and has access to the entirety of human knowledge. Sometimes, it even hallucinates and believes that its human.But its decidedlynot human, and thats where it all comes crashing down for us and for the characters in this excellent movie from twelve years ago.Just a few years ago, the line between humans and AI was very pronounced. These days, the lines are starting to blur. AI companions exist, both on PC and on smartphones, which can give people the illusion of having a partner. Even ChatGPT can talk to you as if youre its friend, cheer you up, offer advice, and help you with your anxiety. However, unlike Samantha, these companions arent self-aware or capable of developing emotions.As a result, AI love is starting to become real, but its a one-sided phenomenon.As we move further into the age of AI, Her remains an eerily relevant reflection of our technological evolution. While we gravitate toward chatbots that always readily come to our rescue, in the end, were still interacting with lines of code powered by enormous data centers a fact that is becoming scarily easy to forget.
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  • Wanderstop is brewing up a clever twist on the cozy genre
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    Ive got some mixed feelings on the cozy game genre these days. When I was first getting into the original Animal Crossing, it almost felt like a counterculture release. It was an antidote to action-packed video games that was wholly unique in tone and spirit. That success has only grown in recent years, turning cozy games into the same kind of industry it once felt like an answer to. More and more games feel like theyre following the same laid back playbook, and that can get old after a while.Wanderstop could be the game to disrupt that pattern, or at least shake it up enough. The upcoming debut from Ivy Road, founded by indie veterans behind games like The Stanley Parable and Gone Home, sounds familiar on paper. Its a tea shop simulator that has players planting their own ingredients and serving drinks to customers. If you love the genre, youve undoubtedly played something like it in the past few years. But theres more to Wanderstop than meets the eye, at least based on what I experienced in a hands-on preview with its intriguing first hour.Recommended VideosThe story begins by introducing Alta, a fierce warrior who prides herself on being an undefeatable beast. That is, until shes defeated. A surprising series of losses sends her into a downward spiral, and that leads her stranded in the woods unable to lift her sword. She finds herself posted up at a local tea shop where she begrudgingly takes a job from Boro, the establishments kind-hearted owner.Wanderstop - Reveal Trailer | PS5 GamesThats where the loop you might expect from a game like this comes into play. As Alta, my job is to make tea balls from harvested leaves, grow fruit-bearing plants, trim weeds, and fill orders for other wanderers who come to the clearing. I have a few tools to accomplish that, including a watering can that I need to occasionally fill up at pumps around the field surrounding the shop. Its a charming little farming management loop, but one that already has some creative tricks up its sleeve.Its most unique twist is its farming, which isnt just as simple as placing a seed in the dirt. Instead, I need to plant multiple seeds in specific patterns to create the plants I want. Three blue seeds in a row creates a plant that produces more blue seeds. A blue seed sandwich between two pink ones produces a hybrid that grows both seeds. That same system extends to fruit plants, which are made by placing three seeds around a central one. Different color combinations create different fruits, making gardening more of a puzzle game. I spend a fair amount of time in the first hour discovering as many combos as I can and setting up a reliable system of seeds and fruits ready to be harvested at a moments notice.Theres another puzzle layer in tea making. When I get a customers order, they usually ask me for a drink thatll have a certain effect, like something thatll cure an ailment. I have to figure out what fruit I should use in my mix by consulting a field guide, which gives me some background on each fruit. Its similar to the system found in Strange Horticulture, a flower shop management game that similarly tasks players with cracking research puzzles to correctly fulfill orders.Annapurna InteractiveActually making tea is a minigame of its own, as everything takes place in a massive contraption at the center of the shop. Using a moving ladder that can rotate around the device, I need to pull a rope to fill it with water, control a pump to heat it up, open a valve, drop ingredients in, and then pull a lever to drip the tea into a cup. Its a simple series of minigames, but one that makes it feel like Im actually concocting something.While those are cute touches that make Wanderstop feel more active, its the writing that has me more intrigued. Im not just serving tea to random, faceless customers. Rather, each person who comes to the shop has a full story that plays out in multi-step quests. My first patron is a demon hunter who initially refuses to actually order anything, infuriating Alta. After letting them wander around for a bit, they finally give me a tea order. Fulfilling that gets them to open up to me about what brought them to the clearing. My demon hunting pal is there to, well, hunt demons. The more I interact with them, the more of their story.The other patron I mean is a knight who wants nothing more to impress his son (all while dealing with a witchs curse that seems to be taking over his limbs). Both stories pack in quiet emotional moments with some legitimately funny gags. Altas especially a riot, delivering the dry wit of a barista who is both overly committed to the gig and over it entirely on day one of the job.Theres much more to her story and thats what I want to see more of at this point, especially since its unclear how complex the farming puzzle hook will really get based on the first hour. Wanderstop seems to be telling a story about burnout, as Alta struggles to regain her momentum after pushing herself too hard at the peak of her fighting career. I get the sense that its all building towards a life lesson about learning when to slow down and conserve your energy so that you can fight again at full strength one day. If it can stick that landing while escalating its puzzle hooks, Wanderstop could brew up a cozy game thats invested in its life lessons just as much as its pastel colors.Wanderstop launches on March 11 for PS5 and PC.Editors Recommendations
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  • A Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra camera problem: what we know
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    Early Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra buyers are experiencing a camera bug on the flagship device. Luckily, Samsung has addressed the problem and is promising a fix.As users on Reddit and Samsungs community forum noted, the camera glitch affects how photos come out in night mode. Toms Guide later confirmed the issue, saying it concerns the phones 200MP primary camera.Recommended VideosIt explains, this is clearly a problem that stems from the phones image processing with night mode photos. Further, it also includes odd artifacting elements closer to the edges.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe images below show how there are three bands running horizontally across the photos. In response, a Samsung spokesperson says, We are aware of a limited number of cases where images appear blurred when taking photos in Night Mode on Galaxy S25 Ultra and have issued a fix to resolve in the next software update rolling out starting this week.Early bugs are common on new phones and often involve camera software. Interestingly, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra also suffered from early camera issues that were quickly resolved.The Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces several new features over the previous model. These include an all-new chip, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, a slightly tweaked camera system, an informational Now Brief, new AI features, and more. The phone is joined in the latest lineup by the regular Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus.We expect a bug fix for the Galaxy S25 Ultras camera problem to be released by Samsung soon.Editors Recommendations
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  • How to upgrade towns to cities in Civilization 7
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    One of the four Xs in 4X games like Civilization 7 is expand. You will never grow fast enough to compete with the other Leaders if you stick to just your starting capital city. An obvious but essential tip for Civilization 7 is to quickly expand out and found new towns to get more resources. As useful as towns are, you will eventually want to convert some of them into full cities for even greater benefits. The tutorials will tell you this is possible, but leaves out the important detail of exactly how. It won't take long, but will cost you plenty of gold.Recommended VideosDifficultyModerateDuration40 minutes2K GamesOnce you have sent a settler out and established a town, it will begin funneling some resources back to your capital. Until you upgrade them to towns, the only way to expand them is to purchase new infrastructure with gold. Towns don't require much attention, but you get more benefits such as creating military units and being able to accept more resource bonuses if you're willing to manage multiple cities. The only requirement you need when ready to upgrade towns to cities is decent chunk of gold.Step 1: Create a settler and have them establish a town on an eligible tile on the map.Step 2: Once the town is established and you want to convert it into a full city, click on the main town tile where you can pull up the list of purchase options.2K GamesRelatedStep 3: Tucked away at the very bottom border of the menu is the option to upgrade the town and how much gold it will cost.Be aware that the price to convert a town into a city will go up with each additional city you have.Editors Recommendations
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  • Musk wont chase OpenAI with his billions as long as it stays non-profit
