6 Money Moves To Get Even Richer Once Your Net Worth Hits $250,000
6 Money Moves To Get Even Richer Once Your Net Worth Hits $250,000
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Congratulations — you’ve reached a net worth of a quarter-million dollars. What do you do now?
As you build your wealth, your needs and challenges change. You — and your money tactics — need to change with them.
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Here are six money moves to get even richer after you hit that net worth milestone of $250,000.
In the early stages of saving and investing, the mission centers around forming good habits. These include budgeting, saving as much as possible, avoiding unsecured debt and getting comfortable with investing.
You’ve passed that stage. Now you need to get more strategic.
Start by setting a target. What’s the finish line? What net worth would let you quit your day job?
If you don’t know how to come up with that number, multiply your annual spending by 25 as a simple rule of thumb. But at this stage, you’re likely ready for professional help.
“When you reach $250,000 net worth, you need to meet with a financial planner,” said Melanie Musson, a finance expert with Clearsurance.com. “You’ve set a solid foundation, now it’s time to develop a goal for your future — and a path to reach that goal.”
Find Out: 4 Secrets of the Truly Wealthy, According To Dave Ramsey
As investors make progress, they should keep aiming to invest more, not let their foot off the gas.
Charles Nemes, CEO of Nemes Rush Family Wealth Management, noted that reaching a milestone doesn’t mean you should lose sight of the fundamentals. “Saving first and spending second is by far the most successful way to achieve financial independence for you and your family,” he said. “Money that sits in a checking or savings account finds a way of getting spent. Move the funds to be invested and sequestered as soon as possible!”
The higher your savings rate, the faster you build wealth and reach financial independence.
Maybe you’ve gotten away with a $1,000 emergency fund up to this point. But part of a sound independence plan involves keeping enough cash so that you don’t have to raid investments early, when unexpected expenses rear their ugly heads.
Most households measure emergency funds in terms of the number of months of living expenses they can cover. Households with stable, secure incomes and steady living expenses can get away with two or three months’ worth of expenses. Those with unstable income or expenses should budget more, such as six to 12 months’ worth of expenses.
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When in doubt, ask a financial planner how much you should set aside in cash.
If you carry high-interest debts, such as credit card balances, personal loans or student loans, aim to pay them off as soon as possible.
“Eliminating high-interest debt is an oft-overlooked strategy for people with a quarter-million dollars or more in net worth,” said Alissa Krasner Maizes, founder and 10 Genius Things Warren Buffett Says To Do With Your Money at Amplify My Wealth. “It can give an instant budget boost while also preventing lifestyle creep.”
Once you’ve paid off your credit card balances, make sure you never charge more to them than you can pay off in the same month.
Uncle Sam takes his share from your income — to the extent that you let him.
“As you plan how to invest your savings, always look at tax-advantaged investment opportunities first,” Krasner Maizes said. “That starts with matching retirement contributions from your employer, but also extends to your IRA or Roth IRA, or an HSA.”
The less you pay in taxes, the more you can put toward building wealth. It’s that simple.
Every adult needs an estate plan, such as a will and possibly a living trust. But adults with a $250,000 net worth need one more than the average person.
Consider starting with a simple will from an online platform like LegalZoom or LawDepot. As your net worth grows further, you can always pay an attorney thousands to draft a custom one for you, but for now just make sure you have something in writing.
Just as importantly, give a signed copy to someone you trust to execute your estate plan if you meet an untimely end.
You should feel proud of reaching a $250,000 net worth. It’s a milestone worth celebrating. But it’s not the finish line, and as you reach the next milestones, your needs will change again. You can look forward to your financial expertise continuing to evolve and grow — right alongside your money.
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Pokemon Boss Says Franchise Could “Go Downhill” If Company Loses Its Focus
Pokemon Boss Says Franchise Could “Go Downhill” If Company Loses Its Focus
The Pokemon series has been around for decades, and it remains incredibly popular. The Pokemon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, who has led the company since 1998, said in an interview that he sees no end in sight.
He told the BBC today–Pokemon Day–that if The Pokemon Company can stay disciplined and continue to release products that people enjoy, he sees no reason why the company would slow down.
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“If we continue focusing on our mission, Pokemon can probably continue to its 50th or 100th anniversary,” he said. “But if we become complacent and go with the flow, that’s when Pokemon will go downhill.”
The Pokemon Company is privately held, but it regularly works with its ********* investor Nintendo on all manner of projects in the gaming space, including the upcoming Switch game Pokemon Legends Z-A. The two companies also teamed up recently to sue Palworld developer Pocketpair.
Ishihara said The Pokemon Company’s strength is its sole focus on Pokemon. Whereas big-time publicly traded companies have shareholders to answer to and have businesses that stretch across numerous different brands, The Pokemon Company is, as its name states, a company all about Pokemon.
“Pokemon is the only thing we do at the Pokemon Company,” Ishihara said. “So whatever profit we make from Pokemon gets reinvested in Pokemon.”
He went on to say that he’s happy to not have public shareholders to answer to, because if he did, people might ask why the company doesn’t make non-Pokemon projects. If someone were to ask him that, Ishihara said he would reply, “‘We’ll go bust when Pokemon is no longer popular.'”
The Pokemon Company made a number of announcements during the Pokemon Presents event, including the reveal of a brand-new game: Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon Day, February 27, is the celebration of the debut of Pokemon Red/Green in Japan on February 27, 1996. As such, 2026 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Pokemon series.
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Trump, British Prime Minister Starmer press conference
Trump, British Prime Minister Starmer press conference
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President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are holding a joint press conference at the White House on Thursday.
Starmer and Trump were set to discuss the war in Ukraine, and the American president’s proposed tariffs at a meeting earlier.
Trump told reporters that “we will” obtain a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.
Starmer gave Trump an invitation from Britain’s King Charles II for a state visit. It would be Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom.
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New Minecraft Movie Trailer Reveals Its Villain, Free In-Game Jetpack Coming For Some Ticket Buyers
New Minecraft Movie Trailer Reveals Its Villain, Free In-Game Jetpack Coming For Some Ticket Buyers
The next big video game movie is A Minecraft Movie, which comes to theaters this April. A new trailer for the video game film has arrived, and it provides the best look at the movie so far.
The new trailer teases out some of the story and the wacky hijinks along the way, like when Jason Momoa’s character fights a chicken. We also see Jennifer Coolidge’s character for the first time, and get more silly scenes with Jack ******’s character, Steve. What’s more, this trailer shows off the main villains, who hail from the Nether, a hell-like dimension filled with hostile mobs. The leader of the Nether and specifically the Piglin is the character Malgosha, who is voiced by Rachel House (Moana, Hunt for the Wilderpeople).
There are loads of Minecraft Easter eggs in the trailer, too, so check out the trailer for yourself and see what you can spot.
Additionally, tickets for A Minecraft Movie are now on *****. Everyone in the US who buys a ticket through Fandango will get an in-game jetpack for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. International audiences will have “similar opportunities” to get in-game content from local ticket-sellers.
Additionally, Mattel has announced new toys based on A Minecraft Movie, including Jack ****** action figures.
Get the jetpack when you buy tickets to A Minecraft Movie at Fandango.
Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Sebastian Hansen also star in A Minecraft Movie. The trailer is set to the MGMT song “Time To Pretend,” which is a tune about a young person’s vision to live free and pursue their dreams, only to be ultimately crushed by the weight of existence and paying bills. The trailer is selectively edited to exclude the song’s line, “We’ll choke on our vomit and that will be the end.”
A scene from the new A Minecraft Movie trailer.
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Oscar-nominated director Jared Hess (Nacho Libre, Napoleon Dynamite) helmed the movie, with various staff from Minecraft developer Mojang serving as producers.
Prior to Hess coming aboard, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Rob McElhenney was attached to direct the Minecraft movie and got Warner Bros. to give him $150 million to make it. But after Warner Bros. had a leadership change, the new management didn’t want McElhenney’s movie. Before McElhenney, Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy was attached and he pitched a Goonies-style adventure film. Mojang vetoed the idea and Levy moved on.
Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer wrote the screenplay for A Minecraft Movie. The film is set for release on April 4, 2025. A Minecraft Movie isn’t the only video game film coming out this April, as Sony’s Until Dawn movie arrives on April 25.
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Apple just expanded its child safety features with age ratings that could lessen the chance of an inappropriate download
Apple just expanded its child safety features with age ratings that could lessen the chance of an inappropriate download
Apple’s bolstering its parental controls and child account experience
Later in 2025, global age ratings will be expanded, and you can convert any standard account to a child account
There is also a new API designed to help customize the in-app experience by age
Apple has long offered parental controls on devices and child accounts but is now making some changes to bolster its offering and make it a safer experience for all parties involved. Some of these adjustments are on the end user’s side, such as creating a child account and App Store adjustments, but several are on the developer’s side, in the form of API changes.
The new features and functionality were shared in a new whitepaper titled “Helping Protect Kids Online,” which you can read in full here. The changes begin with streamlining the process of creating a child account. As seen in the latest betas for iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, Apple now allows you to select an age range when creating an account; once selected, this information informs the presets for parental controls.
Of course, creating the account adds your child as a user and allows for family sharing of iCloud services and purchases within the App Store. However, to streamline the process, you can still give the child access to the new device with more limited functionality if you want to complete the rest of the account setup later.
(Image credit: Future)
Likely even more important, and good news for some, is that later in 2025, Apple will let you update the age on an Apple Account. This way, if you input the wrong date of birth, you can adjust it. Apple requires that kids under 13 have a Child Account associated with a parental Apple ID in the United States. Those under 18 can choose to be set up this way for these advanced protections, and some presets.
The App Store experience currently offers four age ratings worldwide, two of them being 12+ and 17+. Apple aims to create a more curated, safe experience and will expand the global age ratings later this year. This will bring Apple’s age ratings closer to those of Google and its Play Store, which already offer age-based ratings in several categories depending on region.
Apple’s expansion is a bit more focused and standard across all regions, with four new categories targeting specific age groups.
4+, which means no objectionable content is in the app.
