We all saw this coming Max pivots back to HBO Max as WBD rethinks ability to compete with Netflix WBD is relenting on trying to get everyone to sign up for its streaming service. Scharon Harding – May 14, 2025 12:27 pm | 0 The new logo looks familiar. The new logo looks familiar. Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Warner Bros. Discovery's (WBD) streaming service Max will be called HBO Max starting this summer, bringing back a name that WBD curiously ditched a couple of years ago. In May 2020, the company then known as WarnerMedia Group launched its flagship streaming service, HBO Max. The successor to the HBO Now subscription-based streaming service that launched in 2014, and not to be confused with the now-defunct HBO Go (which was a video on-demand streaming service accessible to those with subscriptions to the HBO cable channel), HBO Max offered “the entire HBO service,” per WarnerMedia’s announcement. HBO Max also combined content from other titles WarnerMedia owned, including titles from DC Comics and Cartoon Network. But the main draw continued to be the ability to stream HBO’s prestigious library via a Netflix-like streaming subscription. When WarnerMedia acquired Discovery in 2022 and became WBD, it sought to combine the libraries of HBO Max and the Discovery+ streaming service. WBD landed on Max as the name for the combined app. The name seemed to suggest access to a maximum amount of streaming content with maximum appeal. However, it questionably distanced itself from the legacy of high-budget, award-winning TV shows and recent popular movies that the HBO brand had been building since 1972. Max wasn’t just about pushing the high-end stuff you’d expect from HBO but also reality shows from Discovery, including 90 Day Fiancé and Naked and Afraid. WBD CEO David Zaslav’s management team “concluded that the ‘HBO’ in the name positioned the general entertainment service as slightly too rarified to match rivals like Disney+ or Netflix,” Deadline reported at the time. Today, Zaslav and company are doing an about-face, with the CEO saying that WBD is “bringing back HBO, the brand that represents the highest quality in media, to further accelerate” the streaming service’s “growth in the years ahead.” WBD's announcement added that “returning the HBO brand into HBO Max will further drive the service forward and amplify the uniqueness that subscribers can expect from the offering.” “It is also a testament to WBD’s willingness to keep boldly iterating its strategy and approach—leaning heavily on consumer data and insights—to best position itself for success,” the media conglomerate claimed. “Not everything for everyone” The announcement is a result of WBD rethinking its streaming strategy as leadership acknowledges that it failed to sell Max as an essential streaming service. Last month, executives admitted that Max is viewed as more of an add-on service, per The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Executives said at the time that they no longer want to try to push its streaming service as something for every member of the household. “What people want from us in a world where they’ve got Netflix and Amazon [Prime Video] are those things that differentiate us,” Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, told WSJ. The strategy pivot since has included moving further away from children’s programming and some Discovery content, like shows from the Food Network and HGTV. There have also been reports of WBD exploring splitting Discovery from Max. “We’re not fighting for the more-is-better game,” JB Perrette, WBD's streaming president and CEO, told WSJ. “We’ll let others deal with the volume.” In today’s announcement, Perrette doubled down on those sentiments: We will continue to focus on what makes us unique—not everything for everyone in a household, but something distinct and great for adults and families. It’s really not subjective, not even controversial—our programming just hits different. Scharon Harding Senior Technology Reporter Scharon Harding Senior Technology Reporter Scharon is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer gadgets and services. She's been reporting on technology for over 10 years, with bylines at Tom’s Hardware, Channelnomics, and CRN UK. 0 Comments

HBO Max is coming back after a failed experiment with "just Max".