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    Elon Musk was one of the founding members of OpenAI, but made a sour exit before ChatGPT became a thing. The billionaire claims he wasnt happy with the non-profits pivot to a profit-chasing business model. A few days ago, Musk submitted a bid to buy OpenAIs non-profit arm for $97.4 billion, but now says he will pull the offer if the AI giant abandons its for-profit ambitions.If (the) OpenAI board is prepared to preserve the charitys mission and stipulate to take the for sale sign off its assets by halting its conversion, Musk will withdraw the bid, says a court filing submitted by the billionaires lawyer, as per Reuters.Recommended VideosMusks bid was surprising, though not entirely unexpected. Musk is currently entangled in a legal tussle with OpenAI, challenging the companys shift to a for-profit structure. OpenAI is aiming to spin its AI stack into a business entity, while the non-profit arm will retain a small stake in the business division. Swindler Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 10, 2025When news of the acquisition offer broke, OpenAI chief, Sam Altman, responded that they would instead like to buy X at one-tenth the value of Musks bid. In subsequent press interactions, Altman made it clear that the company was not up for sale, adding that it was just another tactic to mess with the company.Interestingly, Reuters reported a few days ago that OpenAI hasnt formally received Musks $97.4 billion bid to acquire its non-profit arm. Altman labeled the attempt as ridiculous and reportedly told OpenAI employees that the company would reject the offer.But it seems this wasnt Musks first attempt at a takeover. In a couple of lengthy official statements published recently, OpenAI claimed Musk wanted to eventually merge the AI upstart with Tesla and foresaw a for-profit model, too. Altman also told Axios two days ago that Musk has been vying to take control of OpenAI for a long time.YUCK Sam Altman (@sama) February 11, 2025OpenAI is not for sale. OpenAIs mission is not for sale to say nothing of the fact that, like, a competitor who is not able to beat us in the market and you know, instead is just trying to say, like, Im gonna buy this with total disregard for the mission is a likely path there, Altman told the outlet.Musk owns his own AI company called xAI and already has a ChatGPT rival called Grok out in the market. Speaking virtually at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Musk revealed that the latest version of xAIs chatbot, Grok-3, is in the late stages of development with improved reasoning capabilities.OpenAI has already teased its next-gen GPT-5 plans and says it will simplify the AI model strategy in the near future. The company is also working on in-house AI chips and the ambitious Stargate project worth $500 billion to boost AI development and help maintain US supremacy in the AI race.Editors Recommendations
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  • Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16
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    html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Table of ContentsTable of ContentsSamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: specsSamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: designSamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: displaySamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: performanceSamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: batterySamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: camerasSamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: software and updatesSamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: special featuresSamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: price and availabilitySamsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: verdictTheres little doubt that Apple and Samsung are two of the biggest rivals in the world of flagship smartphones. Every February and September brings a new smartphone that tries to leapfrog ahead of its main competitor. This year, thatsSamsungs Galaxy S25 coming on the heels of Septembers iPhone 16.With few design changes, the Galaxy S25 doesnt look much different from last years Galaxy S24, but Samsung has packed a lot of new technology and software improvements under the hood to produce an AI-forward smartphone thats ready for prime time. With Galaxy AI in its second generation and the Gemini now front and center, the Galaxy S25 promises to usher the companys flagships into a new era of AI smartphones.Recommended VideosAndroid smartphones arent the only ones playing that game, though. Apple is coming in from behind, but the iPhone 16 is part of Apples first lineup of phones built for Apples AI generation a new suite of tools under the banner of Apple Intelligence.RelatedOf course, theres more to both of these leading smartphones than just AI features, and Apple, in particular, has made a few other interesting enhancements to its iPhone 16 this year. Does Samsungs new Galaxy S25 measure up to these and are new AI features enough to tilt the scales in Samsungs favor? Lets find out.Galaxy S25iPhone 16Size146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm (5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 inches)147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches)Weight162 grams (5.7 ounces)170 grams (6 ounces)Screen size6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with 1Hz to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED displayScreen resolution2340 x 1080 resolution at 416 pixels per inch2556 x 1179 resolution at 460 pixels per inchStorage128GB, 256GB128GB, 256GB, 512GBMicroSD card slotNoNoTap-to-Pay servicesGoogle WalletApple PayProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 EliteApple A18RAM12GB8GBSoftwareAndroid 15 with One UI 7iOS 18CamerasRear: 50-megapixel primary, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephotoFront: 12MPRear: 48-megapixel primary, 12MP ultrawideFront: 12MPVideoRear: Up to 8K at 30 frames per second (fps), 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240fps for slow motionFront: Up to 4K at 60 fpsRear: Up to 4K at 60 frames-per-second (fps), FHD at 60 fps, and 240 fps for slow motion, with Dolby VisionFront: Up to 4K at 60 fpsBluetoothBluetooth 5.4Bluetooth 5.3PortsUSB-CUSB-CBiometricsUnder-display fingerprint sensorFace ID facial recognitionWater ResistanceIP68IP68Battery4,000mAh25W fast charging15W Qi wireless charging4.5W reverse wireless charging3,561mAh20W fast charging25W MagSafe charging15W Qi2 wireless chargingApp MarketplaceGoogle PlayApple App StoreNetwork Support5G, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)5G, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)ColorsNavy, Silver Shadow, Mint, Icy Blue, Blueblack, Coralred, PinkgoldBlack, White, Pink, Teal, UltramarinePriceStarting at $800Starting at $799Samsung Galaxy S25 Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsIts becoming more apparent every year why many smartphone manufacturers work hard to create rear camera arrays that are unique and stylish. These have become a signature aesthetic feature in an era where most smartphones would otherwise be virtually indistinguishable. After all, when even two of the most iconic flagship smartphone brands in the world share the same flat design, there has to be something to set them apart.With the Galaxy S25, Samsung has proven that its all-in on a design that was once the exclusive domain of the iPhone.Apple went with flat sides and an edge-to-edge screen withits 2020 iPhone 12 lineup, and it seems that 2024 was the year when many Android rivals decided to follow suit, ditching their curvy edges and screens of yesteryear and going for the same look.The average user picking up an uncased Galaxy S24 could be forgiven for thinking they were holding an iPhone, and the Galaxy S25 doesnt change the design in any meaningful way.There are plenty of subtle differences between the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16, of course, and anyone holding both in their hands will notice they dont quite feel the same. The Galaxy S25 is also slightly smaller and thinner than the iPhone 16 an impressive feat considering is boasts a 0.1-inch larger display. Nevertheless, both look eerily similar when viewed from the front and sides.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsOf course, thats where the camera arrays come in. Flip the two phones over, and youll have no problem identifying them, and thats not just because of the company logos on the back. Samsung has stuck to its distinctive array of three protruding lenses that feature the more minimalist aesthetic introduced when it got rid of the camera bump with the Galaxy S23. Its a distinctive look for Samsungs Galaxy S-series phones, and were glad theyve stayed with it.Perhaps ironically, Apples iPhone 16 moved away from its iconic camera bump this year in favor of a pill-shaped bump that houses its dual lenses. Its a nice look that departs from the square arrangement thats been the norm since 2019. Its a throwback to the iPhone X era and makes a lot of sense for a phone with only two cameras. Previous models seemingly tried too hard to mirror the iPhone Pro look; the iPhone 16 charts its own course.Both phones stick with an aluminum frame Apple and Samsung reserve titanium for their higher-end flagships and glass on the front and back. The Galaxy S25 uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2, first introduced on the Galaxy S23, while Apple uses its own comparatively strong Ceramic Shield glass that it claims is 50% stronger for the iPhone 16. However, unlike Samsung, which uses Gorilla Glass on both sides of the Galaxy S25, Apples Ceramic Shield only covers the front display.The Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 both feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. However, Apple certifies the iPhone for immersion in a maximum depth of 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes while Samsung sticks with the more common 1.5 meter standard for the Galaxy S25. Winner: TieNirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsSamsung traditionally puts its best displays on its entire Galaxy S-series lineup, which means the Galaxy S25 has essentially the same high-quality Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, differing only in size and resolution.With a variable refresh rate that runs from 1 to 120Hz and supports an always-on display mode, the Galaxy S25 has a significant edge over the iPhone 16. Apple reserves its best displays for its Pro models, inscrutably leaving even its 2024 model with a basic OLED panel and a fixed 60Hz refresh rate.The iPhone 16 doesnt have an always-on display, although, despite its limited refresh rate, it still boasts vibrant colors and deep blacks. Its an excellent display for everyday use as long as you dont care about fast-paced gaming, smooth scrolling, or better power efficiency for watching videos. It can also reach 2,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness and get as dim as one nit so you can read in the dark without hurting your eyes or disturbing those around you.