9+, meaning the app might have content unsuitable for children under nine. It’s described in the paper as “infrequent or mild cartoon or fantasy violence, profanity or crude humor, or mature, suggestive, or horror- or fear-themed content.”
13+, which is described as potentially featuring: “infrequent or mild medical or treatment-focused content, references to alcohol, tobacco, or drug use, ******* content or nudity, realistic violence, or simulated gambling; or frequent or intense contests, profanity or crude humor, horror or fear-themed content, or cartoon or fantasy violence.
16+, described as “including through unrestricted web access, frequent or intense mature or suggestive content, or medical or treatment-focused content.”
19+, “including through instances of gambling, frequent or intense simulated gambling, references to alcohol, tobacco, or drug use, ******* content or nudity, or realistic violence.”
These will be the minimum age recommended for the app. This should allow developers to more accurately determine the age rating for the experience they are creating, and parents might find it easier to decide if it’s safe to download. If a parent has turned on parental controls for app downloads, the App Store will only serve up age-appropriate apps when this arrives later in 2025.
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It comes at a time when, in the United States, on both a state and federal level, there is debate about who should be in charge of age verification for using apps, either the store – i.e. Apple’s App Store – or the developers themselves. It’s packaged within larger conversations around child protection laws pertaining to digital experiences and connected devices.
Apple believes a per-app level is better for age verification and reducing data sharing overall. That’s where the forthcoming Declared Age Range API will come into play. Rather than asking a user to input a date of birth, the developer can opt into the API. If approved via a pop-up in the app, the app will pull the age range from the user’s Apple Account.
It’s very much in line with how other apps request to use things like the camera or microphone and even to enroll you in notifications for the app. Apple’s stance here is to reduce a user potentially oversharing while still ensuring a safe experience; seemingly, the per-app level approach is a better way to do this.
The company also says in the paper that it’s similar to purchasing alcohol at a store in a mall, “After all, we ask merchants who sell alcohol in a mall to verify a buyer’s age by checking IDs – we don’t ask everyone to turn their date of birth over to the mall if they just want to go to the food court.”
Apple’s approach is at odds with other companies and even legislators, who think the enforcement and verification should be handled by where you get the app. The information is there because Apple does ask for the age range for creating an Apple Account, and one is required for a user under 13. From a privacy perspective, Apple isn’t just handing that information over but wants to use it securely through this API.
Apple’s approach to age verification is arguably better from a privacy perspective for all, but requires active parental involvement. Avi Greengart, Techsponental
Avi Greengart, founder of Techsponental, wrote in a statement to TechRadar, “Apple is trying to thread the needle between forcing everyone to share data that proves their age and giving parents the ability to protect their children from content that’s inappropriate for them. Apple’s approach to age verification is arguably better from a privacy perspective for all, but requires active parental involvement. It also doesn’t – and perhaps can’t – address the responsibility of social media apps to police their algorithms to prevent harm to minors.”
The approach here with the Declared Age Range API likely ties back to Apple’s further bolstering of Child Accounts, making them easier to create and control and linking them up to make using devices like iPads and iPhones and the services on them safer.
We’re already seeing some of these changes, like the new Age Range selection for creating a child account. However, the updated age ratings for apps, the ability to adjust an account’s age, and the new API will all arrive before the end of 2025.
Ultimately, time will tell who is responsible for age verification. Still, it’s excellent to see Apple making it easier to create child accounts that offer a bit more protection and safeguards. The full paper released by Apple can be viewed here.
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Turn to these bonds to navigate market volatility — and get 4% yields
Turn to these bonds to navigate market volatility — and get 4% yields
Investors trying to navigate the rocky market may want to turn to a certain class of bonds to help smooth the ride. Volatility is expected to continue this year. On Thursday, the S & P 500 slipped in volatile trading as investors debated President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the health of the U.S. economy after a series of reports that showed some softness. The 10-year Treasury yield also ticked higher Thursday , a day after hitting its lowest level since December. UBS believes the economy is in good shape and doesn’t think the tariffs will lead to a major negative impact on growth. Trump said Thursday his proposed 25% levies on Canada and Mexico will go into effect March 4. China will be slapped with an additional 10% tariff on the same date. “We believe market volatility will likely persist, and the recent movement in bonds reaffirmed that quality fixed income should remain an integral part of a resilient portfolio that can help investors navigate uncertainty ahead,” Solita Marcelli, chief investment officer of the Americas for UBS Global Wealth Management, said in a note on Wednesday. Sticking with quality Quality bonds are among the safest investments, preserving capital and reducing equity volatility, Marcelli noted. “If U.S. growth slows more quickly than expected, we would expect swifter monetary policy easing to underpin a sharp rally in quality bonds,” she wrote. In other words, the Federal Reserve would react to any economic weakness by lowering interest rates, which would raise the value of outstanding bonds. In addition, current yields should help cushion the total return outlook if yields rise in the event of a tariff shock or strong growth scenario, she added. Marcelli is the camp expecting two additional rate cuts by the Fed later this year, which supports the potential for capital appreciation. Vanguard also suggests investors have a balanced and diversified portfolio to help ride out volatility. “Fixed income not only balances out the equity market risk and volatility, but also takes advantage of the high 4%, if not 5+%, yields available on bonds today,” said Jeff Johnson, head of the firm’s U.S. fixed income product. He believes a core bond fund can provide that quality and diversification for investors. The funds invest largely in investment-grade U.S. assets, such as government, corporate and securitized products. Earlier this month, Morningstar screened for the top performing intermediate core bond funds. All are actively managed and have the best returns over the last one-, three- and five-year periods. In its 2025 outlook released in December, Vanguard said it expects long-term yields to remain above 4% due to the firm’s strong growth outlook. “If yields fall because of a negative shock to demand, bonds should provide a hedge in multiasset portfolios,” the money manager wrote. Vanguard estimated an 81% probability that the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index will provide a positive total return over the next year. Negative returns would only occur if yields rose enough to breach the coupon wall and generated a capital loss larger than the income generated from coupons, according to the outlook. Jack McIntyre, portfolio manager for global fixed income strategies at Brandywine Global, also believes quality bonds can help portfolios hold up if investors look for safety in a risk-off environment. “I’m not saying we’re going to go in ‘risk off’ [mode], but we could,” he said in an interview Thursday. “I’m a big believer in unintended consequences, so having some Treasurys and high-quality bonds could actually hold in there.” Looking outside the U.S. That said, investors can also look to add some foreign bonds that offer value, like emerging markets, McIntyre said. “Relative to their inflation, they are very attractive right now,” he said. He said he also expects to see a shift in relative performance of U.S. assets, which is negative for the U.S. dollar. “If I’m right about the dollar’s worth shifting, some emerging market currencies are going to do well,” McIntyre said. “You’re going to get a kicker of currency return, in addition to whatever yield you’re going to earn on those foreign, international or non-U.S. bonds.”
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Israel’s military publishes first report on 7 October 2023 failures
Israel’s military publishes first report on 7 October 2023 failures
EPA
About 1,200 people were killed when ****** attacked Israeli communities, military bases and a music festival on 7 October 2023
Israel’s military has published its first official account of the mistakes that led to its failures during ******’s 7 October 2023 attack, which triggered the Gaza war.
The report concludes that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) “failed in its mission to protect Israeli civilians”.
The 19-page report contains much that is already known about what led to catastrophic loss of about 1,200 lives when approximately 5,000 gunmen from ****** and other ************ groups stormed into Israel, also taking 251 hostages in the process.
There are no dramatic revelations, but it does outline how the military misjudged the ************ armed group’s intentions and underestimated its capabilities.
The report says the military regarded Gaza as a secondary security threat, with priority given to Iran and Hezbollah. Its policy towards Gaza, it says, was “paradoxical: ****** was illegitimate, yet there was no effort to develop an alternative”.
The military had chosen a “conflict management” approach to dealing with Gaza, it says. And had assumed that ****** was “neither interested [in] nor preparing for a large-scale war” – a perception reinforced by ******’s own deception tactics.
Evidence from 2018 onwards suggesting that ****** – which is proscribed as a terrorist group by Israel, the US, *** and other countries – was indeed developing an ambitious plan was interpreted as “unrealistic or unfeasible”, reflecting “******’s long-term aspirations rather than an actionable threat”.
The report says that in the months leading up to the war, the Military Intelligence Directorate began to develop a new assessment, suggesting that ******’ plan was not merely a vision but “a concrete framework for operational planning”.
However, this emerging assessment was not brought to the attention of senior officials in military intelligence.
Reuters
The report says about 5,000 gunmen from ****** and other ************ groups from Gaza attacked in three waves
The report identifies a broad streak of complacency within the military about ******’s intentions and how to deal with the threat it posed.
“There was no deep discussion of the question: What if we are wrong?” the report says.
Over time, “a significant and continuous gap between the intelligence assessments of ****** and reality” had developed.
The report also highlights what it says was “a decline in deep familiarity with the enemy’s different worldview, including its culture, religion, language and history”.
It calls for deep reform of the intelligence directorate’s culture, “fostering intellectual openness, scepticism, listening, learning, debate, and constructive disagreement”.
It says the desire to protect highly valuable intelligence sources contributed to the military’s failure to raise the alert level immediately before 7 October.
The Gaza Division, it says, “was effectively defeated for several hours” on 7 October, significantly impairing its ability to understand what was going on and respond effectively.
It says the Air Force responded quickly, but that “there was significant difficulty distinguishing between IDF troops, civilians and terrorists”.
The report also says that in some incidents, wounded soldiers were evacuated before civilians.
Reuters
It took hours for Israeli forces to regain control of areas along the Gaza perimeter fence and days to fully clear them of attackers
After presenting the findings to commanders on Monday, the IDF’s outgoing chief of staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, said he took full responsibility for the failures.
“I embrace my responsibility. It is mine. I was the commander of the army on 7 October and I have my responsibility and I have all of your responsibility. I see that as mine too. And I see that in every command of mine that went wrong, there is also a part of me,” he said in a video.
