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Microsoft reportedly set to unveil Xbox handheld this year

Microsoft has been rumoured to be working on a gaming handheld for decades. Even back during the days of the Xbox 360, there were rumours of an Xbox-style PSP or GameBoy style system. With handhelds now able to offer enough power to run even current-generation games, Microsoft finally looks to be jumping on the bandwagon. 

According to WindowsCentral, Microsoft is working on an Xbox companion handheld device to cap off the Xbox Series X/S generation. In collaboration with an unnamed OEM partner, this Xbox handheld is being developed under the codename ‘Keenan' and it should launch before the end of this year.

The handheld will run Windows 11, like several other handhelds already on the market, but with new ‘device aware' features that allow the OS to shift UI formats based on whether you're using a handheld, laptop or desktop. Think of it similarly to how the Steam Deck launches with the Big Picture UI, but you can opt to switch to desktop mode for more advanced tasks.

The handheld would be the last major hardware release of the Xbox Series X/S generation, as Microsoft is also reportedly moving ahead with plans to ship a new-gen Xbox console in 2027.

KitGuru Says: The issue I have with this strategy if that going via the OEM route almost always leads to increased costs. If the handheld can't compete with the Steam Deck on price, then I don't see any chance for widespread success. 

The post Microsoft reportedly set to unveil Xbox handheld this year first appeared on KitGuru.
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Konami to reveal new Silent Hill game this week

Konami's big Silent Hill revival has been a success thanks to Blooper Team's highly rated remake of Silent Hill 2. Now, Konami is gearing up to announce the next game in the franchise. 

This week, Konami will hold its latest Silent Hill Transmission stream, during which we will get new details on the project known as “Silent Hill F”.

Silent Hill F was first teased back in 2022, but Konami has revealed little else about it since. That will change during the stream on March 13th, as we'll get a fresh look at the game and its “completely new story set in 1960s Japan”.

Silent Hill F is being developed by Neoboards Entertainment, which previously worked on Resident Evil Resistance and RE:Verse. Blooper Team has also confirmed plans to work with Konami again on a new game in the future.

KitGuru Says: Following on from last year's remake, are you looking forward to seeing all-new Silent Hill games? 

The post Konami to reveal new Silent Hill game this week first appeared on KitGuru.
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Disco Elysium studio reveals new ‘Espionage RPG’

ZA/UM Studio made a name for itself years back with Disco Elysium, but we've heard very little from the studio since. It looks like 2025 is set to be another big year for the company, as their next game has now finally been revealed under the codename ‘Project C4'. 

Project C4 is described as a “mind-warping espionage RPG that blends player introspection, deep character-driven dialogue and high-stakes encounters”. Based on that description, it will feature similar gameplay to Disco Elysium, where much of the game centres around character conversations, dialogue options made, dice rolls for skill checks and multiple outcomes to explore.

While the game may also borrow a lot of inspiration from Disco Elysium, it is worth noting that many of the leads on that game no longer work at ZA/UM Studio. Back in 2022, Disco Elysium's game director and art director left the company following a slew of firings and formed a new studio.

There is no word on when Project C4 will release but we expect to learn more about the game later this year.

KitGuru Says: Hopefully whatever behind-the-scenes issues took place following the release of Disco Elysium have been resolved. After all, an Espionage RPG in a similar style to Disco Elysium could end up being a huge hit. 

The post Disco Elysium studio reveals new ‘Espionage RPG’ first appeared on KitGuru.
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Two Point Museum Review – Two Point At Its Best

Ever since I was a kid, I've always loved sandbox games that allowed you to manage large areas or populations. Whether it was Theme Hospital or SimCity 2000, a lot of time was spent playing those games. As someone who loves going to museums, big or small, I knew immediately that I had to play this game, and I'm so glad I did. Truly, you can't go wrong with any of the Two Point games, but Two Point Museum excels in areas that other sandbox titles do not. Between their first game and this new title, they have learned what […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/two-point-museum-two-point-at-its-best/

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AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D Review

AMD announced the Ryzen 9 9900X3D at CES 2025 which allies twelve cores of Zen 5 goodness with a slab of 2nd Gen V-Cache. This approach works superbly well with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and today we find out how well it works in a grunty Ryzen 9.

