Baldur's Gate 3's seven-year development journey might officially be at an end thanks to April's final major update, but Larian is still loitering around to hammer out the last few wrinkles. That brings us to its newly released Hotfix #31, which, among other things, excises some bits of "defunct dialogue" from an abandoned Minthara storyline inadvertently restored in Patch 8. Read more

It’s safe to say I’ve written about probably hundreds of EDC knives at this point – but hardly ever (if not never) written about an EDC sharpener. I’m not entirely sure if it’s even a category, but it is now, with the TiSpinx – a portable pendant-shaped knife sharpener that’s also a fidget spinner, and made almost entirely from titanium. Designed as jewelry, but functionally essential, the TiSpinx lets you keep your blades sharp no matter where you are. Three micro sharpening stones sit on the cylindrical surface of the TiSpinx, giving you a place to quickly (and effectively) jazz up any dull EDC blade you’ve got while outdoors. When you’re not whetting blades, the TiSpinx transforms into a fidget spinner, keeping your hands and mind occupied. All this sits in something the size of a piece of candy, making it perfectly portable, and ideal for stringing around a paracord, a keychain, a bracelet, or even a neck-chain. Designer: TIGO Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $89 (34% off) Hurry! Only 43 of 100 left. “The idea for TiSpinx was born from a common outdoor frustration. On a camping trip, a dull knife became a real problem—and sharpening it with rough stones just didn’t cut it,” said the folks at TIGO, who designed the TiSpinx. You see, EDC knives are a dime a dozen, and a decent amount of them are designed to stay sharp for years. But that promise is only good up until you’re faced with a dull blade that doesn’t slice through wood or cut paracord. That’s when the TiSpinx comes in handy, giving you a proper place to sharpen your blade rather than a random rock on a riverbank. But wearing a knife sharpener around your neck isn’t particularly glamorous – which is why TIGO took a subtle, yet sophisticated approach to making the TiSpinx. It had to be a sharpener, but it had to be more than just one too. The result, a pendant-shaped bead-like EDC that also doubled as a fidget spinner. With 3 micro sharpening stones, 9 tritium slots, and a hollow, compact design, the TiSpinx easily fits on bracelets, keyrings, or necklaces. It has the appeal of a dog tag, while being functional too. Spin it when you’re bored, sharpen knives when you’re equipped with dull blades, and show it off as haute outdoor jewelry when you’re just going about your day. The entire device is machined from GR5 titanium, a bona fide EDC-grade metal known for its lightweight, rugged nature. The TiSpinx measures under an inch high and wide (a 25.3mm x 19.9mm cylinder to be precise), and weighs a paltry 19.2 grams or 0.6 ounces. That officially makes it the smallest knife sharpener ever made, and the only one designed to be worn as EDC jewelry. The titanium construction houses 3 tiny sharpening stones that can easily be removed and flipped over if they get dirty. Meanwhile, an integrated ball-bearing system allows the TiSpinx to double as a silent fidget spinner. The tiny whetstones are made from Alumina or aluminum oxide – a hard, amorphous material extracted from bauxite ore. It’s known for its hardness and abrasion resistance, making it perfect for sharpening all kinds of blades, even ones made from tough high-chromium steel. Three strategically placed stones on the TiSpinx give you three surfaces to sharpen your blade on. You can choose to wet the stone too, for a cleaner experience – titanium is naturally rust-proof, making it the perfect material for the TiSpinx. The TiSpinx comes in 3 colors – a plain, sandblasted finish for lovers of the classic titanium color, an anodized yellow for people who want their sharpener/pendant to also have a little bling, and a PVD black for lovers of stealth. Each TiSpinx also comes with a total of 9 tritium slots, which you can put glow-vials into, giving the pendant a unique appeal while also allowing it to be visible in the dark. The TiSpinx starts at a discounted $59, which feels like a steal given most knives often cost the same amount, and this product basically extends the lifespan of every one of those knives. It’s jewelry, it’s EDC, it’s a fidget toy, but it’s also an investment in the longevity of your favorite blades, which is a laundry list of features that no other product I’ve ever written about has. I mean, a wearable knife sharpener that also happens to be a fidget pendant? And comes with a titanium construction that’s guaranteed to last a lifetime? It’s practically a dream for EDC enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, knife nerds, and just about anyone who adores functional jewelry. Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $89 (34% off) Hurry! Only 43 of 100 left.The post World’s Smallest Knife Sharpener Doubles as a Titanium EDC Pendant You Can Wear first appeared on Yanko Design.

