Look to your left. Look to your right. One of those people is about to discover Balatro for the first time . The other has already been secretly playing it every spare moment they get. Balatro was one of 2024's early breakout hits on Steam . Its roguelike twist on traditional poker combined clever deckbuilding mechanics with an incredibly satisfying and click-y presentation. By the summer it seemed like the “just one more round” sensation may have peaked. It now feels like Balatro -pilling has just gotten started. For anyone who hasn’t already played it, Balatro tasks players with using poker hands to score points . Players need to hit certain thresholds to progress, and earn gold for successful rounds that can then be spent on customizing their decks and acquiring powerful jokers that boost how their hands are scored in all kinds of ways. There’s no actual betting, but the constant risk-reward analysis required at every turn provides the stakes and tension associated with real games of chance. After exploding back in February, Balatro ’s second wave began in September. Developer LocalThunk brought the card game to mobile, which turned out to be a perfect platform for chasing rare jokers and high scores. App Magic reported that the game made $1 million in its first week, a small fortune for a $10 game in the App Store world of microtransaction- and ad-fueled free-to-play hits. Then in November, Balatro scored multiple nominations at The Game Awards 2024 , sending the whole thing into overdrive. It was represented not just in the best indie and mobile game categories, but in best direction and debut as well. It even snagged the most coveted prize of all, a 2024 GOTY nod, for five nominations in total. In a testament to both the impact of host Geoff Keighley’s awards show and how small Balatro ’s footprint still was, tons of new players began to take notice. Sales spiked on mobile, with Balatro reportedly raking in $4.4 million since it launched on smartphones and over $727,000 last week alone following the Game Awards 2024 nominees reveal earlier this month. The game has also seen a resurgence in its concurrent player counts on Steam, as well as thousands of fresh reviews on the Valve-owned storefront (where the game is also currently 15 percent off). But Balatro is clearly on the move in the popular gamer conscience as well. A common encounter with the name from a newbie goes like this . Someone who has never heard of Balatro finds out about it. They think the game can’t possibly be that hype and then they give it a try. The next thing they know, it’s all they can think about. Fans new and old have taken to expressing this obsessive quality by posting explanation-less images of the game’s iconic joker face under any mention of the game on social media. Possibly adding to the renewed zeitgeist around the game is a bit of reactionary controversy surrounding its official GOTY nomination. While some players have been griping about Elden Ring ’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC getting a nomination instead of full games released this year like Stellar Blade or Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 , others have been denigrating Balatro as “ just a card game ” or a shallow splash in the mobile pan. It seems like a good bet that Balatro will win at least one prize at the Game Awards, which will raise its profile even further. And deservedly so. Balatro is a masterclass in how a game can get its hooks in a player and then never let go. It helps that LocalThunk has been prodigious with updates the last few months, adding crossovers with popular properties ranging from The Witcher 3 to Dave the Diver . I wouldn’t be surprised if we get at least a couple more before the year is out. Balatro cannot be stopped. .
Savitri Sagar is CEO of Kenzo Infotech . The global digital healthcare market is expected to grow from $260.9 billion in 2023 to $1920.9 billion by 2033 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.10%. This staggering growth highlights the rapid adoption of innovative technologies and the increasing demand for accessible, personalized healthcare solutions. Having developed mobile apps for the healthcare domain, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges involved—and what it will take for mobile health tech companies/telehealth companies to succeed moving forward. Key Trends In Digital Healthcare Platforms One of the main trends in the mobile health app space is arguably telehealth. For a large number of patients, telehealth is their preferred way to seek care. According to one study , 43% of U.S. adults with healthcare visits in 2022 turned to telemedicine. Some of the biggest names in the mobile health app space offer a way for patients to manage at least some aspects of their care virtually, such as by enabling them to check their symptoms and access a physician directory and by giving them a way to quickly access their medical records and more. Another significant trend in the health app space? The use of artificial intelligence. I foresee that increasingly, AI will be leveraged by health apps. For example, some mobile health apps are leveraging AI to scan user’s bodies and pinpoint issues, such as potential skin cancer . Blockbuster Musical ‘Wicked’ Gets Digital Streaming Premiere Date Google User Data Purge Underway—What You Need To Know Dark Web Facial ID Farm Warning—Hackers Build Identity Fraud Database Recognizing The Limitations Of Health Apps Health apps can help patients. In particular, telehealth and AI alike have various benefits in patient care. However, health apps have their limitations as well. For instance, not every medical issue is diagnosable virtually, and AI won’t always provide accurate scan results. Health apps can offer great starting points for care, but patients should not solely rely on them. Predictions For The Future Of Digital Healthcare Platforms Technology and other factors are shaping the industry’s future: 1. AI-Powered Diagnostics AI in healthcare is projected to grow at a CAGR of 38.5% between from 2024 to 2030. AI stands to significantly contribute to diagnostics, with AI tools analyzing data with greater speed and accuracy to predict health conditions early and aid with decision-making. 