Among Us' last big update included the new Airship map, which was met with mixed reactions from players. The Airship is currently the largest of the levels available, but aside from its size, it also introduced new features such as ladders and elevators, and required new strategies to claim victory for both Crewmates and Impostors. Despite the difficulties of the new map, Airship was one of the most significant changes to Among Us since its release, and the addition of a new map promises to hold similar weight. With the information from the Among Us roadmap, and the gameplay features from the previous maps and updates, the next map type would benefit from centering around a factory setting or theme.
Innersloth's presentation at E3 featured some big news for the future of Among Us. Ports of Among Us were announced for Xbox and PlayStation, though an exact release date has yet to be confirmed. The maximum number of players in Among Us lobbies has also been increased to 15, shaking up strategies and renewing the possibility of having three Impostors in a single match. Innersloth also released Among Us' roadmap, outlining planned updates for the game throughout the rest of the year and beyond, including the addition of a new map.
While there are hints, rumors, and theories about the newest map for Among Us taking place underground, a factory-themed map could be the perfect lead-in for that setting. Many factories have subterraneous levels, and there have already been hints of sewer grates and holes in the ground that suggest Innersloth's desire to venture underground for an Among Us map.
A broken-down, industrial setting could also be the perfect shift from futuristic technology and other-worldly themes that have thus far dominated the game. By returning to a more retro setting, the game could also return tasks from older maps and put them to new use. Factory lights flickering out one by one after Impostors sabotage the power, or tasks centering around moving cargo are just a few of the many gameplay options a factory level could bring to the table.
A factory-themed fifth Among Us map has a myriad of tasks that could be brought back from previous areas, and new tasks to reflect different details about the map. In a factory, some tasks like Polus' water wheels could be recalled, which reflects the more rustic design of a more retro level. The engine tasks from the Skeld could also come in handy with fixing certain generators or larger machinery within the factory. Mixing old and new activities would be an efficient way of making sure players are comfortable with new and significant changes. New tasks that could be featured at a factory level could involve fixing broken pipes across the map, filling in a schedule, clocking in for a shift, and working a crane to move cargo.
One of the newest features in Among Us' Airship map was the inclusion of ladders and mobile platforms that could cross gaps. While these gameplay features have seen some glitches and abuses, such mechanics could be implemented seamlessly into a factory map, creating different levels, like catwalks and the factory floor. These could be navigable with ladders and horizontal elevators, and additional forms of mobility could also be implemented, such as conveyor belts or forklifts.
An Among Us factory level could not only include features already present in Among Us maps but expand on and improve them. If Among Us is moving towards a subterranean map, a factory would be a perfect lead-in. Returning to more rustic, retro environments would also be a fresh change from the sci-fi themes that permeate the current maps. An Among Usfactory map could also open up new opportunities to add complexity to the social deception game.
A new commercial for Xbox Game Passfeatures a surprising cameo, as a DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4is clearly shown being used by one of the actors. The purpose of the commercial was to announce that the streaming version of Game Pass now works on PC and Apple devices, through an Internet browser.
The streaming gaming market is still in its infancy and companies like Amazon and Google have hit pitfalls along the way, as the benefits and limitations of the medium are slowly revealed to the public. Microsoft has restricted access to its xCloud service to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, with the cloud version of games only being accessible on Android mobile devices.
Microsoft has been talking about extending its Xbox Game Pass streaming service to Apple and PCs through a browser, allowing it to bypass many of Apple's restrictions. That service is now available and a new commercial on the official Xbox YouTube channel demonstrates it in action. The most surprising aspect of the commercial isn't that people are playing Sea of Thieves on a multitude of devices at once, but rather that a DualShock 4 controller is prominently seen being used by one of the actors. The PlayStation logo isn't shown in focus, but it's obvious which controller is being used.
It's hard to imagine that this was an accident, even though a DualSense controller had to be removed from an E3 trailer only a few weeks ago, as it was accidentally included in a show without Sony representation. Rather, it's likely that Microsoft is demonstrating that a very popular controller will work with its service. The official Microsoft website confirms that the DualShock 4 works with the cloud version of Xbox Game Pass, and this commercial is showing it in action.
The fact that most controllers use Bluetooth to connect to their systems means that it's easy for people with adapters to mix and match the ones they wish to use. It's possible to use a DualSense controller with a Nintendo Switch, so long as the player has the right adapter. Microsoft wants Xbox Game Pass to reach as many players as possible, and expanding its streaming services to Apple devices and PC is a huge step in this plan. The PlayStation 4 is one of the best-selling video game consoles of all time, so it's likely that a lot of people have a DualShock 4 sitting around in their living room. Microsoft could use this to their advantage, by encouraging people to use a PlayStation controller with the Xbox Game Pass paid streaming service.
Pregnancy thrillers carry a sense of innate foreboding within their fabric, something that is best exemplified in Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby. The 1968 psychological horror casts a long shadow in terms of aspirational horror filmmaking, and rightly so, owing to its layered treatment of the anxieties and ecstasies of motherhood. Grounding itself within his borrowed premise, False Positive, A24’s latest offering, attempts to add a fairly post-modern twist to an already-overused horror trope. Despite a compelling first half, False Positive fails to imbue the pregnancy horror trope with depth or ingenuity, accelerating to a banal finish.
Writer-director John Lee aims his lens on copywriter Lucy Martin (Ilana Glazer, who also co-wrote the script), an ambitious digital marketer who has been trying to conceive with her husband Adrian (Justin Theroux) for two years. Pushed to the edge, the couple decides to seek the aid of Dr. Hindle (Pierce Brosnan), a leading fertility doctor with widely-publicized success stories. Using a self-invented method of insemination, Hindle helps Lucy get pregnant, much to the joy of the couple. Despite presenting a hopeful premise, the cold interiors of Dr. Hindle’s clinic perennially harbor a sense of unease, one that is reflected in frenetic glimpses into Lucy’s psyche and the way in which Hindle presents himself.
The gap between appearance and reality widens when Hindle suggests Lucy opt for selective reduction, as she is pregnant with three embryos - two male twins and a female. This is where Lucy’s agency is completely taken away, as she is forced to fit into predetermined roles dictated by the men in her life. As time progresses, a schism forms within Lucy, who is torn between regaining autonomy over her body and giving in to the apparent concerns of those around her. The concept of motherhood is unmistakably tinged with terror, as its many joys come nowhere near the sheer horror of birthing another being into the bleakness of existence, especially when the premise is pregnant with covert and nefarious intentions.