Fairgame$ developer Haven Studios has lost its founder, Jade Raymond, a report from Bloomberg has revealed. The report also claims Fairgame$ has been delayed out of 2025, and into spring 2026. Haven Studios was announced in 2021, with Raymond making the announcement that she had partnered with PlayStation to form a new team that would be based in Montreal. At the time, Raymond explained that the emphasis behind the studio's name was "to create games that are a haven for players, and we want to build a studio that is a haven for developers." A year after that, we learned that PlayStation had acquired Haven Studios, officially bringing it into the PlayStation Studios family, and classifying Haven's debut project as a "AAA multiplayer experience." A year after that, Fairgame$ was announced, a competitive heist game that has only been showcased through a CGI trailer so far. According to Bloomberg's report, Raymond's departure is happening weeks after Fairgame$ went through an external test, and that developers at the studio were "concerned about how the game was received and its progress." About Raymond's departure, a PlayStation spokesperson told Bloomberg, "Jade Raymond has been an incredible partner and visionary force in founding Haven Studios. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and contributions, and we wish her all the best in her next chapter." Bloomberg also notes that the spokesperson said PlayStation is "committed to supporting Haven Studios and excited to continue the journey." Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski will replace Raymond as co-studio heads. Before Haven, Raymond made a name for herself as a producer on the Assassin's Creed series at Ubisoft, before leaving to establish Motive Studio within EA. After a number of years with EA, she was brought in to Google to help get Stadia off its feet. And now, the latest chapter in her career has come to an end. When Sony acquired Haven, former PlayStation boss Jim Ryan was going all-in on live-service games as the future of the PlayStation platform. Since then, Ryan retired, two of the first-party PlayStation Studios teams Sony had working on live-service games have been shut down (Deviation and Firewalk), and PlayStation has cut down the number of live-service games Ryan originally touted the company was going to make. It's difficult to read Raymond's departure at this stage as anything but a sign that Haven is next to be shut down, meaning it's currently a toss-up whether Fairgame$ even comes out. It also doesn't help that Fairgame$ resembles another dismally fated heist shooter. Deal of the Day

Nintendo Switch 2 Might Not Have Reviews on Launch Day – Rumour Publications have gotten word from Nintendo that they will not be sent Switch 2 review units until close to launch due to a day-one update. Posted By Joelle Daniels | On 15th, May. 2025 The Nintendo Switch 2, slated for launch on June 5, might not have hardware reviews on launch day. According to The Game Business, editors for several publications were told by Nintendo that, because of a big day-one firmware update for the console, the company will not be sending out review units of the Switch 2 until just a little bit before launch day. This has prompted quite a few editors to talk about their frustrations about the situation, with one pointing out that getting a Switch 2 so close to launch will also cause extra pressure on the publication because it will also be covering Summer Game Fest. “It’s really frustrating,” said the editor. “We will need to cover Switch 2 while also working across Summer Game Fest. How are we supposed to do that?” Another editor brought up the fact that the few lucky people out there who can get their hands on a Switch 2 early thanks to some retailers breaking street dates will end up with an advantage in this regard. This problem will also be further amplified by the fact that there will likely be stock shortages for the Switch 2 on launch, preventing many from legitimately getting their hands on the console. “Anyone who can get hold of a console early from a dodgy retailer will have a head start in terms of coverage,” they said. “I know the console will be sold out at launch, but what about all the other games?” Gaming development and publishing companies are also not happy about industry critics not getting the console early, since it will prevent them from benefiting from releasing “something special” in time for the console’s launch. Described as being something for Switch 2 players that might “want something else in addition to Mario Kart [World]”, the head of a PR department mentioned that “the lack of a independent critical validation is going to make it very hard for us. Maybe we would have been better off waiting a few weeks.” During Nintendo’s earnings report earlier this month, president Shuntaro Furukawa revealed that the company is predicting that it will sell 15 million Switch 2s over the year. Along with this, Furukawa also said that the company forecasts 45 million sales of software units. He also spoke about the relatively modest sales forecasts for the console, saying that the company’s focus is to “quickly popularise” the Switch 2 first. At this time, the top priority is to quickly popularize the Switch 2 hardware,” said Furukawa. “If the assumptions regarding tariffs change significantly, we would like to consider what price adjustments we should make and implement them after considering various factors.” In a Q&A part of the earnings report, Furukawa also revealed that the modest sales forecasts come down to the fact that the Switch 2 and its games will be more expensive when compared to the console’s