2. Seamless Telehealth Integration The telehealth market was estimated to be valued at $101.15 billion in 2023—and from 2024 to 2030, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24.3% . Virtual consultations, IoT devices, and remote monitoring systems stand to revolutionize care, making hybrid healthcare models the norm and reducing patient wait times. 3. Personalization Through Big Data The global healthcare analytics market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 21.1% from 2024 to 2030, enabling platforms to deliver hyper-personalized care. Big data will provide actionable insights, ensuring patients receive tailored treatment plans. In turn, this can improve patient outcomes. 4. Blockchain For Data Security Blockchain in healthcare is expected to grow at a CAGR of 63.3% from 2024 to 2030. This technology will revolutionize data security, ensuring patient records are immutable and accessible across interoperable systems, reducing breaches. 5. The Rise Of Preventive Care Wearable tech, which accounts for a significant portion of the digital health market, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% from 2023 to 2030. These devices, paired with predictive analytics, will empower individuals to monitor health metrics and prevent chronic conditions, potentially significantly reducing hospital visits. 6. Expanded Mental Health Solutions The mental health app market, valued at $6.25 billion in 2023, is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 15.2% from 2024 to 2030. Virtual therapy and AI-powered mental wellness tools will make mental health support more accessible, addressing the global mental health crisis . 7. Integration With Insurance And Payments The global healthcare IT market, including payment and claims processing, has an expected CAGR of 15.8% from 2024 to 2030, and can simplify administrative processes and improve cost transparency. Real-time pricing tools will help reduce unexpected healthcare expenses, a key pain point for many patients. 8. Global Accessibility Digital healthcare platforms are closing the healthcare gap in underserved regions. Mobile-first platforms are expected to increase global access , bringing essential services to rural and low-income areas. 9. Sustainability Through Smart Systems The healthcare industry’s carbon footprint (which data indicates is “ between 4.4 and 5.2 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions ”) can be reduced significantly through smart platforms. By adopting AI and automation, healthcare systems could lower operational costs and environmental impact. Patient-Centric Approach: Empowerment And Protection As health apps move into the future, in addition to focusing on solving the right problems, being patient-centric and providing integrated solutions, they should keep patient empowerment and protection top of mind. Patient empowerment comes down to education. Health apps should connect patients with the resources they need to make informed decisions about the next steps in their care, such as offering in-app guides to different conditions, live chat options with registered nurses, robust technical support and so forth. As for patient protection, health apps should do their due diligence to make sure they are in full compliance with applicable data privacy and security laws, such as HIPAA in the United States and GDPR in Europe. Ultimately, by taking a patient-first approach as they design and implement their health apps, health apps can create solutions that help vast amounts of people get the care they need in an accessible way. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?Ero Copper Corp. ( TSE:ERO – Get Free Report ) Director Chantal Gosselin bought 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 27th. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$19.44 per share, with a total value of C$194,400.00. Chantal Gosselin also recently made the following trade(s): Ero Copper Trading Down 0.9 % Shares of ERO opened at C$19.25 on Friday. Ero Copper Corp. has a twelve month low of C$18.38 and a twelve month high of C$32.89. The stock has a market cap of C$1.99 billion, a PE ratio of -74.04, a P/E/G ratio of -0.72 and a beta of 1.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 82.63. The business’s 50-day moving average price is C$22.46 and its 200-day moving average price is C$26.14. Analyst Ratings Changes View Our Latest Research Report on ERO About Ero Copper ( Get Free Report ) Ero Copper Corp. engages in the exploration, development, and production of mining projects in Brazil. The company is involved in the production and sale of copper concentrate from the Caraíba operations located in the Curaçá Valley, northeastern Bahia state, Brazil, as well as gold and silver by-products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ero Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ero Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .The playful banter between Xiaohua and her husband over Dao Lang's influence highlights the lighthearted and affectionate dynamics of their relationship. In sharing a common interest in music and entertainment, they find joy in teasing each other and engaging in playful banter. This positive and humorous interaction reflects a strong bond built on mutual respect and understanding.