Interestingly, Lee uses the concept of “mommy brain” in order to fuel the mounting horror pervading Lucy’s life. Are Lucy’s delusions rooted in the intense psychological changes that inherently accompany the process of pregnancy, or are they rooted in factors deemed more calculated and sinister? At this juncture, False Positive starts losing its sheen, inadvertently falling back into the hackneyed tropes that have been done to death in the most unimaginative ways possible. Although the film attempts to craft a social commentary of sorts around the frenzied lives of the characters in question, this intention falls flat due to a lack of narrative clarity and plot-driven inventiveness.
As per performances, Glazer is convincing as a woman on the verge of losing control while undergoing a change traditionally considered sacred and positively life-changing. Although Brosnan’s Hindle manages to unnerve the viewer from the get-go, his character, along with that of Theroux’s, feels underused when compared to the potential of the respective actors and the premise as a whole.
Perhaps the weakest point of False Positive is its ending, which might be considered controversial and vapid, especially as the visual imagery utilized verges more on shock value than genuine dread. An inescapable comparison to the film’s original source material emerges, serving to heighten the gap between the film’s coerced ending and Polanski’s naturally confounding one. While False Positive brims with the potential for a new era in horror, it ultimately comes off as an ill-conceived notion, a gaping rift in space and time.
False Positive had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 18, 2021. It was released on June 25, 2021 and is available for streaming on Hulu. The film is 92 minutes long and is rated R for disturbing/bloody images, sexual content, graphic nudity, and language.
Let us know what you thought of the film in the comments!
The dragon in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings may be the biggest Atlantis setup that Marvel has attempted yet. Thus far, Marvel has avoided directly mentioning the undersea kingdom and the home of Namor the Sub-Mariner in Marvel’s movies.
A map marker at a seemingly random location in the Atlantic Ocean in Iron Man 2 was taken as a reference to Atlantis, and an indication that this secret underwater city might exist in the MCU. However, it was hard to say for sure if Iron Man 2 was specifically hinting at Atlantis. A more obvious (but not blatant) nod came in Avengers: Endgame through an odd exchange between Okoye (Danai Gurira) and Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson). When Natasha asked about Wakanda’s response to strange underwater earthquakes, Okoye said that they would “handle it by not handling it.” Normally such a comment would seem unnecessary, but not if the point was to set up the introduction of Atlantis in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which is expected to include Namor as the villain.
Avengers: Endgame was the closest Marvel has come yet to teasing Namor’s homeland, but it looks like Marvel may be taking a big step forward in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The second trailer for Marvel’s first foray into the kung fu genre previewed a blue dragon in an underwater sequence. Toys have spoiled that this creature is known as “The Great Protector” in the MCU. What exactly he’s protecting isn’t clear, but there’s a possibility that he’s “The Great Protector” of Atlantis. After all, Atlantis is watched over by an enormous guardian dragon in Marvel Comics. While Shang-Chi may seem like an usual choice to head in this direction, the inclusion of any dragon (not to mention the trailers’ giant bears) proves that its incorporating some major fantasy elements.
Regardless of whether or not the Great Protector is revealed to be the guardian dragon of the MCU’s Atlantis, this creature can be still be connected to the mythical city. Namor the Sub-Mariner comics have featured a few Atlantean dragons over the years, which show that this species is native to Namor’s home in the Marvel Universe. Coincidentally, Shang-Chi himself had an encounter of his own with one of these dragons in a recent comic. So with all that mind, the monster that appears in Shang-Chi could be from Atlantis, too, especially since the movie will need to explain its origin. Though he may be in living in Mandarin’s base of operations (or a different Shang-Chi location), it’s quite possible that Atlantis is where he originates. Mandarin (Tony Leung) could have acquired him from somewhere in the ocean, either from within or not far from the city.
Proper Atlantis setup in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings could come easily, while being huge for the MCU’s future at the same, especially when considering how important Namor and his people are in the comic books. All Shang-Chi needs to do is for Mandarin or another character to mention Atlantis when discussing the creature. Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) battling an Atlantean monster could be the perfect lead-in for Atlantis’ long-awaited reveal in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
A new rumor claims that the Nintendo Switch Pro's actual release will be in 2022. An upgraded version of the Nintendo Switch has been rumored for years, and these rumors were recently reignited after 4k Animal Crossing screenshots were posted by the official Animal Crossing account.
Typically, Nintendo Switch screenshots are in 1080p, which is the console's max resolution. While the Nintendo Switch has sold unbelievably well, players still have their gripes with it. Much has been written about the drifting issues with the Switch's Joy Con controllers and the technical limitations imposed by the console's comparatively weak hardware. Despite both consumer demand and complaints growing, it has been rumored that a new Nintendo Switch might release alongside The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2.
Recent rumors from SwitchUpG on Twitter (courtesy of Wccftech) seem to support this theory. Per SwitchUpG, an anonymous manufacturer of Nintendo Switch peripherals (controllers, SD cards, headsets, etc.), "Says they’ve been told 2022 global market release." SwitchUp is an established, Nintendo-oriented channel on YouTube, and while it is possible that it has some reliable sources, the channel is not typically known for news. Until more evidence comes in, it is important to regard this as just a rumor and nothing more concrete.
Nintendo not releasing the Switch Pro this year would be a blow to fans, especially with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl set to release this holiday season. However, with half of 2021 gone already and no official word or even hint of a new Nintendo Switch, a release before 2022 is becoming increasingly unlikely. As for why this is the Switch Pro is being slowed down, there could be any number of reasons. One theory could be the still ongoing semiconductor shortage, which has been plaguing electronics manufacturers across the world. The shortage is one of the major reasons PlayStation 5 consoles have been hard to find, and Nintendo has not been exempt the effects of the shortage either. Another theory is that Nintendo could be going all in on 2022 being its big year.
The actor who portrays Lev in The Last of Us Part 2 believes that his character has a bright future. The Last of Us Part 2 recently celebrated its first anniversary, but even 12 months after its release, it is still the topic of wide discussions across the gaming community. When The Last of Us Part 2 released, it immediately became one of the most prolific games on the market. However, while the gameplay itself was lauded, boasting numerous advancements on the previous game and improved accessibility options, its narrative was the topic of volatile debates across the internet.
The scene that sees secondary protagonist Abby Anderson murder Joel Miller was one that caused outrage among many fans. But while the character of Abby was divisive due to her actions at the start of The Last of Us Part 2, her overall arc is one that is loaded with emotion, culminating in one of the most harrowing but poignant scenes yet to be witnessed in a videogame. A large part of her character’s redemption story is routed firmly in her relationship with Lev, a transgender former Seraphite who joins with Abby after fleeing from his own home to escape the religious cult.
