In-app bidding has automated most waterfall optimization, yet developers still manage multiple hybrid waterfalls, each with dozens of manual instances. Naturally, this can be timely and overwhelming to maintain, keeping you from optimizing to perfection and focusing on other opportunities to boost revenue.Rather than analyzing each individual network and checking if instances are available at each price point, breaking down your waterfall into different CPM ranges allows you to visualize the waterfall and easily identify the gaps.Here are some tips on how to use CPM buckets to better optimize your waterfall’s performance.What are CPM buckets?CPM buckets show you exactly how much revenue and how many impressions you’re getting from each CPM price range, giving you a more granular idea of how different networks are competing in the waterfall. CPM buckets are a feature of real time pivot reports, available on ironSource LevelPlay.Identifying and closing the gapsTypically in a waterfall, you can only see each ad network’s average CPM. But this keeps you from seeing ad network distribution across all price points and understanding exactly where ad networks are bidding. Bottom line - you don’t know where in the waterfall you should add a new instance.By separating CPM into buckets, (for example, seeing all the ad networks generating a CPM of $10-$20) you understand exactly which networks are driving impressions and revenue and which CPMs aren’t being filledNow how do you do it? As a LevelPlay client, simply use ironSource’s real time pivot reports - choose the CPM bucket filter option and sort by “average bid price.” From here, you’ll see how your revenue spreads out among CPM ranges and you’ll start to notice gaps in your bar graph. Every gap in revenue - where revenue is much lower than the neighboring CPM group - indicates an opportunity to optimize your monetization strategy. The buckets can range from small increments like $1 to larger increments like $10, so it’s important to compare CPM buckets of the same incremental value.Pro tip: To best set up your waterfall, create one tab with the general waterfall (filter app, OS, Ad unit, geo/geos from a specific group) and make sure to look at Revenue and eCPM in the “measures” dropdown. In the “show” section, choose CPM buckets and sort by average bid price. From here, you can mark down any gaps.But where do these gaps come from? Gaps in revenue are often due to friction in the waterfall, like not enough instances, instances that aren’t working, or a waterfall setup mistake. But gaps can also be adjusted and fixed.Once you’ve found a gap, you can look at the CPM buckets around it to better understand the context. Let’s say you see a strong instance generating significant revenue in the CPM bucket right below it, in the $70-80 group. This instance from this specific ad network has a lot of potential, so it’s worth trying to push it to a higher CPM bucket.In fact, when you look at higher CPM buckets, you don’t see this ad network anywhere else in the waterfall - what a missed opportunity! Try adding another instance of this network higher up in the waterfall. If you’re profiting well with a $70-80 CPM, imagine how much more revenue you could bring at a $150 CPM.Pro tip: Focusing on higher areas in the waterfall makes a larger financial impact, leading to bigger increases in ARPDAU.Let’s say you decide to add 5 instances of that network to higher CPM buckets. You can use LevelPlay’s quick A/B test to understand if this adjustment boosts your revenue - not just for this gap, but for any and all that you find. Simply compare your existing waterfall against the new waterfall with these 5 higher instances - then implement the one that drives the highest instances.Božo Janković, Head of Ad Monetization at GameBiz Consulting, uses CPM buckets "to understand at which CPMs the bidding networks are filling. From there, I can pinpoint exactly where in the waterfall to add more traditional instances - which creates more competition, especially for the bidding networks, and creates an opportunity for revenue growth."Finding new insightsYou can dig even deeper into your data by filtering by ad source. Before CPM buckets, you were limited to seeing an average eCPM for each bidding network. Maybe you knew that one ad source had an average CPM of $50, but the distribution of impression across the waterfall was a black box. Now, we know exactly which CPMs the bidders are filling. “I find ironSource CPM buckets feature very insightful and and use it daily. It’s an easy way to identify opportunities to optimize the waterfall and earn even more revenue." -Božo Janković, Head of Ad Monetization at GameBiz ConsultingUnderstanding your CPM distribution empowers you to not only identify your revenue sources, but also to promote revenue growth. Armed with the knowledge of which buckets some of their stronger bidding networking are performing in, some publishers actively add instances from traditional networks above those ranges. This creates better competition and also helps drive up the bids from the biddersThere’s no need for deep analysis - once you see the gaps, you can quickly understand who’s performing in the lower and higher buckets, and see exactly what’s missing. This way, you won’t miss out on any lost revenue.Learn more about CPM buckets, available exclusively to ironSource LevelPlay here.