Time stamps

00:00 Start
01:33 9900X3D Hardware Specs
02:40 A look at AMD charts
03:58 AMD Chipset Drivers – the importance
04:46 Hardware test setup
05:58 BIOS settings and core latencies
06:30 Cinebench 2024 Single Core
07:21 Cinebench 2024 Multi Core
07:29 Geekbench 6 Multi Core
07:41 Geekbench 6 Single Core
07:53 Cinebench 2024 Multi Core per £ of cost
09:28 CPU Power Consumption
10:00 Cinebench 2024 Multi Core Per Watt
10:42 7 ZIP v24 Benchmark
11:01 AIDA 64 Memory Bandwidth
11:20 3DMark Time Spy
11:50 Far Cry 6 1080p
12:12 Far Cry 6 1440p
12:28 Avatar Frontiers of Pandora 1080p
12:50 Avatar Frontiers of Pandora 1440p
13:05 Assassins Creed Mirage 1080p
13:23 Assassins Creed Mirage 1440p
13:37 Cyberpunk 2077 1080p
13:48 Cyberpunk 2077 1440p
14:02 Total War Pharaoh 1080p
14:17 Total War Pharaoh 1440p
14:44 Leo’s views on this launch / 9900X3D
18:17 Closing thoughts

As background reading to this review of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D we suggest you look at our reviews of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D HERE and the Ryzen 9 9900X HERE as AMD has used their clever 2nd Gen V-Cache Technology to enhance the Zen 5 Ryzen 9 9900X. The result, as you will see in our video, is a CPU that AMD claims is ‘The Perfect Processor for Elite Gamers'.

The post AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D Review first appeared on KitGuru.
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XFX releases files for removable “wings”, opening up 3D print mods for RX 9070 Quick Silver cards

XFX has revealed a unique customisation feature for its Radeon RX 9070 Quicksilver graphics cards. Using the 3D print files released by XFX, owners of these cards can personalise the appearance of their cards with magnetically attached, 3D-printable “wings”.

As spotted by VideoCardz, this level of customisation provides a unique degree of personalisation, allowing users to tailor the look of their graphics card to their individual preferences. Note, however, that in addition to printing the wings, users will still need magnets to attach them to the graphics card.

XFX has announced the availability of these files but has not provided a direct link. Users must go to the product page and locate the “Support and Download” section to get the files. The downloadable archive includes three folders: one-piece and two-piece wing designs for each side of the card and a separate folder for the PCIe side wing. Users can also choose to print versions with or without the XFX branding. The one-piece files are available in STEP, STL, and IGS formats, ensuring compatibility with various 3D printing solutions. Unfortunately, the two-piece files are only available in STL format.

Currently, XFX has not confirmed whether pre-printed wings will be available for purchase separately for users who do not own 3D printers.

KitGuru says: Did you grab one of these XFX RX 9070 Quicksilver series graphics cards? Are you planning to print these wings to add some flair to it?

The post XFX releases files for removable “wings”, opening up 3D print mods for RX 9070 Quick Silver cards first appeared on KitGuru.
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Control gets surprise update with tons of new PC settings

Remedy Entertainment’s Control was an excellent game when it released back in 2019, only getting better with time thanks to an enhanced Ultimate Edition. Years on from its last major update, Control has gotten a surprise patch, bringing previously-locked content to all alongside a boatload of new PC settings.

Making the announcement on their blog, the team at Remedy wrote: “Hello Director! We’re happy to announce that all owners of Control Ultimate Edition will be receiving a free content update. The update is hitting PC players (Steam and Epic Games Store, GOG to follow later) today, including several improvements to support newer hardware.”

Control PC

Said to also be coming to consoles at some point in the “near future” this update is clearly focused on PC as a platform, as alongside the unlocking of previously-exclusive content for all to enjoy, the update adds a bunch of new and appreciated graphics settings, including:

  • Added HDR support
  • Added new Ultra ray tracing preset
  • Added ultrawide monitor support for up to 48:9 monitors
  • Added an FOV scaling setting for the gameplay camera
  • Updated SDR to 10bit (from 8bit)
  • Added rendering resolution support beyond 4K
  • Added DLSS support for arbitrary resolutions
  • Added DLAA support
  • Updated DLSS to DLSS 3.7, with higher temporal stability

The full list of changes and additions can be found HERE. Given how long it's been since an update of this size, it is welcome yet surprising to see Remedy revisiting this title so many years later. The improvements to DLSS and HDR in particular are quite exciting.

KitGuru says: Are you surprised by this update? Did the lack of proper HDR support bother you? Let us know down below.

The post Control gets surprise update with tons of new PC settings first appeared on KitGuru.
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CrossOver 25 improves DirectX 11 support, works with Epic Games Store

CodeWeavers' CrossOver 25 update adds support for many more games on Mac, including support for games acquired from GOG Galaxy and the Epic Games Store.

A person playing a first-person shooter game on a MacBook Air, with the in-game chat visible on the screen.
An example of playing a Windows game on macOS

As a tool for enabling Windows games to run on Mac, CrossOver has been an invaluable item for opening up Mac gaming. With the release of CrossOver 25, that support is being expanded thanks to a bunch of new features.

Explained in a company blog post, the changes includes Wine 10.0, which has over 5,000 changes affecting many applications that are compatible with it. The update also includes Wine Mono 9.4.0, vkd3d 1.14, MoltenVK 1.2.10, and D3DMetal 2.1.


