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Features

Long-form articles about the people, places, and things in tech. We go beyond the surface story to unearth technology’s more fascinating details.

A man stands in front of two girls and stares at them.

With Heretic, directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods want to scare the hell out of you

In an interview with Digital Trends, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods spoke about Heretic and how they created a horror movie around dialogue and religion.
A teen boy looks in the distance in Interstellar.

10 years ago, Christopher Nolan made his most emotional movie ever. Here’s why it’s still the best

The Razer Naga V2 Pro gaming mouse on a white background.

This is the most frustrating mouse I’ve ever owned, and I love it anyways

The header image for the OuttaFocus column.

I love this new iPhone camera feature. Here’s why I’ll never use it

The Realme GT 7 Pro's screen.

I used the first Snapdragon 8 Elite phone, and it’s hot stuff

The Blue Screen of Death seen on a laptop.

How the Blue Screen of Death became your PC’s grim reaper

OnePlus Open Apex Edition Crimson Shadow red on table.

The OnePlus Open renewed my faith in folding phones. Here’s why

Key art for Death Note Killer Within.

3 new PS Plus games to play this weekend (November 8-10)

An alien in armor with a light sword standing in front of a space ship window with a planet in the background.

3 new Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (November 8-10)

The hero of Shadow of the Colossus stands in a temple.

The PS5 Pro holds the key to the PS6’s success

James Marsden in The Box.

What’s in ‘The Box’?!? Why this cult sci-fi movie is still an intriguing mess after all these years

A person wearing the aluminum Apple Watch Series 10.

The Apple Watch Series 10 has ruined smartwatches for me

Indiana Jones in the Demon's Tomb

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Troy Baker had to win Todd Howard over

Todd Howard and Troy Baker tell us what went into bringing an iconic character back to the video game world for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
Russell Crowe looks at a bullet inside a mailbox in The Insider.

25 years ago, the greatest corporate thriller you’ve never seen hit theaters

25 years ago, Michael Mann turned a movie that should have never worked into one of the most riveting and powerful thrillers of his entire storied career.
Art for the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Save State

For Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, Square Enix expanded its past

I spoke with Square Enix about the distinct retro-inspired art style that gives Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake its name.
The bottom of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

I tested the Ryzen 7 9800X3D against the Core Ultra 9 285K. It’s not even close

AMD's new Ryzen 7 9800X3D punches far above its weight class, and my comparison to the Core Ultra 9 285K is proof of that.
A person holding the RingConn Smart Ring and Oura Ring.

The hidden benefit of wearing smart rings

If you want to avoid the annual temptation to upgrade your tech, then the smart ring may be the wisest buy you'll ever make.
A couple smiles in Here.

Robert Zemeckis is still lost in the uncanny valley. Can he be saved?

Here, Robert Zemeckis' latest movie with Tom Hanks, finds the director still stranded in the digital abyss that ruined The Polar Express, Beowulf, and others.
Key art for UFO 50 shows several retro characters.

I tried to beat UFO 50’s hardest game. It turned into a fight for my soul

A quest to defeat UFO 50's hardest game became an existential battle to keep fighting in the face of real-world hopelessness.
Key art for Metro Awakening.

Metro Awakening and Batman: Arkham Shadow are the future of VR gaming

Metro Awakening and Batman: Arkham Shadow are both stunning examples of how to bring a traditional gaming franchise to VR.
White Titanium iPhone 16 Pro sitting on blankets with heart pillows behind.

I’ve had the iPhone 16 Pro for over a month. Here’s why I still love it

I was having some second thoughts about the iPhone 16 Pro, but after using it for over a month, I mostly love it.
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D held between fingertips.

I have a bone to pick with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a universally-praised gaming CPU, but I have a problem with it and how AMD has approached this generation.
Focus modes page in the Control Center on an iPhone 16.

Why this 3-year-old iOS feature is one of my favorite things about the iPhone

Apple has released numerous iPhone and iOS features over the last few years. Here's why Focus modes, launched in 2021, remains one of my favorites.
Art from the reveal trailer for Battle Aces.

Battle Aces was born from a rejected StarCraft 2 expansion pitch

Battle Aces strips back the unnecessary fluff of the real-time strategy genre to realize an idea director David Kim first had during development of StarCraft 2.
A PS5 Pro that's floating in front of a gray background. It's turned to the side.

Quiz: Can you tell the difference between these PS5 and PS5 Pro screenshots?

Can you tell a PS5 screenshot apart from a PS5 Pro one? Take our quiz to find out if the Pro is the right upgrade for you!
A Terrian and Antonio Sabàto, Jr. in Earth 2.

Earth 2 at 30: A look back at NBC’s big swing at sci-fi in the early ’90s

A long-forgotten sci-fi series premiered on NBC 30 years ago this month, but it paved the way for some of the shows that came after it.
The back of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

I did an iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra camera test. The results shocked me

The iPhone 16 Pro Max takes on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in a camera test, and the result is a serious upset given the age difference between them.
Nanoleaf Essentials Bulb on desk.

Make the most of your smart lights this holiday season with these expert tips

It's dark and dreary this time of year, but if you're using smart lights properly, it's easy to get through the winter. Here's how to optimize your setup.
Key art for Metal Slug Tactics.

Metal Slug Tactics is an arcade reimagining worth playing on Game Pass

Metal Slug Tactics reimagines SNK's classic arcade action game as a turn-based strategy game, but the conversion works surprisingly well.
Close up of the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has an identity crisis

I love most of the iPhone 16 series, but there's one model I just don't understand: the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The Linxura with four buttons on the screen.

This tiny smart puck can control your smart home without the need for mobile apps

The Linxura Smart Controller isn't without a few quirks, but it's a unique way to control your smart home without the need for your smartphone.
Mac Mini with M4

Is the M4 Mac mini Apple’s first true gaming PC?

Apple wants the Mac to become a gaming destination, and it has the perfect machine to take on consoles from Sony and Microsoft in the form of the M4 Mac mini.
Scout Motors Terra truck front

What is an EREV? Hybrid electric vehicle tech explained

Scout Motors recently announced two new EREVs -- but what exactly is an EREV, and how does one differ from a traditional plug-in hybrid?
Tom Hardy as both Venom and Bane.

Venom or Bane: Which villain did Tom Hardy play best?

Tom Hardy has crossed from DC to Marvel movies, and now it's time to determine which role he played best: Venom or Bane?