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsHowever, the Galaxy S25 beats those specs, too, reaching a maximum of 2,600 nits when used outdoors and the same minimum single-nit brightness as the iPhone 16. Still, weve had no problems seeing either smartphone, even in bright outdoor sunlight, so Samsungs higher rating here feels like its mostly a paper spec rather than something that makes any practical difference for most folks.Nevertheless, a smartphone with a 60Hz display in 2025 feels absurd, especially when we know Apple can do better. The Galaxy S25 easily takes this round for its variable refresh rate alone, not to mention the always-on display feature that accompanies it. Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25QualcommIts always been challenging to compare performance specs for Android and Apple devices due to the significant differences in hardware and software. Flagship Android devices typically use Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, while Apple builds the iPhone on its own A-series silicon.That continues with the Galaxy S25, which packs in an optimized for Galaxy version of Qualcomms latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. This is the direct successor to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 used in the S24, but Qualcomm has eschewed generational tags in favor of the new Elite brand. Its the most powerful piece of silicon Qualcomm has ever made, with incredible new GPU capabilities and an even more potent neural processing unit (NPU) for handling AI tasks.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsMeanwhile, the iPhone 16 bucks Apples recent trend of using year-old silicon in its standard iPhone models, adopting the latest A18 chip instead. Thats a notch below the A18 Pro used in its premium flagships, but its not as much of a downgrade as you may think. The difference primarily comes down to the A18 having a 5-core GPU, which is one less core than the A18 Pro. Both versions have the same 6-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine (NPU), along with increased memory bandwidth.Specs aside, the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 pack more power than most folks are likely to need. You can read our detailed comparison of the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple A18 Pro if you want the full rundown. Both phones run buttery smooth during everyday tasks, have more than enough oomph for the latest games, and have performance to spare for the complex on-device AI tasks both platforms offer.If anything, the real battle comes down to high-end mobile gaming. Its a close race here as the shortchanged GPU on the A18 gives the Galaxy S25s Adreno GPU a lead on paper, but the iPhone ecosystem carries the day by offering the kind of AAA console games on the App Store that can actually take advantage of this extra power. Winner: TieNirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsTheres only so much battery you can squeeze into a mid-sized smartphone like the Galaxy S25 or iPhone 16, which makes getting the best battery life more about power efficiency than raw capacity. Thankfully, the leading-edge silicon in these phones delivers on that in spades.The Galaxy S25 packs in a 4,000mAh cell, while the iPhone 16 battery is slightly smaller at 3,561mAh. Both will easily get you through a full day of heavy use, although you should expect theyll need to hit a charger every night.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsYoull also find the two phones are evenly matched when that time comes. Samsung still hasnt pushed its smallest flagship above 25W wired charging, and thats where Apples entire iPhone lineup has always sat. Getting from 0-50% should take about 30 minutes with an appropriate charger, after which youll be looking at another hour or so before theyre fully topped up.The iPhone 16 gains support for 25W wireless charging with Apples proprietaryMagSafe charger and also supports standard 15W Qi2 charging with the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) essentially the open-source version of MagSafe. Samsungs Galaxy S25 doesnt have direct Qi2 support (there are no magnets in the phone), but Samsung offers a magnetic case that effectively adds Qi2 for those who want it, delivering wireless charging speeds up to 15W. Theres also reverse 4.5W wireless charging that can be used to power up a set of Galaxy Buds or other low-power Qi-capable devices.Winner: TieNirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsAlthough Samsungs Galaxy S25 isnt a camera powerhouse like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, it still packs in a surprisingly capable camera system, with a 50-megapixel (MP) primary wide lens joined by a 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP 3x telephoto. Those are identical hardware specs to last years Galaxy S24, but Samsung is taking advantage of new computational photography features in the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip to improve low-light photography.This year, Samsung is also beefing up its videography features with a new Nightography mode for low-light recording, plus support for the professional Log V3 video format. The Galaxy S25 also looks like it will continue last years course correction away from the overly vibrant and saturated photos that Samsungs phones have long been known for, with the companys new ProVisual Engine providing a much more natural and balanced look.Like the Galaxy S25 lineup, Apples best photographic features are the exclusive domain of its more expensive iPhone Pro models. However, the base iPhone 16 model is no slouch, and Apple has been making a concerted effort over the past two years to close the camera gap between its standard and pro models.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsThat includes a bump to a 48-megapixel primary camera what Apple now calls its Fusion camera that can provide an optical-quality 2x photo in 12MP resolution by cropping to the center pixels. That first arrived on last years iPhone 15, and the specs are mostly the same this year; the Fusion branding and an anti-reflective coating appear to be the most significant changes to the primary camera this year.However, the ultrawide gains autofocus capabilities, bringing the previously pro-exclusive macro photography feature to the iPhone 16. The tandem lenses also provide the ability to capture Spatial Photos and Videos that can be viewed on an Apple Vision Pro. Add in zero shutter lag and Dolby Vision HDR recording, and the camera system on the iPhone 16 can do many things that were once limited to the pricier pro models.Thats not all, though, as the iPhone 16 also gains support for a dramatically improved version of Apples Photographic Styles. The original versions of these have been around since the iPhone 13 was released in 2021, but they never garnered much attention in their original form, which only gave you four basic fixed styles to choose from. The iPhone 16 expands that list to 15 preset styles you can customize, adjusting the tone and color using a two-axis slider control. However, what really sets the new Photographic Styles apart is that theyre entirely non-destructive. Not only can you apply them after the fact, but you can also remove a style, tweak an existing one, or switch to a new one for any photo youve already taken.This gives the iPhone 16 a definite edge over the Galaxy S25, which really feels like Samsung phoned it in on the cameras this year.Winner: iPhone 16Joe Maring / Digital TrendsAs youd expect, the Galaxy S25 ships with the latest version of Android 15 out of the box, plus Samsungs One UI 7 layered on top. While the look and feel of One UI will be readily familiar to Samsung fans, the company has made some interesting changes this year to take the user experience to a whole new level.One UI 7 delivers what Samsung promises to be a significant new look over its predecessor that reduces clutter and takes customization to new heights. There are more One UI widgets and cleaner home and lock screens. A new Now Bar thats exclusive to the Galaxy S25 offers up iPhone-like Live Activities, and a Now Brief promised to keep you apprised of everything you need to know at any given time of the day, from news and weather to upcoming appointments and an overview of how your health is doing. Its a nice maturing of the One UI platform, and we love it.By comparison, the iPhone 16 continues Apples tradition of ushering in significant new iOS releases with each new model. This year, thats iOS 18. The core software improvements are much more iterative than what Samsung has done with One UI 7, with Apple putting most of its efforts into Apple Intelligence a new suite of AI features that are (mostly) exclusive to the iPhone 16 lineup. Apple Intelligence has been rolling out in stages; while Decembers iOS 18.2 release brought most of what Apple has promised for this years iPhones, were still waiting on improvements to Siri that arent expected to arrive until iOS 18.4 in April.