EA has redefined its hybrid work policy, which now requires a minimum of three days a week in a local office. Its 'offsite local' work model is being sunset, taking effect within three to 24 months, depending on the employee's location.As per an email sent to employees yesterday, which was reviewed and reported by IGN, CEO Andrew Wilson said in-person work leads to "a kinetic energy that fuels creativity, innovation, and connection, often resulting in unexpected breakthroughs that lead to incredible experiences for players.In a follow-up email from EA Entertainment president Laura Miele, also reviewed and reported by IGN, she described the decision as the company moving from "a decentralized approach to a globally consistent, enterprise-wide work model."Miele outlined a series of key points, starting by saying that these changes "will not take effect immediately," and work model transitions will come "with a minimum 12-week notice period before any changes are implemented." Timing will vary by location.Regarding the in-office situation, Miele said that the company is introducing a "30-mile/48-km radius" around EA locations."Employees who live within 30-miles/48-km of an EA location will transition to a hybrid work model," read the email. "Employees who live outside the 30-mile/48-km radius will be considered remote unless their role is designated as on site or hybrid."Related:EA will also sunset the 'offsite local' work model. Depending on location, the "transition may take three to 24 months." Lastly, Miele said that "any work model exception and future remote hires will require a CEO Direct's /my approval."Sources within EA, who reportedly spoke to IGN anonymously, said that some employees shared "hours-long commutes they were now being expected to make" after the email announcement, while others expressed "concerns regarding childcare or personal medical conditions that had benefited from remote work.""Others, classified as remote and outside the 30-mile range, expressed concern for what would happen to their roles if they were unwilling or unable to move closer to an office long-term," read the IGN report.Since January of this year, EA-subsidiary BioWare shuffled staff over to different EA teams after shipping Dragon Age: The Veilguard and redirecting "full focus" on the upcoming Mass Effect entry, while some people were reportedly let go, according to an IGN report. Fellow subsidiary Respawn Entertainment reportedly laid off several employees in March, canceling an unannounced project in the process. In late April, EA reportedly laid off between 300 to 400 employees. At the start of May, Wilson said the publisher "has never been more optimistic about what comes next."Related:EA isn't the only publisher pushing for return-to-office policiesIn late 2024, Swedish company Paradox Interactive changed its hybrid work schedules, mandating employees to be in the office four days a week starting in February 2025, and a full five days a week by September.During interviews conducted by Game Developer, both current and former developers suggested that the policy has proven to be unpopular within the company. According to a survey conducted by the worker's union Unionen and SACO after the announcement, over 50 percent of employees said that they're considering looking for other jobs.Back in September 2024, Ubisoft implemented a return-to-office policy across its entire studio structure, about a year after announcing a similar mandate at Ubisoft Montreal. A month later, unions for Ubisoft's Barcelona studio reportedly filed a lawsuit against the company, which came to light in November.In October 2024, Cloud Imperium reportedly enacted a temporary 7-day work mandate for developers working on Star Citizen. In November, ZeniMax union workers went on strike in response to Microsoft's remote working policy, as well as the decision to continue outsourcing quality assurance work.Related: #report #ea039s #new #hybrid #work

As we all know, there’s certainly nothing “blah” about Blå Station when it comes to their designs. With their 2025 collections, the Swedish brand continues to blur the lines between contract and residential furniture to show that playfulness and comfort can coexist in even the most functional spaces. We teased the new Villhem chair, designed by Thomas Bernstrand and Stefan Borselius, earlier this year when we got a glimpse of it at Stockholm Design Week. What is stunning about the design, beyond its architectural form and razor-sharp lines, is the the fact that it wasn’t pulled from a storied archive of prototypes – it’s a brand new design, and a fresh exploration of what it means to bring the comforts of home to the office. The name Villhem itself stems from its Swedish translation, “I want to go home!” – a sentiment that resonates through its inviting silhouette. With its padded elements and gently reclining seat that encourages a relaxed posture, Villhem offers ease in an office setting, making you feel just at home whether you’re at work or unwinding in a lounge. Constructed with a