June 13, 20256 min readAir-Conditioning Can Surprisingly Help the Power Grid during Extreme HeatSwitching on air-conditioning during extreme heat doesn’t have to make us feel guilty—it can actually boost power grid reliability and help bring more renewable energy onlineBy Johanna Mathieu & The Conversation US Imagedepotpro/Getty ImagesThe following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research.As summer arrives, people are turning on air conditioners in most of the U.S. But if you’re like me, you always feel a little guilty about that. Past generations managed without air conditioning – do I really need it? And how bad is it to use all this electricity for cooling in a warming world?If I leave my air conditioner off, I get too hot. But if everyone turns on their air conditioner at the same time, electricity demand spikes, which can force power grid operators to activate some of the most expensive, and dirtiest, power plants. Sometimes those spikes can ask too much of the grid and lead to brownouts or blackouts.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Research I recently published with a team of scholars makes me feel a little better, though. We have found that it is possible to coordinate the operation of large numbers of home air-conditioning units, balancing supply and demand on the power grid – and without making people endure high temperatures inside their homes.Studies along these lines, using remote control of air conditioners to support the grid, have for many years explored theoretical possibilities like this. However, few approaches have been demonstrated in practice and never for such a high-value application and at this scale. The system we developed not only demonstrated the ability to balance the grid on timescales of seconds, but also proved it was possible to do so without affecting residents’ comfort.The benefits include increasing the reliability of the power grid, which makes it easier for the grid to accept more renewable energy. Our goal is to turn air conditioners from a challenge for the power grid into an asset, supporting a shift away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy.Adjustable equipmentMy research focuses on batteries, solar panels and electric equipment – such as electric vehicles, water heaters, air conditioners and heat pumps – that can adjust itself to consume different amounts of energy at different times.Originally, the U.S. electric grid was built to transport electricity from large power plants to customers’ homes and businesses. And originally, power plants were large, centralized operations that burned coal or natural gas, or harvested energy from nuclear reactions. These plants were typically always available and could adjust how much power they generated in response to customer demand, so the grid would be balanced between power coming in from producers and being used by consumers.But the grid has changed. There are more renewable energy sources, from which power isn’t always available – like solar panels at night or wind turbines on calm days. And there are the devices and equipment I study. These newer options, called “distributed energy resources,” generate or store energy near where consumers need it – or adjust how much energy they’re using in real time.One aspect of the grid hasn’t changed, though: There’s not much storage built into the system. So every time you turn on a light, for a moment there’s not enough electricity to supply everything that wants it right then: The grid needs a power producer to generate a little more power. And when you turn off a light, there’s a little too much: A power producer needs to ramp down.The way power plants know what real-time power adjustments are needed is by closely monitoring the grid frequency. The goal is to provide electricity at a constant frequency – 60 hertz – at all times. If more power is needed than is being produced, the frequency drops and a power plant boosts output. If there’s too much power being produced, the frequency rises and a power plant slows production a little. These actions, a process called “frequency regulation,” happen in a matter of seconds to keep the grid balanced.This output flexibility, primarily from power plants, is key to keeping the lights on for everyone.Finding new optionsI’m interested in how distributed energy resources can improve flexibility in the grid. They can release more energy, or consume less, to respond to the changing supply or demand, and help balance the grid, ensuring the frequency remains near 60 hertz.Some people fear that doing so might be invasive, giving someone outside your home the ability to control your battery or air conditioner. Therefore, we wanted to see if we could help balance the grid with frequency regulation using home air-conditioning units rather than power plants – without affecting how residents use their appliances or how comfortable they are in their homes.From 2019 to 2023, my group at the University of Michigan tried this approach, in collaboration with researchers at Pecan Street Inc., Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.We recruited 100 homeowners in Austin, Texas, to do a real-world test of our system. All the homes had whole-house forced-air cooling systems, which we connected to custom control boards and sensors the owners allowed us to install in their homes. This equipment let us send instructions to the air-conditioning units