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsBoth One UI 7 and iOS 18 are (or will be) available for older Galaxy and iPhone models, but only the latest models will get everything these two operating systems have to offer. Only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can benefit from the Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18, and while Samsung is rolling its Galaxy AI tools out to older models, well have to wait and see which ones make the cut as One UI 7 has yet to roll out to older models.In terms of updates, Samsung is maintaining its usual promise of seven years of Android updates, which means the Galaxy S25 will someday be able to run Android 22 when it arrives in 2031. We expect most folks will be shopping for a new phone by then, but its nice to know we have the option. Apple doesnt make specific update promises for the iPhone, but it has a proven track record for updates; it was offering four or five years in the days when most Android phones rarely got two. The iPhone 16 should make it to at least iOS 22, but we wouldnt be surprised if it goes one or two releases beyond that, considering the iPhone XS and iPhone XR, which shipped with iOS 12 in 2018, can run iOS 18 today. Winner: TieNirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsIt seems everything is about AI these days, and the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 both lean heavily into these features. As we mentioned in the last section, Samsung has its Galaxy AI tools that are now in their second generation while Apple is just getting started with Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16 lineup.With the Galaxy S25, Samsungs Galaxy AI suite feels ready for prime time, although many of the tools are still of dubious value. The most significant change is that Samsung has shown its Bixby voice assistant to the door and embraced the Gemini Era by adopting Gemini Live as the standard voice assistant. This gives the Galaxy S25 a massive leg up over the iPhone 16, which still uses Apples beleaguered Siri. Apples voice assistant squandered a three-year head start to become something of a punch line, and in a somewhat ironic twist, many have observed that Siri has gotten worse in iOS 18.However, the Siri improvements promised by Apple Intelligence have yet to arrive. The first of these should come in iOS 18.4 in a few months, but a more conversational Siri could take until an iOS 19 release sometime next year. In the meantime, Gemini Live is here now on the Galaxy S25, and its leaps and bounds ahead of anything Apple has on deck.Thats not to say iPhone users are entirely left out in the cold. In developing Apple Intelligence, it recognized that it wouldnt have Siri ready to handle conversational AI anytime soon and wasnt equipped to handle broader world knowledge questions. So, Apple partnered with OpenAI to bake ChatGPT into iOS 18. Siri will send any requests it cant deal with to ChatGPT, but you can bypass the middleman by simply telling Siri to Ask ChatGPT outright. Its a bit more cumbersome than Gemini Live, but it works well and gets the job done when you have a nagging question you need an answer to.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsLeaving the chatbots aside, Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI are more on par when it comes to useful AI features like recording and transcribing phone calls and notes, summarizing blocks of text and even whole web pages, and handling real-time translation. Samsung comes out ahead in its AI photo and video editing features, although iPhone users have plenty of apps to choose from that can do many of the same things, including Google Photos. On the flip side, Apples Image Playground is a handy tool for turning photos and descriptions into cartoony-like AI images, but the Play Store is full of tools that can do the same thing.While Samsung has leaned heavily into AI with the Galaxy S25, the iPhone 16 offers one cool feature that even non-AI fans can enjoy: the Camera Control. This is an extra button on the lower right side of the iPhone that effectively turns your device into an old-school point-and-shoot camera.It may seem like a gimmick at first blush, but weve been having a lot of fun with it as it does so much more than just open the camera and take pictures. The capacitative surface also lets you swipe through various controls to adjust any of the camera settings, from zoom levels to Photographic Styles, and a light-press can be used to lock auto-focus and auto-exposure before pressing all the way down to capture a picture the same way most DLSRs work. The fact that we wrote six paragraphs about it in our iPhone 16 review should give you an idea of how compelling this new feature is.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThe Camera Control also ties into an iPhone 16-exclusive AI feature called Visual Intelligence. Pressing and holding the button from the Lock Screen or within nearly any app will switch to a camera view that you can use to get more information on real-world objects from either Google or ChatGPT. This includes identifying breeds of animals or types of flowers, deciphering laundry labels, finding out more information from an event poster, and even automatically adding the date and time to your calendar. You can also translate text between different languages and perform a Google Lens-style search to find other similar items.In addition to the Camera Control, the iPhone 16 also gets the Action button that was exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models last year. This replaces Apples classic ring/silent switch with a customizable button that can trigger nearly any action you can think of, thanks to its support for running Apples macro-like Shortcuts.Although Apples AI features remain behind the curve compared to the Galaxy S25, AI isnt a priority for everyone, and the iPhone 16 makes up for it with more versatile controls. Winner: TieNirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThe Galaxy S25 went on sale on February 7 and can be ordered directly from Samsung or any of the usual online or brick-and-mortar retailers. You should also be able to find it at your carrier of choice. The Galaxy S25 starts at $800 for the base 128GB, with the 256GB version selling for only $60 more. Samsung is offering the usual trade-in programs that can shave up to $550 off those prices. This year, the Galaxy S25 comes in navy, mint, Icy Blue, and Silver Shadow as the standard colors, while those ordering from Samsung can also choose from exclusive Blueblack, Coralred, and Pinkgold finishes.The iPhone 16 was released in September 2024 and starts at $799 for the 128GB model, with 256GB and 512GB versions available for $899 and $1,099, respectively. Apple is also offering trade-ins that can knock up to $630 off the price, but youll need to trade in a recent higher-end model to get that maximum value. The iPhone 16 comes in black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsA comparison between an iPhone and just about any other smartphone on the market often comes down to one question: platform. The iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 may now look more similar than ever on the surface, but they couldnt be more different under the hood. They run fundamentally different operating systems, and chances are that your preference for iOS or Android will dictate your choice here more than anything else.Still, if you have no strong feelings either way or youre looking for a change, both have a lot to offer that could tempt you to come over from the other side.The iPhone 16 has a surprisingly fun and capable camera system for a non-pro model, and the Camera Control button makes this even more of a joy for avid mobile photographers. Whatever you may think of Apple Intelligence, iOS 18 is a solid and mature operating system with a proven track record, and it sticks to its roots this year, so anyone who has used an iPhone in the last decade should still feel right at home. Apples A18 chip offers power to spare and the App Store hosts a collection of strong AAA console games to enjoy, although youll disappointingly be held back by the iPhones archaic 60Hz refresh rate.On the other side, the Galaxy S25 has embraced Gemini Live to offer a voice assistant that can talk circles around Siri, plus a wealth of other Galaxy AI features that are more useful and refined. The camera system is still very capable, even if it feels like Samsung wasnt really trying this year, the display is gorgeous, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite is an insanely powerful chip thats just waiting for the right games to take advantage of everything its souped-up Adreno GPU has to offer.To put the key differences between these two flagships in simpler terms, the Galaxy S25 is for those who want leading-edge AI features, but if photography is your bag, the iPhone 16 will surprise and delight you in myriad creative ways.Editors Recommendations
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  • John Lithgow may star as Dumbledore in HBOs Harry Potter series
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    HBOs Harry Potter series may be close to landing its first major performer. Veteran actor John Lithgow is reportedly in final talks to play Professor Albus Dumbledore, Harrys mentor and the beloved headmaster at Hogwarts.Deadline was the first to report the news, although HBO declined to comment on the potential casting. Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris in the first two Harry Potter films before he passed away in 2002. Michael Gambon took over the role in the third movie and stayed with the franchise through the end of Harrys cinematic adventures. Jude Law portrayed a much younger Dumbledore in two of the Fantastic Beasts films.Recommended VideosLithgows career goes back over five decades and includes numerous stints on TV including the comedy series 3rd Rock From the Sun as well as a more dramatic turn as the Trinity killer in Dexter season 4. More recently, Lithgow starred in FXs The Old Man. Lithgow also had a prominent role in Conclave, and his upcoming films include Jimpa and The Rule of Jenny Pen.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThus far, HBO has yet to confirm any of the cast members who are slated to appear in Harry Potter. Ralph Fiennes, who played the evil wizard Lord Voldemort in the films, has endorsed Cillian Murphy as his successor. Other actors rumored to be up for roles on the show include Brett Goldstein as Rubeus Hagrid and Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape.HBO and Max havent set a date for Harry Potter to premiere, but its likely to debut in either late 2026 or early 2027.Editors Recommendations
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  • Amazon is developing a Taylor Lautner: Werewolf Hunter series
