What I love about tiny homes these days is that they’re managing to get more and more spacious from within, without occupying too much space on the outside. This lovely little home called the Cascade Mini by TruForm Living is an example of such an ingenious tiny home. The Cascade Mini manages to squeeze in an impressive and generous amount of living space into a compact length of 38 meters. Besides being spacious, the tiny home also features a spiral staircase, that offers entry to a rooftop terrace. The ground floor of the home contains an enclosed porch area and deck as well!
The Cascade Mini occupies 32.5 square meters, and visitors can enter the home via the main entrance, which leads them into the kitchen. The kitchen is the center of the home, and it includes a fridge, a small drawer-style dishwasher, a three-burner propane-powered stove, an oven, a sink and cabinetry, and a central movable kitchen island.
Next to the kitchen is the cozy living room which accommodates a sofa, small coffee table, and a fireplace. The living room leads to an enclosed porch which brings in a generous amount of light into the home, while also creating a pleasant and comfy place to sit in. The porch is also connected to the outdoor deck which is motorized and can be lowered into the desired position via a switch, or even raised if you need to tow the house somewhere else. The deck also includes a fire pit and some additional seating. Another key feature is the rooftop terrace which can be accessed through a spiral staircase on the outside. The terrace also includes a small fireplace and some seating.
The bedroom and bathroom are located next to each other. The bathroom includes a bathtub and a separate shower, which is rarely seen in tiny homes. It also includes a sink and a composting toilet. The bedroom has quite an unusual configuration for a tiny home, as it is located on the ground floor, and has quite a low ceiling, leaving sufficient space for a double bed and some shelving. The low ceiling also leaves space for a loft-based laundry room on top with a washing machine, a dryer, and some storage area as well.
Just one more hand. Just one more attempt to win at the card game, Queen’s Blood. In my limited preview time with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, weeks before the game is due to be released, I may have spent a little too long learning the rules of this companion card game, introduced relatively early into the game. And I regret nothing. (For one, because I previewed most of the changes to the battle system a few months ago.)
This early addiction bodes well for the wider game. It’s a sign that the team behind this sequel-of-a-remake is making a world bigger and richer than the occasionally on-the-rails one in Remake. I’m hoping for a more open-world experience, now that the characters have finally escaped Midgar. (See: the plot of Final Fantasy 7 Remake) A change of location, too, shakes up the look of Rebirth. It has plants! Nature, everywhere! At least once you’re out of a satellite town called Kalm in Chapter 2.
Square Enix
First, I played through Chapter 1, which also acts as a tutorial. It’s a flashback to Nibelheim, which explains how protagonist Cloud and antagonist Sephiroth worked together before; well, the latter seemingly lost his mind and slaughtered everyone in town.
It’s a more story-weighted version of my earlier demo, but I could now explore the town that multiple party members grew up in. When Cloud explores his friend Tifa’s house – without her permission – it sets up some entertaining criticisms of his lack of boundaries. Still, it was all predicated on me choosing to be awful and barge into Tifa’s room, play her piano, and just be a bit of a creep.
The chapter also raises some unanswered questions around Cloud and his fuzzy memories of Nibelheim. Anyone who’s played the original knows where this is going, but given how some characters in the first third of the game didn’t die, I’m waiting to see how the developers further shake up the plot for new and old fans. There should be a significant death during this middle chapter of the game: Will they twist the knife?
Let’s go back to the new card game. Queen’s Blood follows on from Triple Triad, Tetra Master and that weird pinball-ish game in Final Fantasy XV that might best be forgotten. You’ll be able to customize your deck of cards, each with a different layout of tiles and occasional special effects. It’s almost Risk-like, aiming to dominate the board and rack up the highest score on three rows. Cards can reclaim territory, lower stats, and all the usual videogame card antics, and yes, I am struggling to explain it in words. But it’s fun. And I should have stopped playing to explore more of the grasslands than I did.
Square Enix
Once you’ve wrapped up your card games and stepped out from Kalm, I could explore in most directions. In the time I had leftover, I saw points of interest packed with treasure, unique monster packs, resources to collect, weapons with skills to master, chocobos to tame and race, chocobo stops to repair (which add fast-travel spots to the map); and the return of the terribly-named Chad with virtual battles and tasks for you to help unlock more materia for extra spells and abilities. I then ate dirt in a battle to unlock the summon spell for Titan.