based on the frequency of the grid.Before I explain how the system worked, I first need to explain how thermostats work. When people set thermostats, they pick a temperature, and the thermostat switches the air-conditioning compressor on and off to maintain the air temperature within a small range around that set point. If the temperature is set at 68 degrees, the thermostat turns the AC on when the temperature is, say, 70, and turns it off when it’s cooled down to, say, 66.Every few seconds, our system slightly changed the timing of air-conditioning compressor switching for some of the 100 air conditioners, causing the units’ aggregate power consumption to change. In this way, our small group of home air conditioners reacted to grid changes the way a power plant would – using more or less energy to balance the grid and keep the frequency near 60 hertz.Moreover, our system was designed to keep home temperatures within the same small temperature range around the set point.Testing the approachWe ran our system in four tests, each lasting one hour. We found two encouraging results.First, the air conditioners were able to provide frequency regulation at least as accurately as a traditional power plant. Therefore, we showed that air conditioners could play a significant role in increasing grid flexibility. But perhaps more importantly – at least in terms of encouraging people to participate in these types of systems – we found that we were able to do so without affecting people’s comfort in their homes.We found that home temperatures did not deviate more than 1.6 Fahrenheit from their set point. Homeowners were allowed to override the controls if they got uncomfortable, but most didn’t. For most tests, we received zero override requests. In the worst case, we received override requests from two of the 100 homes in our test.In practice, this sort of technology could be added to commercially available internet-connected thermostats. In exchange for credits on their energy bills, users could choose to join a service run by the thermostat company, their utility provider or some other third party.Then people could turn on the air conditioning in the summer heat without that pang of guilt, knowing they were helping to make the grid more reliable and more capable of accommodating renewable energy sources – without sacrificing their own comfort in the process.This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Liquid Glass – the tech world’s abuzz with this new term from Apple’s design playbook following their reveal of the new slew of operating systems at WWDC 2025. What is liquid glass? Well, it’s a multi-tier strategy on Apple’s part to redefine interfaces, moving away from the minimalist interfaces to introduce gorgeously refractive glass-like interfaces instead. These glass elements interact with screen elements by bending light like real glass would. Think of holding a magnifying glass to a newspaper to watch the text around the edges warp while the center stays clear. There’s speculation that this move towards glass-based interfaces was a conscious effort to further Apple’s spatial interface goals… but to be honest, we were in love with Liquid Glass back as early as 2021. What do I mean? Well, I’m talking about the NightWatch, an Apple Watch dock from 4 years ago that did exactly what Liquid Glass did, amplify the watch’s screen into a gorgeous liquid orb while your watch was charging! Designer: NightWatch Click Here to Buy Now The NightWatch, as its name so succinctly implies, is a dock for your watch while it charges overnight. Shaped like a massive orb, this dock turns your watch’s night-time charging face into a massive, magnified alarm clock that’s easier to see. Moreover, the dock amplifies the watch’s audio too (through clever design details), transforming your Watch into a makeshift alarm clock that works remarkably well. There’s no hidden components, no inner trickery – the entire NightWatch is a cleverly designed, solid piece of lucite that does three things remarkably well. First, it docks the Apple Watch and charger inside it, magnifying the watch screen so the numbers are clearly legible even from a couple of feet away. Secondly, channels located strategically under the Watch’s speaker units amplify the sound (sort of like how your voice is louder when you cup your hands around your mouth) so your alarm rings louder. Thirdly (and this might be the best feature yet), the lucite orb is touch-sensitive. Which means a mere tap on the surface causes your Watch screen to wake so you can see the time! The dock may have been designed in 2021, but its design philosophies align with Apple’s Liquid Glass push brilliantly. Liquid Glass is all about mimicking real-world materials, bringing physicality to the digital world while still maintaining a pristine aesthetic that boosts focus and highlights important elements. That’s exactly what the NightWatch does too – it takes the Watch’s flat digital interface and brings real-world physicality to it through the refraction and magnification of the clear lucite. It also helps easily highlight important elements by enlarging your watch face for clearer timekeeping. The NightWatch is compatible with all Apple Watch series (as long as your watch doesn’t have a case on it). Click Here to Buy NowThe post ‘Liquid Glass’ Apple Watch Dock might be the Coolest Smartwatch Accessory of the Season first appeared on Yanko Design.

