Upgrading your thermostat to asmart thermostatis a great way to save money on your monthly utility bills, but it’s not a decision to make lightly. Beyond sifting through dozens of products and finding ones that offer all the features you’re interested in, you’ll also need to make sure it’ll work with your existing HVAC system. And if you live in an older home or one without a C-wire, shopping for a smart thermostat can be challenging....

Thinking about new adventures in the kitchen? Some people start cooking because they want to save more money, eat healthier, start cooking for their kids, or just want to pick up a new, tasty hobby. Others may have mastered some basic meals but really want to branch out into more types of cuisine and new flavors. Whatever your motivation is, if you’re trying new things in the kitchen, the right smart tech can be an invaluable help....

This year at Digital Trends, we had the pleasure of enjoying a number of stellar video games. With the end of the year fast approaching, we decided to give our gaming-inclined staff a free pass to wax poetic about their favorite games. We then put together this list of what we consider to be the best video games of 2018. There are certainly some trends in our picks, particularly with action-adventure games that capitalized on the open world design likeRed Dead Redemption 2andGod of War, but there are also a couple of titles that impressed us with their ingenuity as well, likeCelesteandFlorence....

Your two main currencies inInfinity Nikkiare Diamonds and Bling. While Diamonds can earn you Resonance Crystals to participate ingachadraws, Bling is used to purchase clothing items and hairstyles from shops. But where can you get your hands on these two items? Throughout your time playing this open-world gacha dress-up game, you will easily come across crafting materials, wardrobe items, and currencies such as this. Althoughpre-registeringforInfinity Nikkican give you a decent amount of Diamonds and Bling, once that’s done, you’ll need to figure out the best ways to come by them....

2024 was a rough year for the game industry. It was dominated by layoffs, significant strategic shifts from some of the biggest companies in the industry, and gigantic live service flops that demonstrated just how hard that space is to break into. In last year’siteration of this article, I wrote that it felt like I was covering a “video game industry bound to head into an odd 2024 that lacks the known quantity bombshells of this year and continues to reel from layoffs....

Summary After a long road of rumors,The Fantastic Fouris getting close to the start of filming, and theMarvel Cinematic Universemovie is the film that I have been waiting for since the start of the Multiverse Saga. I was one of the fans who was ecstatic when it was announced thatMarvel decided to expand with TV shows and other formats after the creation of Disney+. Sadly, while there have been some greatMCU TV shows, Marvel has not found the same groove on TV it had with films in the Infinity Saga....

Summary The weirdestFallout 76creature might have a lot to say about unearthed series lore.Fallout 76is full of monsters, most of which represent mutated versions of real Appalachian wildlife. Others are based on local legends, likeFallout 76’s take on Mothmanor the Flatwoods Monster. They might have extra limbs, a green hue, or seemingly supernatural powers, but for the most part, it’s easy to guess where the inspiration came from. But there are some creatures whose origins aren’t exactly clear, andFallout 76isn’t eager to explain them....

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 1 & 2 Summary The Acolytehas revealed the first-ever Jedi Master in live-action practicing the Barash Vow. A rare oath taken by certain Jedi Knights, the Barash Vow is an alternate path for members of the Jedi Order. However, it’s not one that’s often taken lightly. InThe Acolyte, The High Republic’s Jedi Master Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman) is revealed to have taken the Barash Vow, seen in deep meditation within the Jedi Temple on the planet Olega....

Summary LegendaryTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtleswriter Tom Waltz spoke to Screen Rant about the future of the “Roninverse,“suggesting that there are more stories to tell in the franchise’s gamechanging alternate continuity.Beyond just their critical and commercial success,The Last Roninand its follow-ups have established a flourishing narrative world that still has stories left in it to be told. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Waltz discussed histenure withTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, in which he has become a third pillar of the franchise’s success, alongside hisLast Roninco-author Kevin Eastman, and series co-creator Peter Laird....

Vanderpump Rules’ Tom Sandoval responds to new relationship rumors Vanderpump Rules’ Tom Sandoval has cleared up the rumors surrounding his alleged new relationship. In one of the biggest scandals in Vanderpump history, Sandoval cheated on his longtime girlfriend Ariana Madix. To make matters worse, it was a months-long affair with fellow cast member Raquel Leviss. In response to the widespread hate, Raquel spent two months in amental health rehabilitation center....

Visitors to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California at the weekend got to see a life-sized replica of the Ingenuity Mars helicopter take flight. Ingenuity made history in April 2021when it became the first aircraft to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. It’s since gone on to complete more than 50 Mars flights and has even assisted NASA’s ground-based Perseverance rover by taking aerial images to help the JPL team plan safe and efficient routes across the Martian surface....

The Last of Us Part IIis right around the corner, and understanding the events of the first game is essential to getting the most out of the second entry.The Last of Usis a masterpiece — wegave it a near-perfect score— but if you don’t have the time to play, we’re here to get you up to speed. Here’s what you need to know before playingThe Last of Us Part II....

Summary Where is Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) whenStar Trek: Prodigytakes place, and could Seven appear inProdigyseason 2? ModernStar Trekshows have made a point of calling back toStar Trekseries of the past, reuniting audiences with fan-favorite characters.Star Trek: Voyager’s Seven of Nine is a major player in thecast ofStar Trek: Picard, thanks to Seven and Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) sharing a common history with the Borg. Aside from a brief reunion with Captain Tuvok (Tim Russ), however,Seven’sPicardappearances haven’t really commented on Seven of Nine’s relationship with former USS Voyager crew mates....