Last month, the general announced his resignation over the failures and called for a commission of inquiry to carry out a broader investigation that would help prevent another attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has not acknowledged any responsibility for what happened on 7 October, has said such a state inquiry should wait until the end of the war.
His critics accuse Mr Netanyahu of being unwilling to admit any personal fault.
Israel responded to the 7 October attack by launching an air and ground campaign in Gaza, during which at least 48,365 people have been killed, according to the territory’s ******-run health ministry.
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Monster Hunter Wilds: What time does the game go live?
Monster Hunter Wilds: What time does the game go live?
Monster Hunter Wilds is out this week on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, but it goes live at a specific time.
Sometimes a game will go live at midnight in each time zone around the world, meaning the likes of New Zealand and Australia get to play it before anyone else.
Other times, however, a game launches at exactly the same time around the world, so that everyone can get started together regardless of where they live.
Interestingly, Monster Hunter Wilds does both, depending on whether you’re playing on console or PC. Here’s our guide on when you can get started, then.
Monster Hunter Wilds: When does it go live on PC?
The PC version of Monster Hunter Wilds goes live at the same time everywhere in the world. This means you’re going to have to check to see what time that corresponds to for your specific time zone.
Here, then, is when you can play Monster Hunter Wilds in your region. For anyone living elsewhere, adjust your time zone accordingly.
USA (Pacific Time) – Thursday, February 27 at 9pm
USA (Eastern Time) – Friday, February 28 at 12am (the night of February 27)
*** (GMT) – Friday, February 28 at 5am
Europe (CET) – Friday, February 28 at 6am
South Korea (KST) – Friday, February 28 at 2pm
Japan (JST) – Friday, February 28 at 2pm
Australia (AEDT) – Friday, February 28 at 4pm
New Zealand (NZDT) – Friday, February 28 at 6pm
This map gives more information on when the game launches in each region.
Monster Hunter Wilds: When does it go live on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S?
The release situation for Monster Hunter Wilds is different on console.
Instead of releasing at the same time all over the world, it releases at midnight in most regions.
I say ‘most’ because the exception is the west coast of the United States, where it releases at 9pm on February 27. That’s because that’s midnight on the east, and that way different parts of the US don’t get it first.
In other words, if you live in the PST time zone in the US, the console version of Monster Hunter Wilds can be played from 9pm on February 27. Anywhere else in the world, the console version can be played on midnight on the night of February 27 (i.e. the moment it becomes Friday the 28th).
Monster Hunter Wilds New Zealand Trick: How to play early on Xbox
Because the Xbox Series X/S version of Monster Hunter Wilds releases at midnight everywhere (well, almost everywhere) in the world, that means New Zealand will be the first to get it. In fact, they’re already playing it now.
This trick doesn’t work on PS5, but if you’re playing on Xbox, follow these steps to temporarily pretend you live in New Zealand:
Head to the settings menu
Go to the system tab
Go to language and location
Change the location of your console to New Zealand
Fully restart the Xbox
Launch the game from your library
The game will check the console location, see that it’s set to New Zealand, and boot up, allowing you to play it right away.
Once it’s officially out in your country, though, I’d advise you repeat the above steps and change it back to your own location, just so you can get your own country’s Xbox Store again.
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Nvidia gaming GPUs an afterthought as AI generates mountains of cash — RTX 50-series shortages mentioned, not explained
Nvidia gaming GPUs an afterthought as AI generates mountains of cash — RTX 50-series shortages mentioned, not explained
Nvidia just announced its fourth-quarter earnings, hitting a record full-year revenue of $130.5 billion — a 114% year-over-year increase owing to the high demand for its AI chips. But despite its massive sales growth, many gamers and enthusiasts feel they’re being ignored, especially as the company only mentioned the RTX 50-series shortage but did not explain why it was happening nor say how it was dealing with the problem.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Team Green’s bread and butter used to be gaming GPUs, with the segment making up most of its sales until 2022. However, the launch of ChatGPT made artificial intelligence more accessible to the public, and many tech companies started spending billions of dollars to buy the hardware needed to train these models — such as the data center GPUs that Nvidia makes. Because of this massive demand, the company soon became the world’s most valuable by market capitalization.
Nvidia’s data center business grew from $10.61 billion in December 2021, which accounted for 39.43% of its revenue, to a whopping $115.19 billion some three years later, making up 88.27% of sales. In comparison, its gaming GPU business shrunk to $11.35 billion and 8.7% from $12.46 billion and 46.31% of the revenue share in the same time frame.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Given that the company is hitting these record numbers, especially in the data center side of its business, it doesn’t quite make sense why we’re experiencing several problems with the RTX 50-series GPUs. Aside from the lack of supply, with one retailer saying that it could take up to 16 weeks to fulfill pre-orders, there’s also the melting power connector issue making a comeback with the RTX 5090, missing ROPs, and even BSOD and ****** screen issues (which, thankfully, have just been addressed with a driver update).
While it’s understandable that its AI business is where the money is at right now, it’s just frustrating to many people why Nvidia could not prepare for the massive demand that its RTX 50-series GPUs had upon launch. The chip shortages during the launch of the RTX 30-series and RTX 40-series GPUs were explained by the global supply chain crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. But with silicon supply chains relatively stable right now, one cannot help but wonder why Nvidia isn’t just making enough chips for the consumer side of its business.
At the very least, it should have anticipated and manufactured enough chips to avoid the shortage that we’re experiencing now — which it can definitely afford to do. After all, if there’s an abundance of RTX 50 series GPUs, then we don’t have to resort to lining up for hours (if not days) at retailers, joining lotteries just to get the opportunity to spend money, or dealing with scalpers that are selling its products for twice or even thrice the MSRP.
It’s great that Nvidia is flush with so much cash right now from its data center business that it could afford to spend more on research and development. However, it’s disappointing millions of its core fan base because many feel that the company no longer prioritizes PC gamers, especially with the botched launch of the RTX 50-series.
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DOGE cuts eyed for GOP spending bill, raising shutdown fears
DOGE cuts eyed for GOP spending bill, raising shutdown fears
Senior Republicans are seriously exploring how to include cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in an upcoming government funding bill — a move that would skyrocket tensions with Democrats and drastically raise the potential for a government shutdown.
Top GOP leaders and President Donald Trump’s team have been discussing the idea, which is far from finalized, according to three people who were granted anonymity to discuss the conversations.
But one of the people said the idea would be to codify some of the “most egregious” examples of alleged waste that DOGE has identified and incorporate them into a government funding patch through the end of the fiscal year. Republicans would then dare Democrats to vote against the package, lest they be blamed for causing a shutdown come the March 14 deadline.
The strategy, if adopted, could help satisfy conservative hard-liners who are already upset Congress is hurtling toward another short-term spending patch. But it would scramble the politics of the looming shutdown fight considerably, alienating Democrats whose votes are needed to ensure passage given the narrow Republican majorities in both chambers.
Republicans were initially discussing moving ahead with a so-called clean continuing resolution, or CR, that would not include politically toxic policy riders. That would have put pressure on Democrats to fall in line, even as Republicans have ruled out adhering to Democratic demands that any funding bill include language to prevent Trump and Musk from overriding congressional spending decisions.
But codifying DOGE actions would be a nonstarter for Democrats, who are already feeling pressure from liberal voters to put up a fight. A vote for DOGE cuts of any sort would effectively be interpreted as an endorsement of what they have been calling an unconstitutional power grab.
Still, some senior Republicans see merit in the tentative plan: They believe if Trump presses Republicans to back the effort, they would get their own members to come on board and would only need to rely on a few Democratic votes to make up for any shortfall on the GOP side. Other top Republicans, however, are privately skeptical, scratching their heads at how they’d convince the necessary seven Democrats in the Senate to come along.
Notably, the idea was greeted with skepticism by key GOP senators Thursday. “I don’t see how that could work,” said Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins of Maine. Two other Republican appropriators expressed similar confusion.
The fact that Republicans are even considering such a play shows how bullish they are that the politics of cutting down the federal workforce — while messy and chaotic — skew in their favor.
The strategy would also be responsive to demands Speaker Mike Johnson is facing from his right flank to slash government spending in the funding bill. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), said he got assurances from GOP leaders that cuts would be made to discretionary spending as part of his agreement to vote for the House GOP budget plan earlier this week.
The speaker, asked about his specific assurances to Davidson as he left the House floor Thursday, told reporters, “Stay tuned.”
Johnson also suggested it could make sense to codify in the spending bill some of the Trump administration’s unilateral funding freezes, including for the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has been effectively dismantled by DOGE.
“It would not make sense to appropriate funds to divisions of an agency that doesn’t exist anymore, right?” Johnson said. But the speaker also said he wanted to pursue a funding patch that’s as “clean as possible,” suggesting the idea to incorporate DOGE cuts might not survive.
Some Republicans believe party leaders could put this idea forward to make a point, then later move to a “clean” CR without the pro-DOGE provision.
Jordain Carney contributed to this report.
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Tributes paid to ‘genius’ actor
Tributes paid to ‘genius’ actor
Paul Glynn
Culture reporter
Getty Images
Hackman, pictured in Clint Eastwood’s Western Unforgiven, was found dead at his home in New Mexico
The Prince of Wales has led tributes to Hollywood to Gene Hackman, after the Oscar-winning movie star died aged 95.
Hackman was found dead along with his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog at his home in New Mexico, US. Local police said that an investigation was under way but they did “not believe that foul play was a factor.”
In a statement posted on X, the Prince of Wales, who is also president of Bafta, said he was “so sad to hear the news of the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy”.
“Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality,” he added.
Hackman’s 1978 Superman co-star Valerie Perrine labelled him “a genius”, while the Guardian’s film critic said his death “marks the end” of the era of American new wave cinema.
The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Hackman on the 1974 mystery thriller The Conversation, called Hackman “a great artist”.
Getty Images
Gene Hackman as “the unmissable” Popeye in the French Connection
In a statement posted on Instagram, Coppola said: “Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.
“I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Hackman, who won two Oscars for his work on The French Connection and Clint Eastwood’s Western Unforgiven, played more than 100 roles across his career.
