With the launch of MLB The Show 26 on March 17 (with early access beginning March 13), the development team is pushing that realism even further while trying to keep the game accessible to players who may not be hardcore baseball strategists.

Speaking with the Toronto Guardian ahead of launch, Ramone Russell — who leads Product Development, Communications and Brand Strategy for the series — explained that balancing realism with fun remains one of the biggest challenges in building a baseball simulation.

“It’s very difficult,” Russell said. “It’s definitely not a science. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of luck. Baseball is just a different animal.”

Balancing realism and accessibility

Unlike many sports games, baseball simulations must replicate a sport where failure is common even for elite players. Russell noted that this makes designing gameplay systems particularly tricky.

“If it’s too realistic, then it’s not fun,” he explained. “And maybe if it’s too fun, then it’s not realistic.”

To strike that balance, the studio relies heavily on experience within the team itself. Russell said the gameplay group includes both passionate baseball fans and people who have actually played the sport professionally.

“Our gameplay team has, for the most part, remained the same since the inception of the franchise — over 26 years ago,” he said. “We’ve had the same gameplay director, which is incredible in any industry.”

The result is a game that tries to mirror real baseball while still being approachable for new players.

A new way to hit the ball

One of the most noticeable gameplay additions in MLB The Show 26 is a new batting mechanic called Big Zone Hitting.

Hitting has always been one of the hardest parts of baseball — something Russell emphasized while describing the new system.

“Hitting is the hardest thing to do in all of sports,” he said. “Round bat, round ball — physics, weird things happening — and then you have athletic people running to catch it.”

Big Zone Hitting was designed to bridge the gap between the game’s existing control schemes. The traditional Zone hitting method gives players precise control but can be difficult for beginners, while Timing hitting is easier but less strategic.

The new system sits somewhere in the middle.

“It’s not as hard as Zone, but it gives you a little bit more control than Timing,” Russell said. “It was something that our fans were asking for.”

New attributes and improved fielding

Gameplay improvements extend well beyond batting.

The developers have introduced new player attributes influenced by the rise of advanced analytics in modern baseball. Pitchers now feature more detailed left- and right-handed split attributes, while fielders have new ratings that affect their directional movement and reaction times.

Fans had long complained that defensive players often behaved too similarly.

“Our fans were saying, ‘All of the fielders move the same. They react the same,’” Russell said.

To address that, the team added four new defensive attributes designed to create clearer differences between elite defenders and average ones.

Animations also received a major overhaul, particularly for catchers and infielders.

Because many real-life catchers now receive pitches while kneeling on one knee, the animation team completely re-recorded the position’s motion capture data.

“Our gameplay team and animation team recaptured all of our catcher animations — every single one,” Russell said.

Expanding the Road to the Show journey

One of the biggest structural changes in MLB The Show 26 appears in the popular single-player career mode, Road to the Show.

The game now expands the amateur portion of a player’s career, allowing players to experience more high school and college baseball before reaching the professional level.

According to Russell, the decision came directly from community feedback.

“The feedback that we heard from our fans said they liked the college experience,” he explained. “So it was like, ‘Well, if you liked it, let’s add 11 more colleges.’”

The game also now includes the officially licensed College World Series, complete with authentic stadium environments, uniforms, celebrations and crowd chants.

The development team studied extensive footage to recreate the atmosphere.

“We watch so much film at the studio, it’s ridiculous,” Russell said with a laugh.

The Road to Cooperstown

Once players reach the major leagues, MLB The Show 26 introduces a new progression system called Road to Cooperstown, designed to give players more goals during the long grind of a professional career.

The system challenges players with short-term objectives that reward them with additional training points and faster progression.

“It’s more about saying, ‘Hey, can you get 10 hits over the next five games?’ or ‘Can you keep your ERA under five for the next 10 games?’” Russell said. “We’re always trying to put little carrots in front of you to keep you going.”

The feature aims to make long-term career progression more engaging while guiding players toward the ultimate goal of reaching baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Franchise mode gets a major overhaul

While career players will see expanded storytelling, franchise-mode fans will notice changes behind the scenes.

The development team essentially rebuilt the game’s trading system from the ground up.

“The trade system they basically ripped out and started from scratch,” Russell said.

The overhaul includes improvements to trade logic, roster management and lineup decision-making.

Modern baseball strategies also influenced these changes. In recent years, teams have increasingly placed their best hitters earlier in the batting order rather than strictly following traditional lineup conventions.