compression-molded wooden seat shell and armrests, Villhem balances structure with flexibility. Its steel frame provides a sturdy foundation, while every touchpoint where the body meets the chair can be customized with additional and separable padding, whether it’s the armrests, seat, backrest, or neck cushion. For those who prefer a little extra indulgence, Villhem is also available as an ultra-soft version, luxuriously padded in leather. Whether placed in a conference room or flanking a side table in a cozy living space, Villhem is poised to become the kind of classic design in line with the iconic greats. While Villhem is all about bringing home-like comfort to structured spaces, Decofunc is about turning structure into play. Designed by Osko + Deichmann, this modular wall system rethinks functionality as something flexible, dynamic, and ever-evolving. At first glance, Decofunc may seem like an abstract wall decor of geometric forms, but look closer, and you’ll find a system designed for endless customization. Built around a steel frame, Decofunc can be turned into four different directions, allowing an ever-changing visual composition of your own creation. The frame serves as a base for a variety of non-permanent add-ons, including solid wooden knobs for hanging objects, hot-molded recycled polyester felt, and flat inserts in wood, steel, or felt. This flexibility turns Decofunc from a static object into an interactive piece, one that serves as visual and functional decor. With Villhem innovating on workplace comfort and Decofunc turning everyday functionality into an interactive experience, Blå Station proves once again that design should never be static. Instead, it should adapt and evolve, always looking ahead to meet the need of the future. To learn more about the Villhem and Decofunc designs, visit blastation.com. Photography courtesy of Blå Station. #blå #station #brings #play #homey

Routine resort-goers know the Cayman Islands’ Seven Mile Beach well—they flock to its white sands, turquoise water, and luxurious coastal amenities for stress-free vacations. Among the hotel-speckled coastline, Palm Heights stands out for being the first of its kind on the strip—an all-suite boutique hotel with splashy, ’70s-derived interiors that quickly became a fixture for coastal creatives when it reopened in 2019. The visionary behind its distinct style? Creative director Gabriella Khalil, also known for her wide breadth of interiors work, including projects in New York’s WSA building, SoHo darling Happier Grocery, as well as global hospitality projects.Kravaev-Söderberg and Khalil. Courtesy of H&M HomeOn June 12, H&M Home and Khalil are bringing the property’s signature vacation vibe to your own space, with a resort-inspired line that draws from the palette and prints of Palm Heights—its bright yellows, white sands, cabana stripes, and retro style. While the Swedish powerhouse already offers an impressive decor inventory, this melding of the minds invites a new POV to their Scandi sensibilities.“Our philosophy is to create interior objects that stand the test of time in terms of design while also respecting quality and price, so that interior enthusiasts can decorate their homes in a personal and contemporary way,” says Evelina Kravaev-Söderberg, head of design and creative at H&M Home. “A collaboration like this allows us to tap into a unique world and invite our customers to access the beauty and escapism of Palm Heights.”The 23-piece collection features robes, towels, pool cushions, even a retro sun fan that incorporates the signature design and glamorous spirit of the hotel. “We call the ’70s the glory days of the Caribbean—moments from that time and the architecture of the building lent itself to that era. We wanted to hone in on it,” Khalil said. “Photography by Slim Aarons and imagery of Grace Jones have been a consistent visual reference.”The reversible stripe throw pillows in the collection’s characteristic yellow and brown. Courtesy of H&M HomeThe Palm Heights–embossed cabana towel, pictured here with the backgammon set. Courtesy of H&M HomeStriped cotton robes in bright yellow and deep brown mix with striped towels with checkered trims in the same palette, gesturing to the umbrellas that line the beachfront property. Design-forward objects also appear in the collection like teak sandstone ceramics and wooden candleholders. The sun fan is rattan with a bold black handle, which, Khalil says, “captures the playfulness and elegance of the collection as well as the spirit of summer vacations.” A reed diffuser and candle manifest the scent of the Caribbean coastline—tonka santal with sun-ripe plum, cedarwood, and tobacco.The sandstone candleholders, as well as the sandstone bowls in both large and small. Courtesy of H&M HomeWith play and relaxation top of mind, the collection also features a checkered Ping-Pong set and backgammon set for bringing summer playfulness to the home. “I hope people feel the beginning of summer; there’s joyfulness, sunshine, and elegant simplicity,” Khalil says.Ultimately, Kravaev-Söderberg’s goal is to make the magic of the islands accessible to all. “Our idea is to give more people the opportunity to feel the magic of these incredible places—to allow them to travel without leaving home,” she says. With the collection’s most expensive item clocking in at you can thank H&M Home for saving your wallet a trip to the Caymans. The collection will be available for purchase on June 12. Prices start at and range to Palm Heights yellow cushions, H&M glasses, and the collection’s sun fan. Courtesy of H&M HomeThe orange glass and pitcher collection, pictured with the handmade straw basket. Courtesy of H&M Home #hampampm #home #teams #with #palm