Now, in an interview with Wired (via PlayStationLifestyle), Lev’s actor has revealed what made the relationship between his character and Abby so important in The Last of Us Part 2, and what he believes is in Lev’s future. Actor Ian Alexander drew many parallels between Lev’s story and his own, including his upbringing in a religious environment, and the rejection he faced after coming out as transgender as a teenager. This is where Alexander praises the dialogue in The Last of Us Part 2. During his interview, Alexander drew attention to the scene where Abby and Lev first discuss Lev’s identity. Following a fight with the Seraphites wherein the cult uses Lev's deadname, the character asks Abby if she wants to know why they used that name. Instead, Abby asks Lev if he wants her to know. This simple gesture gave the control of the situation back to Lev. As Alexander says:
“I felt like it was really important, not only for myself as a trans person to see that scene but also for cis allies to see that scene and realize this is the way that a discussion surrounding someone’s gender should be. It should always be their decision. They make the first move. They have agency over talking about it, because it is something that’s really deeply personal and can be very triggering to talk about.”
Meanwhile, Alexander also revealed what he believes to be in Lev’s future, following on from the events of The Last of Us Part 2. When discussing if Lev could ever make a showing in any other installments in The Last of Us series, Alexander revealed that he thinks that Lev “will find a lot of that chosen family, in a way that can help him heal from that wound of losing Yara in such a traumatic way and losing his mother in such a traumatic way and his whole community from childhood. I think Lev has a very bright future.”
It has been revealed that Neil Druckmann and Haley Gross already have an outline in mind for The Last of Us Part 3, and that Lev featured in some of their brainstorms for the franchise’s future. However, despite the ideas being there, the next game in the series is not yet announced to be in production.
That being said, Neil Druckmann has teased fans that Naughty Dog is currently working on its “next set” of games. Just what they are and if they include Lev, however, remains to be seen. Hopefully it won't be too long until players find out if Lev's future is as bright as his actor hopes.
Warning! Spoilers for Marvel's Dark Ages #1 below.
Marvel Comics is reversing the saddest death from Avengers: Infinity War, but with a twist. In a new preview for the upcoming Dark Ages event, Scarlet Witch is shown disintegrating while Vision can only watch on in horror. The moment is reminiscent of one of Wanda Maximoff's greatest MCU tragedies; when she watched Thanos destroy Vision to steal the Mind Stone.
The most tragic death in Avengers: Infinity War wasn't any of the heroes who were snapped away by Thanos, but instead when the Mad Titan ripped the Mind Stone from Vision's head. Scarlet Witch was even forced to kill her greatest love, destroying the Infinity Stone before Thanos got to it. However, the supervillain used the Time Stone to reverse time and bring Vision back to life, just so he could kill the synthezoid all over again. Vision's destruction would lead to Wanda taking over Westwood and creating a false reality in WandaVision. Now, Marvel is putting Vision through a similar hell.
Tom Taylor and Iban Coello's upcoming Dark Ages event will plunge the Marvel Universe into darkness, as all sources of power will go out. The results are shaping up to be catastrophic, as heroes are left picking up the pieces in a world that's been sent back to the Dark Ages. After previously teasing Iron Man's suit failing mid-air and crashing against a plane, a new preview posted by Bleeding Cool shows the grisly fate of Scarlet Witch. In uncolored and unlettered art by Coello, Vision is seen rushing to his partner's aid, only to see her disintegrate.
Vision reaches out for Wanda with a look of horror on both their faces, as she starts to disappear in front of him. After she fades away, Vision immediately launches towards a giant force that is probably the Unmaker - who's set to be the big bad of the series. Perhaps, the Unmaker's power is to literally remove people from the timeline, much like Thanos' snap in Avengers: Infinity War.
Much like Scarlet Witch witnessing Vision die in Avengers: Infinity War, readers can similarly see the overwhelming pain on his face as Wanda begins to disappear. The moment is a mix of Vision's death from the film but reversed, and is also similar to Thanos' snap. Scarlet Witch's death is set to send Vision down a dark path that includes a horrifying new look. It's apparent the Avengers and Vision are in huge trouble, as Scarlet Witch's death illustrates the magnitude of power the surviving heroes are up against. Dark Ages is in comic book stores in September.
The pressure keeps mounting on Sister Wives as things get more and more tense between Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown. The Browns' lives have been anything but stable since they moved to Flagstaff, Arizona. Kody had no idea how much time and money it would take to develop the land he bought, leaving the wives scrambling for places to live for an undetermined amount of time. Now, the situation has led Janelle to what she’s calling an "adventure.”
Kody Brown has admitted the life he is providing his wives is not what he promised them. On top of the families living separately and the frequent fighting, Kody has struggled to support his wives. His choice to frequently move the families has made it hard for the wives to pursue careers outside of being reality TV stars. Things have gotten so bad that viewers are expecting the polygamous family to break apart at any moment. When news got out of Janelle’s rental being sold, fans were wondering what it meant.
It wasn’t Janelle’s choice to sell her rental. Instead, the homeowner decided to put it on the market, leaving Janelle scrambling to find another rental property. Robyn went through a similar struggle, with rentals being hard to find, and was eventually pressured by Kody into buying a home. Janelle explained on Instagram, “Not only is the housing market in Flagstaff as crazy as where you are I’m sure, rentals are even harder to come by.” To find a home for herself, Janelle settled on a more untraditional route: buying an RV.
Janelle talked about wanting to have an RV in the past, but the reality of living in one full-time is giving her a little pause, though she is trying to make the best of it. “Honestly I’m alternating between extreme excitement as I’ve always wanted to try this and anxiety at all the unknown variables. So stay tuned, this is about to get real!” The good news is that someone is finally making use of the Coyote Pass land Kody bought. “Lots to do out here on the land so I figured why not be onsite,” Janelle said. Janelle living on the property may help the Browns get their land developed sooner, both by saving the family money and because living in a cramped RV is not ideal long-term.
Overall, Janelle’s followers not only think this is a good idea, they think the other wives should follow suit. The family’s money problems are a reoccurring theme on the show, so not having four mortgage payments could save Kody and his wives a significant amount of money. What the future holds for Janelle, Robyn, Meri, and Christine is unclear. Janelle has been working to improve herself and is facing this setback with the right attitude, seeing this unwanted development as a new adventure. Though there has been no official announcement about a possible season 16 yet, many viewers are hoping they will get the chance to see more from the Sister Wives.