They included supervillain Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeve-starring Superman movies in the 1970s and 1980s.
Perrine, who acted opposite Hackman as his character’s on-screen girlfriend Eve Teschmacher, described the late actor as “a genius” and one of the “greatest to grace the silver screen”.
She posted on X: “His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex Till we meet again.”
‘One of the true giants’Getty Images
Gene Hackman with filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola on the set of his movie The Conversation in 1974
Hackman appeared alongside Hollywood heavyweights including Al Pacino in 1973’s Scarecrow, Gene Wilder in 1974’s Young Frankenstein and Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton in 1981’s Reds.
He also starred in the hit movies Runaway Jury and Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums.
The British Academy of Film and Television, said it was “saddened” to hear of Hackman’s death, describing him as a “much-celebrated” actor with an “illustrious” career.
Spanish actor Antonio Banderas described it as being “a very sad day for the cinema’s family”.
Hank Azaria, the actor best known for voicing characters in The Simpsons, said “it was an honour and an education working with Gene Hackman” on 1996’s The Birdcage.
“Mike Nichols said of his genius character acting: ‘He always brought just enough of a different part of the real gene to each role he played.’ Sending all my love to his family and friends.
Getty Images
Hackman pictured on the set of 1995’s The Quick and the Dead, directed by Sam Raimi
Star Trek actor George Takei posted: “We have lost one of the true giants of the screen.
“Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,” he wrote.
“He could be everyone and no-one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”
Slumdog Millionaire star Anil Kapoor also called Hackman a “genius” performer. “A true legend whose legacy will live on,” he wrote.
‘End of an era’
As well as his Oscar wins, Hackman also collected two Baftas, four Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
The Guardian’s film critic Pete Bradshaw wrote that Hackman’s death “marks the end of one of the greatest periods of US cinema: the American new wave.”
“Hackman was the gold standard for this era, ever since Warren Beatty gave him his big break with the role of Buck Barrow in Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde (1967),” said Bradshaw.
“He was the character actor who was really a star; in fact the star of every scene he was in – that tough, wised-up, intelligent but unhandsome face perpetually on the verge of coolly unconcerned derision, or creased in a heartbreakingly fatherly, pained smile.”
Adding: “He wasn’t gorgeous like [Robert] Redford or dangerously sexy like [Jack] Nicholson, or even puckish like [Dustin] Hoffman; Hackman was normal, but his normality was steroidally supercharged.”
The critic branded his performance “as the reckless, racist cop”, ‘Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle, in William Friedkin’s 1971 film The French Connection as “unmissable”.
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Amazon joins the quantum computing race with a chip designed for error correction
Amazon joins the quantum computing race with a chip designed for error correction
Amazon announced that it has created its own quantum computing chip, joining Microsoft and Google in a push to take this potentially transformative technology from the theoretical to the practical. Ocelot is a prototype that’s intended to test the effectiveness of Amazon Web Services’ quantum error correction architecture. Compared with other chip methods, the company claims Ocelot can reduce the cost of implementing quantum error correction by up to 90 percent.
Quantum computing could solve complicated problems exponentially faster than standard computers by using quantum bits, or qubits, rather than traditional bits that store a computer’s information as 1s and 0s. Rather than representing only a 1 or a 0, qubits can represent a proportion of both 1 and 0 at the same time. Ocelot takes this a step farther with its use of “cat qubits,” named for the famous Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment, which can “intrinsically suppress certain forms of errors,” according to Amazon.
Error rate is one of the key limitations of current quantum computing, because the qubits are so sensitive to minute changes in their environments. Electromagnetic interference from a WiFi network can be enough to disturb a qubit and cause it to make mistakes. Adding more qubits to a chip means faster calculations, but also more mistakes.
Ocelot consists of five data qubits (the cat qubits), five “buffer circuits” to stabilize them and four qubits for detecting errors on the cat qubits. “We selected our qubit and architecture with quantum error correction as the top requirement,” said Oskar Painter, director of quantum hardware at AWS. “We believe that if we’re going to make practical quantum computers, quantum error correction needs to come first.”
Google claimed that its Willow chip, announced in December, was able to reduce errors as more qubits were added. Ocelot is another step toward reducing errors and making useful quantum computers a reality.
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Extreme Heat May Cause Older People to Age Faster, New Study Finds
Extreme Heat May Cause Older People to Age Faster, New Study Finds
There’s also some debate among scientists about whether epigenetic clocks are the best measure for aging, said Rachel Morello-Frosch, an environmental health scientist at the University of California, Berkeley. How to best measure biomarkers, and how to use them to predict future health, is an “evolving space in the scientific field,” she said.
Epigenetic changes aren’t necessarily bad, either, and the study doesn’t clarify whether they could reflect positive adaptations to heat instead of negative ones, said Greg Wellenius, an environmental epidemiologist at Boston University School of Public Health. People in hotter areas may have acclimatized to the heat, potentially by spending more time indoors, he said. But just “indicating that there is a quantifiable change at the cellular level” is a step toward understanding heat’s effect on the body, he said.
Experts say there are still many questions left to answer: How might things like air conditioning affect epigenetic aging? Can short visits to hotter areas cause you to age faster? Can moving away from hotter areas reverse it?
Because the analysis was based on a single blood sample from each subject, “we don’t really have that kind of longitudinal data” yet, said Jennifer Ailshire, a professor of gerontology and sociology at the U.S.C. Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and the other author of the study.
This study may open the door to future research into how interventions, like air conditioning or more shade, could stave off the adverse effects of aging, said Mariana Arcaya, a professor of urban planning and public health at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“Right now, the literature is very focused on, ‘Can you survive in extreme heat without medical intervention?’” she said. This study, in contrast, suggests that even if people aren’t at immediate risk of health crises or death because of the heat, “there may still be an effect.”
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North Korea sending more troops to fight for Russia, Seoul says – The Washington Post
North Korea sending more troops to fight for Russia, Seoul says – The Washington Post
North Korea sending more troops to fight for Russia, Seoul says The Washington PostNorth Korea has sent more troops to Russia, South’s spy agency says BBC.comNorth Korea has sent more troops to Russia, says Seoul EuronewsNorth Korea Is Sending More Troops to Russia, South Korea’s Spy Agency Says The New York TimesNorth Korea appears to have sent more troops to Russia to back its war against Ukraine, Seoul says The Associated Press
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Gex Trilogy trailer confirms a summer release window
Gex Trilogy trailer confirms a summer release window
A new trailer for Gex Trilogy confirms that the game is planned to release this summer.
While no specific release date has yet been announced, the latest trailer from publisher Limited Run Games gives a summer 2025 release window.
Gex Trilogy, which will be coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and PC, contains all three games in the Gex series of action platformers released during the PS1 era.
The games are being released via Limited Run’s Carbon Engine, a development tool that helps create emulation-based ports of classic games for modern hardware. It will be released in both digital and physical versions.
According to Limited Run, Gex Trilogy adds save state and rewind options for all three games, as well as new widescreen support for the second and third games.
It also adds a Music Player, a Media Player with promotional material and artwork, and a new video interview with Dana Gould, the comedian who voiced Gex in the North American versions of the game (in the *** he was voiced by Leslie Phillips and Danny John-Jules).
Developed by Crystal Dynamics, the platform game series starring the titular anthropomorphic gecko called Gex comprised of three games released between 1995 and 1999.
The first game, Gex, was a 2D platformer released on the PS1, Saturn, 3DO and PC and saw the titular gecko travelling through the Media Dimension, exploring five themed TV channels in an attempt to defeat the evil overlord Rez.
The sequel Gex: Enter the Gecko was released on PS1, N64 and PC and shifted the gameplay to a 3D platform engine, with Rez once again travelling through TV-based worlds taking such themes as children’s cartoons, sci-fi shows and Kung Fu movies.
Finally, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko was released on PS1 and N64 and has Gex returning on the Media Dimension one more time to rescue his (human) girlfriend Agent Xtra.
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Viral Donald Trump Jr audio highly likely AI fake
Viral Donald Trump Jr audio highly likely AI fake
A widely shared clip of Donald Trump Jr allegedly saying on his podcast that the US should have sent arms to Russia rather than Ukraine has been very likely generated using AI, audio forensics experts have told BBC Verify. Olga Robinson explains why the audio is suspect.
Produced by Jemimah Herd. Graphics by Jacqueline Galvin. Additional reporting by Shayan Sardarizadeh.
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The 5 best mechanical keyboards for 2025
The 5 best mechanical keyboards for 2025
Your keyboard is one of the few pieces of technology you’ll use for hours at a time, so why not make it something that brings you joy? Sure, the people who gush over mechanical keyboards can be a bit much, but the enhanced comfort, durability and customizability that comes with the best of them is real. If you’re interested in making the switch (ahem), we’ve tested dozens of mechanical keyboards over the past year and rounded up our favorites below. We’ve also broken down what to look for as you shop.
What to look for in a mechanical keyboard
Layout
The first thing to decide with any keyboard is what size and layout you want. Full-size layouts have all the keys you’d ever need — a number pad, a full function row, arrow keys, etc. — but they also have the largest physical footprint. A 96-percent or “1800” keyboard is similar, but crunches the navigation cluster (Page Up, Home, etc.), numpad and arrow keys closer together to save space. Tenkeyless (TKL) or 80-percent keyboards omit the number pad entirely; they’re often considered the best blend of size and functionality. 75-percent keyboards keep almost all of the buttons of a TKL model but further reduce any “dead” space between them — think of them like the TKL versions of a 96 percent layout.
It gets more and more minimal from there. The smallest popular layout is the 60 percent keyboard, which removes the arrow keys, function row, numpad and navigation cluster. This kind of design can be particularly useful for gaming, as it opens up a ton of desk space to swing your mouse around. It typically relies on shortcuts to make up for its missing keys, but it comes with a learning curve as a result.
Even more compact options exist beyond that. These can be adorable, but they usually involve removing the number row, which is a step too far for most people. There are all sorts of ergonomic keyboards that utilize different shapes to improve your wrist and arm comfort as well, but we have a separate guide for those.