Last year, Italian games studio Two Little Mice struck a deal to have Swedish tabletop publisher Free League distribute the Ennie-winning game Outgunned, which lets gaming groups play out heist or action movies like Ocean’s Eleven and Mission: Impossible. As part of that deal, Free League just released the first book in Outgunned’s genre line, Outgunned Adventure, which focuses on pulp films like Indiana Jones, The Mummy, and Tomb Raider. The standalone book uses Outgunned’s Director’s Cut RPG system, which has players roll between two and nine six-sided dice and score successes based on how many land on the same face. As the name suggests, characters are meant to be outmatched by dastardly villains they need to face through shootouts and fast talking. Failure is common, but PCs can “fail with style” — for instance, getting lost while searching for something might mean the players find something they weren’t expecting. Being too noisy on an infiltration might just lead to an exciting fight with a dangerous enemy they hoped to avoid. The core rulebook includes 10 new roles, like Scoundrel, Technician, and Captain. Those combine with action movie tropes to provide a wide range of character options. You’ll explore ancient temples, run from traps, and fight on top of trains, while searching for treasure and solving mysteries. GMs looking to start playing quickly can pick up the Fall of Atlantis three-part campaign — Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire is another major influence on the game — and an Adventure Director Screen, which provides a quick rules reference. The print books come with PDF copies, fulfilled through DriveThruRPG.Like the base game, Outgunned Adventure was the product of a highly successful crowdfunding campaign, raising more than €480,000 last summer. Two Little Mice has also just kicked off a campaign for its next genre book, Outgunned Superheroes. It has already raised more than €224,000, and high pledge levels include other Outgunned products, including the Action Flicks setting books and the John Wick-inspired World of Killers. #play #indiana #jones #lara #croft

Last year, Italian games studio Two Little Mice struck a deal to have Swedish tabletop publisher Free League distribute the Ennie-winning game Outgunned, which lets gaming groups play out heist or action movies like Ocean’s Eleven and Mission: Impossible. As part of that deal, Free League just released the first book in Outgunned’s genre line, Outgunned Adventure, which focuses on pulp films like Indiana Jones, The Mummy, and Tomb Raider. The standalone book uses Outgunned’s Director’s Cut RPG system, which has players roll between two and nine six-sided dice and score successes based on how many land on the same face. As the name suggests, characters are meant to be outmatched by dastardly villains they need to face through shootouts and fast talking. Failure is common, but PCs can “fail with style” — for instance, getting lost while searching for something might mean the players find something they weren’t expecting. Being too noisy on an infiltration might just lead to an exciting fight with a dangerous enemy they hoped to avoid. The core rulebook includes 10 new roles, like Scoundrel, Technician, and Captain. Those combine with action movie tropes to provide a wide range of character options. You’ll explore ancient temples, run from traps, and fight on top of trains, while searching for treasure and solving mysteries. GMs looking to start playing quickly can pick up the Fall of Atlantis three-part campaign — Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire is another major influence on the game — and an Adventure Director Screen, which provides a quick rules reference. The print books come with PDF copies, fulfilled through DriveThruRPG.Like the base game, Outgunned Adventure was the product of a highly successful crowdfunding campaign, raising more than €480,000 last summer. Two Little Mice has also just kicked off a campaign for its next genre book, Outgunned Superheroes. It has already raised more than €224,000, and high pledge levels include other Outgunned products, including the Action Flicks setting books and the John Wick-inspired World of Killers. #play #indiana #jones #lara #croft