Consumers planning on picking up a new iPad from Apple soon can also net themselves a free pair of AirPods, although the free earbuds are only available to those buying through Apple’s education program. Still, if eligible, and in the market for a new tablet anyway, this is a good way to secure a free set of true wireless earbuds that are designed to work seamlessly with an iPad.
Apple’s AirPods continue to be a big seller for the company and a major player within the true wireless earbuds market in general. Apple currently offers two different sets of earbuds, with the option of buying either the standard or Pro models. While the two do share a lot of common features, the Pro earbuds come with some additional premium perks. For those in the market for an even richer listening experience, Apple also sells the newer AirPods Max over-ear headphones.
As is the case each year, Apple offers a back to school promotion, which includes a free set of AirPods for buyers of an iPad. Technically, the same deal is also available for anyone picking up a MacBook as well, although an iPad purchase is likely to be the cheapest option overall, depending on the model and any customizations. Provided the buyer goes through the education section of Apple’s web store, they’ll see the discounted iPad price when choosing the size and storage options. Following which, they’ll be able to select their free AirPods before checking out.
The first thing to note, the free deal only applies to the standard second-generation AirPods. Apple does offer the option to upgrade, but doing so adds to the price. For example, if opting for the standard AirPods with a wireless charging case, the price is $40, down from $199. Likewise, if opting for the AirPods Pro, the buyer can expect to pay $90 for the AirPods, instead of the usual $249. Therefore, those buying an iPad through the education program can either get the $159 AirPods for free or a discounted set of AirPods Pro.
Officially, Apple lists the free AirPods promotion as applicable to eligible Mac and iPad devices with the company actively advertising the freebie for those who purchase either an iPad Air or an iPad Pro. Of the two, the iPad Air is the cheaper option priced at $599 in the U.S. and that price is reduced down even further with the student discount applied, to $549. Alternatively, the iPad Pro starts at $799 (or $749 when purchased with education pricing).
Other than the requirement to be eligible for Apple’s education pricing and purchasing an eligible iPad model, the only other major caveat to be aware of is that the promotion only allows one free pair per purchase and purchaser. That is, in addition to stock levels remaining available, considering Apple notes the free AirPods with an iPad purchase is while supplies last.
The end is near for Succession,as it has been revealed the show will not last past season 5. The HBO satirical drama, created by Jesse Armstrong, follows the members of the dysfunctional, immoral Roy family who are consistently at odds and fighting for power of their media conglomerate, Waystar RoyCo, which is led by founder and patriarch, Logan Roy. The Emmy-winning series is executive produced by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell, and stars Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Matthew Macfadyen, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Nicholas Braun, and Alan Ruck.
Per Collider, Georgia Pritchett, an executive producer of Succession, stated in an interview with The Times, that while she is not certain when the show will conclude, she knows it will not go further than the fifth season. Pritchett also gives out the comments of Armstrong and his timeline of when he thinks the series will end. The show is currently in the midst of shooting its third season. Pritchett's full statement can be read below:
I think the maximum would be five seasons, but possibly more like four. We’re at the end of filming season three, so at this point [Armstrong] is saying only one more.
Despite the plan, Pritchett says that there is no definite conclusion of how many installments Succession will have, so it all depends on where the stories will go after season 3 to decide when is the right time to end. The upcoming season already has a lot of stakes raised based on the events of the season 2 finale, and will feature guest stars like Adrien Brody, Hope Davis, and Alexander Skarsgård. Regardless of when Succession will come to a close, with the third season right at the end of filming, the time is winding down for what will happen to the members of the Roy family sooner than expected.
In the DCEU film, Wonder Woman, Themyscira is depicted as an island that exists far from the influence of man's world. Contrarily, in the original comics, this was not the case. Themyscira had a lot of influence from the world of man resulting in Amazons that were far more up to date than fans may believe.
Themyscira first appeared at the same time as Wonder Woman - in All-Star Comics #8 in 1941. The island is often depicted in a way that appears very classical in its approach. The weapons are not automatic, the buildings are not modern, and the fashion is to mythological standards - fitting the heritage of the Amazons. This view of the Amazon homeland carried over into Wonder Woman's eventual film, explaining why the warriors were so easily killed on the beach when soldiers from the mortal world-first arrive. In the comics, however, this wouldn't have been nearly so easy.
The early comics starring Wonder Woman, such as Sensation Comics #1 and #2, showed a very different - even technologically advanced - Themyscira. To earn her right to accompany Steve Trevor to his world, Diana has to compete in a game of "Bullets and Bracelets." Fans will note that this game is not called "Arrows and Bracelets", "Spears and Bracelets", or "Swords and Shields." The Amazons actually possessed futuristic - at the time of publication - guns. These are similar to the stereotypical ray gun designs present in science fiction media of the era. Guns are familiar to the Amazons, unlike what the movie portrayed, and the Amazons used a game to learn and practice deflecting bullets with their bracelets.
Additionally, Diana is actually familiar with the fashions of the time when she leaves Themyscira. Sensation Comics #2 even reveals that she is familiar with American football! This is a far cry from the highly confused and comedic moments that arise from Diana misunderstanding the mortal world in the film and later comics it likely took inspiration from. Wonder Woman's earliest appearances had her well-informed of "modern" trends, giving her the ability to largely blend in within society. All of this was because of Hippolyta's use of the Magic Sphere. This item allowed the Amazons to know modern languages, science, trends, and even to have advanced technology - beyond what man had invented. Not only can the Magic Sphere show the past, but it can also help foretell the future. The Sphere is a gift from Athena and while it is still present in some of the comics, it is completely absent from the film. It's rather easy to see the reasoning behind why Themyscira is so different.
Collectively, these changes reveal that the Themyscira modern fans know about - the Themyscira of the DCEU - is one that is rooted in Classical era simplicity. This allows for further dramatic encounters with man, more comedic moments created through misunderstanding, and it prevents the Amazons from being overpowering in the DCEU. By limiting the Amazons' weapons and knowledge, there is more room to develop compelling conflict. Diana's story does not begin with loss in the comics, but she is forced to confront it early on in the movie. This would not have been possible if the movie had presented a Themyscira reflective of its first appearance in comics - because Wonder Woman's Themyscira in the comics is a technological utopia in many ways.