Source: Wright & Wright ArchitectsProposed scheme on Oxford High Street Wright & Wright Architects have secured planning permission for a major retrofit scheme for All Souls College, Oxford. The project is intended to create new academic and public-facing spaces within a group of conjoined historic buildings on Oxford’s High Street, expanding the college’s presence beyond its historic quadrangles. The scheme is intended to restore original architectural features across a series of existing buildings and shoprfronts, while introducing new facilities across multiple floors. The upper levels will include three seminar rooms, a lecture theatre with capacity for 100 people, fellows’ studies, staff offices and a rooftop garden. Historic elements such as 17th-century stone walls, ancient roof timbers and 18th-century ceilings are to be retained and revealed as part of the works. Clare Wright, founding partner at Wright & Wright, said: “It has been a privilege to help realise the College’s ambition to remodel an extraordinary set of historic buildings on an important site on Oxford’s High Street. In an era when city centres are languishing, this pioneering project can help preserve the soul of Oxford.” David Renton, estates bursar at All Souls College, said: “Our ambition is to create a place of learning that connects directly with the life of the city, while honouring the historic complexity of the site. We are excited to work with Wright & Wright to bring this vision to life.” Roof gardenSource: Wright & Wright Architects Front elevationSource: Wright & Wright Architects Proposed sectionSource: Wright & Wright Architects Front elevationSource: Wright & Wright Architects Study roomSource: Wright & Wright Architects 1/5 show caption The ground floor proposals include replacing existing shopfronts with bespoke joinery designed to reflect the proportions of earlier facades. The scheme also seeks to enhance the covered passageway linking the High Street to the Covered Market with improved signage, lighting and finishes. The project, comprising three conjoined structures, is described by the architects as a low-energy, deep retrofit. The design aims to reduce carbon emissions while safeguarding the building’s historic fabric. Later modern interventions are to be stripped out in order to improve environmental performance and expose earlier features. Founded in 1438, All Souls is one of the University of Oxford’s oldest and most academically distinctive colleges, known for its postgraduate-only focus on research and absence of undergraduates. Wright & Wright’s wider body of work includes projects for the British Museum, Lambeth Palace Library, the British Academy and several other Oxford colleges. A construction timeline has not yet been confirmed. Project team Architect: Wright & Wright Architects Structural & Civil Engineer: engineersHRW M&E, Sustainability Engineer: Max Fordham Acoustic Engineer: Max Fordham Heritage Consultant: Donald Insall Associates Project Manager: Ridge and Partners Cost Consultant: Gardiner & Theobald Property Management: Cluttons Planning Consultant: Carter Jonas Fire Consultant: OFR Consultants Landscape Consultant: Harris Bugg AV Consultant: Hewshott Retail Consultant: KLM Real Estate Accessibility Consultant: Mima Group Ltd Archaeological Consultant: Oxford Archaeology Building Regulations PD: Ridge and Partners Principal Designer Advisor: Stroma Visual Impact Assessment: Neaves Urbanism

A new global phishing threat called "Meta Mirage" has been uncovered, targeting businesses using Meta's Business Suite. This campaign specifically aims at hijacking high-value accounts, including those managing advertising and official brand pages. Cybersecurity researchers at CTM360 revealed that attackers behind Meta Mirage impersonate official Meta communications, tricking users into handing over sensitive details like passwords and security codes (OTP). The scale of this operation is alarming. Researchers have already identified over 14,000 malicious URLs, a concerning majority of which—nearly 78%—were not blocked by browsers at the time the report was published. Cybercriminals cleverly hosted fake pages leveraging trusted cloud platforms like GitHub, Firebase, and Vercel, making it harder to spot the scams. This method aligns closely with recent findings from Microsoft, which highlighted similar abuse of cloud hosting services to compromise Kubernetes applications, emphasizing how attackers frequently leverage trusted platforms to evade detection. The attackers deploy fake alerts about policy violations, account suspensions, or urgent verification notices. These messages, sent via email and direct messages, look convincing because they mimic official communications from Meta, often appearing urgent and authoritative. This tactic mirrors techniques observed in the recent Google Sites phishing campaign, which used authentic-looking Google-hosted pages to deceive users. Two main methods are being used: Credential Theft: Victims enter passwords and OTPs into realistic-looking fake websites. The attackers deliberately trigger fake error messages, causing users to re-enter their details, ensuring accurate and usable stolen information. Cookie Theft: Scammers also steal browser cookies, allowing them continued access to compromised accounts even without passwords. These compromised accounts don't just affect individual businesses—they're often exploited to run malicious advertising campaigns, further amplifying damage, similar to tactics observed in the PlayPraetor malware campaign that hijacked social media accounts for fraudulent ad distribution. CTM360's report also outlines a structured and calculated approach used by the attackers to maximize effectiveness. Victims are initially contacted with mild, non-alarming notifications that progressively escalate in urgency and severity. Initial notices might mention generic policy violations, while subsequent messages warn of immediate suspensions or permanent deletion of accounts. This incremental escalation induces anxiety and urgency, driving users to act quickly without thoroughly verifying the authenticity of these messages. To protect against this threat, CTM360 recommends: Only use official devices to manage business social media accounts. Use separate business-only email addresses. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Regularly review account security settings and active sessions. Train staff to recognize and report suspicious messages. This widespread phishing campaign underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive security measures to protect valuable online assets. Found this article interesting? This article is a contributed piece from one of our valued partners. Follow us on Twitter  and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.