Table of Contents Table of Contents Another step toward a true Sonos alternative Between HomePod and Era 100 Still no AirPlay Tomorrow, Wiim will announce its first wireless speaker, the Wiim Sound. It looks like a lot like Apple’s HomePod, with an almost cylindrical shape that’s wrapped in a fabric grille and topped with a set of touch controls. But the detail that will likely get the most attention is its built-in, 1.8-inch circular touchscreen. The hi-res screen offers the same album displays and controls as the one on the front of the Wiim Ultra, the company’s flagship network music streamer. As with all of Wiim’s products, its core feature set is designed to work seamlessly with the rest of the affordable Wiim ecosystem, giving Sonos owners even more reason to make a switch. Recommended Videos The Wiim Sound is set to debut at High End Munich 2025, an audiophile-centric audio show in Germany. Wiim hasn’t released pricing or specific availability yet, noting only that the Wiim Sound will arrive in “Q3 2025 on Amazon and at select retailers.” For now, it’s only available in black. Related Wiim The Wiim Sound isn’t the first Wiim-compatible wireless speaker. Earlier in 2025, the company announced it had partnered with Swedish brand, Audio Pro to create Wiim Edition versions of its A10 Mk II and C10 Mk II wireless speakers, which can be discovered and controlled natively within the Wiim Home app. However, the Wiim Sound marks an important milestone in the company’s evolution as it begins to build out an ecosystem of in-house designed products that let it compete more directly with Sonos. It’s not difficult to imagine that Wiim will continue this expansion, eventually working its way into the rest of Sonos’ categories, such as soundbars, Bluetooth speakers, and possibly headphones. Wiim Physically, the Wiim Sound straddles the line between the Apple HomePod and the Sonos Era 100. Its footprint (5.7 x 5.7 inches) is almost exactly the same as the HomePod, while its height, at 7.5 inches is slightly taller than the Era 100 (7.18 inches). The presence of the circular touchscreen will no doubt renew speculation about Apple’s next HomePod, which has been widely rumored to include some kind of display. Internally, the Wiim Sound is much closer to Sonos’ speaker, with a 4-inch woofer and two balanced-mode radiator (BMR) tweeters. Thanks to those dual tweeters, Wiim says the Sound can reproduce two-channel stereo, though like the Era 100, getting true stereo separation may be tricky. Wiim hasn’t revealed the amplifier layout details, but it claims there’s 100 watts of combined power on tap. On the bottom of the speaker are ports for power, and 10/100 Ethernet, plus a 3.5mm jack for analog inputs. Wireless connectivity is supported by both Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Wiim calls the Sound a smart speaker, but since there’s no built-in mic and no native voice assistant, that might be stretching the term. You can, however, use it as Amazon Alexa device via the included voice remote. For the Wiim Sound, the company has created a modified version of it Siri-remote clone, the Wiim Voice Remote 2. Alternatively, the Wiim Sound is compatible with Google Assistant and can respond to those voice commands if you own an Assistant-capable smartphone or other device. As with the rest of Wiim’s ecosystem, the Wiim Sound has an impressive array of streaming and EQ features, including: Hi-res audio support up to 24-bit/192 kHz Chromecast (Google Cast), Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, DLNA, or Alexa Cast 24 preset EQ profiles, a 10-band graphic equalizer, and an optional parametric EQ interface Room correction via a smartphone running the Wiim Home app You can control the Wiim Sound as part of a larger multiroom audio system within the Wiim Home app. This includes grouping the Sound with other Wiim components for synchronized playback as well as the ability to stereo-pair two Wiim Sounds. Interestingly, a single Wiim Sound can be used as center channel speaker, or two can be used as surround speakers within a 5.1 configuration. To do this, you’ll need a 5.1 source of sound — either a 5.1 audio recording that lives in your personal library on your home network, or from a TV plugged into one of Wiim’s HDMI-ARC compatible devices (Wiim Ultra, Wiim Amp, Wiim Amp Pro). For reasons known only to Wiim and Apple, the Wiim Sound is now the third Wiim streaming product to launch without support for Apple’s AirPlay 2 wireless streaming protocol. When the Wiim Ultra debuted without AirPlay, it was believed to be a temporary omission — one that would be rectified with a firmware update. This failed to happen, and then Wiim launched the Amp Pro, also without AirPlay. While AirPlay is a useful feature for iPhone users, letting them stream audio on their home Wi-Fi networks from any any app that supports it, its popularity among Wiim’s users is unclear. AirPlay 2 introduces lossy compression, which audiophiles consider an unacceptable tradeoff. Moreover, the trend toward streaming apps building their own version of AirPlay (Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect) plus the availability of Google Cast, reduces the need for AirPlay under most circumstances. Even on an iPhone when streaming Apple Music, Bluetooth can serve as an acceptable AirPlay alternative on Wiim’s products. Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/exclusive-wiims-first-wireless-speaker-takes-on-apple-and-sonos/ #exclusivethis #wiims #first #wireless #speaker