As Riverdale season 5 is getting deeper into its latest cryptid mystery by teasing the existence of aliens, the Archie drama could pave the way to resurrect the deceased Sabrina Spellman followingChilling Adventures of Sabrina's conclusion. 2020 was a particularly rough year for the Archie-verse. While Riverdale is still going, The CW canceled its spinoff, Katy Keene, after one season, but it didn't stop there. That same year, Netflix announced Chilling Adventures of Sabrina had been canceled, as the fourth season dropped on December 31. While the show had plans for a fifth season, the cancelation caused the Archie series to end on a cliffhanger that was supposed to get resolved in the following season.
Despite being killed off in the finale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina season 5 would see Sabrina be resurrected, and it was finally going to stage a Riverdale crossover. Unfortunately, after years of teasing, as well as multiple Archieverse Easter eggs that suggested they were in the same universe, Netflix's cancelation prevented the crossover from happening. Instead, Riverdale and Sabrina showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa revealed the fifth season would get produced as a comic, but the pandemic may have delayed it. However, Riverdale season 5 and its upcoming sixth one might be the better option in not only doing a crossover but also getting the teenage witch back from the dead. Like every other season of Riverdale, the fifth ongoing one has continued to take the Archie drama in newer, weirder territory, teasing an unknown cryptid.
After dealing with twisted serial killers, Riverdale season 5 has alluded to extraterrestrial beings actually existing in their world. The so-called "Mothmen" are an alien race that supposedly came to Riverdale in the '70s and has been an urban myth ever since then. Currently, these cryptids are seemingly back again, including the mysterious light that has been used on various residents to make them blackout for several hours. In addition to that, a recent tease by Aguirre-Sacasa hints that Riverdale season 6 is only going to get stranger. Most Riverdale or general Archie Comics fans were probably not expecting it to get this mysterious on The CW drama. As the series continues to suggest forces out of this world exist, this would allow Riverdale to organically carry Chilling Adventures of Sabrina over and establish witches existing too.
If there are aliens in Riverdale's world with technology capable of making people lose hours of their lives, the potential is limitless. It'd then not be a stretch for alien races to have advanced technology that can resurrect the dead, including Sabrina. There is an unexplained reason why the Mothmen aren't hurting the people who lose hours of the day after coming into contact with them, but why? What if they're using Riverdale citizens as subjects, perhaps as part of a death-and-resurrection experimentation?
The Mothmen are hiding something because they make their targets forget whatever they experienced. While the comic may still happen, this would be a more organic crossover between the Archieverse shows. One way to connect both storylines is if the Mothmen got a hold of Sabrina's dead body to resurrect her so they could get a witch to control. The stranger Riverdale gets, the more natural it becomes to connect with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. It'd be odd for them not to go through with it after all the Riverdale connections and actors who swung by for brief appearances.
Since they were close to making it happen between Netflix and The CW, it's hard to imagine how Warner Bros. couldn't make it a reality since Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is over. Putting logistics aside, since Riverdale is increasingly playing with sci-fi, there is no reason why witches couldn't get organically incorporated if they embrace it fully. With Riverdale's sci-fi elements and cryptids, it barely feels like the show is set in the real world anymore. Whatever is coming next when Riverdaleseason 5 resumes this fall, it'll ideally get fans closer to seeing Sabrina revived in order to properly give Chilling Adventures of Sabrina the conclusion they were originally aiming for on Netflix.
Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Batman: The Long Halloween Part One.
What DC Comics Easter eggs are hidden within Batman: The Long Halloween Part One? Based on the 13-part miniseries by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale, The Long Halloween is set in the early days of Batman's career. It acted as an unofficial follow-up to Batman: Year One, further exploring the life of District Attorney Harvey Dent in the days before he became the gangster Two-Face, and how Gotham City's underworld came to be dominated by costumed criminals.
The main plot of The Long Halloween centers around a series of murders committed by a serial killer who is dubbed Holiday by the Gotham City press. Each of Holiday's murders took place on a major American holiday, with Holiday leaving an object relating to the day in question (such as a Jack-o-lantern on Halloween) behind at the crime scene, along with the murder weapon. All of Holiday's victims were associates of Gotham City's Godfather, Carmine "The Roman" Falcone, but there was little logic or motive behind the specific people targeted otherwise.
While The Long Halloween has never been directly adapted until now, it is considered one of the greatest Batman stories of all time and was a major stylistic influence on Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy. The animated film goes beyond replicating the original graphic novel shot for shot, however, offering a few nods to the larger DC Comics universe and the Batman mythology. Here's a rundown of every Easter egg in Batman: The Long Halloween Part One.
The prologue before the opening credits ends with a car full of Tommy-gun-totting gangsters shooting up an Italian restaurant called Maroni's. This introduces the character of Salvatore "Sal" Maroni, who is later revealed to be Carmine Falcone's main rival in the Gotham City underworld. He is best known to comic readers, however, as the gangster responsible for throwing acid in the face of Harvey Dent, triggering his transformation into Two-Face.
While the animation style of Batman: The Long Halloween Part One is not directly modeled on the artwork of the original graphic novel, the movie still found a way to honor artist Tim Sale. The opening credits show stills of various scenes from the original Long Halloween graphic novel, as a white line winds across a black background, with the credits scrolling past. In the final shot, the white line is revealed to have traced out a Bat-Symbol.
At the time The Long Halloween was written, Barbara Gordon had been retconned into being Commissioner Gordon's niece rather than his daughter and was not a part of the story beyond a passing mention of her being old enough to babysit now. The New 52 reboot of the DC Universe in 2011 changed the history back so that Barbara Gordon was once again Jim Gordon's daughter. The future Batgirl has a cameo appearance in Batman: The Long Halloween Part One, with a tween Babs preparing to go trick-or-treating dressed as a police officer and her father loaning her his badge to complete the costume.
Two-Face's iconic coin has had many origins over the years, in both the comics and adaptations. Batman:: The Long Halloween Part One introduces a new backstory for the coin, revealing it to be a gift from Batman. Having discovered a warehouse full of Carmine Falcone's cash waiting to be laundered but having no way to legally confiscate the filthy lucre, Batman and Harvey Dent eventually decided to burn the warehouse down and the money with it. When Dent expressed reluctance to commit an act of arson, even in the name of a greater good, Batman handed him a coin and suggested they flip for it; heads they set the fire, tails they leave it alone. It was not until Dent got home and looked at the coin that he realized, to his amusement, that it was a two-headed silver dollar.