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    Twilights Taylor Lautner hasnt appeared in many films or TV shows in the last few years. But the actor may soon get a comeback vehicle in a new Amazon Prime Video original series in which he will play himself as a werewolf hunter.Lautner famously portrayed a werewolf named Jacob Black in all of the Twilight movies, and it remains his most well-known role. Varietybroke the story about Taylor Lautner: Werewolf Hunter, which is currently in development. That report also included a synopsis of the show, which playfully explains why Lautner has been out of the spotlight for so long.Recommended VideosAfter wrapping the final Twilight film, Taylor Lautner vanished from the spotlight. Fans speculated, tabloids theorized but the truth is wilder than fiction. Taylor wasnt just taking a mental health break. He was preparing for his real callingTaylor Lautner: Werewolf Hunter.Please enable Javascript to view this contentPlaying himself, Taylor is drawn into a secret society of werewolf trackers who need his unique expertise. As he navigates his double life Hollywood actor by day, supernatural warrior by night Taylor must wrestle with the ultimate irony: fighting the very creatures that made him famous. Between saving the world, reviving his career, and falling in love, he faces the ultimate questionwhat happens when your biggest role becomes your greatest enemy?Single Drunk Females Daisy Gardner created the new series and she will be the showrunner if it goes forward.Outside of the Twilight movies, Lautner has appeared in Netflixs Ridiculous Sixand Home Team, as well as Scream Queens on Fox. However, his turn as Jacob does not appear in our roundup of the 7 best werewolf movies of all time.Editors Recommendations
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  • This is what happens when you get two uber-geeks in space at the same time
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    During NASAs first-ever Twitch livestream from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, current station inhabitant Don Pettit and recent returnee Matthew Dominick talked about what its like to live and work in a satellite 250 miles up.Recommended VideosIts worth noting that both Pettit and Dominick have solid reputations as ace space photographers, their imagery of our planet and beyond conveying a real sense of awe and wonder. The pair briefly crossed paths on the station last fall, giving them a chance to nerd out in one anothers presence.Please enable Javascript to view this contentIndeed, during Wednesdays livestream, Pettit, who at 69 is NASAs oldest serving astronaut, performed a little skit (top) where he impersonated Dominick to show what happens when you get two uber-geeks in space at the same time.The chat between Pettit and Dominick (both performed by Pettit) centers on the best ISO setting to use for space photography.Watching the skit, some folks back may wonder if the microgravity conditions are starting to get to Pettit, but anyone who knows him, or has followed his social media posts, knows that he has a keen sense of humor. So we think hes OK.In the rest of the stream, Pettit and the real Matthew Dominick offer insights about daily life aboard the space station and the research work they and the other astronauts carry out. And of course, there was plenty of photography-focused chat, too.For example, the pair discussed Pettits efforts to photograph so-called red sprites, which are large-scale, transient luminous events that take place in Earths upper atmosphere at altitudes ranging from 31 to 56 miles (50 to 90 kilometers). Theyre triggered by powerful lightning discharges in thunderstorms, but unlike typical lightning that moves downward toward the ground, red sprites can also move upward into the atmosphere, resembling reverse lightning.Camera enthusiasts will also want to check out the 1:02:40 mark of the stream where Pettit takes the webcam off its mount to offer a look at some of the cameras set up in the Cupola, the seven-window module that offers the stations best views of Earth and beyond.Whether youre into space, photography, or simply curious what its like to live off Earth, theres plenty to enjoy in NASAs first Twitch livestream.Editors Recommendations
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  • Password managers are the new target for hackers
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    Password managers are one of the most effective ways internet users keep their online lives in order. Many popular services include 1Password, LastPass, and NordPass, which can be used for storing and generating passwords, and recalling login credentials.However, while you may think your passwords are secure with these platforms, cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated with their methods of hacking password managers and getting access to your digital information.Recommended VideosA recent report by cybersecurity firm Picus Security indicates cyberattacks on password managers were three times more likely to occur in 2024 than in the year prior. The research, detailed in the firms Red Report 2025 also noted that of the one million malware variants studied, 25% of them targeted password managers or some method of other password storage, such as web browsers that allow for saving login credentials.For the first time ever, stealing credentials from password stores is in the top 10 techniques listed in the MITRE ATT&CK Framework, Picus Security said in a press release. The report reveals that these top 10 techniques accounted for 93% of all malicious actions in 2024.The firm uses its MITRE ATT&CK Framework to classify cyberattacks. Picus has determined that hackers have developed a multi-stage method of cyberattack its calling SneakThief, which entails increased stealth, persistence, and automation. Hackers perform over a dozen malicious actions to collect data without detection. Picus calls the method the perfect heist.Threat actors are leveraging sophisticated extraction methods, including memory scraping, registry harvesting, and compromising local and cloud-based password stores, to obtain credentials that give attackers the keys to the kingdom, Picus Security co-founder and VP of Picus Labs, Dr. Suleyman Ozarslan said in a statement.Ozarslan recommends that password manager users utilize multi-factor authentication alongside the primary password-storing method. Additionally, he suggests never reusing passwords, particularly if they are being stored in a password manager.While artificial intelligence is a quickly growing trend in todays cybersecurity space, Red Report noted no significant increase in cybercriminals using AI-driven malware in 2024.Editors Recommendations
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  • Watch SpaceX blast the engines of its megarocket ahead of eighth flight
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    SpaceX has been testing its rocket hardware ahead of the eighth flight of its Starship megarocket.The Elon Musk-led company shared dramatic footage and photos showing the 33 Raptor engines on the first-stage Super Heavy booster firing up while fixed to the ground.Recommended VideosThe extended firing tested new hardware and cycled the six Raptor engines through multiple thrust levels to recreate different conditions seen within the propulsion system during flight, SpaceX said in a message accompanying the imagery, adding that data from the test will inform upgrades to the ships hardware and flight profile ahead of the next launch.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe extended firing tested new hardware and cycled the six Raptor engines through multiple thrust levels to recreate different conditions seen within the propulsion system during flight. Data from the test will inform upgrades to the ships hardware and flight profile ahead of pic.twitter.com/MZugcU3jkW SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 12, 2025SpaceX has yet to officially announce a target date for the Starships eighth test flight, but multiple reports have suggested that the spaceflight company is aiming to send the rocket skyward by the end of this month.As with all of the Starship flights, the mission involving the worlds most powerful rocket will launch from SpaceXs Starbase site near Boca Chica, Texas.And as with the fifth and seventh flights, an attempt is likely to be made to catch the Super Heavy booster as it returns to Earth minutes after delivering the upper-stage Starship spacecraft to orbit. The wild maneuver uses the launch towers giant mechanical arms to secure the incoming booster before it reaches the ground.Perfecting the process will allow SpaceX to use the same Super Heavy boosters multiple times, helping to slash mission costs. The upper stage Starship is also designed to be reused, though during these early tests SpaceX has been sending it into the Indian Ocean.Once testing is complete, NASA will use the Starship vehicle for crew and cargo missions to the moon, possibly before the end of this decade. After that, it could be used for the first human voyages to Mars, though its certain to be some time before such a mission is ready to fly.SpaceX should be dropping an update soon on when it plans to launch the Starship on its eighth test flight. Well bring you all of the details just as soon as we hear.Editors Recommendations
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  • Adobe Lightroom and Camera Raw are getting two new AI editing features
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    AdobeAdobe announced at its Max Japan 2025 design conference a pair of new AI editing tools for its Lightroom and Camera Raw applications designed to reduce the tedious repetition of many common tasks.First off, Adaptive Profiles, which technically debuted last fall, is now generally available in both Lightroom and Camera Raw for color and monochrome HDR images. Per Adobe, Adaptive Profiles, dynamically adjust the tones and colors of your photos, creating an enhanced, yet realistic, starting point for further editing. But rather than apply the same pre-set enhancements to every image it is applied to, Adaptive Profiles uses AI to analyze each image and optimize its adjustments including Exposure, Shadows, Highlights, Color Mixer, and Curves.Recommended VideosDistraction Removal, on the other hand, is currently available in Early Access for Camera Raw users but is coming soon to Lightroom. It detects and removes distracting elements within an image photo, such as reflections in windows, crowds, or people photobombing in the background. Adobe is also rolling out a new feature that is sure to save photographers time, effort, and potentially their sanity. The new Find Duplicates feature has arrived in Early Access for Lightroom on the web users that tracks down and removes duplicate images within its library so that users dont inadvertently start editing the wrong shot. Find Duplicates is being bundled under the Clean Up tool, which can also find and remove blurred images and screenshots.Youll soon find it easier to share the photos you take through Lightroom mobile for iOS, thanks to a few new updates that are being released. The app, for example, will now auto-generate shareable links that you can be viewed by anyone you send them to, regardless of if they have Lightroom themselves. That link generation process will also be 75% faster than before. Youll be able to quickly designate how and where your images will be shared whether thats copying the link, sharing over social media, or sending them directlyto your contacts. Theres no word yet on when these sharing features will arrive on the Google and Samsung Lightroom apps.Editors Recommendations
