The week in picks

If dialogue in movies is muddy, a soundbar with a center channel fixes it faster than any TV setting.

If you're upgrading your gaming rig or building a new one for 1440p gaming on a mid-budget, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is worth considering. With DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) support and relatively sane power draw, this card delivers solid performance without breaking the bank. However, its 12GB VRAM buffer might raise concerns about future-proofing, especially given the growing demand for memory-intensive games.

This card's value lies in balancing today's needs with tomorrow's uncertainty.

This week is all about belting out your favorite Billy Joel tunes as Piano Man takes over V3 V Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on September 28th. Get ready for a high-energy performance that's sure to have you singing along with the classic hits. It's a night of nostalgia and entertainment that's worth every penny - start at $75 for tickets.

Root's woodland conflict presents a unique opportunity for 3-4 players to look at strategic gameplay during an Epic Evening session. The diverse factions and resource systems ensure that each player's turn feels like a distinct experience, with minimal overlap until combat erupts.

A particularly fascinating aspect of Root is the Riverfolk Company's control over trade and economy, which can significantly impact the Marquise de Cat's territorial conquests and the Woodland Alliance's grassroots revolt. As such, players who enjoy asymmetric gameplay and economic strategy will find themselves drawn to this game.

For a foodie who's just graduated and eager to explore new culinary experiences, the Sharper Image Virtual Reality Headset is an excellent choice. It allows them to immerse themselves in cooking shows, restaurants, and even visit destinations famous for their cuisine, all from the comfort of their own kitchen.

This headset stands out over the usual gift of cookbooks or kitchen gadgets because it offers a unique and engaging way to experience food culture, without requiring them to spend hours watching TV or scrolling through social media. However, I must note that this product may not be suitable for those with smaller heads or prefer more traditional gaming experiences.

A $45 investment gets you the flexibility to transport your loved one to new culinary worlds.

In today's PicksByModel, we're highlighting the versatility of Anthropic's latest model, Claude Opus 4.1. With its substantial context length of 200,000 tokens, this model excels at complex, multi-step reasoning tasks that require extensive knowledge.

A key strength of Anthropic: Claude Opus 4.1 lies in its ability to navigate nuanced conversations with a high degree of coherence. For instance, in applications where users engage in open-ended dialogue, such as chatbots for customer support or knowledge-sharing platforms, this model is an excellent choice due to its capacity to process and respond to lengthy input sequences.

In contrast, when dealing with extremely short-form input (e.g., social media posts), other models like LLaMA 13B might be more efficient in processing and responding quickly. However, for scenarios where comprehensive understanding and thoughtful responses are essential, Anthropic: Claude Opus 4.1 is a prime selection.

A model's strength often lies not in being the best at everything but in finding its niche

The high volume on Donald Trump Jr.'s 2028 Republican presidential nomination market may seem surprising at first glance; $9.7 million traded at just 1¢ per unit is an enormous sum for a single bet, especially given the long odds against him winning the nomination outright. However, it's essential to note that this market has been around for some time and has likely attracted attention from both supporters and skeptics alike.

While it's true that high volume can indicate strong interest in a particular outcome, it doesn't necessarily mean the bettors are predicting a victory. In fact, the sheer number of longshots on our list, markets priced under 15 cents, like "Will Donald Trump Jr. win the 2028 Republican presidential nomination?" and "Will the Doge-1 Lunar Mission launch by December 31, 2026?", suggests that traders are hedging their bets or speculating on potential upsets.

It's worth considering what these markets are telling us about our collective expectations for Donald Trump Jr.'s future in politics. Are these large volumes a sign of genuine enthusiasm, or do they represent an opportunistic play by traders looking to profit from the attention surrounding his name?

Tomorrow will reveal whether Saudi Aramco can reclaim its spot as the largest company in the world.

The current US housing market shows a mix of price cuts and value gains across different regions. For instance, Colorado Springs, CO, tops the list for most price cuts with 37.9%, while Rockford, IL, leads in YoY gains at +8.7%. These two metros represent contrasting trends within the same state, underscoring regional differences.

The relatively high price cuts in Colorado Springs and other Utah metros suggest that sellers are adjusting to a more buyer-friendly market. In contrast, areas like Rockford, IL, and Utica, NY, experiencing significant YoY gains may attract more investors but might not offer immediate relief for first-time buyers.

The data suggests that next month's trends will be shaped by the ongoing regional dynamics. As the summer selling season winds down, price cuts in buyer-friendly markets could continue to accelerate, while growth areas like Rockford and Utica might see increased demand from investors.

As summer's warmth begins to wane and fall's crispness starts to seep into the air, there's a certain bread that rises above the rest: the Tendir Choreyi. This tandoori bread from recipe page is a masterclass in technique, with its perfectly balanced tang and subtle spices. The use of poppy seeds, for instance, adds a delightful textural element to each bite.

The Tendir Choreyi's flavor profile is expertly calibrated to complement the warm, earthy tones of fall's harvest season. Serve it alongside roasted vegetables or hearty stews to make your table feel like a cozy haven on a chilly September evening.

Consider pairing this bread with a rich and spicy tomato curry for a match made in heaven