“It used to be your fast guy in the one hole, power hitters three and four,” Russell said. “Now you have guys like Shohei Ohtani batting second, or Aaron Judge batting second. Teams want to give their best hitters as many opportunities as possible.”

Diamond Dynasty goes global

Another major component of MLB The Show 26 is the return of the World Baseball Classic to the game’s Diamond Dynasty mode.

The international tournament introduces unique team rosters, uniforms and scenarios drawn from global baseball competition.

“You have this extra excitement in baseball that we only see every three years,” Russell said. “And you have all of these unique players playing for these unique teams.”

The developers also added several new stadiums, including the iconic Tokyo Dome.

Russell said these additions reflect a broader goal shared by both the game’s developers and Major League Baseball itself: growing the sport worldwide.

“Our goals are the same goals as Major League Baseball — let’s grow the game of baseball however we can,” he said.

The science of baseball physics

Underneath all of these changes lies one of the most technically challenging aspects of the game: accurately simulating the physics of baseball itself.

Russell described bat-and-ball physics as one of the hardest parts of building the simulation.

“Trying to get it to be accurate and trying to make it fun — that’s very, very difficult,” he said.

The game’s stadiums are built to scale, and the physics engine can even replicate real-life hits using data from actual games.

“We can take footage from a game, get the launch angle and hit speed, put it in our game, and that ball will land exactly where it landed in real life,” Russell explained.

Built with player feedback

Many of the new features in MLB The Show 26 were inspired directly by the game’s community.

From the expanded college system to Big Zone Hitting and the updated fielding attributes, Russell said fan feedback plays a major role in shaping each year’s release.

“A lot of the feature set comes directly from consumer feedback and research that we do with our fans,” he said.

The development team has even hired talented community members in the past — including one top-ranked player who joined the studio after repeatedly providing detailed gameplay suggestions.

A massive package of baseball content

Beyond gameplay systems and career improvements, MLB The Show 26 also continues the franchise’s ongoing historical storytelling initiative.

The game introduces ten new players through its Negro Leagues Storylines mode, continuing the series’ effort to highlight baseball history.

Combined with the expanded Diamond Dynasty content and improvements across every major game mode, Russell believes this year’s entry offers one of the most complete packages the series has delivered.

“The overall package,” he said, “every game mode got touched. Gameplay received development love, Road to the Show received love, Franchise mode received love. The Diamond Dynasty content this year is insane.”

For baseball fans — whether they prefer managing a franchise, building a custom dynasty team, or guiding a young player from high school to the Hall of Fame — MLB The Show 26 aims to offer more ways than ever to step onto the diamond.

The post Ramone Russell on MLB The Show 26: New Career Paths, Gameplay Systems and Global Baseball appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Design & Build Quality

The GT4 is solidly built, finished in a scratch-resistant gold coating that gives it a polished, premium appearance. The device was designed in Germany and manufactured in China. Compared with devices in its class, however, it is noticeably larger and wider. Despite the increased bulk, the oven itself is relatively small, which undermines the advantage of the added size.

ZEUS includes two lids: a standard mouthpiece and another designed for use with your own water-pipe or bong and the Zeus Iceborn 3 device. The inclusion is thoughtful, though it contributes to the overall sense that the device comes with a lot of small components.

User Interface & Controls

One of the first drawbacks becomes apparent immediately: powering the device on requires holding down the button, and powering it off requires the same. Given that turning a vaporizer on and off is the most frequent interaction a user has, this choice feels unnecessarily inconvenient. Single-press controls, like those used by PAX, are significantly more intuitive. Maybe a small thing but when you are using it regularly, it feels slow.

The GT4 also vibrates to indicate that it is ready for use—but in practice, the vibration often occurs before the device has fully reached a usable temperature. Heat-up times are longer than expected, and the feedback is not reliably synchronized with actual performance.

Heating & Temperature Options

The Arc GT4 offers nine preset temperatures—six for dry herb and three for concentrates. While the flexibility may appeal to enthusiasts seeking fine control, the abundance of levels makes everyday operation feel more complicated than necessary. Cycling through all nine is cumbersome, and most users will settle on one or two preferred settings.

Battery Life

Battery performance is a genuine strength. The 3500 mAh battery significantly outlasts that of comparable compact vaporizers, including the PAX line. For users who need extended sessions without recharging, the GT4 delivers.