Generative AI has reshaped how people create, imagine and interact with digital content. As AI models continue to grow in capability and complexity, they require more VRAM, or video random access memory. The base Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large model, for example, uses over 18GB of VRAM — limiting the number of systems that can run it well. By applying quantization to the model, noncritical layers can be removed or run with lower precision. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series and the Ada Lovelace generation of NVIDIA RTX PRO GPUs support FP8 quantization to help run these quantized models, and the latest-generation NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs also add support for FP4. NVIDIA collaborated with Stability AI to quantize its latest model, Stable Diffusion (SD) 3.5 Large, to FP8 — reducing VRAM consumption by 40%. Further optimizations to SD3.5 Large and Medium with the NVIDIA TensorRT software development kit (SDK) double performance. In addition, TensorRT has been reimagined for RTX AI PCs, combining its industry-leading performance with just-in-time (JIT), on-device engine building and an 8x smaller package size for seamless AI deployment to more than 100 million RTX AI PCs. TensorRT for RTX is now available as a standalone SDK for developers. RTX-Accelerated AI NVIDIA and Stability AI are boosting the performance and reducing the VRAM requirements of Stable Diffusion 3.5, one of the world’s most popular AI image models. With NVIDIA TensorRT acceleration and quantization, users can now generate and edit images faster and more efficiently on NVIDIA RTX GPUs. Stable Diffusion 3.5 quantized FP8 (right) generates images in half the time with similar quality as FP16 (left). Prompt: A serene mountain lake at sunrise, crystal clear water reflecting snow-capped peaks, lush pine trees along the shore, soft morning mist, photorealistic, vibrant colors, high resolution. To address the VRAM limitations of SD3.5 Large, the model was quantized with TensorRT to FP8, reducing the VRAM requirement by 40% to 11GB. This means five GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs can run the model from memory instead of just one. SD3.5 Large and Medium models were also optimized with TensorRT, an AI backend for taking full advantage of Tensor Cores. TensorRT optimizes a model’s weights and graph — the instructions on how to run a model — specifically for RTX GPUs. FP8 TensorRT boosts SD3.5 Large performance by 2.3x vs. BF16 PyTorch, with 40% less memory use. For SD3.5 Medium, BF16 TensorRT delivers a 1.7x speedup. Combined, FP8 TensorRT delivers a 2.3x performance boost on SD3.5 Large compared with running the original models in BF16 PyTorch, while using 40% less memory. And in SD3.5 Medium, BF16 TensorRT provides a 1.7x performance increase compared with BF16 PyTorch. The optimized models are now available on Stability AI’s Hugging Face page. NVIDIA and Stability AI are also collaborating to release SD3.5 as an NVIDIA NIM microservice, making it easier for creators and developers to access and deploy the model for a wide range of applications. The NIM microservice is expected to be released in July. TensorRT for RTX SDK Released Announced at Microsoft Build — and already available as part of the new Windows ML framework in preview — TensorRT for RTX is now available as a standalone SDK for developers. Previously, developers needed to pre-generate and package TensorRT engines for each class of GPU — a process that would yield GPU-specific optimizations but required significant time. With the new version of TensorRT, developers can create a generic TensorRT engine that’s optimized on device in seconds. This JIT compilation approach can be done in the background during installation or when they first use the feature. The easy-to-integrate SDK is now 8x smaller and can be invoked through Windows ML — Microsoft’s new AI inference backend in Windows. Developers can download the new standalone SDK from the NVIDIA Developer page or test it in the Windows ML preview. For more details, read this NVIDIA technical blog and this Microsoft Build recap. Join NVIDIA at GTC Paris At NVIDIA GTC Paris at VivaTech — Europe’s biggest startup and tech event — NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang yesterday delivered a keynote address on the latest breakthroughs in cloud AI infrastructure, agentic AI and physical AI. Watch a replay. GTC Paris runs through Thursday, June 12, with hands-on demos and sessions led by industry leaders. Whether attending in person or joining online, there’s still plenty to explore at the event. Each week, the RTX AI Garage blog series features community-driven AI innovations and content for those looking to learn more about NVIDIA NIM microservices and AI Blueprints, as well as building AI agents, creative workflows, digital humans, productivity apps and more on AI PCs and workstations.  Plug in to NVIDIA AI PC on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X — and stay informed by subscribing to the RTX AI PC newsletter. Follow NVIDIA Workstation on LinkedIn and X.  See notice regarding software product information.