I liked this pick-and-choose busy-ness, but some diversions felt like they were there for the sake of killing time, a la Assassin’s Creed. I hope the developers remember to pare down travel time where they can, because traversing an area can get boring, even when riding a giant bird.
Fortunately, getting from A to B is interrupted by entertaining, occasionally challenging, battles. One new addition to Rebirth is an enemy detection radar that shows enemies' aggression level, helping you avoid fights when you just want to get going.
Another new dynamic is the party’s bonds with each other, which are now integrated with your movesets and stats. This presented itself in dialogue choices and side quests, adding a popular social mechanic seen in somany JRPGs into this remake sequel. What’s notable is that the more you deepen this friendship, a separate skill tree improves characters’ stats and even unlocks new synergy attacks (which I elaborated on here) to use in battle. Square Enix teased that the level of bonds could affect the story too – but that could just reflect the theme park ‘date’ that Cloud goes on, later, in the original game. We’ll find out in a few weeks.
You can test out some of this for yourself now. Square Enix has launched a two-part demo, including the Nibelheim incident, available to download now. Just 49GB! A second section will unlock on February 21.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth launches on the PS5 on February 29, 2024.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/final-fantasy-7-rebirth-adds-an-addictive-card-game-and-some-familiar-social-mechanics-000156550.html?src=rss
The iconic game Settlers of Catan is entirely about building a community… so why not go the distance and build the game from scratch using LEGO? This MoC (My Own Creation) from AthleticSkylor088 gives you creative control like never before, letting you build out your game in ways never imaginable previously. By relying on LEGO bricks instead of the conventional 2D board, this unique build lets you turn your game into a brick-based microcosm, with 3D details, plants, fields, humans, animals, and every detail you’d expect from the popular board game!
“Starting out with almost nothing, gathering materials, and building settlements is all part of the great game of CATAN. Building your own towns and cities is a lot of fun, so why not play in the form of LEGO bricks?” asks AthleticSkylor088. “Build your very own CATAN board and biomes,” he adds.
The beauty of the board game lies in the fact that it pops out of the board, immersing you in depth and detail. AthleticSkylor088 hasn’t detailed how many bricks are used in this build, but the fact that it’s so hyper-customizable means you can play around with details, make them more realistic or artistic, or even go off the deep end and build a futuristic version with cyberpunk biomes. Although that would stray a little too far from the original, the fact that it’s possible (and that it looks this adorable) is what makes this LEGO build such a charming one.
Mine for ore inside these LEGO mountains
Watch as the sheep graze on the field
Observe the farmers tending to their wheat fields
Avoid the robbers in the desert
Watch the masons molding the bricks
Multiple pieces offer the entire Catan experience, from roads to bricks, timber, and animals.
This, however, isn’t the first time we’ve come across a LEGO version of a playable board game. Many LEGO MoC builders have made a variety of popular games, like chess, Go, Scrabble, and even Monopoly… although one has to admit, there’s a distinct charm to this particular iteration of Catan.
AthleticSkylor088’s LEGO Settlers of Catan board game is currently on the LEGO Ideas forum, where fans and enthusiasts can not only build out their own unique LEGO creations but can even vote for their favorite ones. With 2083 votes under its belt, the LEGO Settlers of Catan is well on its way to hit the coveted 10,000 vote mark, following which it will get an internal review by LEGO’s own team and then will hopefully be turned into a box set that anyone can buy and build. Click here if you want to vote for this MoC.
Three of the biggest sports TV companies in the US — ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery — will launch a streaming sports service in the fall of 2024, the companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday. It will stream sporting events from networks that all three companies own, including games from the NFL, MLB, NHL, and the NBA. Importantly, subscribers will also be able to stream linear channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, ABC, FOX, FS1, FS2, BTN, TNT, TBS, truTV, and ESPN+, helpful for anyone thinking about canceling cable.