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Intuit QuickBooks rolling out Tap-to-Pay on iPhone

QuickBooks Online customers can now accept in-person contactless payments quickly and securely using Apple's Tap to Pay with iPhone feature.

Mobile payment screen displaying $217.25 charge, options to tap to pay on iPhone, use card reader, or scan/key-in card.
Image credit: Intuit

The feature allows small and mid-market businesses to accept in-person contactless payments from anywhere using an iPhone and the Quickbooks Mobile or GoPayment iOS apps. Business owners will not need an additional card reader or point-of-sale hardware to complete the transactions.

The transactions are synced directly to the user's QuickBooks Online account. By doing so, users can seamlessly manage payments and keep their books updated on a single platform.


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Today only: Save $700 on this 14-inch MacBook Pro with 36GB RAM

The lowest price ever on Apple's closeout M3 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro with an upgrade to 36GB of RAM and 1TB SSD is in effect, with a $700 Deal Zone discount ending today.

MacBook Pro screen displaying $700 off 36GB RAM promotion, against a purple and black background.
Save $700 on this upgraded MacBook Pro today only.

This well-equipped 14-inch MacBook Pro in Space Black is discounted to $1,899 at B&H Photo, reflecting a $700 price drop off MSRP.

Save $700 at B&H


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'Katamari' rolls onto Apple Arcade in April alongside other revamped classics

"Katamari Damacy Rolling Live," "Rollercoaster Tycoon Classic+" and an entry into the "Space Invaders" franchise are set to make their way to Apple Arcade in the next month.

Colorful, whimsical scene with a character in a vibrant outfit, holding a microphone, large TV screen, floating multicolored balls, and abstract background featuring pixelated faces and digital elements.
The first new "Katamari" title in almost eight years comes to Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade is gearing up to release six new games for April, including some major titles that AppleInsider staffers are excited to see. Additionally, three other Apple Arcade titles will get new updates in March.


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Mac Studio review roundup: Still the fastest on the block

The initial reviews for the updated Mac Studio have arrived, with reviewers heaping praise on the M4 Max and M3 Ultra powerhouse.

Silver Mac mini on a desk, featuring a sleek design with an embossed Apple logo on top.
Mac Studio

Apple launched its refresh of the Mac Studio on March 5, upgrading the latest iteration with its standard spec-bump update process. While it retains its appearance of a Mac mini on steroids, the new model gained some internal improvements.

This included replacing the M2 generation with M3 and M4 chips. Specifically the M4 Max in the lower-tier version and the M3 Ultra in the upper-tier variant. Aside from power, Apple also brought in Thunderbolt 5 support, supporting up to 120Gbps of bandwidth.


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M4 MacBook Air review roundup: Welcome upgrade, but no surprises

The first hands-on reviews of the new MacBook Air with M4 processor have appeared, and so has a consensus that it's a worthy but not special upgrade.

Sleek, thin, silver laptop with an open display showing a dynamic, geometric pattern, highlighting its modern design and lightweight build, set against a light background.
New blue color in M4 MacBook Air, photo credit Apple

Given that the previous model, the M3 MacBook Air was described by AppleInsider as the best Mac for most people, its M4 update was never likely to tarnish that reputation. Especially not since the new edition comes in at $100 cheaper than the 2024 model.

So across the board, there is a lot of praise for the new MacBook Air. It is certainly a good buy and it appears to remain the sweet spot in Apple's lineup.


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Western Digital launches massive 26TB drives for pros & NAS users

The demand for storage just got a major upgrade as Western Digital unveiled new high-capacity HDDs built for creative professionals and NAS environments.

Rectangular, black SanDisk Professional enclosure with ribbed front design, angled sides, and subtle lighting on white background.
SanDisk drive from Western Digital

Western Digital announced its latest expansion in storage solutions, introducing new 26TB HDDs across its professional and NAS product lines. These include the enterprise-class Ultrastar 7200 RPM HDDs integrated into the G-DRIVE and G-RAID portfolios, along with the highest-capacity WD Red Pro hard drive yet.

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Everyone is a loser in the Apple Intelligence race

Apple Intelligence is seemingly being lapped in the AI race, but it's hard to determine who's really winning when the competitors change the victory condition every few laps.

A track starting line with Apple Intelligence, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Perplexity, and Alexa logos
There's a lot of AI out there, but picking winners and losers isn't that simple

Humans are a tribal species that thrives on competition and debate, and it's no different when it comes to technology. Whether you're talking about Android versus iPhone or PlayStation versus Xbox, people love to pick sides.

It's no different for the various artificial intelligence systems available. However, almost universally, it seems people and pundits are calling Apple Intelligence the biggest loser — even when compared to systems that haven't released yet.


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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review - Great for Gaming and Productivity

The new AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D brings Zen 5 with 3D V-Cache to the high-end. This new $700 flagship offers the best application performance, beating even the 9950X, and at the same time you get a fantastic gaming experience that's better than any other non-X3D processor on the market.