Oven & Airpath Design

The oven design is one area where ZEUS lags behind its competitors, especially PAX.

The PAX oven is wider and shallower than the ZEUS oven, which allows for much easier cleaning.

In contrast, the GT4 uses a smaller, deeper square oven where debris tends to accumulate and cling. Beneath the oven sits a wire-mesh insert and a narrow metal tube for the airpath—both very small, both easy to lose, and both tricky to handle when cleaning or adjusting airflow.

While ZEUS includes a removable airpath chamber that users can push debris through, it is still more finicky and less accessible than the straightforward vapour tunnel of a PAX.

Included Tool & Pods

The magnetic packing and scraping tool that attaches to the bottom of the device is a clever idea in theory. It makes stirring and emptying the oven easier, something PAX users often resort to keys or improvised tools for. However, because it doubles as the cover for the charging port and is extremely small, it is also easy to misplace—potentially exposing the USB port.

ZEUS also includes Arc Pods: four for dry herb and one concentrate pod. These help minimize oven mess and simplify switching between materials. They work well in practice but introduce yet another set of small pieces that must be kept track of.

A particularly questionable accessory is the oven reducer insert—a loose piece of heat-resistant plastic intended to decrease chamber size. Compared to PAX’s elegant half-pack oven lid, the ZEUS solution feels like an afterthought and adds yet another loose item for users to manage.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The GT4’s cleaning kit includes pipe cleaners, wipes, and poking tools—standard fare for this category. The real issue lies in the device’s design: the numerous small parts, narrow passages, and multi-piece airpath make maintenance slow and often frustrating. Users who value easy cleaning will find the experience a noticeable downgrade from simpler, more integrated designs.

Iceborn 3 & Water-Pipe Compatibility

One of ZEUS’s selling points is compatibility with the Iceborn 3 cooling system and a wide array of water pipes and bongs. The Iceborn 3 includes tubes and rubber adapters for several setups and does deliver significantly cooled vapour.

However, the system is bulky and not particularly convenient. While some users may appreciate the option, it is unlikely to become part of most people’s daily routine. Traditional bong users, who often have strong preferences about their devices, may also find the experience subdued compared to combustion.

Price & Value

With a price around $500 CAD, the ZEUS Arc GT4 sits firmly in the premium tier—nearly double the cost of a PAX device. While it offers long battery life and extensive accessory support, the high price is difficult to justify given the usability issues, the abundance of small components, and the less intuitive design.

Conclusion

The ZEUS Arc GT4 is a well-built vaporizer with strong battery life and plenty of optional attachments. It clearly aims to be a high-end device for users who want modularity and flexibility. However, it falls short in several key areas: ease of use, cleaning, heat-up behaviour, and overall ergonomics. The large number of small, finicky parts makes the device feel less refined and more cumbersome than competing products.

For users who prioritize battery life and accessory versatility, the GT4 may have appeal. For those who value simplicity, compactness, and a more seamless experience, devices like the PAX remain the more polished choice.

Check out their website if you are interested at tvape.com.

The post Review: ZEUS Arc GT4 Portable Vaporizer appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

The Flip That Changed Everything

What immediately hooked me was the size and the physical act of flipping the phone closed. It sounds simple, almost nostalgic, but it gives a real sense of finality when I’m done. With a slab phone, I always felt like the device was still “open,” even in sleep mode. With the Flip7, I close it — and it’s closed. It’s satisfying in a way I didn’t expect.

The compactness is another big part of why I fell for it. Folded up, the phone is small enough to slip into any pocket or bag without feeling like I’m carrying a brick. As a woman, I also notice the small conveniences: the way it can rest or “clip” against the waistband of my pants when folded, or how easily it can sit on things without sliding around. These aren’t advertised features, but they’re the kinds of details that matter in day-to-day life.

Why the Outer Screen Matters More Than I Expected

The feature I ended up using constantly — far more than I imagined — is the full outer display. The FlexWindow feels like the real star of the Flip7. When the phone is closed, I can:

• Change songs

• Check notifications

• Read messages

• Send quick replies

• See calendar reminders

• Use small widgets

• Check timers

• Take quick selfies

• Use Google Maps

All without opening the phone.

Having the ability to handle these small tasks on the outside screen means I open the main screen far less often. It keeps my usage calmer and more intentional. I don’t drop into that endless scrolling trap as easily because I’m not constantly unlocking a huge screen for something simple like skipping a track.