The best gifts for dad should lean into what he loves most (besides you). Sure, an obvious pick like a customized mug or a gift card to his favorite shop are great ideas, but something that caters to his interests and that he’ll actually use? Prepare to solidify your status as the favorite. Gift the die-hard sports fanatics a chic piece of memorabilia (yes, those exist!) that supports his favorite team. Or if he’s most comfortable in the kitchen, a recipe journal or pizza oven could be calling his name. Is he a little too attached to his worn-out work bag? A new one is the gift he never knew he needed.We’re just a few weeks away from Father’s Day (June 15, mark your calendars!), so you have plenty of time to shop for the father figure in your life—or bookmark some ideas if you need a future birthday gift or holiday present. Read on for the best-selling Father’s Day gift ideas, including in-demand and personalized picks sure to dazzle the dad in your life.Our Top Picks for the Best Gifts for Dad:For the Fashionable Hiker: Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex Shoes, $180For the Stylish Scholar: STAMTECH Custom Logo Book Embosser Stamp, $15For the Sports Fan: MLB Stadium Sculpture Candle, $48For the Office Warrior: Shinola Runwell Leather Messenger Bag, $895For the Adventurous Grillmaster: Gozney Tread, $500Browse by CategoryClothing & AccessoriesOn Track Pack Lite BagWhether he’s a frequent traveler or constantly lugging his life in a bag, give him an upgrade with this On Cloud tote. It has tons of compartments, too, so he can store everything he needs for work, workouts, or travel. New dads might also prefer to use this as their signature cool dad diaper bag.Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex ShoesOutdoorsy dads are covered with this trail shoe, which is backed by hundreds of positive reviews. Designed with waterproofing and extra stability, they’ll keep him dry and comfortable on your next family hike but are also stylish enough that he’ll be the coolest-looking guy shopping at Whole Foods.The North Face Summer LT Run HatThe North Face is a go-to for great gifts your dad is guaranteed to love. Take this lightweight hat, for instance, which is made with quick-drying fabric and breathable mesh side panels that will keep him cool on his weekend jogs.Shinola Runwell Leather Messenger BagChances are, he could use a new work bag. For a more luxurious, high-quality gift, this one is crafted from premium leather, has plenty of pockets (including one for his laptop), and a subtle magnetic closure.J.Crew Sterling Silver Rectangle Cuff LinksYou don’t have to be into jewelry to appreciate some handsome cuff links peeking out of a crisp, French cuff shirt. This heirloom-worthy sterling silver pair is simple, understated, and elegant for dressing up a suit or doing the most at the office.Quince Mongolian Cashmere Ribbed BeanieCrafted with Mongolian cashmere and built for dads who love to stay cozy, this super soft ribbed beanie is a year-round staple (we think it would pair perfectly with the brand’s cashmere hoodie).Our Legacy Cotton Coach JacketCater to your favorite fashionisto’s love of Scandi design with this timeless work jacket from Swedish–based Our Legacy. A staple that can be dressed up or down, the sturdy cotton material is cut with a slightly dropped shoulder silhouette that’ll give your guy the boxier fit he gravitates towards.KitchenGozney Tread Pizza OvenWhile your dad might not travel the world with his cookware a la Stanley Tucci, he probably loves pizza night. Skip the delivery with this ultraportable pizza oven, one of Gozney’s highly anticipated new arrivals. He can keep in the backyard or take on the go, Tucci-style. (Psst—the brand is also Benny Blanco–approved).ButcherBox Curated Classic BoxSummertime is around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about all the backyard BBQs drawing near. Encourage your own grill master to enjoy his favorite hobby with a regular supply of sustainably sourced meat—no trip to the butcher required. And since each box is delivered within five days of billing, it makes for a solid last-minute gift idea too.LARQ Bottle PureVis 2Hydration is key for everyone, and this stainless-steel water bottle takes it to the next level for Dad. It’s so high-tech, in fact, that he can pair it with an app to track his water intake via Bluetooth.Papier Dad's Recipes JournalFor your favorite personal chef, encourage him to write down his best recipes in this keepsake journal that can easily double as coffee table decor. Add your own photo and customize the title with an inside joke or sweet reference for your most thoughtful gift to date.HobbiesUncommon Goods MLB Stadium Sculpture