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Quectel’s AR588MA brings 3GPP Release 18 5G-A, NTN satellite links, DSDA, dual-band GNSS, and eCall readiness to automotive connectivity.

Quectel Wireless Solutions, an end-to-end global IoT solutions provider, today announces the launch of the world’s first 5G-advanced (5G-A) automotive-grade cellular module, the AR588MA, establishing it as the industry’s highest-performing and most reliable wireless communication product for vehicles.

Based on MediaTek’s latest-generation MT2739 platform, the AR588MA supports 5G-A communication technology and is the world’s first to comply with the 3GPP R18 standard protocol. The module also features both NB-NTN and NR-NTN satellite communication capabilities, supports Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA) technology, offering improved stability and reliability on cellular connections and includes intelligent driving scenario recognition. Designed in compliance with the AEC-Q104 Grade 2 automotive standard, it delivers faster, more stable connectivity and reliable security for in-vehicle communication and benefiting the on-roof applications like smart antenna for automotive with higher temperature support

“The move to 5G-Advanced represents a major milestone in automotive connectivity, addressing the growing demands of next-generation vehicles for higher data rates, ultra-low latency, and uncompromising reliability,” said Min Wang, President, Automotive Business Unit, Quectel Wireless Solutions.

“As the world’s first 5G-Advanced automotive-grade cellular module, the AR588MA reinforces Quectel’s commitment to advancing in-vehicle connectivity and supporting the evolution of intelligent, connected vehicles worldwide.”

Performance, Reliability, and Intelligent Connectivity

This product evolution towards 5G-A meets the demand for high-reliability products and addresses the requirements of intelligent driving for higher-speed data transfer, stable data processing, and low latency. It boasts the industry’s highest modem performance, enhanced uplink transmission capability, and ultra-low latency, ensuring support for more efficient data transmission and real-time processing while maintaining stable network connectivity, providing crucial support for the safety and reliability of higher-level intelligent driving.

The modem’s intelligent capabilities can automatically switch to a more optimal connection mode based on different connectivity needs, significantly improving network speed and connection stability to deliver a smooth user experience.

GNSS, Antenna Design, and Automotive-Grade Compliance

In addition, the module integrates dual-band GNSS supporting both L1 and L5 bands with up to 30 Hz output. Building on Quectel’s extensive expertise in automotive wireless technology, a six-port antenna design, combined with proprietary antenna and power compensation technologies, delivers integrated module and antenna performance for robust, wide-coverage, high-performance wireless connectivity. Compliance with the AEC-Q100 Grade 2 automotive standard ensures product reliability and durability even in extreme environmental conditions.

eCall Readiness and Drop-In Compatibility

The module fully supports European eCall, NG eCall and AECS (China eCall) ensuring readiness for current and next-generation emergency call systems and offers drop-in compatibility with the AG581A, AG56xN and AG519M series of modules, shortening time-to-market for the customer.

The post Quectel Launches AR588MA 5G-Advanced Automotive-Grade Cellular Module appeared first on IoT Business News.

• In 2026, Walt Disney Studios is full of big releases from “Avengers: Doomsday” to “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
• Beyond 2026, expect movies from “Bluey” and “The Simpsons” as well as “Frozen 3.”
• “Star Wars: Starfighter,” Pixar’s “Gatto,” and two more “Avatar” movies are also on the Disney slate.

Disney showed its dominance at the movie theater in 2025, with the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” becoming a box-office sensation and “Zootopia 2” becoming the fastest PG-rated movie ever to make $1 billion. Disney’s slate is set to go from strength to strength in 2026, with even more sequels and iconic TV shows coming to the big screen in the year ahead.

If you’ve lost track of the multiple Disney projects in the works, here’s a list of big releases coming from the Mouse House through 2031.

“Hoppers” — March 6

At 2024’s D23 event, Disney’s biennial fan event, Pixar announced that Daniel Chong, the storyboard artist on “Bolt” and “Minions,” would direct a new original movie called “Hoppers.”

The film follows a young girl, Mabel (Piper Curda), who transfers her consciousness into a robot beaver to go undercover in the animal kingdom. Variety reported that Mabel will unite the animals against a real estate developer.

Essentially, it’s “Avatar” with beavers. 

Jon Hamm and Bobby Moynihan will also star in the movie.