Opening It Up: A Full-Size, Highly Polished Experience

When I do open it, the phone unfolds into a full-size, vibrant display that feels completely premium. The screen is smooth, bright, and fast — easily on par with high-end flagship phones.

Coming from Apple, I actually found the user experience more intuitive. I love having an actual “back” button. It’s a small thing, but it’s so nice to tap a back arrow instead of swiping and hoping I end up where I wanted to go. I also like having clear buttons and navigation options, instead of relying on hidden gestures for everything.

The interface feels more straightforward, almost easier to predict. I don’t feel like I’m fighting muscle memory — the buttons help guide the flow.

Flex Mode and Dual-Screen Comfort

One of the biggest surprises has been how handy the foldable design is for video calls and multitasking. With the phone half-folded:

• The screen shifts content automatically

• It becomes its own stand

• I can rest it on a table, counter, or even against my lap

• One half can show a video, while the other half shows controls

Video calls are dramatically more comfortable. I don’t have to prop the phone up with a mug or a pillow. I just bend it, set it down, and talk.

Multitasking also feels more natural in split-screen mode, because the physical hinge gives each half of the screen a defined purpose. It’s a clever blend of hardware and software.

Living With the Phone Day-to-Day

The Flip7 fits easily into my daily life. It’s light to carry, compact to store, and effortless to use in smaller moments. I love being able to close it after responding to something — it helps me break bad phone habits without feeling like I’m “restricting” myself.

The camera setup is strong, and selfies are actually better because you can use the main camera with the phone folded. The build quality feels solid, with the aluminium frame and improved hinge giving a sense of sturdiness that older foldables lacked.

Battery life is good, though like any powerful smartphone, heavy users will always find ways to drain it. For my usage patterns, it easily gets me through the day.

For Apple Users Thinking About Switching

Switching platforms always comes with a learning curve, and yes — I did need to adjust to some new systems, new methods, and new defaults. But the Flip7 made the transition surprisingly comfortable.

Here’s what stood out in comparison:

• Navigation feels easier, not harder

• The back button is a lifesaver

• Notifications and quick actions are more flexible

• Multitasking is much more powerful

• The phone encourages intentional use

The biggest difference is simply the physicality of it. The flip mechanism changes how you interact with it, and honestly, it just makes using a phone feel more grounded and less addictive.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

It wouldn’t be a fair review without mentioning the quirks:

• You can sometimes see a crease in the middle of the screen (though it fades from awareness quickly).

• The phone, like all foldables, has a more complex hinge — so treating it with basic care is wise.

• The outside screen is powerful but not every full app is available on it yet.

• Wireless charging isn’t the fastest out there.

None of these issues have been deal-breakers for me, but they’re worth knowing.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is the first phone in years that has felt fresh, genuinely fun, and practical at the same time. It’s compact without being limiting, powerful without being overwhelming, and cleverly designed in ways that make everyday use easier.

Closing the phone when I’m done with it is still my favourite part — small, satisfying, and symbolic. It feels like I’m choosing when to use my phone, rather than being pulled into it.

For anyone considering switching from Apple or just looking for something new, the Flip7 is more than a novelty. It’s a thoughtfully designed device that reshapes how you interact with technology in small, meaningful ways.

Find our more from on samsung.com/ca.

The post Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Review: Compact, Clever, and a Surprising Upgrade appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Held at Ricarda’s Atrium, the evening event spotlighted a striking fusion of art and performance, with the new car design symbolizing the future of women in motorsport and tech. Just days before the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, this reveal set the tone for an historic F1 Academy weekend — the first time the all-female racing series will be featured as part of Canada’s Grand Prix festivities.

A Shared Mission: Women on the Grid and in Tech

The event featured a panel with key figures including Palmowski, 1Password COO Jeannie De Guzman, and other Canadian leaders in tech and sports. Their message was clear: empowering women in historically male-dominated spaces isn’t just symbolic — it’s strategic and overdue.

“We’re in two industries that have been traditionally male-dominated — motorsport and cybersecurity,” said De Guzman. “So, when we looked at potential partnerships, aligning with Red Bull and their women’s academy program just made sense. It’s about real investment in change — not just checkboxes.”

De Guzman, who was formerly the company’s CFO and now leads operations at 1Password, highlighted the depth of the collaboration: “While Alisha’s focused on driving, we’re securing everything behind the scenes — from race strategies to personal data. Our partnership goes far beyond logos on a car.”