Switch type
No component has more of an impact on how a mechanical keyboard feels and sounds than the switches beneath its keycaps. The market for these tiny mechanisms is vast and complex but, to keep it simple, you can separate them into three types: linear, tactile and clicky. Which you prefer ultimately comes down to personal preference, so we encourage you to go to a store, try out a friend’s keyboard and test switches out to determine what you like best.
Linear switches feel smooth and consistent all the way down. Many PC gamers prefer them because they’re often light and fast to actuate, so they can register inputs quickly. They tend to be quieter than other switch types as well, but some may find them too sensitive.
Tactile switches create a noticeable “bump” partway through a press. They generally aren’t as fast as their linear counterparts, but many (including yours truly) enjoy the tangible sense of feedback they provide with each keystroke. This bit of resistance can make it a little easier to avoid typos, too. Many tactile switches are neither outright quiet nor disruptively loud.
Clicky switches are, well, clicky. They work similarly to tactile switches but use an extra mechanism that makes a sharp click sound when pressed. The exact design of that mechanism can differ depending on the switch. Some people love the audible feedback of clicky switches. The people who work or live with them? Probably not so much.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Remember: These are general buckets. Within them lies an enormous variety of switches with differing actuation points, weights, springs, bump sensations and more. One linear, tactile, or clicky switch can feel and sound noticeably different than another.
There are more dramatic variations as well. Low-profile switches, for one, can be linear, tactile or clicky but aren’t as tall and have a shorter travel distance. They allow for flatter and more compact designs, with keys that are fast to press but also easy to bottom out.
Optical and Hall effect switches rely on different mechanisms entirely. Instead of a physical contact point, the former uses a beam of infrared light to register keystrokes, while the latter uses tiny magnets. Both commonly have a linear feel. They can also enable a few gaming-friendly features: You could set custom actuation points and make any key more or less sensitive, map multiple actions to one keystroke or even use an “analog mode” that emulates gamepad controls. (Newer inductive switches are said to offer similar benefits.) These are niche tricks, but they can make a difference for competitive-minded players. Boards that use these “analog” switches are frequently more expensive and less customizable than traditional mechanical options, though.
Switch modifications
It doesn’t stop at switch types: Manufacturers (and you!) can make several other tweaks to shape how a mechanical keyboard feels and sounds. Some have layers of different foam inside their case to tamp down noise, for instance. Some have switches that are lubricated out of the box to provide a smoother feel and more muted sound. A few others put plastic, rubber or foam “films” between the upper and bottom housing of a switch to keep it from wobbling and further tune its acoustics. Or they stick a layer of tape on their printed circuit board (PCB) to absorb higher-pitched sounds. We think most people will find that some well-applied foam and lubing makes things feel nicer, though this is another matter that comes down to taste.
Keycaps
Keycaps play a huge role in defining a keyboard’s character. First off, they should look nice! There’s a huge market for third-party keycaps in all different styles, from the playful to the professional to the proudly impractical. The majority of mechanical keyboards make it easy to swap in new keycaps, so it’s usually not a huge deal if you ever get bored with your device’s stock set.
Most keycaps are made from one of two types of plastic: ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). Keycaps using the latter tend to be higher-quality. They’re often thicker, more durable, deeper-sounding and less prone to developing a shiny or greasy finish over time. Still, premium ABS keycaps do exist, so this is another case where what’s “best” partly comes down to personal taste. You may prefer an ABS keycap that feels smooth over a PBT model with a rougher texture.
Keycap sets are available in several different shapes and sizes. Some are totally uniform; many others are distinctly sculpted to meet your fingers in (ostensibly) more natural positions. Which is most comfortable is something you’ll have to figure out for yourself. You can check out keycaps.info to see what the most popular keycap profiles look like.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Keyboard makers have several different methods of printing the letters and symbols (aka “legends”) that go on a set of keycaps. The two most common are known as double-shot and dye-sublimation. Double-shot caps are typically more durable but cost more to produce — they’re made by molding one color of plastic for the keycap around a second color of plastic for the legend. “Dye-sub” caps, in contrast, use heat to stain in the legends but are decently durable in their own right.
For keyboards with RGB backlighting, it’s best if the legends to be “shine-through,” so those color effects are visible through the keycaps. We don’t think it’s the end of the world if they aren’t — as you’ll see below — but the RGB won’t be as fun otherwise.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers (or “stabs”) are little components that go under large keys like the space bar or backspace to keep them from rattling or wobbling when pressed. These come in different types as well. Many a decent keyboard has been hindered by subpar stabilizers, so it’s worth checking your ******* keys first to ensure they aren’t distractingly shaky or uneven.
Mounting styles and case quality
A keyboard’s mounting style determines how its PCB and plate — i.e., a common (but not universal) layer that holds the keycaps in place above the PCB — are secured within its case. This, too, comes in varying styles and can have a significant effect on how the board feels and sounds. It’s also something that’s best explained visually, so we’ll point you to this excellent infographic from Thomas Baart instead of running through every possible configuration here. It’s hard to say one mounting style is always better than the others, but many enthusiast boards these days use some sort of gasket mount, which puts a gasket material on either side to separate the plate from the main case. Done well, this can make typing feel softer and bouncier than it would on a more traditional, tray-mounted design.
Regardless of what’s going on under the hood, a good keyboard shouldn’t feel cheap on the outside, either. Its case shouldn’t flex under pressure or feel hollow as you’re clacking away. Higher-end models often have cases made from metal or sturdier plastic — the former may feel more premium but it’s typically heavier and pricier.
Customizations and software
We focused on pre-built models here, but that doesn’t mean customization isn’t important. Experimenting with different switches and keycaps is half the fun of this hobby, after all. For this guide, we prioritized keyboards that are “hot-swappable,” which means they let you easily remove and replace switches without having to desolder anything. Permanently attached switches may be more stable, but fixing a broken hot-swappable switch should be relatively painless — and more affordable to boot.
We also valued keyboards that are easy to program and customize through software, whether it’s a manufacturer-specific app or popular open-source programs like VIA. Not everyone will go through the trouble to set macros, customize backlighting or remap keys, but it’s better to have the option if your mindset changes down the road.
It’s a plus if a keyboard works across multiple operating systems, particularly Windows and macOS, just in case you ever switch allegiances. If the device comes with OS-specific keycaps you can pop on to make the experience less clunky, that’s even better.
Connectivity
Wireless connectivity isn’t essential with a device that mostly sits on your desk, but it’s always nice to cut down on cables. Though wireless keyboards still cost more than wired ones, today you can get something great for less than $100. If you do go wireless, look for a model that can connect over Bluetooth and a USB wireless dongle. The former is convenient for travel, while the latter can provide a more stable connection. For wired keyboards, you want a detachable USB cable so you don’t have to replace your entire device if the cord ever frays or breaks.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Backlight
Good backlighting will make any keyboard easier to use in the dark. We gave bonus points to keyboards with fully programmable RGB lights, as they can be particularly fun to mess with, but they’re not essential. As noted above, the strength of your backlight will be neutered if your keycaps’ legends aren’t transparent.
Rotary knob
Some mechanical keyboards come configured with a rotary knob, which typically controls volume by default but can be customized to control other inputs as well. This is more of a fun bonus than anything else, but we found it hard to give up on devices without one.
How we tested
To be clear, there isn’t one “best” mechanical keyboard for everyone. Yes, some are likely to be better for most people than others; that’s what we set out to find with this guide. But ultimately, this is one of those categories that’ll largely depend on your personal tastes.
It’s also worth reiterating that we only considered pre-built models for this guide. We still valued keyboards that are configurable with different switches, keycaps and other design tweaks upfront and easy to customize after purchase. However, we recognize that many people just want to pay for a nice thing and enjoy it, without having to do homework on how they can make it better. If you want to get hardcore later on and start building your own custom keyboards, we have a whole separate guide for that.
With that said, we started our research by reading a ton of reviews from both professionals and everyday users, trawling enthusiast forums along the way. This helped us whittle down the devices that had a shot of being a top pick and were readily available from reputable brands. From there, we used each keyboard as our daily driver for a few days, typing up thousands of words, playing PC games and paying attention to the key aspects noted above. We fully charged each wireless model and monitored its battery drain to ensure it lined up with their advertised rating. We also ensured any companion software worked as intended.
It’s worth keeping in mind that new mechanical keyboards are coming out all the time. It’s very difficult to get to everything, but we’ll continue to monitor the market and update this guide as noteworthy boards arrive.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C | Size(s): 65 percent (standard or Alice layout), 75 percent (standard or Alice), 80 percent (tested), 96 percent (standard or southpaw), 100 percent | Switches: Gateron Jupiter Brown (tested), Red, Banana | Hot-Swappable: Yes | Material: Aluminum | Keycap material: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (south-facing) | Software: VIA
The Keychron Q Max is the kind of keyboard that makes you think “damn, this is a nice keyboard.” Its quality is immediately apparent: Its full aluminum case is cool to the touch and incredibly sturdy, without a hint of flex. Its PBT-coated keycaps are crisp and curved in a way that gently hugs your fingertips. There’s a tactile volume knob built in. The Gateron Jupiter Brown switches in our test unit are neither too fast nor too stiff, with a delightfully bouncy feel aided by a double gasket structure inside the board. Combined with several layers of internal foam, they make a poppy, marbly sound that’s just lovely. It’s the kind of thing people would go out of their way to look up on YouTube.
The Q Max has nearly all the features we’d want out of a high-end mechanical keyboard. It connects reliably over a USB-C cable, a wireless dongle or Bluetooth; with the latter, it can pair with three devices at once. It’s compatible with both Windows and macOS, with special keys for both platforms in the box. Its switch sockets are hot-swappable, so you’re free to sub in new keys down the line. Besides the Jupiter Browns, prebuilt models with linear Jupiter Red and more heavily tactile Jupiter Banana switches are also available, and all of them come pre-lubed.