predecessor. “Since the Switch 2 is priced higher than the original Switch, we recognize that there will be considerable hurdles in achieving the console’s widespread adoption in the early stages,” he said. Tagged With: Elden Ring: Nightreign Publisher:Bandai Namco Developer:FromSoftware Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView More DOOM: The Dark Ages Publisher:Bethesda Softworks Developer:id Software Platforms:Xbox Series X, PS5, PCView More Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Publisher:Sony Developer:Kojima Productions Platforms:PS5View More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Ghost of Yōtei’s Setting is “The Perfect Place to Tell Atsu’s Tale,” Says Game Director "If you’re going to tell a ghost story, do it in a dramatic location," says Sucker Punch's Nate Fox, who pra... Nintendo Switch 2 Might Not Have Reviews on Launch Day – Rumour Publications have gotten word from Nintendo that they will not be sent Switch 2 review units until close to la... Persona 5: The Phantom X Launches June 26th for PC and Mobiles Worldwide The free-to-play RPG features the same setting and combat system as Persona 5 but tells a new story with new a... DOOM: The Dark Ages Accolades Trailer Highlights Critical Acclaim Set before the events of DOOM (2016) and featuring id's largest campaign yet, the shooter is available on Xbox... Ubisoft’s New Subsidiary Will Build Story-Based Single-Player, Live-Service Multiplayer, and Mobile Games The subsidiary was founded as part of a €1.16 billion deal between Ubisoft and Tencent, and was officially a... Elden Ring Nightreign Trailer Showcases the Guardian Tank damage with its heavy shield, counter-attack, sweep away foes with a whirlwind or deliver death from abov... View More

TikTok recently began experimenting with an in-app meditation feature that encouraged teens to "wind down" after 10PM. Now, the company is making the feature official for all users and turning it on by default for all teens under the age of 18. With the change, teens will hit a full-screen "guided meditation exercise" when attempting to scroll after 10PM. The prompt is apparently something you can opt to ignore, but teens who do will encounter a second "harder to dismiss" prompt. TikTok's adult users will also be able to access the in-app meditations via the app's screen time controls (the feature will not be on by default for adults). The company notes that its initial tests of "Sleep Hours" were successful, with 98 percent of teens opting to keep the late-night meditation settings on. Previous attempts by TikTok to limit screen time have a somewhat different track record. Documents that surfaced as part of a lawsuit against the company showed that teens were spending about 107 minutes a day in the app even when screen time was set to a 60-minute limit. Since then, TikTok has beefed up some of its safety features, including its parental controls, amid increasing scrutiny of the company. TikTok's fate in the US is still, officially, in limbo as President Donald Trump signed off on another extension of a deadline to ban the app last month. Terms of a final deal that will allow it to remain in the country permanently have yet to be announced, though there are a number of interested buyers.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-will-try-to-force-teens-to-meditate-after-10pm-231118942.html?src=rss

News Ghost of Yōtei’s Setting is “The Perfect Place to Tell Atsu’s Tale,” Says Game Director "If you’re going to tell a ghost story, do it in a dramatic location," says Sucker Punch's Nate Fox, who praised Hokkaido's beauty. Posted By Ravi Sinha | On 15th, May. 2025 It’s been a long wait for Ghost of Yōtei, the sequel to Sucker Punch’s critically acclaimed and commercially successful Ghost of Tsushima. Set over 300 years later, this time in Ezo (later known as Hokkaido), the narrative is about Atsu, who seeks revenge after the Yōtei Six slaughter her family. As with Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch is aiming to “deliver a feeling of authenticity and believability to our fictional story.” On the PlayStation Blog, game director Nate Fox reveals that the team settled on Hokkaido because it’s “unbelievably beautiful.” “In 1603, it was the edge of the Japanese empire. Back then, it was called Ezo, a mysterious island to the north, sparsely populated by Wajin (Japanese) people bold enough to build a life for themselves in the cold wilderness. This combination of beauty and danger spoke to us.” Fox believes it’s the “perfect place to tell Atsu’s tale; a warrior so driven by revenge that locals start to believe she’s an onryō walking the land. If you’re going to tell a ghost story, do it in a dramatic location.” The development team undertook two trips to gather references, one to Shiretoko National Park, where the “natural beauty” of the ocean and cliffs coexist with predators like bears. “Suddenly we had to split our attention between gazing up at the beautiful snowcapped mountains and looking down at the nearby bushes in case there was a predator nearby. “That experience was magic! A perfect marriage of beauty and danger, that was the exact feeling we wanted for our game.” It’s ultimately what made Fox believe that the location was “the right choice” for the game. The second trip saw the team encounter the titular Mt. Yōtei or the “Female Mountain” as the Ainu called it. Fox felt that it was a “symbol of Hokkaido” and for Atsu, “It’s a symbol of home and of the family she lost. This process of being there, talking about the game with locales and then synthesizing new ideas is what made the trip so fulfilling.” Fox teased that the developer spoke to a “wealth of knowledgeable individuals and visited important cultural sites” to learn more about Japanese culture but that more will be revealed later. Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks. Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2nd for PS5, with pre-orders now available. Check out the latest trailer or learn more about how it’s Sucker Punch’s biggest map yet. Tagged With: Elden Ring: Nightreign Publisher:Bandai Namco Developer:FromSoftware Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView More DOOM: The Dark Ages Publisher:Bethesda Softworks Developer:id Software Platforms:Xbox Series X, PS5, PCView More Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Publisher:Sony Developer:Kojima Productions Platforms:PS5View More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Might be the Most Important Console Ever – DFC Intelligence The fact that Grand Theft Auto 6 got pushed back to 2026 might result with hardware sales for PS5 and Xbox Ser... Ghost of Yōtei’s Setting is “The Perfect Place to Tell Atsu’s Tale,” Says Game Director "If you’re going to tell a ghost story, do it in a dramatic location," says Sucker Punch's Nate Fox, who pra... Nintendo Switch 2 Might Not Have Reviews on Launch Day – Rumour Publications have gotten word from Nintendo that they will not be sent Switch 2 review units until close to la... Persona 5: The Phantom X Launches June 26th for PC and Mobiles Worldwide The free-to-play RPG features the same setting and combat system as Persona 5 but tells a new story with new a... DOOM: The Dark Ages Accolades Trailer Highlights Critical Acclaim Set before the events of DOOM (2016) and featuring id's largest campaign yet, the shooter is available on Xbox... Ubisoft’s New Subsidiary Will Build Story-Based Single-Player, Live-Service Multiplayer, and Mobile Games The subsidiary was founded as part of a €1.16 billion deal between Ubisoft and Tencent, and was officially a... View More

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. You can now own a $1 gold coin celebrating one of America’s most revolutionary achievements: the NASA Space Shuttle program. The latest variant in the ongoing American Innovation $1 Coin series is available to order through the United States Mint. Selected to represent the state of Florida, the noncirculating legal tender is the third coin released this year and the 28th coin in the 15-year project first announced in 2018. While the coin’s front displays the series’ Statue of Liberty image, the back shows the shuttle launching above plumes of exhaust. United States Mint Medallic Artist Eric David Custer sculpted the image while Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Ron Sanders designed it. “The Space Shuttle, officially known as the Space Transportation System, remains one of the most iconic and influential spacecrafts in history,” explained US Mint acting director Kristie McNally in an accompanying announcement. “As the world’s first reusable spacecraft, it played a pivotal role in advancing space exploration. We are honored to celebrate this major achievement.” The Space Shuttle’s iconic design (including the image displayed on the new $1 coins) frequently featured not just the shuttle itself, but its large external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters. Those attachments detached after the shuttle reached a predetermined altitude. While the boosters included parachutes allowing them to be recovered and reused, the fuel tank was designed to disintegrate during its atmospheric reentry along a ballistic trajectory ensuring any remnants landed in the Indian or Pacific Oceans. The Space Shuttle coin is the 28th in the American Innovation series. Credit: US Mint NASA relied on the Space Shuttle to transport astronauts on missions from April 1981 until its retirement in July 2011. The spacecraft blasted off a total of 135 times from one of two launchpads in Florida, returning to Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral at the end of 78 of those trips. During its tenure, the shuttle flew the first women and minority crew members into space, as well as delivered components for both the Hubble Space Telescope and International Space Station (ISS). The program was not without tragedy, however. The Challenger and Columbia disasters of 1986 and 2003, respectively,  collectively claimed the lives of 14 astronauts. In 2004, President George W. Bush announced plans to retire the Space Shuttle program following the completion of the ISS. Today, NASA primarily relies on private contracts with companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin for astronaut and mission transport. The ongoing Artemis lunar program will use an Orion spacecraft designed by Lockheed Martin. The Space Shuttle’s influence today is far more than just symbolic. The Artemis program’s rocket booster engines, casings, and main engines are all repurposed and refurbished from Space Shuttle craft. The Artemis I mission alone utilized components previously employed on 83 shuttle missions. The United States Mint announced its American Innovation $1 Coin series celebrating American achievements across science and technology in 2018, and has already featured three space-related selections prior to the Florida coin. Delaware’s coin from 2018 showcases Annie Jump Cannon, the pioneering astronomer responsible for the star classification system still used today. Meanwhile, Maryland’s 2020 entry pays tribute to the Hubble Space Telescope, and Alabama’s 2024 release includes the Saturn V rocket. Later this year, Texas will become the fifth space-centric $1 gold coin with its Mission Control design.