Grandmillennial aesthetics, draped curtains, canopy beds, warm minimalism—these are some of the bedroom trends that designers predicted (and still are expecting to see) for 2025. They center around warmth, coziness, and personality, providing a much different experience than the picture-perfect clean minimalism bedrooms of Pinterest eras past. And the visually-fueled social media platform is seeing that too, predicting that the inviting and informal interior trend of "bedscaping" is about to take the world by storm.As stark white interiors have fallen out of style and more maximalist looks have moved into the spotlight, Pinterest has found that certain terms that support these personality-filled rooms are seriously gaining momentum. The term "eclectic apartment" has jumped by 630 percent, and the search term "boho bedroom" is up by 65 percent as people embrace the curated mess aesthetic and aim to create something bolder with more character through their decor. "Ten years ago, bedscapes tended to be very minimal, often embracing a white-on-white aesthetic that, while clean, could feel slightly impersonal," Eleanor Trepte of Dekay & Tate Interiors says. When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, more people spent extended time at home than they had in years, leading to a greater focus on comfort. "Since then, bedscaping has become far more personal, with layered bedding, mood lighting, and bolder colors and patterns taking center stage."If you're looking for fresh ways to make your bedroom feel cozier this spring and summer, keep reading for tips on how to bedscape the designer-approved way. Related StoriesFocus on TextureMatthew NiemannDifferently textured upholstery, draperies, and fabrics give this bedroom by Galeana Younger drama and boldness."I think bedscaping is less about decorative frills and more about texture and layers," says designer Amy McCoy of McCoy Design Studio. She explains that her clients want textures that feel more cozy and soft rather than starchy. It's those softer textiles on the bed that invite you to relax. Designer Autumn Pochiro of Autumn Dawn Design adds that neuroaesthetics, the scientific study of how we react to creative works, "tells us that bedroom color, lighting temperature, pattern, and texture all play a part in how we unwind to fall asleep." A bed that's made with an enveloping material like cotton sateen, a heavy down duvet, and ultra-plush pillows can encourage better sleep after a long day.Layer AwayCourtesy of Autumn Dawn DesignA mountain of pillows and a textured, patterned knit blanket rest on top of another bold patterned duvet in this colorful bedroom by Autumn Dawn Designs.As Trepte puts it: "The perfect bedscape is all about layering to create an inviting, restful environment." Layering different patterns and textures adds personality and visual interest to your bedroom, and it can be done in simple ways if you prefer a more minimalist style. Trepte likes layering crisp white linens with warm quilts or throws and patterned pillows for personality. For a step-by-step guide on how to layer your bed, Pochiro explains that the first layer is sheets, then something plush, like a goose-down duvet or comforter. Next comes the decorative accents—your throw pillows and shams—and finally, a bed scarf at the bottom of the bed. Opt for Mood LightingBrie WilliamsA custom lampshade and golden sconce add more accent lighting to this bedroom by Heidi Woodman. A perfectly bedscaped bedroom does not go hand-in-hand with bright overhead lighting. Ambient lighting from lamps, sconces, and dimmers is key to creating a cozy bedroom environment. If you do need overhead lighting for whatever reason, Trepte suggests adding warm-toned lightbulbs that'll give the space a more luxurious vibe. Finish with a FragranceManu RodríguezDesigner Rayman Boozer displayed a bright burst of orange roses on this bedside table, adding a nice pop of color and a fragrant scent.After everything is visually the way you want it, the final step to bedscaping is finishing off with your favorite scent. Whether that's from a candle, a room or linen spray, incense, or a plug-in diffuser, this is the cherry on top of creating a space that's comforting and uniquely yours, explains Trepte. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Most of the first trailer for Ironheart reminds viewers of what we learned in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: that Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) is a genius. Under pressure and threat of danger, she figures out a way to escape an elevator death trap, establishing her credibility as the greatest engineering mind since Tony Stark. But there’s one thing that Riri Williams has in common with most people, including those watching the trailer at home. As her friend puts it, “You know nothing about this man.” The man in question is Parker Robbins, played by Anthony Ramos. He appears in the trailer as a sort of morally dubious benefactor to Riri, but the most notable part of him is his unique style of dress. In most scenes, Robbins wears a leather cloak, which appears to have mystical powers. Marvel Comics readers (and Marvel Snap players) recognize Robbins as “The Hood,” a relative newcomer to the world of comics but a character with the power to shake up the MCU. Robbins made his debut in 2002’s The Hood, written by Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Saga) and penciled by Kyle Hotz. As part of Marvel’s mature-readers MAX line, The Hood took a sideways glance at the Peter Parker archetype, giving us a likable everyman who operated in the world of Marvel’s criminals. When Parker took a burglary job to pay for his sick mother’s treatment, he discovered a mystical cape and pair of boots, clothing that granted him the powers of flight and invisibility. While that initial story made Parker more of a normal guy who makes bad choices in difficult situations, subsequent tales have leaned into soap opera, transforming him into more of an unrepentant supervillain. In Daredevil, he sought to become the new Kingpin of Crime and he regularly butted heads with the New Avengers. During the Secret Invasion and Secret Wars storylines, Parker became a member of the Cabal, a sort of evil Illuminati, alongside villains such as Norman Osborn and Doctor Doom. Later, he joined the Thunderbolts and clashed with Hawkeye, then the team’s leader. More recently, stories about the Hood have emphasized his mystical powers, tying him to Ghost Rider and Doctor Strange’s arch-enemy Dormammu. And that’s where Parker has real potential to change the MCU. Magic has always been a key part of the MCU, ever since Thor and the first scene of Captain America: The First Avenger. More recently, movies such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and shows such as Agatha All Along have explored the magical side of the universe, indicating how it underpins everything the characters do. As seen briefly in the Ironheart trailer, the MCU version of the Hood has those same mystical powers and, if the brief shot of Parker writhing as runes form on his back is any indication, the powers may overwhelm him. Clearly, the abilities are greater than even he realizes. Furthermore, rumors have once again suggested that Mephisto, the Marvel Universe’s equivalent to Satan and a character tied to the comic book version of the Hood, will finally appear in Ironheart, played by Sacha Baron Cohen. Yes, people have been saying that since WandaVision but, given the recent Mephisto name drop in Agatha All Along, it now seems more likely. All of which raises a question: Why all this magic in Ironheart, a show about a technical genius who uses her science skills? The answer is that this clash between technology and magic has long been a theme in the Marvel Universe, going back to Iron Man‘s battles with the Mandarin, a far more magical (and far more racist) character in the comics. The bigger question involves the show’s depiction of Parker Robbins. A veteran of Hamilton and, more recently, Twisters, Ramos knows how to play a fresh-faced and likable character. Will he be able to keep audiences on his side, even as he goes deeper into the dark arts? Or will he quickly become an unrepentant villain, like his comic book counterpart. Join our mailing list Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox! Ironheart comes to Disney+ on June 24, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has many memorable characters, but few might inspire as much joy as Esquie, the game's lovable giant pal who might as well be a mascot character. The studio is warning against issues with fake merch sales around him, but also teasing an official plush Esquie that's in the works.In a post on X/Twitter from the official Expedition 33 account, Sandfall Interactive said it has seen a number of "suspicious" websites pop up selling Esquie plushies."To be clear: any third-party websites selling Esquie plushies are NOT officially licensed," the studio said. "Many of them are using AI-generated artwork to advertise, and we strongly recommend against purchasing from these sources. They could be scams."To balance out the wheee with the whooo though, as Esquie might say, Sandfall confirms it is looking into making official Esquie plushies, and wants to get them out as soon as it can. "In the meantime, please be patient — and don’t get scammed!" the studio said.PlayThose who have played the game probably get why an Esquie plushie might be in high demand. If you haven't gone on Expedition 33 yet, Esquie is a giant helper you meet in Act 1 of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 who becomes both a traveling companion and overworld travel method. He's got the same vibe as Big Hero 6's Baymax.With that in mind, it's easy to see how an Esquie plush might garner some interest, so it's good to know Sandfall is working on an official solution. A cursory search on Google pulled up both an unofficial site, and a few threads asking about Esquie plush peddlers. If you want the real thing from Sandfall and Kepler, you'll have to wait a bit. No news on whether the real-life plushie will also be filled with wine, though.Last week, Sandfall Interactive released patch 1.2.3 for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, addressing some balance tweaks around Maelle's Stendhal ability. French President Emmanuel Macron also recently praised the game, calling its developers a "shining example of French audacity and creativity."Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