CandleA gift guide for dads wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to the sports aficionados. My architect husband is a die-hard New York Mets fan and a firm believer that you can never have too many candles on-hand. So it only made sense that one of his favorite Christmas gifts was this hand-poured wax candle topped with an intricately designed, laser-cut wooden replica of Citi Field. Choose dad’s favorite team, and he’ll light it all season long.STAMTECH Custom Logo Book Embosser StampWith this unique gift from Amazon, he can make his mark on a ton of stuff—stationery, labels, books, recipes, and so on. Each engraved plate can be customized with his initials, a special message, or logo, and it’ll instantly personalize his most treasured items. Source: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/gifts-for-dads #best #gifts #for #dad #hell #actually #want

Two years after partnering with OpenAI to automate marketing and customer service jobs, financial tech startup Klarna says it's longing for human connection again.Once gunning to be OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's "favorite guinea pig," Klarna is now plotting a big recruitment drive after its AI customer service agents couldn't quite hack it.The buy-now-pay-later company had previously shredded its marketing contracts in 2023, followed by its customer service team in 2024, which it proudly began replacing with AI agents. Now, the company says it imagines an "Uber-type of setup" to fill their ranks, with gig workers logging in remotely to argue with customers from the comfort of their own homes."From a brand perspective, a company perspective, I just think it’s so critical that you are clear to your customer that there will be always a human if you want," admitted Sebastian Siemiatkowski, the Swedish fintech's CEO.That's a pretty big shift from his comments in December of 2024, when he told Bloomberg he was "of the opinion that AI can already do all of the jobs that we, as humans, do." A year before that, Klarna had stopped hiring humans altogether, reducing its workforce by 22 percent.A few months after freezing new hires, Klarna bragged that it saved $10 million on marketing costs by outsourcing tasks like translation, art production, and data analysis to generative AI. It likewise claimed that its automated customer service agents could do the work of "700 full-time agents."So why the sudden about-face? As it turns out, leaving your already-frustrated customers to deal with a slop-spinning algorithm isn't exactly best practice.As Siemiatkowski told Bloomberg, "cost unfortunately seems to have been a too predominant evaluation factor when organizing this, what you end up having is lower quality."Klarna isn't alone. Though executives in every industry, from news media to fast food, seem to think AI is ready for the hot seat — an attitude that's more grounded in investor relations than an honest assessment of the tech — there are growing signs that robot chickens are coming home to roost.In January of last year, a survey of over 1,400 business executives found that 66 percent were "ambivalent or outright dissatisfied with their organization’s progress on AI and GenAI so far." The top issue corporate bosses cited was AI's "lack of talent and skills."It's a problem that evidently hasn't improved over the year. Another survey recently found that over 55 percent of UK business leaders who rushed to replace jobs with AI now regret their decision.It's not hard to see why. An experiment carried out by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University stuffed a fake software company full of AI employees, and their performance was laughably bad — the best AI worker finished just 24 percent of the tasks assigned to it.When it comes to the question of whether AI will take jobs, there seem to be as many answers as there are CEOs excited to save a buck.There are gray areas, to be sure — AI is certainly helping corporations speed up low-wage outsourcing, and the tech is having a verifiable effect on labor market volatility — just don't count on CEOs to have much patience as AI starts to chomp at their bottom line.Share This Article Source: https://futurism.com/klarna-openai-humans-ai-back #company #regrets #replacing #all #those #pesky #human #workers #with #just #wants #its #humans #back