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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU Review: Dominant, No Compromise Performance

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU Review: Dominant, No Compromise Performance AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D: $699 MSRP The new Ryzen 9 9950X3D pairs AMD's Zen 5 CPU architecture with 2nd Generation 3D V-Cache for enhanced gaming performance, higher clocks, and more overclocking headroom.   Great Overall Performance No Compromise Gaming Power Efficient Price Premium AMD announced a vast array of products back at CES earlier...
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Sapphire showcases new Edge+ VPR-5050 boards at Embedded World

Sapphire has unveiled its new Edge+ VPR-5050 Series mini-ITX motherboards for edge computing and industrial AI applications. These platforms, the Edge+ VPR-5050-MB and Edge+ VPR-5050A-MB, leverage AMD's Embedded+ architecture, combining the power of Ryzen Embedded V2748 processors with Versal AI Edge VE2302 adaptive SoCs.

The Edge+ VPR-5050 series provides a scalable and high-performance computing platform, reducing development cycles and accelerating time-to-market for advanced embedded systems. These motherboards are ideally suited for various applications, including AI-driven industrial control, smart security and AI vision, autonomous mobile robotics, medical imaging and surgery, and embedded PC applications. Both models are optimised for power efficiency, with AI acceleration capabilities starting at just 30W.

The cornerstone of the Edge+ VPR-5050 Series is AMD Embedded+, a hybrid architecture that integrates high-performance x86 processing with adaptive AI acceleration. This combination enables real-time sensor data processing, low-latency AI inference, robust industrial networking, and precise control applications.

The Edge+ VPR-5050-MB is designed for AI-driven industrial control and real-time sensor fusion. It features the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2748 Processor, powered by “Zen” cores and Radeon graphics, and 8 GB of memory. The AMD Versal AI Edge VE2302 Adaptive SoC facilitates low-latency AI inference and deterministic sensor processing. Connectivity options include 2.5 Gb Ethernet, USB 3.2 Gen2, SATA3, RS232/422/485, and GPIO, ensuring seamless integration into industrial environments. The motherboard also supports M.2 storage, M.2 WiFi/BT, and PCIe x8 expansion, allowing for flexible customisation.

The Edge+ VPR-5050A-MB builds upon the foundation of the VPR-5050-MB, catering to applications requiring more complex embedded software topologies. It has dual 10/25 Gb Ethernet and 16 GPIO for high-speed industrial connectivity and enhanced sensor support via programmable I/O. The Versal AI Edge device now features 64 GB of eMMC storage and 16 GB of RAM. A dedicated USB connector is provided for direct IO, and an auto-IO board with Octo GMSL2, Dual GbE, and Dual CAN bus interfaces further expands its capabilities.

Optional plugin expansion boards are also available for customised industrial, AI vision, and automation applications. The Sapphire Edge+ VPR-5050-MB and VPR-5050A-MB are now available for developers and OEMs.

KitGuru says: Embedded solutions are becoming more capable, and the new Sapphire Edge+ VPR-5050 series boards are no exception.

The post Sapphire showcases new Edge+ VPR-5050 boards at Embedded World first appeared on KitGuru.
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WWE 2K25 Review – The Island of Lost Potential

WWE 2K25

The WWE 2K franchise has been in a rebuilding phase for the past few years, culminating in last year’s WWE 2K24, which was one of the best pro grappling games 2K and developer Visual Concepts had delivered in years. But as most seasoned wrestling fans know, it’s one thing to prove you’re championship material; it’s another challenge altogether to stay at that elite level. That’s the test WWE 2K25 now faces. Does WWE 2K25 continue the series’ upward momentum? Or does it make some unfortunate high-risk moves? It’s time to lace ‘em up again and find out. Over the past […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/wwe-2k25/

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Split Fiction has sold over 1 million copies in 48 hours

Hazelight Studios has amassed a reputation over the past years for its dedication to creating new and unique co-op experiences. So far, this seems to be working out, with each successive game selling millions more than the last. While it’s too early to tell whether it can surpass its predecessor, the recently-released Split Fiction is already doing numbers – having sold over 1 million copies in just two days.

Making the announcement on BlueSky, the official Hazelight Studios page wrote: “SPLIT FICTION sold 1 MILLION units in its first 48 hours!!! The love you all show for our game is overwhelming! Everyone here at Hazelight are beyond happy – and we can’t stop enjoying your amazing reactions!”

Split fiction Million

Despite being published by EA, Hazelight Studios is a relatively small studio whose games operate on budgets far lower than the typical AAA release from the publisher, making its success even more notable.

As mentioned, Hazelight’s prior games sold incredibly well over the long-term, with 2018’s A Way Out and 2021’s It Takes Two selling 11 and 23 million copies respectively – doubly impressive when considering that you don’t need two copies to play together.