Mario Kart World is one of the year's hottest games, but its pivot to an open world setting, while peeling back kart customization options, opened a massive rift for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds to drift into. And Sega is determined to do everything possible to make its kart racer the one to beat by including numerous guest characters and cross-platform, multiplayer contests. I took Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for a test drive at the Summer Game Fest, and it's a strong contender racing game of the year.Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds' Deep Kart CustomizationThe biggest difference between Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World is that Sega's title focuses on kart customization. I'm not just talking about colors and tires; CrossWorlds introduces Gadgets, add-ons that augment your car, giving your whip helpful abilities to bring into the race. (Credit: Sega)Each ride has a license plate with six slots where you can slot your chosen Gadgets. A Gadget can take up one, two, or three slots, so the idea is to find a mix that pairs well with character traits. There's a surprising amount of depth for people who want to min/max their favorite anthropomorphic animal.I chose Sonic, a speed character, and added a Gadget that started him with two boosts (one slot), a Gadget that improved his speed while trailing an opponent (two slots), and a Gadget that improved acceleration (three slots). There were so many Gadgets that I could have easily spent my entire demo session building a car to match my playstyle. I envision people happily getting lost in the weeds before participating in their first race.(Credit: Sega)Gameplay: This Ain't Mario Kart WorldAlthough it's not an open world like Mario Kart World, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds injects a unique spin on traditional kart racing. The familiar trappings are all here, such as rings to boost your top speed. Each Grand Prix consists of three maps, but the gimmick at play is stage transitions. Recommended by Our EditorsAbout a third of the way down a course, a giant ring-portal opens, presenting a new world and track (hence the name "CrossWorlds"). The shift in tone and terrain keeps the races fast-paced and unpredictable. I particularly liked how whoever is in first place can sometimes choose which CrossWorlds track to go down, controlling the tempo. With every race completion, you earn credits based on your performance that you can cash in for new car parts.In a stark contrast to Mario Kart World, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is far more aggressive, even on lower difficulties. At the start of each grand prix, the game assigns you a rival—this is the character to beat, and the one who taunts you all match. Beat them all, and you can race high-powered Super variants.Just about everything caused you to lose rings: bumping into other players, the walls, and, of course, getting hit by items. The series' trademark rubberband AI is still in place, too. Even in the press demo, I wasn't safe from taking four items back to back and being knocked off the stage mere feet away from the finish line.(Credit: Sega)The demo didn't include the new characters that debuted at the Summer Game Fest, but I studied the character screen to see who else could be coming to the game. Including the 12 Sonic characters available in the demo, I counted a whopping 64 character slots. They include Hatsune Miku (the ultra-popular Vocaloid), Joker (from Persona 5), Ichiban Kasuga (from Like a Dragon), and Steve (from Minecraft). However, I hope to see other classic Sega IPs like in previous Sonic Racing titles.Platforms and Release DateWill Sega do what Nintendon't? I had an exhilarating time playing Sonic Racing: CrossWorld, and I can't wait to see more wild track compositions. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will be available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on Sept. 25, 2025. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is planned for later in the year.

Cattle Crisis sees aliens making off with our precious cows, so you’ll need to gun those ships down to rescue our beloved bovine buddies. The game only features a single level, but you’d best believe I have not been able to complete it yet as it makes the most of its brief playtime. Enemies come at you hard and fast, each covering the screen in various bullet patterns that overlap with only a little room to spare. Thankfully it’s just enough to scoot your ship to safety most of the time if you’re precise, but I am unfortunately not particularly precise with my controller movements the more frantic things get on the screen. Even with generous checkpoints and a single level, my shaky hands don’t make this easy. Like most spaceship shooters, there’s some extra powerful boosts you can put to smart use. As you down ships, you will release the kidnapped cows that are inside some of them. Collecting these cows increases your Hyper Bar, and once that’s halfway full, you can shift into Hyper Mode and really blast your enemies. Taking a hit in this mode won’t kill you, but you will drop out of Hyper Mode (and it’s smarter to end it early by hitting the Hyper Mode button again to launch a screen-clearing bomb). You can earn way more cows (and a higher score) by shooting foes point-blank, so it’s up to you how much risk you want to take to get into Hyper Mode faster and crank up that score. Cattle Crisis is short but offers a great deal of challenge and possibilities for high scores through careful risk-taking. Just the same, it offers a handful of checkpoints you can start from (even though it’s just one stage) if you feel your shooter skills aren’t amazing (like mine). It’s sharp, sounds great, and handles well, creating a nice bite-sized shooter package. Cattle Crisis is available now on itch.io (and you can try it out in your browser). About The Author