Created as a character for Batman: The Animated Series, Rene Montoya was later introduced into the comics and quickly became one of the most popular supporting characters in the Batman books. A beat cop who rose to the rank of Detective, Montoya was also a closeted lesbian who was forcibly outed and disowned by her conservative parents. She later adopted the identity of The Question and became a vigilante, following the death of the original Question, Vic Sage. While she does not have a speaking role in Batman: The Long Halloween Part One, Detective Montoya is visible in several scenes, most notably escorting bomber Mickey Chen back to the holding cells after Batman and Commissioner Gordon questioned him.
After the second Holiday killing, Batman and Commissioner Gordon sought out some expert help in Arkham Asylum from Julian Day, aka Calendar Man, who also based his crimes around holidays. As they walked to Day's cell, several other notable Batman foes could be seen in the background, including Oswald "Penguin" Cobblepot, Jonathan "Scarecrow" Crane and the Mad Hatter, Jervis Tetch. While Penguin didn't play a part in the original The Long Halloween graphic novel beyond a quick cameo in the final chapter, both the Mad Hatter and Scarecrow had a major role in the action of the story's second half and will be appearing in Batman: The Long Halloween Part Two.
Carmine Falcone celebrated New Year's Eve with a gala fundraiser to benefit the Gotham Children's Clinic on his private yacht. After making a speech about the importance of family and caring for those in need, Falcone thanked the corporate sponsors of the event, with the first one named being Kord Omniversal. This is the company owned by Ted Kord, who, like Bruce Wayne, uses his fortune and the technology developed by his company to fight crime as the Blue Beetle.
Another of the corporate sponsors Carmine Falcone thanks is Soder Coda. In the DC Comics universe, Soder Cola is the most popular soft drink in America and the chief competitor of Zesti Cola. The rivalry between the two companies is comparable to the real world "cola wars" between Coca-Cola and Pepsi.
The final corporate sponsor Carmine Falcone thanked in his speech was the Gotham Broadcasting Company, which he noted had been sponsoring his gala for ten years straight. In the classic comics, Gotham Broadcasting Company was a radio and television news network based in Gotham City. The original Green Lantern, Alan Scott, was employed as an executive at GBC following World War II, and he rose through the ranks to eventually become the CEO.
In the original The Long Halloween graphic novel, Holiday's identity was always obscured, making it possible for anyone to have been the mystery killer. Batman: The Long Halloween Part Onechanges this up, allowing enough of a glimpse of Holiday in action to suggest that they are a tall, thin man. The movie's design for Holiday, featuring a dark scarf wrapped around his lower face with a matching trench coat and fedora, seems to be a tribute to the character of The Shadow, who was one of the inspirations for Batman.
One of the most memorable characters from The Big Lebowski is Sam Elliott’s mysterious The Stranger, but he may actually just be a figment of The Dude’s imagination. The Big Lebowski is a 1998 Coen brothers neo-noir about Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) who becomes wrapped up in a kidnapping scheme after a couple of thugs mistake him for a millionaire of the same name. The Dude originally just wants his rug replaced, but finds himself in an increasingly complicated situation when his friend Walter (John Goodman) tries to take the ransom money, the Big Lebowski’s daughter seduces him, and nihilists continue to hunt him down.
The Stranger, played by typecast cowboy Sam Elliott, is the narrator of The Big Lebowski, setting up the story before The Dude is even shown on screen. The film then shows The Stranger about halfway through the story when The Dude goes to contemplate his harrowing situation as he orders a White Russian at the bowling alley bar. The Stranger passes on some wise words in old-west style, then departs. The Big Lebowski then shows The Stranger at the very end to close out the plot with The Dude at the bowling alley.
Though obviously serving as the narrator, it’s unclear whether The Stranger is an actual, real-life person within the world of The Big Lebowski or is simply a figment of The Dude’s addled imagination. The Stranger appears to "The Dude" Lebowski in the middle of the film when he requires assistance in how to proceed, so it’s suspected The Stranger may actually be an imaginary figure he produced out of his subconscious. Since The Stranger is only ever seen talking to The Dude, the bartender - which The Dude could have also imagined - and the camera as a knows-all narrator, he’s likely not real within the confines of the story. It doesn’t even appear The Dude really knows who he is considering he only calls him “man” and seems surprised that he knows so much about him.
Another theory is that The Stranger is God, coming to The Dude in a time of need to pass on wisdom. This explanation actually has more evidence when considering The Big Lebowski’s theorized biblical comparisons to The Dude as Jesus, Maude as Mary Magdalene, The Stranger as God, and The Big Lebowski as Satan. The way in which The Stranger speaks to The Dude is through coded scripture-like talk. When he passes on the sentiment about how sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes it eats you, The Dude is taken back by the profoundness of the phrase, asking if it’s an Eastern philosophy. The Stranger replies, “far from it,” implying it’s a Western phrase, and if The Stranger is a cowboy manifestation of God, a Western saying is essentially scripture.
While several movies have narrators removed from the intimacy of the plot who are real within the confines of the story, The Stranger appears as a different manifestation. He’s The Big Lebowski's storyteller and passes on wisdom in the fashion of the Old West, representing Westerns that have obvious influence over American life and the film itself. Since The Dude is a stoner figure who really just wants to hang out, go bowling, and drink White Russians, it’s likely that within the plot, The Dude is tripping out and The Stranger is a manifestation of his imagination. On the other hand, The Stranger is dually a third-person figure that somehow knows all details of the plot, playing multiple roles as both real-to-the-audience narrator and transcendental preacher for The Dude in The Big Lebowski.
Loki episode 3 acknowledged Loki’s canonical MCU bisexuality, marking a positive step forward following Marvel’s problematic history with LGBTQ+ representation in the MCU. The moment came in a conversation between Loki and Sylvie on a train as they discussed past relationships and, while the characters did not use explicit terminology in the scene, director Kate Herron followed the episode up with a tweet to confirm. The show already made headlines when eagle-eyed viewers spotted that Loki’s TVA file listed Loki’s gender as “fluid,” accepting the character’s nonbinary status from the comics, so this additional point easily solidifies Loki as the queerest part of the MCU to date.
While Marvel screen productions have included openly LGBTQ+ heroes in the past in shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.and Runaways, and the Netflix Marvel shows, they are not considered part of the canonical MCU for now. So, despite spanning over twenty movies and television shows prior to Loki, this is the first time the franchise has depicted any LGBTQ+ main characters. This is in stark contrast to the DC TV shows, which have become known for their wealth of LGBTQ+ representation.