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” — May 1

Get ready for Anne Hathaway sporting high fashion and Meryl Streep giving cold looks: “The Devil Wears Prada” is back! Fellow cast members from the original 2006 movie, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, also return for this look inside the elite publishing and fashion world.

“The Mandalorian and Grogu” — May 22

Pedro Pascal’s Mandalorian is finally coming to the big screen, and he’s bringing Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) with him.

“The Mandalorian,” which follows a bounty hunter who finds a young alien (Grogu) and decides to raise him, is Lucasfilm’s most successful “Star Wars” Disney+ series, winning 15 Emmys across three seasons.

“The Mandalorian” showrunner Jon Favreau will direct the movie. 

“Toy Story 5” — June 19

“Finding Nemo” director Andrew Stanton is directing the next “Toy Story” film. 

This time, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang compete against a digital threat for children’s attention.

Live-action “Moana” remake — July 10

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced the live-action adaptation during a prerecorded video for a shareholders meeting in April 2023.

Johnson will reprise his role from the hit 2016 movie as Maui, but the original Moana actor Auli’i Cravalho announced on Instagram she won’t reprise her role as the Disney princess.

Instead, she’ll serve as an executive producer, while Catherine Laga’aia, a 17-year-old actor, will play Moana. John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen will play Moana’s family members.

“The Dog Stars” — August 28

Ridley Scott’s next movie is set in a world dealing with the aftermath of a crippling flu that nearly wiped out humanity.

Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong play characters searching for a better life.

“Avengers: Endgame” re-release — September 25

One of the biggest box-office earners of all time is going to get some more coin.

To set up the release of “Avengers: Doomsday” at the end of the year, Disney will re-release “Endgame” in the fall.

“Hexed” — November 25

This animated movie follows a teen who discovers that he has magical powers, which takes him and his mother on a remarkable journey.

“Avengers: Doomsday” — December 18

In July 2024, Marvel announced at the San Diego Comic-Con that “Iron Man” star Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU as the main villain of “Avengers 5,” Doctor Doom.

This will be Downey Jr.’s first Marvel project since Iron Man died in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.” Chris Hemsworth will return as Thor and Chris Evans as Captain America.

The Russo Brothers, who directed “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame,” are also returning to direct the film.

“Ice Age 6” — February 5, 2027

In November 2024, Disney announced that “Ice Age” would be getting another sequel, which is in production.

Disney said some of the franchise’s main voice cast are returning, including Ray Romano and Queen Latifah, who play the mammoth couple, Manny and Ellie.

John Leguizamo and Denis Leary will return to voice sidekicks Sid the Sloth and Diego the Sabretooth Tiger. And finally, Simon Pegg will voice Buck, a reckless weasel who joined the franchise in the third film.

“Star Wars: A New Hope” re-release — February 19, 2027

Marking the 50th anniversary of George Lucas’ landmark sci-fi movie, the original will get a re-release.

This will also get audiences prepared to return to a galaxy far, far away with “Star Wars: Starfighter” opening in theaters three months later.

“Gatto” — March 5, 2027

At the 2025 Annecy Film Festival in June, Pixar’s CCO Pete Docter announced the next project from “Luca” director Enrico Casarosa.

It’s titled “Gatto” and follows the antics of a black cat named Nero as it maneuvers through Venice, Italy.

“Star Wars: Starfighter” — May 28, 2027

Not much has been revealed yet about the next “Star Wars” movie.

What we know for sure is Ryan Gosling is its star, the story is set five years after the events of “The Rise of Skywalker,” and it will be directed by Shawn Levy (“Stranger Things,” “Free Guy,” “Deadpool & Wolverine”).

“Bluey: The Movie” — August 6, 2027

In December 2024, Disney and the BBC announced that “Bluey,” the hit children’s show about an anthropomorphic puppy, would be made into a theatrical movie.

The animated film will be written and directed by Joe Brumm, who created the show. It will continue the adventures of Bluey and her family rather than reboot the story.

“The Simpsons” movie sequel — September 3, 2027

20 years after its first big screen release, the sequel to the iconic TV series is finally coming.

“Frozen 3” — November 24, 2027

At 2024’s D23, Disney confirmed they will make a third and fourth “Frozen” movie. 

Disney also revealed concept art that depicted Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and the shadow of a horned person who could be the film’s villain.

“Avengers: Secret Wars” — December 17, 2027

This will be the follow-up to “Avengers: Doomsday” and will also be directed by the Russo Brothers.