Home Is the Newly Revealed Xbox Handheld a Switch 2 Killer? News Is the Newly Revealed Xbox Handheld a Switch 2 Killer? 6 min read Published: June 14, 2025 Key Takeaways Xbox has announced two new handheld gaming devices in partnership with Asus: the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. They’re expected to compete with Nintendo’s Switch 2, which has sold 3.5M units in just 4 days of its launch. Xbox aims to bring a wide range of game titles to portable handheld devices in order to cater to the gaming PC market. Xbox has entered the handheld gaming market with two new launches: the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X in partnership with ASUS. Interestingly, Nintendo released its Switch 2 just last week. The public has received it with much enthusiasm, seeing as it’s already sold around 3.5M units in the first four days of its release. Needless to say, Xbox and Nintendo will be direct competitors in the handheld segment now. We looked at the spec sheets and customer reviews, and both handheld gaming devices seem to have different target audiences. Let’s unpack them in detail. Memory and Storage The ROG Xbox Ally comes in standard white color and features the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, with a 60Wh battery. The Ally X, on the other hand, comes in striking black with the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, 24 GB of memory, and 1 TB of storage, and a 80Wh battery. Source: Rog Ally Life Right off the bat, we believe that Microsoft has done a good job with the storage and processors. In comparison, the Nintendo Switch 2 has 12GB of memory with just 256GB of internal storage. On paper, the Xbox series looks to have an advantage over the Switch 2, which uses a custom NVIDIA T239 chipset for raw power. Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super-Sampling), however, gives Switch 2 an advantage over Xbox’s AMD Ryzen processors. DLSS can render games at lower resolutions and, therefore, achieve higher in-use frame rates, which boosts its overall performance. Simply put, despite the gap in on-paper specifications, the Switch 2 may render comparable performance to the Xbox Ally. Take this with a pinch of salt, though, because we’ll only be able to confirm this once we get our hands on the new Xbox handhelds. Display Both the Xbox handhelds feature a 7-inch Full HD (FHD) screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate. In comparison, the Switch 2 screen is bigger, with a 7.9-inch display, also rendering at 120 Hz. However, Switch 2 also features HDR10, giving it a significant edge over Xbox Ally. HDR10 ensures a much wider range of brightness levels and a broader spectrum of colors, so the display looks more vibrant and lifelike. Plus, you’ll see more detailed blacks and whites on the screen with better realism and depth, enhancing your overall gaming experience. The Switch 2 also features VRR technology, which prevents screen tearing and reduces stutter. Notably, the Xbox Ally range has its own version of the VRR, FreeSync Premium. So, truth be told, you might not experience much of a difference in that area. However, HDR10 can definitely prove to be a winner for Switch 2. Product Market Fit While both the Switch 2 and new Xbox handhelds are apparently the same genre of products, Microsoft and Nintendo seem to have different target markets in their minds. Microsoft is focusing more on the Windows handheld market, targeting players who want an on-the-go PC gaming experience. With access to Game Pass and titles from Steam and Epic Games, the Xbox Ally offers a more comprehensive library of games. Nintendo, on the other hand, looks to build on the legacy of the OG Nintendo Switch, which has sold 152M units since its launch in 2017. It aims to tap in on the Nintendo fan base with original titles such as Mario and an improved gaming experience. Also, Xbox is in direct competition with Valve’s Steam Deck. Both are essentially handheld PCs with wide access to PC-compatible aggregated game libraries on the go. Xbox is also introducing the ‘Xbox Experience for Handheld’ feature for its new Ally range, which will make Windows 11 more compatible and optimized for its handheld device – something similar to Valve’s SteamOS on the Steam Deck. Xbox Exploring a New Market Segment The global mobile and handheld gaming market is expected to expand at a rate of 13.8% CAGR till 2034. It may reach a market value of $35.189B.  Valve’s Steam Deck managed to sell around 3.7M units by the end of 2024. On the other hand, Windows-based devices like the ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw have sold ~5.9M units so far as per early 2025 reports. This shows there’s certainly demand for Windows-based handheld gaming devices.  Plus, Xbox’s partnership with ASUS could bring along a brand-value advantage for the product. With a seamless Windows 11 experience on an on-the-go device, these sales figures are expected to swell once the Xbox Ally hits the shelves. However, pricing will be a key determinant. The Switch 2 currently sells at $449.99 – or $499.99 with the Mario Kart bundle. The Steam Deck starts at $399.00 and goes up to $649. This means that the price range according to the current market demand is around $400-$600. Anything more than that may result in market adoption issues. The original ASUS ROG Ally is currently priced at $499. There’s little doubt, however, that Xbox would add a premium to this price. So, we’re expecting the price of the ROG Xbox Ally to be around $600, while the ROG Xbox Ally X may cost more than $700. This means that Xbox will be participating in the premium handheld gaming sector, which is something Nintendo and Steam do not cater to. Let’s wait for confirmation regarding the pricing and the launch date. Remember, this was only a feature comparison of the two products, and we’re yet to test them out for a detailed hands-on gaming experience comparison. Stick around for that. Krishi is a seasoned tech journalist with over four years of experience writing about PC hardware, consumer technology, and artificial intelligence.  