Way back in 2018, Kevin Feige (president of Marvel Studios and Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer) promised in an interview with Playlist that the future of the MCU would include explicitly out LGBTQ+ protagonists. However, despite plenty of opportunities, it took until Loki’s 2021 release for those promises to be met. Here are all the times that the MCU missed an opportunity or came close to keeping that promise, and how that promise will play out in the upcoming productions.
While some are quick to complain about positive queer representation being added to the MCU, none of these identities are new to the canon. The comics are rife with heroes and villains who identify in a multitude of different ways. While, previously, the MCU has ignored Loki’s sexuality and gender identity before acknowledging them in Loki, there are several canonically LGBTQ+ characters that have already been adapted for the screen and have not had their identities confirmed, something many consider one of the MCU's major flaws.
Because of the nature of comics, there are different versions of many characters across different continuities and multiverse occurrences. These include a canonically bisexual Star-Lord, a lesbian Captain Marvel, and a gay Korg. While the MCU could acknowledge these identities at a later date, and not all of their movies have made room for romantic involvement of any sort, choosing not to have the characters be explicitly out in their previous media (despite there being straight and cis romantic plots within the MCU) feels like a conscious decision.
Ayo, portrayed by Florence Kasumba, first appeared in Captain America: Civil War before returning for Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. In TheFalcon and The Winter Soldier, Ayo eventually gets a little more of the spotlight, but none of these representations depict her sexuality. In the World of Wakanda comic book series, however, she develops a romantic relationship with the general of the all-female Dora Milaje, Aneka.
Danai Gurira’s Okoye is a little more complicated. The original Okoye in the comics was not the general of the Dora Milaje and did not have the strong bond that is shown between her and T’Challa. The character depicted on screen appears to be a combination of the original Okoye and Aneka, who is absent from the MCU but holds the position in the comics that Okoye now fills in the MCU.
With a canonically LGBTQ+ character and another drawn from that character’s partner, it could have been easy for Marvel to include this queer relationship. Unfortunately, Okoye was shown in Black Panther to be married to a man, W’Kabi, instead. It is surprising how close the MCU came to at least a small nod to queer attraction here as there was reportedly a scene cut during production that showed Okoye and Ayo swaying in formation together and acting flirtatiously. While they missed this opportunity, Okoye’s marriage seemed to be over by the end of Black Panther, so who knows what future installments might hold for this couple.
The Fearless Defenders comics made the Asgardian Valkyrie explicitly bisexual by putting her in a relationship with Anabelle Riggs, an anthropologist. While the movie version of the character, portrayed by Tessa Thompson, has avoided being explicitly out as queer, there are hints peppered in for those looking for them. Thompson was keen to play Valkyrie as LGBTQ+, and told Rolling Stone that during the death-of-the-Valkyries scene there is a shot of her falling back from a dying Valkyrie and said “In my mind, that was my lover"and later confirmed on Twitter that Valkyrie is bisexual.
It is once again surprising how close the MCU came to being more explicit (if in a subtle way) about Valkyrie’s sexuality. Tessa Thompson pushed hard on Thor: Ragnarok director, Taika Waiti, to portray the character as true to her roots. This led to them filming a scene showing a woman leaving Valkyrie’s bedroom on Sakaar. While they kept the scene in for as long as possible, it eventually went the same way as Ayo and Okoye’s flirtation scene and was cut for flow. However, Thompson has confirmed that Valkyrie will get to fully come out in her next movie, Thor: Love and Thunder, where she will get an explicitly LGBTQ romance as Valkyrie searches for a queen.
The MCU’s first openly gay character did not appear until Avengers: Endgame in 2019. A man in Steve Rogers’ support group casually mentions that he has been on a date with another man and the discussion focuses on the struggle of getting back out on the dating scene after the Snap. The inclusion of the explicitly out character was a huge step forward for the MCU, even if that character was merely a cameo role.
Co-director Joe Russo played the part himself, which presumably helped to ensure that it was clear the production team was behind the representation being included and helped to avoid it getting cut. Joe Russo made headlines with Endgame's gay character and talked extensively about the importance of representation at the time. Yet many in the LGBTQ+ community felt that the “blink and you’ll miss it” nature of the scene was too little too late and did not necessarily represent a fulfillment of Feige’s original promise.
Eternals, which hits theaters this November, looks to be the next step in fulfilling Feige’s promise after Loki (although it is hard to say what other MCU series might bring before then). One of the Eternals, Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos will be an openly gay superhero and will be part of an LGBTQ+ family and cast in Marvel's Eternals with a husband and children and is set to feature Marvel's first gay superhero kiss in the MCU. Feige has been keen to be clear that the character’s sexuality is just a part of who this character will be, saying “He's married, he's got a family, and that is just part of who he is,", helping to stave off concerns that Phastos might become a two-dimensional stereotype. Interestingly, Phastos himself was not previously canonically LGBTQ+. The original character had a wife, but the comics did not explore his sexuality beyond that fact.
With the introduction of an explicitly queer Loki, an openly gay Phastos, and an upcoming LGBTQ+ narrative for Valkyrie, it feels like Feige is finally able to make good on his promise. It is hard to overstate how important representation of diverse sexualities and gender identities is, both for the LGBTQ+ community and to help people outside that community to understand the world around them. It feels safe to be optimistic that future films and television shows from the MCU will continue to build on this representation, not just with Loki, but with numerous others.
Warning: contains spoilers for Black Hammer Reborn #1
Black Hammer is back, but she's nowhere close to swinging. At the start of Dark Horse'sBlack Hammer Reborn, she's retired and doing everything in her power for it to stay that way, so much so that she's effortlessly putting all other superheroes who have attempted retirement to shame.
Ever since her debut in 2016, Black Hammer's universe has proliferated in amazing fashion with multiple spin-off series, including TheQuantum Age and Black Hammer: Age of Doom. Now, that universe is entering into its second of multiple planned phases, and it looks as though the majority of it will transpire from the sidelines. Lucy Weber has gone the way of Watchmen and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns... Retirement. But, unlike her peers who have retired before her and bounced back, it feels as though she might actually stay there.
Lucy Weber has a family and would probably be a soccer mom if one of her two children played. But, like all retirees before her, she's struggling with having let go of her superhero identity in Black Hammer Reborn #1, by Jeff Lemire, Mike Richardson, Josie Christensen, Caitlin Yarsky, Dave Stewart, Nate Piekos, and Ethan Kimberling. Her sense of loss is worse than those before her though. It's portrayed as her having lost Black Hammer twice, not once like most heroes. She reveals that her father was Black Hammer, and that, when he died, she took his mantle. So when she eventually lays her father's hammer to rest after committing an undisclosed yet brutally violent act, Lucy views it as having lost Black Hammer twice.