With Split Fiction being not only the highest rated game by Hazelight, but currently sitting as the highest rated title of 2025, we’ll likely see the game break milestone sales on a rather consistent basis over the coming months.

KitGuru says: Have you played Split Fiction? Is it Hazelight’s best work yet? What do you hope to see next from the studio? Let us know down below.

The post Split Fiction has sold over 1 million copies in 48 hours first appeared on KitGuru.
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s PS5 release date has leaked

Prior to its release on the Xbox Series X|S last year, Microsoft confirmed that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would also be swinging its way onto PS5 in 2025. A couple weeks ago, leakers narrowed down the release window to sometime in April. Now, we seem to have a concrete release date alongside pre-order details.

As reported by known industry insider Billbil-kun via Dealabs, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to come to PS5 on the 17th of April – though as Microsoft has made a habit of – ‘Advanced AAAccess’ players will get it a couple days early.

Beyond this, pre-orders are reportedly planned to go live on the 25th of March and will be offered in two forms: a £70 Standard Edition and a £100 Premium Edition.

Indiana Jones PS5

Given the fact that Indiana Jones originally released last year, it is a bit surprising to see Microsoft charging full price while also offering advanced access for premium buyers.

Then again, with the upcoming Forza Horizon 5 priced at £55 despite first launching in 2021, the price is to be expected.

KitGuru says: Which of the upcoming Microsoft PS5 games are you most excited for? Are the prices fair? What’s your opinion on Advanced Access? Let us know down below.

The post Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s PS5 release date has leaked first appeared on KitGuru.
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PSSR in 2026 and beyond will match FSR 4 claims Mark Cerny

One of the many benefits touted by Sony regarding the PS5 Pro is its hardware support for the company’s PSSR upscaler. While results for early adopters have been somewhat mixed, lead console architect Mark Cerny has promised that PSSR will continue to improve over time – matching the recently-announced FSR 4 in quality by next year.

Following the recent official unveiling of FSR4, AMD revealed that the ML-based upscaler was developed in collaboration with Sony.

Speaking on this, and what it means for the future of PlayStation, Mark Cerny told Eurogamer: “The neural network (and training recipe) in FSR 4's upscaler are the first results of the Amethyst collaboration. And results are excellent, it's a more advanced approach that can exceed the crispness of PSSR. I'm very proud of the work of the joint team!”

PSSR FSR

Cerny continued, “Our focus for 2025 is working with developers to integrate PSSR into their titles; in parallel, though, we have already started to implement the new neural network on PS5 Pro. Our target is to have something very similar to FSR 4's upscaler available on PS5 Pro for 2026 titles as the next evolution of PSSR; it should take the same inputs and produce essentially the same outputs. Doing that implementation is rather ambitious and time consuming, which is why you haven't already seen this new upscaler on PS5 Pro.”

As mentioned, results for PSSR so far have been somewhat mixed, with some games displaying excellent results, while others required hotfixes in order to resolve major unexpected issues. As such, it is highly exciting to see that the technology will improve greatly in the relatively near future – meaning that the value prospects of the PS5 Pro should also get better with time.

KitGuru says: What do you think of PSSR so far? Are you impressed with FSR 4? Could PS5 Pro justify its existence with these upcoming improvements? Let us know down below.

The post PSSR in 2026 and beyond will match FSR 4 claims Mark Cerny first appeared on KitGuru.
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How to speed up new document creation by using templates on Mac

Templates, either provided or customized for your workflow, can help you generate eye-catching content in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote and other Mac programs. Here's how to create your own personal ones.

In apps like Pages and Keynote, you can create and save your own custom templates.
In apps like Pages and Keynote, you can create and save your own custom templates.

Templates usually take the form of a generated document you create that contains some information you need each time you have to make a new version of that document. The headings or basic formatting might not change much, just the specific details you need from document to document.

A number of Apple and third-party programs come with a gallery of templates already — Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, and Apple's iWork suite of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, and even the Reminders app, to name a few. Although Office comes close sometimes, Apple's suite has some of the best-designed templates, available from the moment you select File, New Document.


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TP-Link Deco BE5000 review: whole-home mesh Wi-Fi 7 on a budget

Managing your home network shouldn't be a full-time job, and TP-Link's Deco line of Wi-Fi 7 routers help keep things simple, connected, and future-proofed without breaking the bank.

Three white, round electronic devices with subtle branding rest on a black surface, evenly spaced in a row.
TP-Link Deco BE5000 review: an affordable, performant mesh network

I'm coming from a set of Linksys Wi-Fi 6 routers that are mid-tier and run about $250 per node. Moving lower in the range to the TP-Link Deco BE5000 worried me, but they actually improved my home network in every conceivable aspect.