Remedy Entertainment has a history of being experimental with genre favorites like Alan Wake 2 and Control, but largely sticking to the (comparatively) safe waters of premium single-player games. Now Remedy is using the setting of Control as a launching pad for a live service co-op shooter called FBC Firebreak, their first crack at an online co-op game about contending with The Oldest House following a new lockdown.Producing an online live service game these days is an increasingly risky business that many developers have struggled with. A key factor is that playing a live service game and keeping up with the content and other players is time-consuming—and only so many games can operate within that space at a given time. With that, the developers at Remedy Entertainment have built their take on an online live service game that not only allows players to tune the activities to match their pace, but also offer a way for players to take in as much as they want when they want.In a chat with Game Developer, game director Mike Kayatta explained that Remedy is expanding the 'Remedy Connected Universe' further, while also building an online co-op game that's all about getting players right into the action and progressing at their own pace—all to build a sustainable live service that can attract players without plenty of time on their hands, and how they're ensuring players who don't have a lot of free time won't feel left behind.Related:An online game built around the player's scheduleIn FBC Firebreak, squads of 3 players are tasked with completing various missions within The Oldest House—the extradimensional office building from the original Control—using jerry-rigged equipment and weapons to contain rogue Objects of Power or halt the invasion of the otherworldly monsters known as the Hiss. FBC Firebreak stands out in the live service space by providing more surreal objectives, like a mission called "Paper Chase," where players hunt supernatural sticky notes.According to Kayatta, FBC Firebreak and its first-person, co-op-driven gameplay have been long brewing at Remedy. The concept itself stretches back to the original's conceit of contending with a setting that's actively working against players."One of my favorite pieces of Control concept art is of an FBC employee trying to play a game of pool, but the floor has shifted one end of the table just enough to ruin his game. This is pretty much how we think about the Oldest House in FBC: Firebreak," said the game director. "It's a powerful and mysterious building, yes, but there's also a certain level of canonical 'grounded absurdity,' it produces that's perfect for our type of experience."Related:Image via Remedy Entertainment."But even aside from those tonal opportunities, the House's shifting and unknowable nature, and the fact that it can connect to other dimensions, gives us all the room we'll ever need to do what's best for Firebreak without violating what makes Control, Control."On the surface, the concept of FBC Firebreak recalls similar efforts from other developers attempting a stand-alone multiplayer game based on a single-player experience, another example being the upcoming Elden Ring: Nightreign. What makes FBC Firebreak particularly interesting is that it's not only leveraging the weirdness of the Control setting, but it's also an online game that seeks to remedy (pun intended) a growing problem with live-service games. Simply put, there's never enough time to play all the games out there while meeting the investments they expect from players.Kayatta stated that FBC Firebreak was all about removing the familiar pain points and sense of FOMO found in online games. To them, the Control spin-off aimed to be a game that players could play "on their terms, and not on the games."Related:Amusingly, Kayatta said the team at Remedy took inspiration from their own busy schedules as game developers, studying the pace of how they kept up with modern online games.FBC Firebreak lets players set their own progression paceThe developers of FBC Firebreak seek to solve the live-service dilemma with two solutions. First, all players can unlock key weapons and upgrades for their Crisis Kits (the game's take on class types), all from playing the game's set of missions and collecting resources. As