The device is fully programmable with the open-source QMK and VIA software, which is available through a browser and makes it simple enough to remap keys, assign macros and create distinct profiles. (You have to upload a keymap file from Keychron’s site to get VIA to recognize the device, annoyingly, but that’s a quick fix.) It also just looks nice: The fonts are clean, while the mixed keycap colors are stylish but not ostentatious.
We tested the tenkeyless model, the Q3 Max, but the lineup includes several other layouts and sizes. None of them come particularly cheap, however. Our review unit costs $214 for the “fully assembled” model with a rotary knob, and the rest are about the same.
There are other potential hangups. The default keycaps are very tall, which may be off-putting to some and isn’t ideal for fast-paced gaming. They aren’t shine-through, either, so while there is RGB backlighting, the effect is muted. The full-metal case means these things are heavy — the Q3 Max tips the scales at four and a half pounds. They’re all on the thicker side, too, and there’s no flip-out feet on the back for height adjustments. The heft goes a long way toward making the Q Max feel premium, but it also means they aren’t exactly travel-friendly. We also noticed a slight rattle when hitting the ends of the space bar; it’s far from severe, but any nitpicks are worth noting at this price.
Still, those shouldn’t be deal breakers. This is far from the only guide to recommend Keychron’s keyboards, but they’re popular for a reason: At their best, they’re reliable, well-built and strong value for money. The Q Max is their best, delivering premium features, extensive customizability and a fantastic typing feel right out of the box. The one universal downside with all Keychron keyboards is their short warranty, which only lasts 12 months.
Pros
Superb typing feel and sound
Premium aluminum case
Crisp PBT keycaps
Hot-swappable
Reliable wireless performance
Tons of layout options
Knob!
Cons
A bit pricey
Keycaps aren’t shine-through and may be too tall for some
Heavy
Slight rattling with some stabilizers
$189+ at Keychron
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C | Size(s): 65 percent, 75 percent (standard or Alice layout), 80 percent (tested), 96 percent, 100 percent | Switches: Gateron Jupiter Brown (tested), Red, Banana | Hot-Swappable: Yes | Material: Plastic | Keycap material: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (south-facing) | Software: VIA
If our top pick sounds appealing but just too expensive, take a look at the Keychron V Max. It’s another line of wireless keyboards with similar features as the Q Max series: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, QMK and VIA support, Windows and macOS functionality, smooth and relatively high-profile PBT keycaps, a firm volume knob and the same set of pre-lubed, hot-swappable Gateron Jupiter switches. It, too, uses a gasket mount and multiple layers of sound-deadening foam, though it’s not quite as extensive as its higher-end sibling in either regard. Still, the Jupiter Brown switches in our review unit are springy, soft and pleasing to the ear, with a gentle pop to each press. Like the Q Max lineup, the V Max series is available in a range of size options, from the 65 percent V2 Max to the full-size V6 Max. Each is built to be torn apart and customized as needed.
There are perks that aren’t available on the Q Max, too. The V Max comes with two wireless dongles, one USB-A and one USB-C, and there are storage compartments for each built in. A pair of flip-out feet, meanwhile, let you set the device at different incline angles.
All of this is available for a little under $100. The catch is that the case is entirely plastic. It’s much lighter than the Q Max’s aluminum and it doesn’t really flex, but it doesn’t feel nearly as premium. The stabilizers, while not bad, are clearly worse out of the box as well: Smacking the backspace or enter keys produces a faint but audible rattle, while the space bar is louder and more hollow-sounding than everything else. If you’re really detail-obsessed, you’ll also notice some of the legends on the larger keys are slightly uneven. And the keycaps still aren’t shine-through, so the RGB backlighting doesn’t come through clearly.
If you want to save a little more cash, the standard Keychron V Series is also worth considering. Those are wired-only and use a more traditional tray-mounted design, but they’re still comfortable and often available for $10 to $20 less. For most people who want to stay below triple digits, though, the V Max is a better buy.
Pros
Strong value
Typing feels and sounds great
Hot-swappable switches
USB-C and USB-A wireless receivers
Knob (again)!
Cons
Plastic
Some rattle with larger keys
Keycaps neuter RGB backlight
$84+ at Keychron
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: USB-C | Size(s): 80 percent | Switches: Keychron Brown (tested), Red | Hot-Swappable: Yes (select models only) | Material: Plastic | Keycap material: Double-shot ABS | Backlight: Red or RGB (north-facing) | Software: VIA
If you want to spend as little money as possible for a decent mechanical keyboard, get the Keychron C3 Pro. It provides a superb typing experience for less than $40, with features we don’t often see at that price, including pre-lubed switches, a gasket-mounted deck and multiple layers of internal foam. The tactile Keychron Brown switches in our test unit feel full and satisfying, while the gaskets keep bottoming out from being uncomfortably stiff. There’s a pleasant clack to each keystroke: not quiet, but not overly loud, with next to none of the pinging or aggressive rattling that plagues so many cheap keyboards. If you prefer a lighter and faster feel, you can order the C3 Pro with linear Keychron Red switches as well. It also supports QMK and VIA; you have to do a little setup to get the latter to work, but most sub-$40 keyboards don’t offer this kind of flexibility at all. And while the design is a bit plain, a set of red enter, space and escape keys lend it a smidge of flair.
Like all budget keyboards, the C3 Pro makes compromises. It’s not wireless, for one, and its detachable USB-C cable feels a little cheap. Its double-shot ABS keycaps feel slicker than the PBT material used by our top picks and will likely degrade faster as years pass. While it doesn’t come off as flimsy, it’s still made of plastic, so you’ll want to avoid accidental knicks and bangs. It’s also only available in a tenkeyless shape, though that should be agreeable enough for most people who can live without a number pad. Its keycaps are shine-through, but the backlight on the cheapest model (which we tested) is only available in red, which looks funky in the dark. This model isn’t hot-swappable, either. However, Keychron sells another version that does support hot-swap and has full RGB backlighting for $10 extra. That’s probably the better buy if you can swing it.
Pros
Inexpensive
Tremendous typing experience for the money
Programmable with software
Shine-through keycaps
Cons
ABS keycaps are a bit slick
Wired only
RGB lighting and hot-swappable switch cost a little bit extra
$45 at Amazon
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C | Size(s): 60 percent, 75 percent (tested), 96 percent | Switches: NuPhy Aloe, Cowberry, Wisteria, Moss; Gateron Low-Profile Red 2.0, Brown 2.0, Blue 2.0 | Hot-Swappable: Yes | Material: Aluminum and plastic | Keycap material: Double-shot PBT | Backlight: RGB (south-facing) | Software: VIA
A low-profile mechanical keyboard mixes the flatter, more compact shape of a laptop keyboard with the deeper, more tactile feel of mechanical switches. If that’s what you’re after, check out the NuPhy Air V2 series. We tested the Air75 V2, a 75 percent model that starts at $120 (or $140 on Amazon), but smaller and larger options are also available. Each is impressively slim, light and travel-friendly for its size. Their PBT keycaps are smooth and spacious, and because the keys are so low to the surface, you don’t need to bend your wrists as much to reach them. This kind of design can feel cramped at first, but it doesn’t take too long to get the hang of, and the space it saves helps make up for any typos it causes early on.
You can buy the Air V2 with a wide range of tactile, clicky and linear switch options, all of which are factory-lubed and hot-swappable. Our test unit has the linear NuPhy Daisy switches, which are sufficiently light, fast and not scratchy. Their lower height means they’re quicker to bottom out than our other picks, which can cause some fatigue over time. But they still have a far more luxurious sense of travel and give than any membrane keyboard.
Despite the thin frame, there are a couple layers of foam inside the keyboard as well. We still wouldn’t call the Air75 V2 quiet, but its clean, clacky tone isn’t distractingly noisy. Silicone pads under the space bar keep that key from sounding too hollow. In general, the stock stabilizers are excellent, so large keys don’t suffer from any annoying rattling.
Like our top picks, the Air V2 can connect over a wireless dongle, Bluetooth or a detachable USB-C cable. We experienced a few connection hiccups while using some wireless mice back when the keyboard was first released, but post-launch firmware updates appear to have straightened those out. It’s another device that’s customizable with QMK and VIA, and it works across Windows and macOS. Unfortunately, it also wastes its RGB backlighting by using keycaps that aren’t translucent by default. NuPhy does let you configure the device with a shine-through keycap set, but that costs another $19.
One potential issue is battery life: NuPhy rates it at up to 220 hours with backlighting off but says it can drop anywhere between 35 and 57 hours with everything on. But since it’s easy to hook up a cable and the default keycaps neuter the RGB anyway, this shouldn’t be a big deal for most people who aren’t frequent travelers.
Maybe the best thing about the Air V2 is just how cute it is. Its rounded keycaps, trim side lights and accented enter key and space bar give it a playful air. Those side lights are a slick way to display caps lock and battery status, while the case as a whole is made from a chilly aluminum that only flexes if you push down hard. The back is plastic, but it has a stylish transparent finish and two adjustable feet. It may look a little out of place in a typical office, but hey, more tech could stand to have a bit of fun.
Pros
Slim, sturdy and attractive design
Pleasant typing experience
Spacious, high-quality keycaps
Configurable with several switch options
Cons
Low-profile design can lead to typos and fatigue, especially for first-timers
Stock keycaps aren’t shine-through
$140+ at Amazon
Jeff Dunn for Engadget
Connectivity: USB-C | Size(s): 80 percent | Switches: Lekker L60 V2 | Hot-Swappable: Yes | Material: Plastic, zinc alloy (optional) | Keycap material: Double-shot PBT, dye-sub PBT (optional) | Backlight: RGB (north-facing) | Software: Wootility
Let’s be clear: Any keyboard can be a gaming keyboard. Buying a thing that claims to be “for gamers” won’t magically stop you from getting destroyed in Call of Duty. But if you’re looking to buy a mechanical keyboard specifically for competitive video games, consider the . It pairs a sturdy build with a handful of features that can genuinely help you play better, albeit in subtle ways.