Disney has 19 other untitled Disney, Marvel, and Pixar projects set for release in 2027 and beyond

April 2, 2027 — untitled Disney film

June 18, 2027 — untitled Disney film

September 17, 2027 — untitled Disney film

October 8, 2027 — untitled Disney film

November 5, 2027 — untitled Disney film

January 14, 2028 — untitled Disney film

February 18, 2028 — untitled Marvel film

March 10, 2028 — untitled Pixar film

March 31, 2028 — untitled Disney film

May 5, 2028 — untitled Marvel film

May 26, 2028 — untitled Disney film

June 16, 2028 — untitled Pixar film

July 7, 2028 — untitled Disney film

July 28, 2028 — untitled Disney film

August 11, 2028 — untitled Disney film

October 6, 2028 — untitled Disney film

November 10, 2028 — untitled Marvel film

November 22, 2028 — untitled Disney animation

December 15, 2028 — untitled Marvel film

“Avatar 4” — December 21, 2029

Following the box office success of “Avatar: Fire & Ash,” Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña are set to star in two more “Avatar” movies.

This film was pushed back from a 2026 release date.

“Avatar 5” — December 19, 2031

James Cameron had ideas for “Avatar 2” and “Avatar 3” in 2010. He originally announced “Avatar 4” in 2012, before revealing in 2015 that he also planned for a fifth film.

Cameron told Entertainment Weekly that he’ll hold a press conference and explain how the franchise ends if the franchise doesn’t get to parts 4 and 5.

“Coco 2” — TBD

In March, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced during the company’s annual meeting of shareholders that “Coco 2” is in the works.

The original co-directors, Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, will be returning.

The 2017 film, which grossed $814 million, featured an aspiring musician who journeyed to the land of the dead to discover why his family had banned music.

“Incredibles 3” — TBD

At the D23 event in 2024, Pixar announced another “Incredibles” sequel.

“Incredibles 2,” which premiered in 2018, was the highest-grossing animated film for six years until “Inside Out 2” overtook it.

Brad Bird, the director of the film series, will helm the new project.

“Monster Jam” — TBD

At 2024’s D23, Dwayne Johnson announced that he was working with Disney to produce a film about the monster truck competition known as Monster Jam.

Kirsten Acuna, Caralynn Matassa, and Ayomikun Adekaiyero contributed to previous versions of this post.

• Top US law firms shelled out six-figure bonuses to associates in 2025.
• The generous end-of-year payouts come as top firms face increasing competition for talent.
• These are the bonuses five top law firms handed out last year.

Every year, elite US law firms hand out bonuses to associates, their hardworking rank-and-file attorneys.

Bonuses are typically ranked based on the number of years of experience associates hold. Many top US law firms match the “Cravath Scale” for associate bonuses, which is based on the salaries and bonuses awarded by the legacy law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore.

However, as competition for junior talent has intensified, some firms are deviating from the industry standard as they battle to attract and retain top talent.

Here’s how five top US law firms awarded their associates in 2025.

Paul Weiss

Associates at Paul Weiss, a leading Big Law firm headquartered in New York, received annual bonuses of up to $140,000 for 2025.

In addition to the regular year-end bonus, associates would receive “a special 2025 bonus,” said Brad Karp, the chairman of Paul Weiss, in a memo sent to associates on November 20, 2025, seen by Business Insider.

“On behalf of my partners, please accept our sincere gratitude for all you do to make our firm so exceptional,” Karp told associates.

Paul Weiss’ associate bonuses categorized by class year were:

• Class year 2025: bonus $15,000 (prorated), special bonus $6,000 (prorated)
• Class year 2024: bonus $20,000, special bonus $6,000
• Class year 2023: bonus $30,000, special bonus $10,000
• Class year 2022: bonus $57,500, special bonus $15,000
• Class year 2021: bonus $75,000, special bonus $20,000
• Class year 2020: bonus $90,000, special bonus $25,000
• Class year 2019: bonus $105,000, special bonus $25,000
• Class year 2018 and senior: bonus $115,000, special bonus $25,000

In addition to the 2025 bonuses, Karp said some staff could expect “discretionary bonuses” in early 2026 for “outsized contributions to the firm over the past year.”

Pallas Partners

Senior associates and counsel at Pallas Partners received bonuses of up to $232,000 this year, exceeding the amounts set by the Cravath Scale, the firm told Business Insider.