The name of the service and its pricing will be announced later this year, the companies said. It will be available as a standalone app that anyone in the US can subscribe to. But customers will also be able to bundle it with their existing Disney+, Hulu, and Max subscriptions for an undisclosed fee.
Each network will own one-third of the service, which will be run by an independent management team. Still the new service won’t be the one-stop shop that diehard sports fanatics might want it to be. Amazon, for instance, owns Thursday Night Football; Apple owns Major League Soccer; NBC owns Sunday Night Football; and Paramount owns some NFL rights.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/espn-fox-and-warner-bros-discovery-are-launching-a-streaming-service-just-for-sports-this-fall-225050356.html?src=rss
Four days after the death of former costar Carl Weathers, onetime The Mandalorian actor Gina Carano is suing Disney and Lucasfilm for her departure from the series — with Elon Musk’s help. Carano, whose post-Disney credits include a film produced by conspiracy theorist Ben Shapiro, posted Tuesday on X, “The truth is I was being hunted down from everything I posted to every post I liked because I was not in line with the acceptable narrative of the time.” X confirmed its assistance in a statement to Engadget.
Carano shared news of the lawsuit in a 694-word post on X. In the essay, she claims never to have used aggressive language, compared Republicans to Jewish people during the Holocaust or written anything racist or transphobic. She insists her male costars were “permitted to speak without harassment & re-education courses or termination,” but she “was not afforded the same right to exercise my freedom of speech.”
“Artists do not sign away our rights as American citizens when we enter into employment,” Carano wrote Tuesday. However, since she wasn’t arrested or detained for her views, her rights as an American citizen appear fully intact. Meanwhile, American businesses like Disney have the right not to employ actors whose views clash with their brand.
The actor and former mixed martial arts competitor thanked Musk and X on Tuesday for “giving me an opportunity to bring my case to light” by helping fund her lawsuit. Musk previously said he would pay the legal costs of users who got in trouble for their posts on the platform.
X confirmed its monetary assistance in a statement to Engadget. “As a sign of X Corp’s commitment to free speech, we’re proud to provide financial support for Gina Carano’s lawsuit, empowering her to seek vindication of her free speech rights on X and the ability to work without bullying, harassment, or discrimination,” a company spokesperson wrote.
Carano as Cara Dune in season two of ‘The Mandalorian’
Disney+
Carano’s troubles with Disney arose from social media posts on X (Twitter at the time) and Instagram. In her posts, she questioned the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, blamed the Biden administration for the deaths of vaccinated people, claimed Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself and added “boop/bop/beep” as her pronouns.
The final straw for Disney was when she shared a post on Instagram implying that the treatment of conservatives in Trump-era America had parallels to the targeting of Jews in Nazi-era Germany. The following day, Disney dropped Carano from The Mandalorian and the (since canceled) Rangers of the New Republic series.
“Gina Carano is not currently employed by Lucasfilm and there are no plans for her to be in the future,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement at the time. “Nevertheless, her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable.” Carano’s agency, United Talent Agency, dropped her around the same time.
Carano’s post-Star Wars career has included Terror on the Prairie, produced by Ben Shapiro’s The Daily Wire. She also starred in the 2022 film My Son Hunter, a “fictional retelling of the lifestyle and scandals of Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/former-mandalorian-actor-gina-carano-sues-disney--with-xs-help-220039820.html?src=rss
Although unofficial, the Nothing x AIAIAI’s headphones show how two company’s visions can align for one brief and beautiful moment to create a design that’s gorgeous to look at, and great to use. The Nothing X AIAIAI Headphones are a masterclass in iconic design, mirroring the uniqueness of individual details seen in the AirPods Max… except, this time, with the transparent flair of the London-based tech startup.
Designer: Ma Yc
Ma Yc’s headphone concept borrows the best that Nothing and AIAIAI’s design languages have to offer. For AIAIAI, there’s the classic TMA-2 Wireless design, comprising modular parts that can easily be replaced and swapped out on the fly. For Nothing, however, there’s the absolutely drop-dead beautiful transparent housing that you can see on the cans, on the ear stem, and even on the ear cushions. Ma Yc’s choice of transparent cushioning on the headrest instantly sets this headphone apart as memorable… quite like the AirPods Max’s tensile fabric headrest.