The big thing that separates the 80HE from many gaming keyboards is its analog switches, which use magnetic Hall effect sensors and can respond to varying levels of pressure. With these, you can adjust each key’s actuation point — i.e., the travel distance at which it registers — anywhere between 0.1mm and 4mm. With a fast-paced shooter like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant, you could set the actuation of your WASD keys low and make them more sensitive to quick-twitch movements. Then when you’re done, you could switch to a higher actuation and give each keystroke a deeper and more deliberate feel.
Another feature called “rapid trigger” removes the need for the switches to pass back through a fixed reset point, so you can repeat keypresses faster. This helps in moments where even the tiniest delay can draw the line between success and failure — say, hitting a rapid succession of notes in a rhythm game, or strafing back and forth during a shootout in an online FPS. Beyond that, you can tie multiple actions to one key based on how far it’s pressed. For instance, you could lightly press Ctrl to crouch, hold it to go prone, then release to quickly stand up. There’s also an “analog mode” that effectively turns the 80HE into a joystick-less Xbox controller. Because the keys are pressure-sensitive, this can work surprisingly well for racing games or flight sims when you don’t have a gamepad handy.
Do you need these tricks to enjoy a game? Absolutely not. But if you take your play somewhat seriously, they truly can make a difference. If you know what you’re doing, you can move just that little bit more fluidly and simplify complex strings of commands. It helps that you can save your custom control profiles directly to the keyboard, and that Wooting’s web-based software makes setting up those customizations a breeze. Really, that ease of use is one of the main things that puts the 80HE ahead of other Hall effect models — it just works, consistently, in a way so many apps from other gaming brands do not.
The 80HE isn’t the only analog keyboard with these advanced gaming features, but it stands out for being a good keyboard in its own right. Its pre-lubed linear-style switches are smooth to press, while its PBT keycaps are pleasingly textured. A few layers of internal foam and tape give keypresses a pleasant thock sound, one that isn’t distractingly loud, while a built-in gasket mount lends your fingers a comfortable landing point (though typing doesn’t feel quite as springy or cushioned as the Keychron Q Max or V Max). The stock case is robust, and the larger keys are mostly stable, some faint rattling on the space bar aside. The RGB backlighting is vivid, tidy and easily customizable as well.
You shouldn’t buy the 80HE over our top picks if gaming isn’t your primary concern, though. It’s wired-only and it lacks adjustable feet to raise its height, instead relying on a somewhat awkward set of rubber stops that you have to slot into the back of the keyboard. Though it’s technically hot-swappable, the market for magnetic Hall effect switches isn’t super extensive. Some people will find the 80 percent layout a bit weird, as it lacks certain Nav cluster keys. It’s also a $200 keyboard that’s mostly made of plastic. You can buy the 80HE with a higher quality zinc alloy case instead, which is appreciated, but that’ll set you back $290.
Perhaps the biggest issue with every Wooting keyboard is availability: Each model is only purchasable through the company’s website and sometimes comes with shipping delays. They do come with a four-year warranty, however, which is longer than what you get with most manufacturers.
If you want the 80HE’s features in a more compact shape, get the instead. It has a 60 percent layout with no dedicated arrow or function keys, and it’s a little less comfy and pleasant-sounding than the 80HE for typing, but it offers the same granular customization and similarly excellent software for $25 less.
Pros
Analog switches are fast and deeply versatile for gaming
Easy-to-use software
Comfortable and pleasant-sounding for typing
Clean RGB lighting
Cons
Wired only
Only available to buy in batches
Not the best value for most people
$200 at Wooting
Other mechanical keyboards we tested
Just a few of the other mechanical keyboards we tested for this guide. Clockwise from top left: the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless (2023), the G.Skill KM250 RGB, the Lofree Block, the NZXT Function 2 and the Lofree Flow. (Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
Lofree Block
The wireless Lofree Block feels great and has a fun retro aesthetic that looks like it belongs next to an old Mac. Its keys are wonderfully smooth to the touch and create a nice thocky tone. At $169, it’s a good middle ground between the Keychron Q Max and V Max series if you dig the look. However, it doesn’t have any software for programming macros, it only has a white backlight and it only comes in a full-size layout. Are those huge issues? No. But there are fine margins separating these things once you get to a certain point.
Lofree Flow
It’s a similar story with the Lofree Flow, a low-profile model. Its full-POM switches are softer and noticeably quieter than the NuPhy Air V2, and its thin aluminum case looks and feels high-quality. It can only work wirelessly using Bluetooth, though, and we noticed a couple of connection hiccups in testing. There’s still no software, either, plus its backlight is fairly weak. It also costs $40 or so more than the Air75 V2. Still, it’s a great alternative.
Keychron K Max
The low-profile Keychron K Max series has all the requisite features and costs less than the NuPhy Air75 V2 and Lofree Flow. If you don’t like the Air V2’s style and want a cheaper low-profile model, it’s worth a look. That said, the keycaps on NuPhy’s board feel a bit higher-quality, and the tactile Gateron switches in our K Max unit sound thinner.
NZXT Function 2 & Function 2 MiniTKL
The full-size NZXT Function 2 and tenkeyless NZXT Function 2 MiniTKL are perfectly solid gaming keyboards with fast optical switches, durable PBT keycaps, tasteful RGB lighting, sound-dampening foam and aluminum top plates. They support a fair amount of customization through NZXT’s CAM app, including the ability to swap between two different universal actuation settings. The stabilizers on larger keys exhibit some rattle, though, and the Wooting 80HE’s magnetic switches are far more versatile for not too much extra cash.
The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL. (Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
MelGeek Modern97
With its fun speckled color scheme, gasket-mounted design and multiple foam layers, the MelGeek Modern97 is a solid value at $139. The linear, pre-lubed Kailh Box Plastic switches in our unit are smooth and enjoyably clacky, while the larger keys are neither hollow nor overly loud. All of the switches are hot-swappable, and the whole thing works over USB-C, Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz dongle. Alas, its ABS keycaps start to feel slicker and greasier with extended use. This model also has a 90 percent layout, which saves a little extra desk space compared to a 96 percent board but can lead to more accidental presses around the arrow keys.
Razer Huntsman V2 TKL
The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL is a quality gaming keyboard with light optical switches, crisp shine-through keycaps, a sturdy frame and an impressively muffled sound thanks to some internal foam. (If you buy the model with Razer’s linear optical switches, that is; another variant with clicky switches isn’t nearly as quiet.) It’s often available in the $100 range, and at that price it’s a solid pick. It’s neither wireless nor hot-swappable, though, and its keys wobble more than those on the Keychron V Max.
Razer Huntsman V3 Pro
The analog Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is a decent alternative to the Wooting 80HE if the latter’s shipping delays become too great. It’s available in a 60 percent, TKL or full-size layout, and it offers a similar set of gaming features, including an adjustable actuation range and a rapid trigger setting for repeating keystrokes faster. But its optical switches are noisier and more hollow-feeling than Wooting’s Hall effect setup, so it’s not as pleasant for typing.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless (Gen 3). (Jeff Dunn for Engadget)
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless (Gen 3)
We recommend the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless in our guide to the best gaming keyboards, and it remains a good choice if you want the extensive customizability of the Wooting 80HE in a wireless design. It also comes with a wrist rest, unlike Wooting’s keyboard, and it offers an impressive typing experience in its own right. SteelSeries’ configuration software is clunkier to navigate than Wootility, though, and at $270 it’s pricier than Keychron Q Max without having quite as premium a design.
G.Skill KM250
The $45 G.Skill KM250 is the top budget pick in our gaming keyboard guide, and it’s still a better buy than the Keychron C3 Pro is gaming is your chief concern. Compared to Keychron’s board, it adds hot-swappable switches, full RGB backlighting, PBT keycaps and a rotary knob in a smaller 65 percent layout. That said, the C3 Pro’s fuller sound and springier keystrokes make it superior for typing, and its tenkeyless design should be more comfortable for a wider swath of people. It’s typically available for $10 to $15 less, too.
The Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid. (Jeff Dunn for Engadget)
Logitech G Pro X TKL & G Pro X 60
The Logitech G Pro X TKL and 60 percent Logitech G Pro X 60 are well-built but far too expensive for gaming keyboards that lack hot-swappable switches and the analog functionality of competitors like the Wooting 80HE.
Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid
The Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid is better, and a fine magnetic-switch alternative to the Wooting 80HE if you must buy from one of the major keyboard brands. It’s wired-only, but it looks good, with clear RGB lighting, a built-in volume roller, dedicated media keys and a sturdy metal top plate. Its rapid trigger and adjustable actuation features all work fine, and Logitech’s G Hub software is easier to get around than most apps from the big-name manufacturers. All of it costs $30 less than the 80HE as well. Where it falls short is the typing experience: The default switches are pretty noisy, and bottoming out the keys feels stiffer.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless (Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a wireless 96 percent keyboard that’s marketed toward gamers but should feel great to anyone. The pre-lubed, linear ROG NX Snow switches in our test unit are smooth and quiet, while the PBT keycaps feel stable and high-quality. The keycaps let the RGB backlight shine through cleanly, plus there’s a clever multi-function key that puts various lighting and media controls in one place. ASUS’ Armoury Crate software is sloppy, though, and the board’s overall look may be too gamer-y for some. At $180, it’s not cheap either. The Keychron Q5 Max costs $40 more but gets you a more premium (if heavier) all-aluminum chassis; here, the housing is plastic.
ASUS ROG Azoth
The ASUS ROG Azoth is like a 75 percent version of the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless with a few more enthusiast touches. Its gasket-mounted design gives keystrokes a slightly softer landing, it has a programmable OLED display and it even includes a switch lubing kit in the box. Like the Strix, its hardware is very clearly high-grade. But its software is much more aggravating and, with a list price of $250, it’s a worse value than the Keychron Q Max.
Corsair K70 RGB TKL
The Corsair K70 RGB TKL isn’t bad in a vacuum, but it lacks wireless functionality and fully hot-swappable switches. It’s on the noisy side, too, and Corsair’s iCue software is rough.
The Logitech G Pro X 60. (Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
Corsair K70 Max
The full-size Corsair K70 Max is another high-end gaming keyboard with magnetic Hall effect sensors and Wooting-style features, but trying to program those settings through Corsair’s iCue app gave us headaches. The 80HE also feels better for typing, with less rattling on large keys like the space bar. Wooting’s HE keyboards support a slightly wider actuation range on top of that, plus they cost $30 to $55 less depending on size.