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  • Why do health apps fail? Research bursts the hype with clear evidence
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    Table of ContentsTable of ContentsWhy does this study matter?The key takeawayEarlier today, Apple announced plans for its next health study that aims to connect information collected by wearables with all major types of wellness markers. The idea is to build atop the massive corpus of data provided by users and develop new digital health tools, covering both sensor and software-based solutions.But are we relying too much on these digital health tools, despite not getting any meaningful benefits? Experts at the Technical University of Munich have just published their findings in a research paper, and it says the positive impact of telemedicine and exercise apps is minimal for at-risk people.Recommended VideosAs part of their study, which was conducted across 11 sites in Germany, the team focused on people living with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. These are both serious health conditions, but with appropriate lifestyle changes, exercise, and diet, the risk factors can be contained to a healthy extent.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsBut when it comes to making an impact, digital interventions such as apps, failed them. Around a quarter of the participants never started training as per the prescribed regimen, which they were supposed to follow via apps. Nearly half of the participants failed the meet the exercise goals even once per week.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe current hype surrounding medical apps needs to be put into perspective, explains Martin Halle, Professor of Preventive Sports Medicine and Sports Cardiology at the German institute.As per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, coronary heart disease (CHD) was responsible for roughly 0.3 million deaths in 2022 in the United States. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it is the most common type of heart disease, which means the stakes are as high as it gets.Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is prevalent in middle-aged and older folks. Notably, obesity and sedentary behavior are two of the main causative agents for this condition. Moreover, it has been known to worsen heart-related problems.As per the CDC, which runs the National Diabetes Prevention Program, lifestyle changes can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes by a 71% margin. This can be achieved through a mix of workouts and calorie intake reduction, both of which can get a push from apps.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsSo, why did the patients volunteering for the latest study not derive any of those benefits, hawked by the likes of Apple, Fitbit, and Google?The study was conducted across two phases. In the first stage, participants got personalized health guidance through apps, and also phone call sessions asking about their progress.During the second phase, the participants were asked to follow the prescribed guidance independently. And thats where the cracks started to appear. After the end of the second phase, there were no more benefits, writes the team.According to the experts, getting used to modern technology is a challenge for older people, which is also one of the reasons why they couldnt derive the supposed benefits.The study, which has been published in the Nature Medicine journal, notes that over two-thirds of the patients found it rather difficult to understand and follow technical advice given by a health app. A recurring element is also the lack of human presence, and the in-person nudge that can make a real difference.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsNumerous patients may have been overwhelmed by the demands of initiating lifestyle changes at home using multiple telemedical devices, despite repeated and continuous individual instructions and feedback, the paper explains.The team adds that an exclusively home-based lifestyle intervention using apps and other such telemedicine solutions may not be practical, clinically effective or cost-effective.The overarching conclusion is that for people living with conditions such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease in the advanced stages of life, health apps will only work when human caretakers intervene on a timely basis.When individualized feedback is discontinued, the effects of a telemedicine-supported lifestyle intervention are not superior to usual care, concludes the paper.In my recent conversation with an expert at the American Heart Institute, they also highlighted that these digital tools are complementary, at best, and that we need expert intervention for the best care.Editors Recommendations
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  • The most watchlisted movies on Plex, ranked
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    Table of ContentsTable of Contents10. Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)9. Snowden (2016)8. Lord of the Flies (1990)7. Limitless (2011)6. Side Effects (2013)5. Frank (2014)4. American Psycho (2000)3. The Devils Advocate (1997)2. Jackie Brown (1997)1. Heat (1995)There arent as many free streaming sites as there used to be, but Plex is flexing its muscles with a lineup of films that are often overlooked by other streamers. Admittedly, Plex doesnt have access to the most recent box-office hits, but it has some great movies and some pretty awful ones.To help you get started on this streamer, weve put together our ranking for the most watchlisted movies on Plex. All of these films are among Plexs top-ranked movies as of February 12, but the number of films available on Plex may change before the end of the month.Recommended VideosLooking for something else? Weve also rounded up the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, and the best shows on Amazon Prime.RelatedWarner Bros. PicturesBefore Youve Got Mail and Sleepless In Seattle, Joe Versus the Volcano was the first rom-com to feature Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as the co-leads. Hanks plays Joe Banks, a former firefighter whose depression and physical decline are seemingly explained when he is diagnosed with a rare condition that will kill him in a few months.Ryan has multiple roles in the film, including Patricia Graynamore, a woman hired to take Joe to his final destination. Because Joe doesnt have anything to live for, he agrees to jump into a volcano as a human sacrifice for a superstitious island tribe. After Joe and Patricia form a close romantic bond, he may have trouble completing his end of the bargain with the tribe.Watch Joe Versus the Volcano on Plex.Open Road FilmsTo some, Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is an American hero for exposing the governments ability to spy on its citizens. But others consider him to be a traitor who is hiding out in Russia, potentially for the rest of his life. In director Oliver Stones Snowden, the fateful meeting between Edward and a reporter is just the beginning of the story.Through jumps in time, viewers witness Edwards on-and-off-again relationship with Lindsay Mills (Shailene Woodley), as well as the reasons why he became so disgruntled with Americas surveillance tactics against its citizens and allies that he burned down the life he knew in order to take that classified intel to the public.Watch Snowden on Plex.Columbia PicturesWilliam Goldings Lord of the Flies is getting a new adaptation from the BBC, but the 1990 film still holds up nearly 35 years later. Two dozen military academy students including Ralph (Balthazar Getty), Jack (Chris Furrh), Piggy (Danuel Pipoly), and Simon (James Badge Dale) survive a plane crash on a remote island with no direct way of getting home.Ralph attempts to rally the survivors to stick together and wait for rescue, while Jack has a mental breakdown and goes savage in the jungle. More of the kids gravitate towards Jack and embrace their inner beasts. By the time anyone locates these boys, it may be too late to save their souls or their lives.Watch Lord of the Flies on Plex.Relativity MediaThe premise of Limitless is pretty irresistible to anyone who has ever wanted more out of life. With the help of an experimental drug, Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) has such a dramatic increase in cognitive abilities that hes almost superhuman when hes using the drug.Unfortunately for Eddie, the side effects are severe, and someone has been murdering the other people who were using the drug. Eddie is also hunted by a loan shark, Gennady (Andrew Howard), who took a single pill from Eddies stash and became obsessed with getting more. As the walls close in on Eddie, hell have to figure out how to survive without his miracle drug.Watch Limitless on Plex.Open Road FilmsDirector Steven Soderbergh goes to some unexpected places in Side Effects, a crime drama that revolves around Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara). After Emily displays symptoms of severe depression over the impending release of her imprisoned husband, Martin Taylor (Channing Tatum), her psychologist, Jonathan Banks (Jude Law), consults with her previous doctor, Victoria Siebert (Catherine Zeta-Jones), to find a solution.Victoria suggests an experimental drug that puts Emily in an altered state when she kills her husband. Now, Emily faces a murder trial for her actions, and Jonathans reputation will be irreparable unless he determines what really happened the night Martin died.Watch Side Effects on Plex.Artificial EyeIt may seem counterintuitive to hide Michael Fassbenders face under a papier-mch mask, but thats kind of the point of his title character in Frank. Hes a mentally ill band leader who can only function in society if hes covering up his face with this mask. Frank is actually a gifted singer who has gathered Clara Wagner (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Don (Scoot McNairy), Nana (Carla Azar), and Baraque (Franois Civil) to play with him, even if they dont know much about how to actually be a band.Thats where Jon Burroughs (Domhnall Gleeson) comes in. The bands eccentricities stun Jon, but he sees real potential in this group and starts exerting his influence on Frank, much to the anger of Clara.Watch Frank on Plex.LionsgateFive years before he was Batman, Christian Bale was Patrick Bateman in American Psycho. The story is set in the late 80s, and Bateman is an investment banker living in New York with a beautiful fiance named Evelyn Williams (Reese Witherspoon). It would almost be a perfect life, except Bateman hates Evelyn, and hes so jealous of his colleague, Paul Allen (Jared Leto), that he murders him.That one little murder is just the tip of the iceberg of Batemans depravity, and he draws the attention of a private investigator, Donald Kimball (Willem Dafoe), who is looking into Pauls disappearance. The bodies start piling up as Batemans double life comes under enormous pressure, but there may be more to his mental illness than meets the eye.Watch American Psycho on Plex.Warner Bros. PicturesAl Pacino looks like hes never had more fun than when hes hamming up The Devils Advocate as John Milton. Keanu Reeves stars as Kevin Lomax, a hot-shot lawyer recruited by Milton to move from Florida to New York and join his high-profile law firm.As Kevin follows through on the offer, he neglects his wife, Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), and knowingly represents guilty clients who belong behind bars. The film broadly hints that Miltons true nature is demonic and that Kevin is endangering everyone around him by staying in the law firm. He just doesnt take the warning signs seriously until its too late.Watch The Devils Advocate on Plex.Image via MiramaxQuentin Tarantinos third film, Jackie Brown, tends to be overlooked in his credits. But this adaptation of Elmore Leonards Rum Punch is just as good as any of Tarantinos other films. Foxie Brown actress and Blaxploitation icon Pam Grier had her comeback role as Jackie, a stewardess who helps a local crime boss, Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), smuggle drug money into the country.When ATF Agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) catches Jackie with Ordells cash, she plays a dangerous game by engineering a final con to get a large sum of money from Ordell and play him and the feds off each other while she escapes the consequences of her actions. She may even have an ally in bail bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster), but it would be a mistake for Jackie to overlook Ordells fury when he discovers her true intentions.Watch Jackie Brown on Plex.Warner Bros.Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are both cinematic icons, which is why their face-to-face scene in Heatcarries so much power beyond the film itself. De Niro plays Neil McCauley, a thief whose best days are behind him, and hes considering getting out of the game. Pacino plays Lieutenant Vincent Hanna, the man who has to bring Neil in however he sees fit.Director and screenwriter Michael Mann adapted his own novel, L.A. Takedown, for this film. Its one of the greatest movies Mann ever made, and its our pick for the best movie among Plexs most watchlisted selections.Watch Heat on Plex.Editors Recommendations
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  • How to establish trade routes in Civilization 7
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    There are a lot of tips and tricks to learn about managing your growing civ in Civilization 7, but a key mechanic for long-term success is forming trade routes with the other Leaders. Even if you're aiming to dominate the world with a military victory, you will want to leverage the resources of other civs before you eventually go to war with them. Trade routes between cities have been in the series for years now, but they look a bit different in this version since it no longer hinges on diplomacy like before. There's no need to spend your Influence on us since we're more than happy to trade all the information you need about how to set up trade routes for free.Recommended VideosDifficultyModerateDuration1 hour 40 minutes2K GamesTrade routes can be formed between your cities and towns and any other Leader's properties. Doing so will allow you to gain access to all of the natural resources that specific location currently holds. This can give you access to a ton of buffs that might otherwise be inaccessible, but you do need to do a little work to set it up.Step 1: Start a game and find at least one other civ on the map.Step 2: While you're doing step 1, make sure you check the Civic Tree and work towards researching the Code of Laws.RelatedStep 3: Once you have finished researching the Code of Laws, you can build or buy a Merchant unit.Step 4: Select your Merchant and it will show you all the trade routes, both possible and not possible, as well as all the potential resources you will get in each.Trade routes may not be possible if your Merchant cannot physically reach that location or you have a bad relationship with that Leader.Step 5: Select one that is possible and the map will take you to that location.Step 6: Have your Merchant unit travel to that town.Step 7: Wait as many turns as it takes for them to navigate there.Step 8: Once the Merchant arrives, click the icon of two arrows pointing in either direction to establish a trade route. This will "consume" your Merchant.Editors Recommendations
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  • Fireflys Blue Ghost moon mission shares its most stunning image yet
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    As the Firefly Aerospace mission known as Blue Ghost makes it way to the moon, it is snapping some gorgeous images as it goes including striking images of Earth in its rearview mirror. Now, the company has released the most stunning image so far, showing the planet Earth and its reflection bouncing off the smooth surface of a solar panel on the spacecraft.Fireflys Blue Ghost lander captures image of Earth reflecting off the solar panel with the Moon on the horizon above Earth. Fireflys X-band antenna and NASAs LEXI payload are also shown on the top deck of the lander. Firefly AerospaceBlue Ghost was launched last month, and has been orbiting around Earth to adjust its trajectory before heading off toward the moon. This week, the spacecraft performed a maneuver called Trans Lunar Injection, in which it fires its engines to start heading away from Earth and toward the moon.Recommended VideosIt will take several days for the spacecraft to arrive at the moon, at which point it will fire its engines again to enter into a lunar orbit. From there, it will adjust its orbit over several weeks before coming in to land on the moons surface. The company is hoping to be just the second ever commercial entity to successfully perform a soft landing on the moon.Shortly after Trans Lunar Injection, Fireflys Blue Ghost lunar lander captured image of Earth with the Moon below in the distance. Firefly AerospaceAs well as the image showing our planet reflected in the spacecrafts solar panel, it also snapped this image of Earth as it recedes from view. With the journey to the moon well underway, the spacecraft is also sending back data from its various payloads, which include a variety of NASA experiments and technology tests.Please enable Javascript to view this contentNow four weeks into the mission, Blue Ghost has downlinked more than 15 GB of data, including NASA science data, from record-breaking GNSS signals to magnetic field measurements, that is already unlocking insights for the future of space exploration, Firefly Aerospace wrote in an update.The payloads carried on the spacecraft include an experimental method for collecting samples of the dusty material covering the surface of the moon, called regolith, by firing a jet of gas as the surface and collecting and photographing this material.There is also an experiment into using electrical fields to prevent dust from building up on surfaces, which can be a major problem for moon missions as the lack of atmosphere on the moon means that the dust there is very sharp and abrasive, and can quickly eat through materials like seals. The aim is to test out technologies which can be used for human exploration of the moon under NASAs Artemis program.Editors Recommendations
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  • A native Android Apple TV app is now in the Google Play store
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    Its been five years since the Apple TV app was launched, and were now getting a version for Android devices built from the ground up for native Android integration in the Google Play store that will have the same Apple TV+ functionality as the Apple ecosystem version. The new app means users with Android OS 10 or later will finally have the ability to sign up for Apple TV+ on their Android-based phones and tablets to watch shows and movies like Severance, Silo, Killers of the Flower Moon, and CODA. There will be no difference in pricing on Android compared to Apple.This should enable seamless interactivity across platforms for features such as Continue Watching which keeps track of where you are in a show or movie and allows you to pick up from that spot when you return, regardless of the device you watch on. Customers Watchlist will be kept up to date across devices as well, and since purchases are linked to your Apple account, all the content you own will be accessible on any device with the new updated app. One thing missing at launch, though, will be the ability to cast Apple TV content from your Android device.AppleThe demo Digital Trends saw was on both an Android phone and tablet, and looked incredibly similar to the experience on an Apple device. On phones, along the bottom of the screen will be dedicated tabs for Apple TV+, MLS, Downloads, and Search, and scrolling through the app will reveal Continue Watching, Top Charting shows and movies, and for new Android subscribers a section highlighting the top Apple original productions. With tablets, the sizing will adjust based on the screen size, and the same menus found on the phone layout will be accessible through a hamburger menu at the top left of the screen.Recommended VideosAlso featured within the new app is MLS Season Pass. There will be a highlighted match of the week under the banner Sunday Night Soccer and pages for each upcoming match that will include details and links out to the soccer club pages. Youll have the ability to favorite teams to prioritize them and have them show in a separate Supporters Section row.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe app version that already exists on Google OS TVs such as the TCL QM8, Sony Bravia 9, and Hisense U8N will get integrated Google Play billing, but at least as of now, will not be a new app.Based on user ratings and comments in the Google Play store as of just this morning, this will be a very welcome addition. The previous app listed had more than 50 million downloads but a rating of only 1.6 stars (and we werent able to download it on our devices).Editors Recommendations