Pictured above: A media room designed by Robin Henry, featuring an RT Facts lamp with custom shade.Let’s be honest: lampshades don’t always get the love they deserve. But this small design detail can totally transform the look and feel of a room. The right shade can elevate a lamp from basic to brilliant, soften a space with warm ambient light, or make a bold statement all on its own. And now that lampscaping—the idea of using multiple lamps (table, floor, and task) to layer light throughout a space instead of relying on harsh overheads—is officially a thing, knowing how to pick the best shade for your lamp feels more essential than ever. It's all about creating ambiance and mood, and it starts with choosing the right topper.Whether you're going classic, playful, minimalist, or maximalist, there’s a shade out there just waiting to light up your life. (See what we did there?) Don’t be afraid to mix and match lamp bases and shades for a custom, curated look. A sculptural base with a pleated or patterned shade? Yes, please. A sleek brass lamp with a bold-colored linen shade? Instant upgrade. Lampshades are an easy, affordable way to refresh your decor without a full-on overhaul—so have fun with it. Just don’t forget to consider size, shape, and material to make sure your lamp’s glow-up is as good as it gets. We asked interior designers to enlighten us (we really couldn’t help ourselves) on how to pick the perfect lampshade and ensure the scale is on point.Related StoriesChoose a SizeNicolas GourguechonFollowing the rule of thumb, the shade-to-base ratio of this entryway lamp in designer Devin Kirk’s own home is perfectly balanced.Amy NeunsingerTwo light sources mean two different shades and fittings in the Quadrille Arbre de Matisse adorned guest room of this home designed by Mark D. Sikes.Size definitely matters—at least when it comes to lampshades. First things first: proportions. A too-small shade looks awkward, and a too-large one can overwhelm the base. As a rule of thumb, according to interior designer and author Lauren Liess, "a lampshade should be roughly two-fifths of the total height of the full lamp, including the shade." So, if your lamp is 30 inches tall, aim for a 20-inch shade. That said, “there’s always an exception,” Liess adds. Retro styles often play with scale and can look fantastic with oversized or unusually shaped shades. A tall shade on a short, squat base? Totally works—just embrace the proportions. Width-wise, the shade should typically match the height of the base. And yes, it should always cover the bulb socket and any hardware. This is not the time for exposed necks. Speaking of hardware, not all shades work with all lamps, so fittings matter. The most common is a spider fitter, which works with lamps that have a harp and finial. If your lamp doesn’t have a harp, try an UNO fitter (it attaches directly to the socket). And for chandeliers or small accent lamps, clip-on shades are a quick and easy option. Just make sure whatever you use sits level and snug—wobbly lamp syndrome is never chic.Related StoryChoose a ShapeNathan SchroderA crisp white drum adorns a statement lamp base, making it stand out against the charcoal draperies in the dining room of this Dallas home designed by Studio Thomas James.Eric PiaseckiA stark white sculptural base paired with a simple tapered shade stands out while still letting the faux moiré painted walls shine in this Westchester County, NY, farmhouse designed by Robin Henry.Lampshades come in all shapes, and each one sets a different tone. Drum shades—those modern cylindrical beauties—are perfect for both contemporary and midcentury styles. “The drum is versatile enough for both modern and traditional interiors,” says Liess. Whitney Tingle, director of interior design at Christopher Architecture & Interiors, loves using oversize drum shades in linen to soften bold, sculptural bases with understated texture. Empire, coolie, and other tapered shade styles, which slope from a narrow top to a wide base, are timeless and elegant. Liess recommends them for chunkier, rounder lamp bases—think genie bottles or spherical silhouettes. For something romantic and soft, look no further than bell shades. Their graceful curves bring a vintage-inspired, feminine touch to more traditional spaces. Nicolas GourguechonFor his own home, designer Devin Kirk matched a square lamp shade with a vintage, metallic base of similar shape for an impactful lighting detail in this sophisticated family room.Lisa Romerein/Otto"In one of my favorite master bedrooms, this patterned shade adds