Apple basically abandoned HomeKit Router support, so I was open to trying new brands and router types. The TP-Link Deco range offers several great features, an easy to navigate app, and a very strong connection in a home filled with gadgets.


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Ford announces NACS charger integration for EV Routing in Apple Maps

Owners of select CarPlay-compatible Ford models can now see NACS chargers along their planned route in Apple Maps.

Car dashboard with a touchscreen displaying colorful app icons for phone, music, maps, podcasts, and messages.
Ford has announced that NACS chargers will be visible along users' planned routes in Apple Maps via CarPlay.

Ford announced that the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, which both support Apple Maps EV Routing in CarPlay, will now be able to automatically direct drivers to the nearest NACS fast charging station whenever the vehicle needs to be charged. This means that users will see compatible Tesla Superchargers and other stations that use the North American Charging Standard, or NACS, within Apple Maps.

Indications of this feature first appeared in the second developer beta of iOS 18.4, which contained text strings informing users of NACS charging stations along their route. Now, the capability is finally available to end users.


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Apple Pay expanding to additional card networks in Qatar and the UAE

Apple Pay could soon be available to a larger number of users in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as additional credit card networks in the region are expected to introduce support for the contactless payment service.

Apple Pay logo centered over a background of colorful tulips, including red and yellow flowers, against a blue surface.
Apple Pay could soon be available to more users in Qatar and the UAE.

Apple Pay has existed for well over a decade, and its worldwide availability continues to improve year after year. In 2017, the feature was launched in the UAE, while 2021 saw its debut in Qatar.

Now, the feature is set to reach even more people in the region, as two credit card networks — Jaywan of the UAE and Qatar's Himyan — might introduce Apple Pay support soon.


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iOS 18.4 will force users to upgrade to the latest HomeKit architecture

Apple is set to discontinue support for the older version of its HomeKit architecture, meaning that users will be forced to upgrade with the release of iOS 18.4.

Smartphone screen showing home upgrade notification with an icon, update message, and HomePod automatic update toggle. Orange background.
Users of iOS 18.4 will likely be required to upgrade to the newer HomeKit architecture.

On Monday, Apple released the third developer beta of iOS 18.4. While the operating system itself doesn't include any surface-level changes, its code indicates that a significant change could soon affect users of the Apple Home app.

Back in November 2022, with the launch of iOS 16.2, Apple introduced an updated version of its HomeKit architecture, which delivered significant speed and performance upgrades for HomeKit accessories. The new and improved HomeKit architecture caused problems for some users, which is why it was withdrawn in December 2022 and re-introduced in February 2023 with the release of iOS 16.4.


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More new Matter devices, Siri delays, & trimmable smart shades on HomeKit Insider

On this episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, we dive into more Amazon hardware arriving this fall, a leaked sensor from Ikea, evidence of Apple's smart home display, and the delay of Apple's next-gen Siri.

HomeKit Insider
HomeKit Insider Podcast

As Apple's smart home plans remain in flux, code discovered in tvOS 18.4 reveal Apple has added support for ChatKit. This is a framework used for Messages, currently unused on Apple TV.

As the new smart display is rumored to run on tvOS, it makes sense this would be added to support messaging. We also talk about the next-gen Siri, and whether it is necessary for Apple's product to release.


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Apple is planning to make enormous design changes to iOS 19 & macOS 16

It's been a while since we've seen a dramatic overhaul on any of Apple's operating systems, but we could see the biggest ones in years as soon as WWDC.

Rounded square icon with gradient background, featuring the number 19 in bold white text, blending blue and pink hues.
iOS 19 is due this fall

Apple is gearing up to overhaul its operating systems in hopes of making its platforms more cohesive. The idea is that the change should make the platforms feel familiar to people coming from one device to another.

The new updates are expected to come later in 2025 according to Bloomberg. Apple will update its icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons.


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Third time's the charm? EU considers fining Apple over DMA yet again

Once again, Apple will be facing fines from the European Union for breaking Digital Markets Act rules, but the fines will probably be "modest" and far from the maximum penalty.

Blue flags with yellow stars and a white airport emblem wave on metal poles, with a modern glass building in the background.
An EU flag with the App Store logo

Practically since the introduction of the Digital Markets Act, concerns have been raised that Apple and its App Store will face being fined under the law, following various probes into its activities. Now, it seems Apple may face its first actual penalty under the rules.

Apple and Meta are expected to be hit by fines for breaking DMA rules, a source of Reuters claims. The actual size of the fines have not been determined yet, but they are expected to be "modest" in size.


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Third developer betas of iOS 18.4, other updates land for testing

Apple's third developer beta round for the current generatioh of updates is out, with new builds of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, tvOS 18.4, watchOS 11.4, and visionOS 2.4 set for testing.

Laptop, tablet, and phone screens displaying various text articles, notifications, and graphics positioned in front of a plain background
Examples of Apple Intelligence at work.