Clarity and accessibility are at the core of Krishi’s writing style. He believes technology writing should empower readers—not confuse them—and he’s committed to ensuring his content is always easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy or depth. Over the years, Krishi has contributed to some of the most reputable names in the industry, including Techopedia, TechRadar, and Tom’s Guide. A man of many talents, Krishi has also proven his mettle as a crypto writer, tackling complex topics with both ease and zeal. His work spans various formats—from in-depth explainers and news coverage to feature pieces and buying guides.  Behind the scenes, Krishi operates from a dual-monitor setup (including a 29-inch LG UltraWide) that’s always buzzing with news feeds, technical documentation, and research notes, as well as the occasional gaming sessions that keep him fresh.  Krishi thrives on staying current, always ready to dive into the latest announcements, industry shifts, and their far-reaching impacts.  When he's not deep into research on the latest PC hardware news, Krishi would love to chat with you about day trading and the financial markets—oh! And cricket, as well. View all articles by Krishi Chowdhary Our editorial process The Tech Report editorial policy is centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written by real authors. More from News View all View all

Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to feel cramped or boxed in. With the right design tricks, you can make even the tiniest room feel open, airy, and inviting, no renovation required. Whether you’re in a compact apartment, a small home, or just trying to make the most of a single room, smart styling and layout choices can dramatically shift how the space looks and feels. From strategic lighting and paint colors to furniture swaps and clever storage solutions, there are plenty of easy, affordable ways to stretch your square footage visually. Ready to transform your space? Here are some practical, design-savvy ideas to make your home feel bigger without tearing down a single wall. 1. Opt for Multi-Functional Furniture Image Source: House Beautiful In a small space, every piece of furniture should earn its keep. Look for multi-functional items: ottomans that open up for storage, beds with drawers underneath, or coffee tables that can extend or lift to become a desk. Not only do these pieces help reduce clutter, but they also free up floor space, making the room look more open. Bonus points for furniture that can be folded away when not in use. By choosing versatile pieces, you’re making the most of every inch without sacrificing style or comfort. 2. Keep Pathways Clear Image Source: The Spruce One of the simplest yet most effective ways to make a small space feel bigger is to keep pathways and walkways clear. When furniture or clutter blocks natural movement through a room, it can make the space feel cramped and chaotic. Take a walk through your home and notice where you’re dodging corners or squeezing between pieces,those are areas to rethink. Opt for smaller furniture with slim profiles, or rearrange what you have to create an easy, natural flow. Open walkways help your eyes move freely through the room, making everything feel more spacious, breathable, and intentional. It’s all about giving yourself room to move,literally and visually. 3. Use Glass and Lucite Furniture Image Source: The Spruce Transparent furniture made from glass or Lucite (acrylic) takes up less visual space because you can see right through it. A glass coffee table or clear dining chairs can provide functionality without cluttering up the view. These pieces practically disappear into the background, which helps the room feel more open. They also add a touch of modern sophistication. When you need furniture but don’t want it to dominate the room, going clear is a clever design choice. 4. Don’t Over-Clutter Your Space Image Source: House Beautiful In small spaces, clutter accumulates fast,and it visually shrinks your environment. The more items scattered around, the more cramped the room feels. Start by taking a critical look at what you own and asking: do I really need this here? Use storage bins, under-bed containers, or floating shelves to hide away what you don’t use daily. Keep surfaces like countertops, desks, and coffee tables as clear as possible. A minimal, clean setup allows the eye to rest and makes the space feel open and intentional. Remember: less stuff equals more space,both physically and mentally. 5. Utilize Your Windows Image Source: House Beautiful Windows are like built-in art that can also dramatically affect how big or small your space feels. Don’t cover them with heavy drapes or clutter them with too many objects on the sill. Keep window treatments light and minimal,sheer curtains or roller blinds are perfect. If privacy isn’t a big concern, consider leaving them bare. Letting natural light flood in through your windows instantly opens up your space and makes it feel brighter and more expansive. You can also place mirrors or shiny surfaces near windows to reflect more light into the room and maximize their impact. 6. Downsize Your Dining Table Image Source: House Beautiful A large dining table can dominate a small room, leaving little space to move or breathe. If you rarely entertain a big crowd, consider downsizing to a smaller round or drop-leaf table. These take up less visual and physical space and still offer enough room for daily meals. You can always keep a folding table or stackable chairs nearby for when guests do come over. Round tables are especially great for small spaces because they allow smoother traffic flow and eliminate awkward corners. Plus, a smaller table encourages intimacy during meals and helps the whole area feel more open and functional. 