dimension and an unexpected wit while staying traditional." — Michael S. SmithOn the other end of the spectrum, square and rectangular shades lend structure and sharpness, and they’re best used on lamps that also have a square or rectangular shape, according to Liess. Short on space? Oval shades are a smart solution. They’re ideal for lamps with distinct front-and-back silhouettes and add a polished feel without taking up extra room. And then, there are pleated shades—the darlings of traditional design. “They make a space feel decorated,” says Liess, who calls them an “old-guard designers’ staple.” Tingle recommends customizing pleated shades with color and pattern for maximum personality, especially when paired with a simple brass base.Related StoryChoose a MaterialFrancesco Lagnese"Zuber wallpaper is too expensive to not use every square inch of it, so we made shades from leftover scraps." — Tom ScheererBrie WilliamsBasic white lampshades were swapped for custom Euro-style “skirted” versions in a striped pattern that echoes the ridges of the lamp base in this primary bedroom by Heidi Woodman.Material doesn’t just determine the look of your shade—it defines the quality and style of the light itself. Paper shades are minimal and clean, often found in Scandinavian and Japandi-inspired interiors. They're especially charming in pendant or hanging styles. Designer Tom Scheerer has even used leftover wallpaper to create custom paper shades, giving his space a "surrealist touch." Fabric shades—linen, cotton, or silk—are the most versatile. Linen and cotton diffuse light beautifully, making any space feel soft and inviting. Silk ups the drama, casting a flattering, luxe glow that's perfect for bedrooms or formal living areas. These materials can work with virtually any shape or lamp style. Lampshade skirts, like those seen in interior designer Heidi Woodman's space, are also a fun option when using fabric for shades.Want something a little more modern and edgy? Metal shades cast directional light that's great for task lighting—perfect on a desk or reading lamp. Just a heads up from Liess: Metal shades can heat up, so skip them in nurseries or kid-centric zones. Or you can add unexpected texture and an instant coastal feel with a shade made out of rattan. Related StoryChoose a Color and PatternStephen KarlischIn her own home, designer Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey used Coquette fabric by Kelly Wearstler on the walls, bed, and lampshades for the lighting on the bookshelf, while the bedside lamps are paired with custom lampshades from Shades from the Midnight Sun.Simon Watson"I love Pierre Frey’s Le Manach Balmoral and, inspired by French bedrooms, I used it all over. Custom-covered shades add so much." — Ellen NivenThis is where you get to play. If your lamp base is doing most of the talking, stick with a neutral shade—think white, beige, or soft gray. These tones complement almost everything without drawing too much attention. But if you want your shade to be the star, don’t hold back. Patterned or brightly colored shades can instantly energize a room. Want to go full-on, pattern-drenching maximalist? Try matching your shade fabric to drapery, pillows, or even wallpaper. “It becomes more than just a lighting element,” says Tingle. “It transforms into a cohesive design feature, seamlessly tying into the overall narrative of the space.” Frank Frances StudioDesigner Courtney McLeod paired a Broome lampshade with a Wildwood lamp for this sultry primary bedroom in her clients’ downtown New York apartment.And yes, we’re here for the moody, sexy glow of a dark shade too. It’s perfect for intimate nooks or elegant bedrooms where atmosphere is everything.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

studio closure Report: Microsoft’s experimental Laptop Studio is vanishing without a replacement Surface Laptop Studio 2 is reportedly no longer being manufactured. Andrew Cunningham – May 15, 2025 3:23 pm | 0 The original Surface Laptop Studio. Credit: Andrew Cunningham The original Surface Laptop Studio. Credit: Andrew Cunningham Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Microsoft has continued to design, manufacture, and sell new Surface hardware since longtime team leader Panos Panay left the company for Amazon in late 2023, including both Intel- and Qualcomm-powered Surface Pro tablets and Surface Laptops. New smaller versions of both of these mainstays were introduced just a couple of weeks ago. But the weirder, more unique parts of the Surface lineup have been mostly neglected since Panay's