players rank up their Requisitions—the game's take on the unlock system—they can spend points to unlock whatever they like, which includes new weapons, kit upgrades, and other add-ons to modify their loadouts.The second solution, and most interesting to FBC Firebreak's structure, is the customizable objectives and encounter difficulties. Before each job, the team leader can tune the enemy variety and spawn rate to different intensity levels while also setting the number of objectives needed to clear the mission.This means players can can have a mission with limited objectives but high enemy frequency, presenting a one-stage encounter with an onslaught of enemies. Conversely, they can customize the same mission to have a larger set of objectives, but with a lower frequency of enemies, making it more of an atmospheric, task-focused mission that culminates in a boss encounter.Image via Remedy Entertainment."With a multiplayer game, it's important to consider how your game slots into people's lives," he said. "In co-op, especially, friend groups are stepping in with an unpredictable set of needs: How experienced is each group member? How much time do they have? Are they treating the game session like a phone call, where they just want something to do in the background while talking about something personal?""And you can't solve this for a player forever because the same person who wants to zone out one night for thirty minutes sometimes turns around and wants to hyper-coordinate for two hours the next night. This goes back to putting the game on the players' terms instead of ours; we wanted to give you those controls so that Firebreak can meet you where you are on any given day."FBC Firebreak's approach to challenge and tuning of the experience is flexible by design, which feels like an oddity among other games that push players towards timed battle passes or monthly events.According to Kayatta, building the game's structure and more flexible approach to progression was all about removing potential barriers that so many other live service games have, to provide an online game that players of whatever time investment can get something out of. Remedy axed other popular live service features like dense statistics (think damage, buff, and debuff percentages) because it made players care about "min-maxing and tracking metas.""That in turn, can create barriers to people who don't want to be pressured into thinking about anything that's not directly in front of them," he said.It's an unconventional strategy to drive retention by asking players for less engagement, but Kayatta said targeting those busy everyday players will be key to FBC Firebreak's success."We just wanted to make a game that players without a lot of time could enjoy, which feels like it describes a lot of gamers these days," he concluded. "Some people lose their time to work or to their kids. Others are among the hundreds of incredible games destroying their backlogs. Some poor suckers, like me, lose time to both.""Too many games ask too much of their players, especially in the multiplayer space."

Warner Bros. Discovery announced today that its streaming service is undergoing yet another branding change. This would mark its second name change in three years, and even more if you count the days of HBO's subscriber-exclusive streamer. The streamer previously known as HBO Max (2018–2022), then as Max (2022–2025), will henceforth be known as… checks notes …HBO Max, again. The rebrand will take place this summer and is part of a push by Warner Bros. Discovery to grow subscriber counts globally. The company’s statement shares its belief that returning the HBO branding to the Max streaming service will help signal to its customers the type of quality content they can expect from their subscription. The new (see: old) name makes more pointed use of the brand's iconic name. It reads in part: "This evolution has also been influenced by changing consumer needs, and the fact that no consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers are saying they want better content." Bullish on the brand power of HBO, Zaslav said, "The powerful growth we have seen in our global streaming service is built around the quality of our programming. Today, we are bringing back HBO, the brand that represents the highest quality in media, to further accelerate that growth in the years ahead." Warner Bros. Discovery reported earnings last week and mentioned the Max platform nearly 30 times in its nine-page letter to shareholders, touting subscriber and profitability milestones. The company clearly sees HBO Max as a core component to future growth, and HBO as the most valuable branding asset in its expanded portfolio since AT&T's merger with Discovery, Inc. in 2022. Look, as long as you keep making White Lotus, I don't care what you call it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/max-which-was-once-hbo-reverts-to-hbo-max-154149241.html?src=rss