7. Use Mirrors Strategically Image Source: The Tiny Cottage Mirrors can work magic in a small room. They reflect both natural and artificial light, which can instantly make a space feel larger and brighter. A large mirror on a wall opposite a window can double the amount of light in your room. Mirrored furniture or decor elements like trays and picture frames also help. Think about using mirrored closet doors or even creating a mirror gallery wall. It’s not just about brightness; mirrors also create a sense of depth, tricking the eye into seeing more space than there actually is. 8. Install a Murphy Bed Image Source: House Beautiful A Murphy bed (also known as a wall bed) is a game-changer for anyone living in a tight space. It folds up into the wall or a cabinet when not in use, instantly transforming your bedroom into a living room, office, or workout area. This setup gives you the flexibility to have a multi-purpose room without sacrificing comfort. Modern Murphy beds often come with built-in shelves or desks, offering even more function without taking up extra space. If you want to reclaim your floor during the day and still get a good night’s sleep, this is one smart solution. 9. Paint It White Image Source: House Beautiful Painting your walls white is one of the easiest and most effective tricks to make a space feel bigger. White reflects light, helping the room feel open, clean, and fresh. It creates a seamless look, making walls seem to recede and ceilings feel higher. You can still have fun with the space, layer in texture, subtle patterns, or neutral accessories to keep it from feeling sterile. White also acts as a blank canvas, letting your furniture and art stand out. Whether you’re decorating a studio apartment or a small home office, a fresh coat of white paint can work wonders. 10. Prioritize Natural Light Image Source: The Spruce Natural light has an incredible ability to make any room feel more spacious and welcoming. To make the most of it, avoid blocking windows with bulky furniture or dark curtains. Consider using light-filtering shades or sheer curtains to let sunlight pour in while maintaining some privacy. Arrange mirrors or reflective surfaces like glossy tables and metallic decor to bounce the light around the room. Even placing furniture in a way that lets light flow freely can change how open your home feels. Natural light not only brightens your space but also boosts your mood, making it a double win. 11. Maximize Shelving Image Source: House Beautiful When floor space is limited, vertical storage becomes your best ally. Floating shelves, wall-mounted units, or tall bookcases draw the eye upward, creating a sense of height and maximizing every inch. They’re perfect for books, plants, artwork, or even kitchen supplies if you’re short on cabinets. You can also install corner shelves to use often-overlooked spots. Keep them tidy and curated,group items by color, size, or theme for a visually pleasing look. Shelving helps reduce clutter on the floor and tabletops, keeping your home organized and visually open without requiring any extra square footage. 12. Keep It Neutral Image Source: House Beautiful Neutral tones, like soft whites, light grays, warm beiges, and pale taupes,can make a space feel calm and cohesive. These colors reflect light well and reduce visual clutter, making your room appear larger. A neutral palette doesn’t mean boring; you can still play with textures, patterns, and accents within that color family. Add throw pillows, rugs, or wall art in layered neutrals for interest without overwhelming the space. When everything flows in similar tones, it creates continuity, which tricks the eye into seeing a more expansive area. It’s an effortless way to open up your home without lifting a hammer. 13. Choose Benches, Not Chairs Image Source: House Beautiful When space is tight, traditional dining chairs or bulky accent seats can eat up more room than they’re worth. Benches, on the other hand, are a sleek, versatile alternative. They tuck neatly under tables when not in use, saving valuable floor space and keeping walkways open. In entryways, living rooms, or at the foot of a bed, a bench offers seating and can double as storage or display. Some come with built-in compartments or open space beneath for baskets. Plus, benches visually declutter the room with their simple, low-profile design. 14. Use Vertical Spaces Image Source: The Spruce When you’re short on square footage, think vertical. Use tall bookshelves, wall-mounted shelves, and hanging storage to keep things off the floor. Vertical lines naturally draw the eye upward, which creates a feeling of height and openness. Consider mounting floating shelves for books, plants, or decorative items. Hooks and pegboards can add function without taking up space. Making use of your wall space not only maximizes storage but also frees up floor area, which visually enlarges the room. 15. Add a Gallery Wall Image Source: House Beautiful It might seem counterintuitive, but adding a gallery wall can actually make a small space feel bigger,if done right. A curated display of art, photos, or prints draws the eye upward and outward, giving the illusion of a larger area. Stick to cohesive frames and colors to maintain a clean, intentional look. You can go symmetrical for a polished feel or get creative with an organic, freeform layout. Position the gallery higher on the wall to elongate the space visually. Just be sure not to overcrowd,balance is key. A thoughtful gallery wall adds personality without cluttering the room. Finishing Notes: Creating a spacious feel in a small home doesn’t require a sledgehammer or a major remodel, it just takes a bit of strategy and smart design. From downsizing your dining table to letting natural light pour in, each tip we’ve shared is an easy, budget-friendly way to visually open up your space. If you’re looking for even more inspiration, layout ideas, or style guides, be sure to explore Home Designing. It’s packed with expert advice, modern interior trends, and visual walkthroughs to help you transform your space, big or small, into something that truly feels like home.