Remarkably, despite these intense feelings, Lucy is determined to not wield the original Black Hammer's hammer again. Of course, there are numerous other factors at play that should be pushing the hammer back into her hands. Her job is terrible, she thinks her daughter's on drugs, her husband has been cheating on her, supervillains are now suddenly back, and one of her fellow retirees, Amanda Reyes, is even laying on some intense guilt-tripping to convince Lucy to become Black Hammer again. She hasn't even been hiding her other identity from her family, which is usually what keeps retired superheroes in retirement. Before Lucy tells her husband to leave, even he says, "Maybe you should become Black Hammer again." That's how bad things are getting.
Despite all this, Lucy stays firm as the issue closes with her thinking, "I will never become Black Hammer again," and it doesn't look as if she will give up the fight any time soon. The teaser for Black Hammer Reborn #2 reveals that Lucy will be struggling to keep her daughter from following the path of a superhero. So that means she is being forced to fight against Black Hammer on yet another level.
Although readers undoubtedly want Lucy Weber to brandish her father's hammer again, the true essence of Dark Horse's new series is how Lucy has become the quintessential retired superhero. This particular trope has been explored numerous times in comics, but the hero always finds themselves donning the cape as they did before, eventually. It's inevitable. Yet, there's something about Lucy's determination that gives the impression that she might actually be serious. There have been a plethora of heroes before her who have given up on their retirement charade after facing just a sliver of what Lucy is experiencing now. Now, the question on everyone's lips is, Will she actually stay in retirement forever, or will her daughter become the next hero in Black Hammer Reborn?
WandaVision's post-credits scene has been unexpectedly edited, and MCU fans are convinced they've spotted Doctor Strange in them. WandaVision was easily the most unique story in the history of the MCU, with viewers invited to experience a superhero sitcom in which reality itself had been warped out of shape. It ultimately transformed Wanda Maximoff into the Scarlet Witch, setting her up for her future in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
WandaVision episode 9 ended with a post-credits scene that served as a direct setup to the Doctor Strange sequel. It saw Wanda living in a remote cabin, learning from the forbidden book of dark magic called the Darkhold. It's an ominous scene, because in the comics the Darkhold is a corrupting force in its own right, and every spell learned comes with strings attached. Even more disturbingly, Wanda's meditations are disrupted when she hears the voices of her twin sons Billy and Tommy calling out for help - sons who were her own creation and should have been erased from reality. The Scarlet Witch swiftly teleports away to investigate.
Curiously, WandaVision's post-credits scene has now been edited by Marvel Studios as pointed out by Cosmic Marvel. The scene has been brightened, more trees have been added, and a mysterious shadow can be seen moving across the landscape towards the house Wanda is living in. Fans are convinced the shadow is the silhouette of Doctor Strange, suggesting he's using the Cloak of Levitation to approach Wanda. In addition, ta credit has been added to Michael Giacchino for the Doctor Strange theme that plays in the background during the credits.
The shadow is too indistinct to say for sure whether or not it's Doctor Strange, but that would make sense; Scarlet Witch's story is set to continue in his sequel film, after all. It is rather odd, though, because the future Sorcerer Supreme has other ways of getting from A to B, most notably the Sling Rings he and the Masters of the Mystic Arts use to travel through time and space. Still, these navigate the Multiverse, so it's entirely possible the Sling Rings have been disrupted by whatever Multiversal insanity has been unleashed in the MCU.
But why has Marvel edited WandaVision's post-credits scene in the first place? It's generally assumed the post-credits scene was shot by Doctor Strange 2 director Sam Raimi, given it features his trademark kinetic, swooping camera movements. If that is the case, then this scene could actually be from the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which wrapped production in April and is now in post-production. The lighting changes and the addition of the shadow could be part of that process, added by the VFX team. Perhaps Marvel decided to update WandaVision's post-credits with the finished version, an odd choice that nonetheless seems the most logical explanation for the edit. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has long taken inspiration from Star Wars, and it's the kind of approach George Lucas took with the Special Editions. Presumably, viewers will need to keep an eye out for future unexpected edits on Disney+ as well.
Apple's new AirTag makes it easy to locate misplaced items with an iPhone, raising the question of which other devices can find these location beacons and, more specifically, whether an Apple Watch can be used to track down keys, bags, and other lost things that have been tagged. After all, the Apple Watch can find friends and family that carry an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Apple's Find My network covers most parts of the world, working in the background on approximately one billion iPhone devices worldwide to locate people and items. This happens anonymously and uses end-to-end encryption, so location and identity are secure even from Apple. Only the user of the device that is searching can know the location that is revealed and this is only possible with devices they own or when allowed by friends or family. The Find My network may be the best and most secure tracking solution currently available.
An AirTag can be found with remarkable accuracy when searching with a compatible device that has ultra-wideband (UWB) capability. That includes the iPhone 11 and 12. This allows a range and heading to appear on the smartphone's display pointing directly to the AirTag, even identifying when it's on another floor. The Apple Watch Series 6 contains an Apple U1 chip, the same as used in the newer iPhone models. While this should allow it to communicate via UWB, Apple hasn't made this available for locating an AirTag. The Apple Watch SE and previous Apple Watch models don't have the U1 chip, but do have Bluetooth capability. Other mobile Apple devices, like the iPad and iPod Touch, can ping an AirTag via Bluetooth, causing it to make a cheerful chirping sound to aid in locating it, but the Apple Watch cannot.
The Apple Watch has a built-in app that enables locating friends and family, the Find People app. Who can be found is limited to those that have location sharing enabled and that have shared their location with you. With Family Sharing, location sharing is on by default although it can be controlled by the device owner. Only an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch can be used to identify where a person is located when searching with an Apple Watch, but the location of any Apple mobile device can be found, including an Apple Watch, when searching via the full Find My app that is available on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. This is a bit of a surprising limitation from Apple, considering there are Apple Watch models that have cellular capability and GPS has been included since Series 2.
The good news is that the next version of watchOS will have the Find My app and will gain the ability to locate items and devices, as well as, retaining the people-finding skill that it was limited to before. watchOS 8 will be released later this year and a public beta will be available in the next few weeks. It isn't clear whether Apple will enable using the Apple Watch as a location source. Currently, sharing a location from any device uses the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch that is selected as 'My Location' in the Settings app. The bottom line is that an Apple Watch cannot be used to find an item, but later this year that capability will be added via a software update to watchOS 8.