Airbnb is launching an all-new version of its iOS and Android app that’s designed for more than just booking great places to stay. The new app lets you enhance each trip with opportunities to make memories and enjoy unique experiences around your destination. That’s because Airbnb’s major app redesign supports a new initiative called Airbnb Services, a modern take on hotel amenities for the Airbnb era. Airbnb Services, at your service With Airbnb Services, the company is expanding from being primarily known for connecting travelers with a place to call home for a few nights. Going forward, Airbnb aims to make booking things to do as much a part of the product as finding places to stay. No need to spend time researching local experts, sorting through recommendations, or juggling reservations in different apps. Airbnb Services offers a trusted vetting process with the same easy-to-use booking system you’re already using. Airbnb Services isn’t just an add-on to the stay booking experience either. The new app treats Airbnb Services with the same attention and care that users expect when booking a place to stay. The idea is simple: hotels offer amenities like fine dining and fitness centers, and Airbnb changed how people book stays. Now, Airbnb wants to change how people discover local experts who provide great services in photography, cooking, wellness, and more. Airbnb Services is launching today with 10 categories across 260 cities to start: Chefs – Fully customizable in-home meals from professional chefs. Photography – Personalized photo sessions from experienced photographers. Massage – Restorative massages including Swedish, deep tissue, and reflexology from certified therapists. Spa treatments – Facials, microdermabrasion, body scrubs, and other treatments provided by licensed estheticians. Personal training – Yoga, strength training, HIIT, and more, with personal trainers, including renowned fitness professionals and world champion athletes. Hair – Professional haircuts, blowouts, and more from experienced stylists. Makeup – Makeup for every day or special occasions from professional makeup artists. Nails – Manicures and pedicures from experienced nail specialists. Prepared meals – Ready-to-eat meals prepared by professional chefs. Catering – Full-service catering with custom menus, decor, and equipment, plus setup and cleanup. Like Airbnb stay listings, Airbnb Services are meant to be for everyone. For that reason, the company says that prices on many offerings start below $50. Expect the service to go live in more cities regularly over time. Airbnb Experiences and Originals, reimagined and unique Alongside Services, Airbnb is putting more weight behind Experiences, its curated lineup of activities hosted by locals, as part of its effort to provide great solutions for making the most of each trip. The company says each Experience is vetted for quality, with a focus on expertise, authenticity, and strong guest feedback. Hosts are chosen based on their connection to the location and their ability to deliver something memorable, not just a generic tour. A new addition called Airbnb Originals takes things up a notch. These are exclusive experiences created just for Airbnb, often hosted by public figures and celebrities. You can make pastries with chef Raphaelle Elbaz at the cult-favorite French Bastards bakery in Paris or play beach volleyball with Olympian Carol Solberg on Rio’s Leblon Beach. Originals also include over-the-top moments with big names like Megan Thee Stallion, who invites guests to become their anime alter-ego in her Otaku Hottie Quest. You can also join Sabrina Carpenter on the Short n’ Sweet set for a day of glam, dancing, and espresso, or hang out with Patrick Mahomes to learn how to throw the perfect spiral and eat Kansas City barbecue. And you don’t have to be traveling to take part in Airbnb Experiences. Airbnb wants Experiences to be something you actually want to book in your own city too. 9to5Mac’s Take Pairing Airbnb stays with services feels so natural it’s surprising it didn’t exist already. But the reason Airbnb Services works now is because it is built on years of product iteration and a global network of partners who make it possible. Airbnb Services, along with Experiences and Originals, turns the app into something like a world menu—not just places to stay, but things to do and memories to make along the way. The redesigned app is full of rich iconography, fluid animations, and thoughtful choice that sets the tone before the trip even begins. It adapts to what you’re doing, whether you’re planning, traveling, or reminiscing afterward in a way that should feel rewarding to use. Airbnb is making Experiences more social too. Later this year, you’ll be able to see who else is attending before you book, message the group or individual guests during the experience, and stay connected afterward. The idea is to make it easier to join with friends or meet new people along the way and stay connected. Seeing technology get out of the way and embrace human connection in a way that people want and need is so refreshing to see. For a company that’s nearly 20 years old and such a part of everyday life, Airbnb has built an app experience that’s both new and actually gives you a reason to plan your next trip. Pulling that off is neither easy nor guaranteed, yet Airbnb is doing both with a sense of fun and intention that’s delightful to see. Download the all-new version of Airbnb for iOS and Android today. Happy travels! Check out these iPhone apps and accessories Follow Zac on X. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/13/airbnb-app-redesign-services-experiences-originals/ #airbnb #beautifully #redesigns #app #enhance #how #you #spend #your #trip #not #just #where #stay