Alisha Palmowski: Racing Into the Future

For 18-year-old Alisha Palmowski, the opportunity to race in Montreal carries personal and professional significance. Representing the Red Bull Racing Academy Program in the F1 Academy, Palmowski will debut the custom livery this weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

“I’m so excited — it’s a completely new track for all of us, which makes it a huge challenge,” Palmowski said. “There’s been no prior testing, so we’re all going in fresh. But I’m hoping this new livery gives me some extra speed and motivation.”

Palmowski, whose family roots in racing go back generations, shared how she got hooked on motorsport after a simple corporate go-kart session as a child. “That first drive gave me a sense of freedom I never forgot,” she said.

She also credited partners like 1Password with making her F1 Academy journey possible: “They’re the reason I’m here racing. The support allows me to focus on winning — I don’t have to worry about digital security or sensitive data. It’s a game changer.”

Design with Purpose

The bespoke livery, designed by Toronto-based artist Kirsten McCrea, is more than just visually stunning. Bold colours and symbolic patterns represent resilience, empowerment, and the complexity of female excellence — both on and off the track.

“I love that Kirsten is unapologetically bold with her designs,” said De Guzman. “This car is a visual statement of what happens when women lead with confidence — whether in tech or behind the wheel.”

A Celebration of Community and Culture

With music by award-winning DJ Lissa Monet, co-founder of Canada’s premier all-female DJ agency LUXELIFE SOUND, the evening also served as a celebration of local talent and global ambition. Guests mingled with Red Bull athletes, tech leaders, and fans united by a common cause — elevating women across industries.

As Palmowski prepares to hit the track in Montreal, this week’s event serves as both a sendoff and a statement. The future of motorsport is not just fast — it’s female, fearless, and fully supported.

The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix takes place June 13–15 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, with the F1 Academy race making its highly anticipated debut on Canadian soil.

The post 1Password Drives Change with F1 Academy Partnership and Custom Livery Launch appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

While soft-serve is the main feature, it doesn’t stop there. With 13 one-touch programs and six soft-serve styles — including frozen custard, fruit whip, swirled frozen yogurt, and lite ice cream — it offers a variety of frozen treats. Whether you’re in the mood for gelato or looking to create a protein-packed dessert, it provides plenty of options.

After two weeks of daily use, the Toronto Guardian can easily say: it delivers.

Simple setup, surprisingly good results

Unboxing the Ninja Swirl is refreshingly straightforward. There’s no app to sync or settings to memorize. Once assembled — in under five minutes — you’re ready to go. The biggest learning curve? Ingredient prep. Items need to be pre-frozen and slightly thawed before swirling. Too hard, and the motor struggles; too soft, and the texture suffers. But when you get it right, the results are impressive.

Healthier ice cream that still feels like a treat

Over the past two weeks, we’ve made everything from coconut–mango blends to a low-calorie version of the famous Ben & Jerry’s ‘Cherry Garcia’. What stands out is the ease of tailoring each batch to your dietary preferences. You control the sweetness, texture and ingredients — whether you’re vegan, dairy-free, cutting back on sugar or just looking for a lighter dessert.

We experimented with almond milk, oat milk and frozen coconut yogurt — and every combination turned out smooth and satisfying. For those aiming to boost protein, adding a scoop of your favourite powder to the mix can turn your dessert into a post-workout snack. We took full advantage of the new CreamiFit function, which processes lower-calorie, high-protein offerings, to create some delicious protein-packed options.

What works well

• Consistently creamy texture

• Great for anyone with dietary restrictions

• A healthy treat option

• Small footprint — fits easily on a counter

• Dishwasher-safe parts for quick cleanup

What to keep in mind

• You’ll need to plan ahead — ingredients must be frozen in advance

• It’s a bit loud (not unexpected, but still worth noting)

• Only makes one to two servings at a time

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a simple way to make healthier frozen treats at home — and you’re ready to get a little creative with your creations — the Ninja Swirl by CREAMi is a worthwhile addition to your kitchen. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and helps you skip the processed stuff without skipping dessert. While it won’t entirely replace a trip to your favourite gelato shop, it’s a fun and satisfying way to enjoy frozen treats at home, any day of the week.

If you’re ready to bring the Ninja Swirl by CREAMi into your kitchen, it’s available for $429.99 on the Ninja Canada website.

The post Review: Two weeks with the Ninja Swirl by CREAMi Soft Serve & Ice Cream Machine appeared first on Toronto Guardian.