Pallas, a leading boutique global litigation firm, said the bonuses recognize “the extraordinary commitment that the associates and counsel bring to the firm.”

“Pallas’s lawyers receive much more hands-on trial experience than their Big Law counterparts, and as such, their compensation reflects that high-level work and commitment,” Pallas said.

Davis Polk & Wardwell

The Big Law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell paid bonuses of up to $140,000 to its junior attorneys, a company rep told Business Insider.

Davis Polk, headquartered in New York, ranks among the top ten Big Law firms in the US. The bonuses awarded by the firm are in line with the industry standard Cravath scale.

Elsberg, Baker & Maruri

Elsberg, Baker & Mauri, an elite commercial trial, litigation, and arbitration firm headquartered in New York, told Business Insider that it paid its associates bonuses of up to $226,250 in 2025.

“We are pleased to have paid bonuses that were 175% of the big law market to our stellar associates, who helped achieve great results for our clients in 2025,” Rollo Baker, a founding partner of the firm, told Business Insider.

Katten Muchin Rosenman

Katten Muchin Rosenman, a large, full-service law firm, has offered year-end bonuses of up to $172,500 to its top associates, contingent on the number of bonus hours they worked, the firm confirmed to Business Insider.

The firm, headquartered in Chicago, also offers additional discretionary “superstar bonuses” to select associates.

• Governments worldwide are moving to restrict children’s access to social media in 2026.
• Australia, France, Denmark, Malaysia, and Norway are advancing or planning social media bans.
• In the US, there’s a patchwork of state efforts advancing, but they face legal challenges.

After years of discussion, 2026 is shaping up to be the year when governments around the world take action on kids using social media.

Australia, France, Denmark, and Norway are advancing or planning social-media bans for young people under a certain age. In the US, a patchwork of state-based efforts is likely to face tougher prospects.

The changes come as concerns mount over the toll that platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat can take on young people’s mental health.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a New Year’s Eve speech, reiterated his support for banning social media for children and young teens — setting the tone for what could be a landmark year for such efforts worldwide.

“We will protect our children and teenagers from social media and screens,” he said.

Social media ban talk becomes action

World leaders have talked for years about restricting children’s access to social media. Now, that talk is crystallizing into action. Australia became the first major nation to impose a social-media ban for children under 16. Its law took effect in December.

Macron wants France to follow Australia’s example. Bills in the works would restrict access for children under 15 starting next fall, timed to coincide with the start of the new academic year.

The Malaysian government has said it intends to implement a similar ban this year. Denmark is also planning a ban for children under 15, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced in October, warning that “never before have so many children and young people suffered from anxiety and depression.” Norway, too, is considering similar measures, though its prime minister acknowledged it would be a challenge to enforce.

In India, high court judges suggested in December that the country consider legislation modeled on Australia’s approach.

Social media companies say the measures are too extreme

Social media executives have criticized bans on their products, touting their own safeguards, questioning the feasibility of such measures, and warning of unintended consequences.

As for the Australian law, Google and Meta had both called for a delay in its implementation. They said the government should rely on an age-verification system, which had been under trial before the new law took effect.

“We want young people to have safe, age-appropriate experiences online and have spent a decade developing more than 50 tools and policies designed to protect them,” a Meta spokesperson told Business Insider last year in response to EU discussion on young people and social media.

Elon Musk, owner of X, criticized Australia’s legislation, calling it “a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians.” TikTok expressed “significant concerns” with the legislation.

A complicated patchwork in the US

Meanwhile, a nationwide effort in the US — the birthplace of the world’s largest social media companies — faces an uphill battle.

While lawmakers in Congress have floated proposals to restrict young people’s access, none have passed. Instead, the push has largely shifted to the states, where a patchwork of age-verification rules, parental-consent laws, and time limits is advancing, often amid legal challenges.

Virginia is set to impose a one-hour daily limit on social-media use for children under 16 unless parents opt out, a law that is scheduled to take effect this year but is already facing legal challenges. Nebraska recently passed legislation requiring parental consent for minors to open social-media accounts. Other states, including Utah and Florida, have advanced age-verification or parental-consent laws that have been delayed or blocked in court.

Some states are targeting smartphones, rather than just social media, imposing “bell-to-bell” bans on cellphones at public schools.

Attorneys general from 14 states sued TikTok in October, saying the app is addictive and profits from damaging the mental health of children. TikTok has disputed that its products harm kids, defending its own internal safeguards.