Razer Huntsman Mini
The Razer Huntsman Mini is a fine value if you want a no-frills 60 percent keyboard for less than $100, but it’s another wired-only model that isn’t truly hot-swappable.
Logitech G915 TKL
The Logitech G915 TKL is a wireless low-profile model with a metal frame and handy media controls. The GL Tactile switches in our test unit are comfortable and not particularly noisy. But the thin ABS keycaps feel way too cheap for something that costs $180, the keys themselves are a little too wobbly and the switches aren’t hot-swappable. The NuPhy Air75 V2 is a superior value. Logitech released an upgraded model with PBT keycaps and a USB-C port last year; we’ll aim to test that one for our next update, but it’s still pretty expensive at $200.
Recent notes
February 2025: We’ve updated this guide with a new gaming pick, the Wooting 80HE, and ensured the rest of our recommendations are still accurate. We’ve also added a few notes on other keyboards we’ve recently tested. We’ve put several other gaming-oriented models through their paces since our last update: You can find testing notes for those in our dedicated gaming keyboard buying guide.
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Verstappen and Norris tease in F1 comedy double act
Verstappen and Norris tease in F1 comedy double act
Formula One rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have been unable to resist joking about their “terrible” relationship ahead of what promises to be another big championship battle between the pair this season.
Red Bull’s Verstappen will be chasing his fifth title in a row, a feat previously achieved only by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, when the campaign kicks off in Australia on March 16, while McLaren’s Norris, last year’s runner-up, is a favourite for his first.
With both attending a pre-season testing press conference at Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit on Thursday and probed about their friendship and rivalry, after clashes on track last year, Verstappen played along with some mock theatre.
“Yeah, it’s a terrible relationship,” the Dutch driver told reporters. “We don’t get on any more, you know. It’s taken its toll. Yeah. Big drama.”
Norris, sitting alongside, then chipped in: “We had a fight the other day in a local pub.”
That triggered Verstappen to add: “We had to get escorted. I always say, you should see the other guy…”
Norris eventually spoke more seriously, the Briton saying that both were looking forward to more of last year and more battles with more potential winners.
“I think there’s going to be others involved, which will make it more exciting for everyone. I know there are going to be tough battles and I’m sure some of them are not always going to end the way I want or hopefully Max wants, but we’re racing drivers,” he added.
“We get along. We’ve always said those kind of things. I know everyone tries to make their own points and say what’s correct and what’s not correct, but we respect each other a lot and we look forward to more racing on track.”
Verstappen could not argue with that when offered the final word: “No, that’s beautifully said,” he agreed.
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Fix Your Monster Hunter Wilds Seikret Controls With This Button Remap
Fix Your Monster Hunter Wilds Seikret Controls With This Button Remap
Curious about how to fix Seikret controls in Monster Hunter Wilds? The Seikret is your trusty bird mount. Think of them as somewhat akin to a Chocobo, except they can carry a ton of loot, including your secondary weapon. Unfortunately, trying to steer your Seikret can prove to be more challenging than the final boss itself, and you’ll probably find this fowl’s movement mechanics to be pretty foul. Thankfully, we have a guide here to help you with this issue.
How to fix Seikret controls in Monster Hunter Wilds
By default, the Seikret has an auto-move action. While mounted, all you need to do is press the up button on your controller’s D-pad or the tab key on your keyboard. This causes the Seikret to automatically follow an optimal path straight to a waypoint or anything spot you’ve marked down on the map.
However, there’s also a glaring problem here, because the Seikret, whether they’re on auto-mode or manual mode, will continue to move forward even if you’re not pressing anything. This can be very annoying, especially if you want to collect herbs or pick up ores.
The good news is that there’s a quick fix for the Monster Hunter Wilds Seikret controls, and it comes from YouTuber Gaijin Hunter.
You can quickly change the Seikret Manual Controls to Type 2 via the Options -> Controls menu.
The fix requires you to go to the Options menu -> Controls page. If you check the second tab, you should see the Seikret Manual Controls setting. By default, this is set to Type 1–this is actually what causes the creature to move and maintain its current speed even if you’re not pressing anything.
Now, go ahead and set Seikret Manual Controls to Type 2. This makes the input similar to that of your character–i.e. the creature will only move if you press the WASD keys or tilt the left thumbstick.
With this, your Seikret’s controls should be similar to that of a regular mount in every other game. Now, you can happily roam around without having bird-induced headaches.
Need more tips as you continue fighting deadly creatures and venture into lands unknown? We’ve got you covered in our Monster Hunter Wilds guides hub.
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As Nvidia fights to stay relevant in China, more than sales are at stake
As Nvidia fights to stay relevant in China, more than sales are at stake
Nvidia is walking a tightrope in China with export controls — balancing compliance, profits and staying competitive. During the chipmaker’s earnings call Wednesday evening, CEO Jensen Huang noted that revenue from China has dropped to half of pre-export control levels. To put that in perspective: We’re still talking about $17 billion, according to Nvidia’s annual report . That’s 13% of total revenue, which is significant if more U.S. export restrictions come into play soon. The export-compliant H20 chips have been Nvidia’s lifeline in China, generating an estimated $12 billion to $15 billion in 2024 and keeping the company relevant in that market for now. ******** customers have been eagerly buying these chips, especially since DeepSeek started getting global attention. If these chips get banned, Nvidia could lose billions in annual revenue from China. Sure, their global dominance and new Blackwell line will cushion the blow, but the real question will be how China responds. Will they continue buying these “cut-down” export-compliant Nvidia chips, or will they double down on domestic alternatives? Huang warned that competition in China is growing, and for the second straight year, Nvidia listed Huawei as a competitor in its 10K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NVDA YTD mountain Nvidia stock year to date. The silver lining? Nvidia’s stock price likely already factors in further export controls by the U.S. government. Shares were down more than 5% in trading Thursday afternoon, bringing year-to-date declines to nearly 8%. Mizuho’s Jordan Klein said shares have been “de-risked,” while Citi suggested that China restrictions, semiconductor tariffs and Nvidia’s gross margins might keep the stock range-bound for a while. What’s becoming clear is that this isn’t just about short-term revenue hits. It’s about Nvidia potentially losing its foothold in the world’s largest semiconductor market just as domestic competitors are gaining ground. The real long-term risk isn’t just losing today’s China revenue, but missing out on tomorrow’s growth story in a market that’s rapidly developing its own AI chip ecosystem.
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Burlington restaurant ‘closed indefinitely’ after fire marshal raises issues: What to know
Burlington restaurant ‘closed indefinitely’ after fire marshal raises issues: What to know
A cornerstone of Burlington’s downtown nightlife scene for decades is “closed indefinitely,” according to a post from the restaurant and bar’s Instagram account.
Manhattan’s is the most recent name for the business long known as Manhattan Pizza and Pub. “With a heavy heart and many unanswered questions I must announce that Manhattan’s will be closed indefinitely,” according to a Feb. 20 Instagram post.
A sign on the window on the door to Manhattan’s dated Jan. 17 notes that the business is “closed until further notice.” The sign is from the city Fire Marshal.
A sign at Manhattan’s in Burlington on Feb. 21, 2025 notes that the restaurant and bar has been “closed until further notice” by the city’s fire marshal.
“This business had done unpermitted work inside which led to a capacity concern,” Philip Edgerly, assistant fire marshal with the Burlington Fire Department, told the Burlington Free Press in an email. “They were advised until the appropriate permits were pulled through the city and closed out, they could not be open for business.”
Current ownership did not respond to a request for comment from the Free Press.
In the past few months, the business has seen problems with staffing, a renovation, a brief name change to Rincon and then another name change more closely resembling the original before the recent closure. Manhattan’s Instagram posts indicates the account will stay active “until there’s an update.”
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at *****@*****.tld.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Burlington bar ‘closed indefinitely’. What the fire marshal says
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Pelican News
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Gibson and CRKD are releasing new Les Paul guitar controllers
Gibson and CRKD are releasing new Les Paul guitar controllers
Peripheral maker CRKD is teaming with Gibson to make a new range of guitar controllers.
The CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller Range features the iconic Les Paul design popular among guitar players.
The Les Paul design was previously used for the guitar controller for Guitar Hero 3, and is now returning fully licensed in this new collaboration with CRKD.
The controller comes in two versions, the Encore and Pro editions. The Encore edition comes with standard strum and fret buttons, and will cost $109 / £109 / €129, with an Xbox version costing $119 / £119 / €139.
The Pro edition features an Advanced Fret System with a mechanical fretboard “engineered for unmatched precision and responsiveness”, and a Hall Effect strum bar with haptic feedback and customisable sensitivity. The Pro edition costs $119 / £119 / €139, with an Xbox version costing $129 / £129 / €149.
While the guitars are seemingly mainly designed for Fortnite Festival, all versions also work on PC titles Clone Hero and YARG.
The multi-format Encore and Pro guitars are compatible with PC, Switch and Android, and also feature a Legacy mode enabling them to play Rock Band 4 on PS5 and PS4, as well as 16 Rock Band and Guitar Hero games on PS3.
The Xbox versions don’t have a Legacy mode, but are officially licensed for use on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, meaning they can play Rock Band 4 on those consoles. They also work on PC and Android.
CRKD head of product design Stephen Withers, who also previously worked as a designer for the original Guitar Hero controller company RedOctane, said: “The rhythm music genre holds significant historical importance, and our dedication to the legacy we contributed to remains steadfast. The enthusiasm for music gaming continues to thrive, particularly with the immense popularity of titles such as Fortnite Festival.
“We believe it is the right moment to enhance the experience and innovate the hardware that greatly influences gameplay. We are pleased to collaborate with Gibson to introduce this new range to both longstanding and new fans, and we anticipate witnessing the continued growth of the genre in 2025 and beyond.”
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#Gibson #CRKD #releasing #Les #Paul #guitar #controllers
Pelican News
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