The new third beta round follows after the second for iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, tvOS 18.4, watchOS 11.4, and visionOS 2.4, which Apple introduced on March 3. The first round appeared on February 21.

The third iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 developer betas share build number 22E5222f, replacing 22E5216h, while macOS Sequoia 15.4 beta three uses build number 24E5228e, up from 24E5222f. The third tvOS 18.4 build is 22L5240e, the third watchOS 11.4 build is 22T5234f, and the third visionOS 2.4 build is 22O5221d.


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Epic Games insists that Apple flouted its App Store anti-steering injunction

Epic Games managed to force Apple into some App Store concessions with legal activity and campaigning, but it doesn't seem to have gone the way it planned. In a court filing Epic lays out how it believes Apple has gone wrong with its steering rule changes.

Large screen displays a computer-generated apple with sunglasses, watched by a crowd. Overlaid text reads 'Date 08.13.20 Time 10:00 App Monitor'. Retro-futuristic style.
Epic's parody of Apple's viral 1984 ad campaign at the start of its legal fight - Image credit: Epic Games

The excruciatingly lengthy legal battles between Epic Games and Apple over In-App Purchasing and the App Store prompted a lot of outcry over how Apple conducts business with developers. With orders over anti-steering rules in an injunction, it seemed that Epic had gotten its way over some of its complaints to the court.

According to a Post Hearing Findings of Fact filing with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Epic seemingly did not. The filing is effectively a 41-page complaint from Epic to the court, insisting that Apple has to comply more with injunctions set out in its main U.S. lawsuit.


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Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5050 detailed in new leak

Nvidia appears to be bolstering its entry-level graphics card offerings, with an increasing number of leaks suggesting we'll get an RTX 5050. This budget-friendly card is reported to launch in the coming weeks, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Intel's Arc B580.

Leaker kopite7kimi has been relatively quiet since the RTX 50 series' initial announcements, but they recently resurfaced with detailed specifications for both the RTX 5050 and the upcoming RTX 5060 Ti.

The leaker corroborated the RTX 5060 Ti's dual memory configurations, which stated that 16 GB and 8 GB GDDR7 variants will use a 128-bit memory bus. The card is expected to feature a 180W TGP (Total Graphics Power), aligning with previous rumors. The report also reads that the RTX 5060 Ti is based on the PG152 board design and uses the GB206-300 GPU, packing 4,608 CUDA cores.

Intriguingly, the leaker claims that the RTX 5050 will share the same PG152 board design but paired with the smaller GB207-300 GPU with 2,560 CUDA cores. Matching earlier rumors, kopite7kimi said that the RTX 5050 will feature 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and a 128-bit memory bus, making it the sole RTX 50 series card to use this type of memory.

Rumours suggest that Nvidia may unveil the RTX 5060 series and potentially the RTX 5050 as early as next week. However, these cards are only expected to be released in April or May.

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KitGuru says: Are you planning to buy an entry-level or mid-range graphics card soon? Are you considering one of Nvidia's upcoming RTX 50 series GPUs?

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Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell leaks via retail listing

Nvidia's professional workstation graphics card lineup is probably getting an update like the gaming series did with the RTX 50 GPUs. Nvidia hasn't confirmed it yet, but the supposed new flagship card, RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell, has recently been spotted online.

The listing spotted on Leadtek's website by Mark Brown (via @harukaze5719) confirms the “RTX Pro” branding will remain and unveils the specifications of this monstrous GPU. The RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell is purported to feature a staggering 24,064 CUDA cores, exceeding the RTX 5090 count by 2,304 cores. Furthermore, the card has 96 GB of GDDR7 memory, triple the capacity of the flagship gaming card. The Leadtek listing suggests a 600W TGP for the RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell, surpassing the RTX 5090's TGP. This strongly indicates the presence of one or two 16-pin power connectors.

Image credit: VideoCardz

Compared to its predecessor, the RTX 6000 Ada, the RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell boasts a 32% increase in CUDA cores and doubles the memory capacity. The reported 600W power consumption also represents a significant leap from the RTX 6000 Ada's 300W TDP.

The RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell's enormous TGP necessitates a robust cooling solution. Gone is the traditional blower-style design, replaced by a cooling solution (shared by VideoCardz) that appears to be a variation of the dual-flow-through design found on the RTX 5090. Images accompanying the leak reveal a dual-slot design with a more exposed heatsink on the front and a redesigned backplate. The card also features a PCIe 5.0 x16 interface and four DisplayPort 2.1 ports.

The RTX Pro Blackwell series is expected to be officially unveiled at Nvidia's GTC 2025 conference, which will run from March 17th to the 20th.

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KitGuru says: Considering the RTX 6000 Ada released at around £7,500, how do you think Nvidia will price the RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell?