While momentum is gathering for efforts to protect children from social media, some industry watchers have cautioned that such efforts aren’t a magic fix and could have unexpected knock-on effects.

“While UNICEF welcomes the growing commitment to children’s online safety, social media bans come with their own risks, and they may even backfire,” UNICEF, the United Nations agency focused on children, said in a December statement, noting that some marginalized children rely on social media and that others may find workarounds or flock to darker corners of the internet.

• Business Insider asked interior designers which living-room trends are in and out for 2026.
• They said antique-style pieces and color capping will become more popular.
• However, single overhead lights and sterile layouts are going out of style.

Living rooms are often considered the heart of the home, serving as a versatile space for hosting guests, spending quality time with loved ones, and relaxing after a long day.

So, if there’s any room in your house that should feel warm, inviting, and full of personal touches, it should be this one.

With that in mind, Business Insider asked five interior designers to share insight on what will be popular in living rooms this coming year, and which fads are on their way out.

Here’s what they predict will be in and out for living rooms in 2026.

Color capping will begin to take over spaces.

According to Candace Griffin, principal designer and founder of Candace Mary Interiors, color capping will be a popular living-room trend this year.

Unlike color drenching, which covers an entire room’s walls in a single hue, color capping uses multiple shades from the same tone to create movement, depth, and a more polished look.

“Color capping can sometimes be used to draw your eye up, to make your ceilings feel taller,” Griffin said. “… It serves a functional purpose, but also just gives you another opportunity to have some fun in the space.”

We may see more people sourcing antique pieces.

Ultra-glam light fixtures will also lose popularity to soft, antique-style lamps in 2026, said Kara Thomas, interior designer and founder of Studio KT.

That said, the trend toward unique antiques will extend beyond lamps and sconces.

“I think the desire to fill a home with antiques and thoughtfully sourced items stems from a desire to be more unique, especially with the internet flooded with a lot of rinse-and-repeat ideas,” Thomas said.

For that reason, she believes we will see more rustic decor, mixed metals, and vintage artwork and frames in living rooms this year.

Cozy nooks and conversation areas are in style.

Interior designer Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors said she predicts a shift toward more distinctive, intimate, and creative layouts.

This could look like incorporating a cozy reading nook or a small playroom for the kids into your living room.

“If you have the space to create separate conversation areas, you can get creative with those corners and niches,” Griffin added. “[It’s] really just maximizing every inch of the space and not feeling like you have to be in a box, per se.”

People are paying more attention to craftsmanship in their furniture and decor.

Handmade, wooden furniture and handwoven textiles will be everywhere in 2026, according to Molly Miller, principal designer and founder of Molly Miller Interiors.

“These elements add depth and authenticity that mass-produced items simply can’t match,” she said.

These particular elements are also becoming increasingly important as people gravitate toward home spaces that feel inviting, timeless, and emotionally calming, Miller added.

Mirror TVs might become a popular trend this year.

Oftentimes, people want to put a mirror on the wall or above their fireplace, but feel like they don’t have the room to fit it next to a TV.

With that in mind, Torres Portnof said she’s excited about the possibility of mirror TVs taking over living-room spaces.

As the name suggests, a mirror TV looks like a sleek, framed mirror when turned off and appears like a high-definition television when turned on.

“I love the fact that it’s dual-purpose, and I think others will as well,” she said.

Earthy hues are becoming foundation colors.

As more people turn toward designs that evoke warmth and comfort, designers expect soothing, earthy palettes to become everyone’s go-to choice for living-room colors.

“Everything is leaning more toward earthy tones,” said Thomas. In particular, she sees burgundy, deep browns, olive greens, and darker blues taking over living rooms this year and beyond.

On the flip side, single overhead lights are starting to lose favor.

Miller expects a shift from bright overhead lighting to warm, layered light sources in 2026.

“Layered, ambient lighting is becoming a priority, with clients asking for a mix of floor lamps, sconces, and table lamps that create warmth and flexibility, instead of relying on a single overhead source or recessed LEDs,” she said.

People are moving away from sterile designs and creating more personal spaces.

Danielle Chiprut, interior designer and founder of Danielle Rose Design Co., believes that bland, cold-feeling spaces are becoming outdated.

Instead, she predicts a growing shift toward heavily textured living-room designs with warmer colors, patterned sofas, and personalized elements.

“We’re moving away from that minimalist, modern design and into a more layered, cozy [layout],” Chiprut said.