departure. Late last year, Microsoft discontinued the Surface Studio all-in-one desktop, which was never updated consistently and started at a whopping $4,300. But it provided one of the few alternatives to the basic "monitor with a computer inside it" all-in-one design template. Now, The Verge reports that Microsoft stopped manufacturing the Surface Laptop Studio 2 earlier this month and that the PC will disappear after current retail stock is sold. Microsoft reportedly plans to officially announce the end-of-life status of the Laptop Studio 2 in June. The company will support the Laptop Studio with driver and firmware updates as necessary through at least October of 2029, in accordance with its six-year support lifecycle for Surface hardware. The Laptop Studio was originally introduced in October of 2021 alongside the 8th-generation Surface Pro tablet. It was a brand-new design, but it had spiritual predecessors in the form of the Studio desktop and the older Surface Book, a laptop whose screen could be removed entirely from its base to function as a standalone tablet. It was last updated in September of 2023, just after Panay announced he was leaving Microsoft. Like the Surface Studio desktop, the Laptop Studio's odd and innovative exterior was rendered less exciting by a high price and relatively underpowered interior. Before discounts, the Laptop Studio 2 starts at around $2,400 for a basic configuration with a 13th-generation Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage—integrated graphics and a fully loaded version with 64GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and a GeForce RTX 4060 GPU would normally run you over $4,300. Though experimental Surface designs like the Book and Studio rarely delivered great value for the money, they were at least unique attempts at new kinds of PCs with extra features for designers, artists, and anyone else who could benefit from a big stylus-compatible touchscreen. Microsoft's most influential PC design remains the Surface Pro itself, one of the few tablet PC design templates to outlast the Windows 8 era. It makes sense for Microsoft (or any PC company) to play it safe with established designs, but it does make the PC industry just a little less interesting. Andrew Cunningham Senior Technology Reporter Andrew Cunningham Senior Technology Reporter Andrew is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica, with a focus on consumer tech including computer hardware and in-depth reviews of operating systems like Windows and macOS. Andrew lives in Philadelphia and co-hosts a weekly book podcast called Overdue. 0 Comments

Kratos & Aloy 10-Inch Plushies Kratos - $10.77 (was $20) | Aloy - $11.80 (was $20) See Kratos Plush See Aloy Plush Horizon Forbidden West - Aloy 6-Inch Deluxe Action Figure $20.62 (was $50) See at Amazon The Last of Us - Joel & Ellie 6-Inch Action Figures (2-Pack) $50 See at Amazon Several figures and plushies in the official PlayStation Shapes Collection are on sale for super cheap at Amazon. God of War fans can get the awesome 10-inch Kratos plush for $10.77 (was $20) and the six-inch Atreus action figure for $15.10 (was $30). Meanwhile, Horizon Forbidden West fans can grab the deluxe Aloy action figure for $20.62 (was $50), the Aloy plush for $11.80 (was $20), and Varl action figure for $12 (was $30).PlayStation Studios 6-inch Action FiguresAloy from Horizon Forbidden West (Deluxe 6" Figure) -- $20.62 ($50)Atreus from God of War: Ragnarok (6" Figure) -- $15.10 ($30)Varl from Horizon Forbidden West (6" Figure) -- $12 ($30)Jin Sakai Action Figure - Ghost of Tsushima (6" Figure) -- $27 ($30)Kratos from God of War: Ragnarok (6" Figure) -- $30Joel & Ellie from The Last of Us (6" Figure 2-Pack)-- $50PlayStation Studios 10-inch Collector's PlushiesKratos from God of War Ragnarok (10" Plush) -- $10.77 ($20)Aloy from Horizon Forbidden West (10" Plush) -- $11.80 ($20) PlayStation Shapes Collection Check out full lineup of official PlayStation action figures and plushies See at Amazon The PlayStation Shapes Collection debuted last year and currently features seven action figures and two plushies based on characters from popular PlayStation Studios games. All of the action figures were designed by Spin Master and officially licensed by PlayStation. Each 6-inch figure has many points of articulation and is bundled with swappable accessories. The PlayStation Shapes Collection also includes a two-pack of action figures featuring Joel and and Ellie action figures, though The Last of Us figure set isn't on sale right now.Continue Reading at GameSpot