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  • Get this Vizio Dolby Atmos soundbar while its only $200
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    The best soundbars can deliver an exceptional audio experience, regardless of the listening space its going to live in. Thats why brands like Vizio have invested so much time into engineering the kind of soundbar system that supports premium formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. As a matter of fact, one of these terrific surround sound emulators is on sale right now:For a limited time, when you purchase the Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE with Dolby Atmos through Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart, youll only pay $200. The full MSRP on this model is $250.The Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE is designed to fill small to medium-sized listening spaces with immersive audio, making it a joy to watch movies and TV shows in full surround sound. Thanks to some clever audio engineering, this Vizio bar is able to virtualize a complete Dolby Atmos or DTS:X configuration. The system even comes with two surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer, which isnt something you usually see when youre paying $200 for a soundbar.RelatedWere also big fans of Vizios ClearDialog feature, which hones in on vocals and dialogue, ensuring youll never miss a single word. Youll want to download the Vizio app (for iOS and Android devices) to control this soundbar (it doesnt come with a remote), but the software also lets you fine-tune audio settings, download updates, and more. And while the soundbar cant be connected to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2 capabilities mean youll be able to stream music through the bar using your mobile devices!Its hard to say how long this markdown is going to stick around, so we recommend ordering ASAP. Save $50 on the Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE with Dolby Atmos when you purchase today. You may also want to check out our lists of the best soundbar deals, best Amazon deals, and best Walmart deals for more discounts on top tech.Editors Recommendations
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  • Apple launches ambitious health study to advance wellness tech
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    Apple recently launched its first pair of wireless earbuds with an integrated heart rate sensor. Down the road, this convenience will reportedly arrive on the AirPods family, as well. The uber popular earbuds have already landed their hearing aid clearance, alongside a slew of new wellness-centric features.The focus is clear. Health-tech is the next great avenue for innovation at Apple.Recommended VideosTo that end, the company has just announced the Apple Health Study, which aims to collect biomarker information and user inputs to connect the dots between sensor data and the current health status. Onboarding will happen via Apples Research app and the focus will be on US citizens who meet the age criteria.Please enable Javascript to view this contentApple will be working with Brigham and Womens Hospital to understand how data collected by wearable devices can be used to predict, monitor, manage, and assess a persons physical and mental well-being.Theres plenty of precedent for such work. Researchers at the University of Barcelona recently showcased how smartwatch data can be used to predict psychiatric illnesses and trace them down to genetic roots. Experts at Tampere University have developed a framework that can analyze the ECG readings from a smartwatch and detect signs of congestive heart failure with roughly 90% accuracy.AppleMultiple doctors, including experts from the American Heart Association, recently told Digital Trends that smartwatches can play a complementary role in helping keep track of healthy habits such as physical activity, heart rate during activity, and sleep habits in several ways.Apples health study simply builds atop an unprecedented strength of its ecosystem. There are millions of users out there who rely on Apple devices, such as the Apple Watch and iPhones, for keeping track of their heart activity, sleep patterns, and workouts.That massive pool of participants and data is a goldmine for more research, allowing scientists to develop new algorithms and frameworks to get the best out of biomarker data collected by wearable devices.AppleApple says the study will broadly focus on activity, aging, cardiovascular health, circulatory health, cognition, hearing, menstrual health, mental health, metabolic health, mobility, neurologic health, respiratory health, sleep, and more.It is, owing to such studies, that the company was able to develop features such as Walking Steadiness on iPhones and the Vitals app for its smartwatch. The company says its new study will try to understand how body signals, both physical and emotional, are tied to the overall health of a person.Of course, this is scientific research we are talking about, so its going to take a few years before the data collected as part of the health study will produce any remarkable findings, or new capabilities. Furthermore, validation and approval by regulatory authorities, both local and overseas, is a long drawn-out process.Apples focus on tech-driven health and wellness is not odd. Back in 2019, CEO Tim Cook told CNBC that health would be Apples greatest contribution. In the years that have elapsed since, Apple has made some remarkable advancements, even though the competition has also matured a lot.Editors Recommendations
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  • Trump Administration wants the US to produce the most powerful AI chips
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    LiveNOW from FOXJD Vance took to the stage at the Paris AI Action Summit on Wednesday declaring that, the United States of America is the leader in AI and our administration plans to keep it that way.The US possesses all components across the full AI stack, including advanced semiconductor design, frontier algorithms, and, of course, transformational applications, Vance said. Now the computing power this stack requires is integral to advancing AI technology, and to safeguard Americas advantage, the Trump administration will ensure the most powerful AI systems are built in the U.S. with American-designed and manufactured chips.Vance also criticized the European Unions existing AI and tech regulations, especially the Digital Services Act and GDPR, as onerous international rules that smother smaller companies in legal costs and stifle free speech because they prevent adults from accessing an opinion that the government thinks is misinformation. He went on to note that the U.S. legislature is already working to remove its regulations for the industry and invited other countries to follow Americas lead on the matter.Recommended VideosThe Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on U.S. tech companies with international footprints, Vance said. Now America cannot and will not accept that. He also discussed the technologys power demands, arguing that these evolving AI systems need reliable electricity supplies and access to high-quality semiconductors, but lamented that many countries are instead choosing to eliminate stable sources of power from their national grids. Ironically, Vance also warned against nations cozying up to authoritarian regimes, claiming that partnerships with such nations would not be profitable in the long-term.Some of us in this room have learned from experience, partnering with them means chaining your nation to an authoritarian master that seeks to infiltrate, dig in, and seize your information infrastructure, VP JD Vance said. Should a deal seem too good to be true, just remember the old adage that we learned in Silicon Valley, If you arent paying for the product, you are the product.Editors Recommendations
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  • Windows 11s February 2025 update fixes annoying bugs
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    Microsofts February 2025 cumulative update brings much-needed relief to Windows 11 users, fixing Auto HDR issues that caused game crashes, audio output disruptions, and USB webcam detection problems, as reported by Bleeping Computer. The patch, KB5051987 for Windows 11 24H2 users and KB5051989 for 23H2 addresses these irritating bugs and is mandatory.The update fixes the Auto HDR problem that interfered with the colors and caused game crashes, improving the gaming experience. Furthermore, the update fixes a bug that cut off audio output, especially if you were using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), though others were affected. Moreover, a rare issue displayed a This device cannot start message, but you may not have seen that one.Recommended VideosIt is excellent news to hear the Auto HDR fix we first saw in the January preview update passed the final testing without issues, and its now available for all Windows 11 PCs. More great news: the compatibility issue that prevented users from updating to 24H2 is now resolved. If you couldnt update before, you sure can now. Its your choice whether to update to Windows 11 24H2, and you may even think twice about it with all the issues linked to it. For example, there were bugs for visual layouts, users without administrative privileges could not change the time zone in the Date & Time view, and certain wallpaper apps. But if youre ready to make the switch, you can check for any pending updates by going to Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates. If the update is available, it will start downloading automatically and require your PC to restart at least two times.Editors Recommendations
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