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Error correction is a critical aspect of quantum computing that aims to mitigate the impact of errors and ensure the reliability and accuracy of quantum computations. Google's Willow project has been focused on developing advanced error correction techniques to address this fundamental challenge in quantum computing.What Is ‘Queen Never Cry’ Meme About? Explained By A called “ has been making a lot of waves on social media sites like . This has invited interest from many fans, who wish to learn more about it and where it originates from. So, what is the meaning of the “Queen Never Cry” meme? Without further ado, here is a detailed explanation of the popular meme and its origins. ‘Queen Never Cry’ meme explained The “Queen Never Cry” or “Queen Don’t Cry” meme originates from a panel of a popular webtoon called The Ki Sisters. The aforementioned webtoon panel features a mother and her newborn baby. In the panel, a nurse who helped deliver the baby hands it over to her mother. However, the child soon starts crying. Immediately after this, the nurse whispers “Queen never cry” to the baby’s ears. This is then followed by the baby stopping to cry and putting up a blank and cold facial expression. This same expression continues in a subsequent montage depicting the baby’s growth into an adolescent and later an adult. Check out the viral meme below: Queen never cry ? The “Queen never cry” meme quickly gained popularity on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok because of its wild and unique nature. It also became viral because of how it combines emotional expression with drama and humor. Consequently, netizens then took to social media platforms to act out the meme and film their own renditions of it. Here is one example of a TikTok user reading a comment that states, “The fact that seeing her cry made me wanna cry too.” The user quickly did an expression signifying ‘no’, and said with a dubbed voice “Queen never cry,” subsequently acting out the meme. Users also recreated the meme with characters from popular television shows and video games. For example, here are the and of the meme. Furthermore, social media users even created versions of the meme representing countries like . Overall, the “Queen Never Cry” meme enforces the notion of holding yourself together and staying in control, when coming across situations that could potentially elicit strong emotional reactions. Abdul Naushad is a Contributing SEO Writer. He has previously written over a 100 articles for Sportskeeda. In his spare time, he likes to play video games, watch movies and aimlessly browse and watch different kinds of YouTube videos whether they be gaming reviews, movie explanations or even funny sketches and skits. Share articlePakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has registered a notable increase in hydrocarbon production from its wells located across the country. The exploration and production (E&P) company on Wednesday shared the details of its production enhancement registered during the period between April 2024 and November 2024 via notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). “The company is pleased to announce its contribution towards Pakistan’s energy outlook and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the country’s energy security by prioritising the maximisation of domestic hydrocarbon production,” read the statement. PPL shared that with many of its producing fields maturing and on their natural decline, “the company has strategically implemented multiple cost-efficient production enhancement initiatives, including rigless interventions, surface system optimisation, and workovers delivering significant results at a fraction of the cost of drilling new wells”. PPL achieves production enhancement milestone The company said that from April 2024 to November 2024, the enhancement has resulted in a substantial production gain of approximately 17 MMscfd of natural gas, 400 barrels per day (bpd) of oil/condensate, and 4 tonnes per day of LPG. PPL shared that through workover optimisation, the company has enhanced gas output by 8.4 MMscfd through successful workovers on Sui-71 and Sui-73. 2. The company has “achieved an increase of 7.1 MMscfd gas production from the Sui and Gambat South Gas Fields by optimising wellhead surface fittings and plant processing systems”. PPL informed that through the installation and modification of artificial lift systems at Adhi-28, Adhi-29, and Adhi South-5, the company delivered 200 bpd of oil/condensate, 2 tonnes per day of LPG, and 0.5 MMscfd gas. Lastly, the company boosted production by ~200 bpd of oil/condensate, ~2 tonnes per day of LPG, and 1.3 MMscfd gas via acid wash treatments and scale removal at Adhi, Hala, and Sui Fields. “These initiatives underscore the company’s commitment towards cost-effectively enhancing indigenous hydrocarbon production, contributing meaningfully to bridging the energy demand-supply gap and conserving foreign exchange for the nation,” PPL added.
In a surprising move, Ferencvaros Football Club has announced the signing of Naby Keita on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy. The talented midfielder, who currently plies his trade at Liverpool FC, will be joining the Hungarian champions for the upcoming season, subject to medical and paperwork.Eagles try to clinch NFC East title with Hurts' head injury looming largeThe decision to appoint Setien as head coach represents a bold statement of intent from the Beijing Guoan management, who have demonstrated their ambition to compete at the highest level of football. Setien's wealth of experience at top European clubs, combined with his proven track record of achieving success, makes him an ideal candidate to lead Beijing Guoan into a new era of success.
The Manchester derby is not just a showcase of footballing talent, but also a test of character and composure for the players and the officials involved. With emotions running high and the stakes at their peak, it will be crucial for Taylor to maintain control of the game and uphold the integrity of the sport.As players around the world prepare to dive into the enchanting world of "Infinite Warmth", the excitement and anticipation are palpable. With its charming visuals, engaging gameplay, and unique paper-folding mechanics, "Infinite Warmth" promises to be a truly unforgettable gaming experience that will warm the hearts of players everywhere.
In a surprising move, Ferencvaros Football Club has announced the signing of Naby Keita on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy. The talented midfielder, who currently plies his trade at Liverpool FC, will be joining the Hungarian champions for the upcoming season, subject to medical and paperwork.
In addition to addressing the immediate impact on employees, Zhang highlighted the long-term benefits of the restructuring. By eliminating layers of bureaucracy and streamlining decision-making processes, CloudWhale Intelligence has seen a marked improvement in organizational efficiency. Teams are now able to collaborate more effectively, leading to faster project turnaround times and improved quality of output.