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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D shows up on PassMark with improved single-core performance

Early benchmarks are promising for AMD's upcoming Ryzen 9 9950X3D, with the 16-core CPU reportedly topping the PassMark multi-threaded charts. A single benchmark run has yielded a score of 69,702 points, placing it 10% ahead of the previous-generation 7950X3D and 5% ahead of its non-3D V-Cache counterpart in multi-threaded performance.

Note that these results are based on a single benchmark run compared to the hundreds of data points typically used for comprehensive analysis. RAM configuration and overclocking or PBO could significantly influence these scores. Nevertheless, this initial result shared by @x86deadandback suggests that the 16-core 9950X3D is currently leading the pack among flagship consumer CPUs, outperforming the 7950X3D, 9950X, and Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K. This 170W CPU, armed with 16 Zen 4 cores and second-generation 3D V-Cache, is set to launch in three days.

Analysing the 9950X3D's single-threaded performance reveals near-identical scores to the 9950X, indicating that the addition of 3D V-Cache doesn't compromise single-threaded speed. Both CPUs share the same core count, peak boost frequency, and 170W TDP. The key difference lies in the 9950X3D's usage of 3D V-Cache on one of its chipsets.

AMD recently confirmed the 9950X3D's $699 price tag, representing a $100 premium over the 9950X's launch price. Alongside it, AMD will also release the Ryzen 9 9900X3D. Both processors are expected to release on March 12th

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KitGuru says: Are you thinking about getting one of AMD's new Ryzen 9000X3D processors? If so, which one are you considering buying?

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ASRock B850 Motherboards Review – RIPTIDE, LIGHTNING, STEEL LEGEND & LiveMixer Aiming The $200 US AM5 Segment

ASRock B850 Motherboards Review - RIPTIDE, LIGHTNING, STEEL LEGEND & LiveMixer Aiming The $200 US AM5 Segment 1

It's been two years since the launch of the AMD AM5 motherboard platform and the 600-series motherboards. Since its launch, the platform has seen the launch of several CPUs in the Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000, and Ryzen 9000 family. While the 600-series motherboards provide great features & compatibility with newer Zen 5 CPUs, motherboard makers are always looking to enhance user experiences through the latest technologies, which is why AMD has introduced a new chipset line called 800-series. The first wave of AMD 800-series motherboards (X870E & X870) hit shelves last year with the Ryzen 9000 series and now, the […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/asrock-b850-motherboards-review-riptide-lightning-steel-legend-livemixer-aiming-200-usd-am5-segment/

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Ben Stiller & Eddy Cue gush about making 'Severance' with Apple TV+

"Severance" executive producer Ben Stiller and Apple TV+'s Eddy Cue spoke at SXSW about making the show and just how much Apple plays a part in the series.

Two seated men holding microphones during a discussion, one in a black outfit and glasses, the other in a gray suit, with an audience member filming them.
Ben Stiller (left) and Eddy Cue at SXSW

"Severance" is the most-watched show on Apple TV+ since the streaming service launched in 2019 and is such a talked-about series that it's even been parodied on network TV. Apple's senior vice president of Services, Eddy Cue, and "Severance" executive producer Ben Stiller have now interviewed each other at the SXSW festival.

"I can't wait for every episode. Even though I have access to all of 'em, I tend to wait," revealed Cue. "This reminds me of shows back in the days when television, you'd tune in on a particular night and everybody was so excited all week to get to the next episode."


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M3 iPad Air review roundup: It's just a spec bump

The first reviews for the new iPad Air are out, and to no one's surprise, it's still a capable device, if a little boring.

Two tablets with thin bezels, one showing a blue abstract design, the other in light blue color, positioned diagonally against a white background.
M3 iPad Air general concensus: It's fine.

Reviews of Apple's newest iPad Air are rolling in, and the consensus across most of the reviews we've seen is surprisingly similar, even if the scores seem to vary quite a bit.

Pretty much everyone agrees that the M3 iPad Air offers a slight jump in specs over the M2 iPad Air — and only a moderate increase over the M1 iPad Air.


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Next-gen Xbox to be ‘a PC with a TV-friendly shell’

Recently it was claimed that next year's Call of Duty is already in development for the next-gen Xbox. However, a reliable source has now rebuked this claim, as the next generation Xbox hardware is being planned for 2027 and no development kits exist yet.

According to Microsoft-focused reporter, Jez Corden, the next generation Xbox will be with us in 2027 and currently, development kits do not exist. In a recent podcast, Corden also shed some light on the concept behind Microsoft's future console.

“The whole idea of the next Xbox is that it's going to be a PC in essence but with a TV friendly shell that also has a specific set of specs in mind”, Corden said. He adds that this will mean that developers will be developing for a Windows PC in a way.

Microsoft's next-generation Xbox will need to focus on being a more open platform, as the company has opted to move away from exclusive games entirely.

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KitGuru Says: What are you expecting to see from the next Xbox?

 

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