The headphones come in two color variants – a black and a white, quite like the rest of Nothing’s lineup. The design is almost exactly a tribute to the TMA-2 wireless headphones from AIAIAI, featuring slide-out cans, removable ear-cups, and detachable aux cables that connect the headphone’s elements together. Modularity has never really been Nothing’s mission statement, but to be honest, the aesthetic and modular design of AIAIAI’s headphones translate rather well onto the Nothing brand, making this a collaboration for the books. Let’s hope Carl Pei’s reading this…
Two companies based in Texas have been linked to a spate of robocalls that used artificial intelligence to mimic President Joe Biden. The audio deepfake was used to urge New Hampshire voters not to participate in the state's presidential primary. New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said as many as 25,000 of the calls were made to residents of the state in January.
Formella says an investigation has linked the source of the robocalls to Texan companies Life Corporation and Lingo Telecom. No charges have yet been filed against either company or Life Corporation's owner, a person named Walter Monk. The probe is ongoing and other entities are believed to be involved. Federal law enforcement officials are said to be looking into the case too.
“We have issued a cease-and-desist letter to Life Corporation that orders the company to immediately desist violating New Hampshire election laws," Formella said at a press conference, according to CNN. "We have also opened a criminal investigation, and we are taking next steps in that investigation, sending document preservation notices and subpoenas to Life Corporation, Lingo Telecom and any other individual or entity."
The Federal Communications Commission also sent a cease-and-desist letter to Lingo Telecom. The agency said (PDF) it has warned both companies about robocalls in the past.
The deepfake was created using tools from AI voice cloning company ElevenLabs, which banned the user responsible. The company says it is "dedicated to preventing the misuse of audio AI tools and [that it takes] any incidents of misuse extremely seriously."
Meanwhile, the FCC is seeking to ban robocalls that use AI-generated voices. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the agency is responsible for making rules regarding robocalls. Commissioners are to vote on the issue in the coming weeks.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/phony-ai-biden-robocalls-reached-up-to-25000-voters-says-new-hampshire-ag-205253966.html?src=rss
Looking almost like a shipping container home for cats, this quaint little box-shaped shelter employs stiff paper boards that come together wonderfully to create robust yet lightweight boxes for your feline friends to rest in, paw at, and potentially even play around on top of. Using sustainable materials (that can then be composted after their time is over), the boxes stack up wonderfully, creating everything cats need, from multiple entry points to elevated vantage points, and even a hanging toy to keep those curious little critters entertained!
At the heart of Cat Box’s construction lies the innovative use of honeycomb board, a sturdy material that blends a core and honeycomb structure between plywood layers. Compressed with finishing materials on both the front and back, honeycomb board is an environmentally friendly choice, aligning seamlessly with the contemporary trend of embracing recyclable and reusable paper-based materials. This not only ensures the well-being of our feline companions but also contributes to a sustainable and eco-conscious approach to pet product design.
Creating a haven for feline royalty necessitates a thoughtful consideration of space utilization. Cat Box excels in this aspect by ingeniously designing vertical spaces, such as walls or ceilings, to accommodate cat-friendly areas. Recognizing that for cats, elevated viewpoints in vertical spaces are of paramount importance, Cat Box stands as a testament to the understanding of feline behavior and needs.
The centerpiece of the feline kingdom, a cat tower, serves as both a cozy retreat and an engaging playground. Designed with a keen awareness of cats’ natural inclination for heights, the cat tower not only provides a lofty vantage point but also a snug haven for rest and play within the cat kingdom. This unique structure becomes an essential element, offering feline residents the perfect combination of comfort and activity.
Cat Box goes beyond the ordinary by incorporating playboards on its sides, catering to the whims and fancies of our discerning feline friends. These boards seamlessly alternate between nose workboards and scratchboards, ensuring that the kingdom administrators are always attuned to the preferences of their furry residents. This thoughtful addition enhances the overall experience, turning Cat Box into a multifaceted haven for our regal companions.
The hanging toy, strategically placed within Cat Box’s vertical spaces, captures the attention of our feline residents. With their curiosity piqued the cats approach this small and special toy with eager eyes, examining its various colored elements. This delightful feature adds an extra layer of stimulation, creating an interactive environment that keeps our feline friends entertained and engaged.