Furthermore, as living rooms become less sterile and showroom-like, Griffin is also seeing a general pull toward spaces that feel truly “lived in.”

“The real way to achieve that is by taking your time and incorporating the things that you like and that are important to you,” she added.

For example, when it comes to artwork, she recommends building a collection over time and avoiding mass-produced pieces.

• I visited Amsterdam for the first time with my family, and a few things surprised me.
• I knew the city had a big bike culture, but I didn’t realize how intense it could be.
• The public transit options pleasantly surprised me, and I was blown away by the Indonesian cuisine.

I’d long imagined Amsterdam as a picturesque city of canals, tulips, and windmills.

However, visiting for the first time with my husband and 11-year-old twins quickly showed me a few surprising realities that coexist alongside those postcard-worthy views.

From its frenetic bike culture to its unexpected culinary influences, the city challenged some of my assumptions even as it reinforced others.

Here’s what surprised me most about my first time in Amsterdam.

The bikes are absolutely everywhere … and they’re not stopping for you

I was already aware of Amsterdam’s reputation as a cycling city — thanks to its flat, compact geography.

But until you’re standing at a crosswalk with hundreds of bikes whizzing by in every direction, it’s hard to really internalize just how central cycling is to daily life.

There are more bikes than residents here, and riders of all ages commute with precision and speed.

I spotted the littlest kids perching on handlebars (or even riding their own bikes in the street), people texting while biking, and lots of cyclists running red lights … all while tourists like us scrambled to get out of the way.

Locals aren’t aggressive so much as efficient per se; bikes are treated like vehicles, with their own rules and right-of-way. We learned quickly to look both ways — twice — before stepping into a lane.

It didn’t take me long to realize that my idea of renting bikes for a leisurely family ride through town was not going to be the casual thing I’d thought we might be up for.

Public transit makes cars feel not just unnecessary but actually a bit like a liability

To get around, we mostly relied on Amsterdam’s trams and buses. They ran on time, were comfortable, and took us pretty much everywhere we wanted to go.

But we had a major issue on our way out of town: Since our family of four had lots of luggage for a two-week jaunt through multiple European cities, we called an Uber to get us to the train station when it was time to leave.

This turned out to be a disaster. We left with what we thought should have been plenty of time, but we got stuck in gridlock traffic for far longer than anticipated.

Finally, we ended up jumping out of the unmoving car mid-ride and into a bus (with all our luggage), which we hoped would get us to the train station faster, since they have dedicated lanes.

But by then, it was too late; we ultimately missed our train. At least now I understand why so many locals skip cars entirely.

Indonesian food is one of Amsterdam’s signature dining experiences

At our hotel, I asked the concierge for local recommendations for a celebratory dinner on the evening of my twins’ birthday.

She explained that many traditional Dutch foods are prepared in people’s homes, so there isn’t as huge of a dining-out culture for this cuisine as I’d expected. So she recommended we get a traditional meal of “rijsttafel,” or “rice table,” at an Indonesian restaurant.

Rijsttafel is a Dutch-Indonesian feast born of the country’s colonial ties to Indonesia — the Netherlands colonized Indonesia for roughly 350 years.

It’s presented family-style, with tons of small dishes in the middle of the table for sampling, and served with rice — think satay, rendang, sambal (chili pastes), and vegetables.

The variety lets us sample a wide range of flavors, textures, and spices. It was incredible.

All in all, it felt like a super family-friendly city

Amsterdam has a strong reputation for its permissive sex and drug culture, which we didn’t seek out on a family trip. However, this vibe did seep into things like naughty souvenirs and street art, which slightly raised a couple of tween eyebrows.

That said, we generally found Amsterdam to be incredibly family-friendly. The walkable, compact city is filled with cultural attractions and parks, so even with kids in tow, it didn’t feel overwhelming.

My twins were able to navigate on foot, hop easily on trams, explore the sprawling Vondelpark greenspace, and sample kid-friendly treats, such as warm stroopwafels, from street vendors.

Aside from obvious venues for adults, we didn’t come across many spots where visitors had to be a certain age to step inside, which helped our whole family feel included. Kids seemed to be welcome all over, even in restaurants and pubs where we might not expect to see them back home in the US.

By the time we left, I definitely got why so many people fall hard for Amsterdam — it’s a visually beautiful city that throws some surprises and challenges at visitors, but it still made us feel right at home.