For the overseer of the feline kingdom, Cat Box offers a convenient cat carrier, allowing them to go outside with their regal pals. Inside the carrier, plush cushions await, meticulously prepared to cater to the discerning preferences of our royal felines. This thoughtful inclusion ensures that even the journey beyond the kingdom’s borders remains a comfortable and enjoyable experience for our cherished companions.
Cat Box is a harmonious blend of elegance, innovation, and functionality in the realm of feline products. Crafted with care and consideration, this paper cat tower offers a unique and enchanting experience for both cats and their devoted human companions, redefining the standards of feline luxury in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.
Akai just officially announced the MPC Key 37, a standalone workstation and groovebox. This is the latest standalone MPC device, following last year’s larger Key 61. The Key 37 has everything you need to make a beat or song from scratch without having to use an actual computer and DAW, with some limitations.
There are 37 full-size keys, complete with aftertouch. There aren’t that many standalone devices out there with a full keybed, so this should excite musicians who lack experience with Akai-style pads. This device does have 16 velocity-sensitive pads for laying down drum parts and triggering samples, so it’s a “best of both worlds” type situation.
The Key 37 ships with 32GB of on-board storage, though 10GB is used up by the OS and included sound packs. Thankfully, there’s a slot for an SD card to expand the storage — these standalone devices fill up fast.
You get the same color 7-inch multi-touch display and four assignable Q-Link knobs as the company’s Key 61 workstation. This is great for making system adjustments and for controlling effects plugins and the like. As a matter of fact, the entire layout recalls the Key 61, though this new release is slightly less powerful.
Akai
The Key 37 features 2GB of RAM, compared to 4GB with the Key 61. This is going to hamper the number of tracks that will play simultaneously without any hiccups. It also lacks the two microphone inputs and associated preamps. There are, however, stereo 1/4-inch inputs and outputs, USB Midi, 5-pin MIDI In/MIDI Out, 4 TRS CV/Gate output jacks and a USB host port. This keyboard also boasts Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity for wireless streaming with platforms like Ableton Link.
Beyond the iconic 16 pad layout, the highlight of any MPC machine is the software. To that end, the Key 37 ships with Akai’s MPC2 desktop software and its standalone suite. You get eight instrument plugins out of the box and a voucher for a premium plug from the company’s ever-growing collection. You even get that cool stem separation software, though it’s not available on the Key 37 yet.
Akai’s latest and greatest may not be as full-featured as 2022’s Key 61, but it’s around half the price. The Key 37 costs $900 and is available to order right now via parent company inMusic and authorized retailers.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/akai-adds-a-37-key-standalone-workstation-to-its-mpc-lineup-191246047.html?src=rss
During the pandemic, one of the things that became a “trend” and has actually continued to this day is that more people are biking their way to and from their place of work. We’re seeing a lot of products catering to this market segment and there’s still a lot of room to grow as we look towards more sustainable ways of commuting. Safety is also a major concern for those riding bicycles and motorcycles so we see people carrying helmets around but it’s not always the most convenient thing.
To solve the problem of carrying around a bulky helmet, an engineer created a prototype for something called an OBH or an On Board Helmet system. The idea is to leave the helmet with your bike so you don’t have to carry it around but also without fear of it getting stolen. It is made up of the helmet itself called the Unicity and a Jorj unit which is bolted to your bike frame. The unit also has a built-in anti-theft alarm, hence the secure part.
The locking and unlocking of the helmet is actually made through an app. You don’t have a physical key so the unit needs to have Bluetooth and battery power, adding to the bulk. It is technically more secure but also a bit inconvenient for times when your smartphone may not be working. The alarm itself is activated only with prolonged movements and not the mere jostle of the bike so you don’t have to worry about accidental alarms.
While it may be more convenient to leave the helmet on your bike, it can also add to the bulk of it since this contraption seems a bit heavy because of the features mentioned. There’s always room for improvement though so hopefully we can get a better prototype for this eventually. The initial target market for this are the bikeshare companies but it can eventually appeal to the general bike-using public, provided the design is improved.
