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How to change the background in Messages for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26

Bring more life and personalization to your group chats, by adding backgrounds to your conversations in Messages in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. Here's how to change yours for the better.

Three smartphones display a messaging app with colorful backgrounds: a cat, abstract green and yellow, and a tree. Messages are in blue and gray bubbles.
You can now change the backgrounds of conversations in Messages for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26

Messages is an essential app for iPhone users, with it used to communicate with your closest relations. However, people may be getting a bit bored of seeing the usual grey and blue (and sometimes green) speech bubbles floating up a plain white page.

During WWDC, Apple finally made a change to Messages, allowing users to select the background for conversations. A work chat could be jazzed up with corporate-approved branding, while speaking to parents can be done to a background of favorite pets, for example.


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Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 Encrypted SSD review: Ultra-secure SSD with hard drive speed

The Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 Encrypted External SSD won't win awards for speed, but it will certainly keep your portable data safe.

Hand holding a blue electronic device with a screen, labeled IronKey, on a light background.
Kingston IronKey Vault Privacy 80 Encrypted External SSD review: It's a pocketable secure drive

Transferring data between devices can be done in a few ways, but it's hard to do it securely via offline means. Shifting important documents to a flash drive is convenient, especially for travel, but less so if someone else gains access to it.

Unless there's encryption or something else in the way, a stolen drive will leak its secrets with relative ease.


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Fifth Circuit agrees with Apple over NLRB in World Trade Center store union busting case

Apple's appeal against the NLRB ruling suggesting Apple engaged in union-busting actions at the World Trade Center store in May 2022 has succeeded on both counts.

National Labor Relations Board seal featuring an eagle with a shield, surrounded by a blue circle with white text on a gradient blue background.
National Labor Relations Board. Image source: NLRB

There has been a years-long battle between Apple and unions that has quieted recently, but that doesn't mean everything has settled. A ruling Apple appealed in 2023 over union-busting accusations has finally been decided.

According to the ruling, shared by Courthouse News, the Fifth Circuit court has ruled that Apple didn't violate labor laws at the World Trade Center store.


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Prime Day deals: AirPods 4 plunge to $89, AirPods Pro 2 hit record low $149

Amazon has sweetened its AirPods Prime Day deals, delivering the lowest price ever on AirPods Pro 2 at $149 and AirPods 4 at just $89.

Open AirPods Pro MagSafe case with earbuds on pink and yellow gradient background. Text promotes Prime Day deals starting at $89, described as lowest prices ever.
Grab Prime Day deals on AirPods - Image credit: Apple

Save $100: Pick up AirPods Pro 2 for $149 and AirPods 4 for $89 while supplies last.

AirPods prices have hit record-low levels, with AirPods 4 falling to $89 and AirPods Pro 2 dropping to $149 — but supply may be limited.


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Meta poaches Apple Intelligence executive amid larger leadership restructure

Apple's internal leadership restructuring around AI and ML continues after Meta's industry-wide poaching program snipes a top executive from the Apple Intelligence team.

A white apple logo centered within a colorful, looping structure on a black background.
Apple Intelligence team sees leadership departure

Meta has been struggling to do anything impactful with its AI platform. It's another significant dud after the dramatic name change in pursuit of the still-fictional metaverse, and now the company is throwing money at the problem in hopes of catching up with the AI industry.

Apple is the latest company affected by industry-wide poaching efforts from Meta. According to Bloomberg, the head of Apple's foundation models team, Ruoming Pang, has been poached by Meta with a significant pay package.


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Team Group T-Force GC PRO Gen5 2 TB NVMe SSD Review – Solid Performance Under $200

Back in 2023, T-Force by TeamGroup, introduced its first Gen5 SSD solution, the CARDEA Z540. Based on the Phison E26 controller, this SSD offered up to 12.4 GB/s speeds, making it a solid option back then. At the moment, there are plenty of Gen5 SSD controllers in the market, Phison has its new E28 and E31T, the SMI SM2508 is doing great, and InnoGrit along with Samsung has their own solutions offering really fast storage capabilities on NVMe products. TeamGroup has also streamlined its product family over the years, now leveraging The G-series branding in "GE", "GC", "GA". The "GE" […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/team-group-t-force-gc-pro-gen5-2-tb-nvme-ssd-review-solid-performance-under-200/

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Get Apple's M4 Mac mini for less with Prime Day deals starting at $499

Apple's new M4 Mac mini is available for as low as $499.99, making it one of the best values in desktop computing for creative work, coding, and everyday use.

Apple Mac mini on a tiled surface, displaying ports on top, with large text reading 'M4 $499' overlaying.
M4 Mac mini drops to $499 for Amazon Prime Day.

Save $100: Apple's M4 Mac mini has plunged to $499.99 leading up to Prime Day.

The current Mac mini, equipped with Apple's M4 chip, delivers impressive performance in a compact package. It pairs a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU with Apple's 16-core Neural Engine for advanced AI features.


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Apple's tariff woes continue in Trump's letters to world leaders

President Donald Trump has started to send letters to world leaders announcing new tariff rates for countries without a U.S. trade deal, some of which affect countries where Apple manufactures its products.

Two men in suits sit at a table engaged in a serious conversation, one gesturing while the other listens. A fireplace with ornate detailing is in the background.
Tim Cook [left], President Donald Trump [right]

In April, President Donald Trump introduced a 90-day pause on tariffs, so that his administration could work out new trade deals with countries around the world. While that original pause was originally due to end on July 8, Trump is preparing to instigate new tariff rates for countries that failed to make a deal.

Letters published to social mediaon Monday by the President now outline new tariffs that will be applied to select countries, with each sent to their respective leaders. The letters follow the same format, explaining that there will be new tariffs applied to each country from August 1.


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What's new in iOS 26 beta 3: Wallpaper color options, stronger blur effects, and more

The third developer betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 have arrived right on time, and sport a way to find the cursor on the iPad, an all-new set of wallpaper color options, along with a few visual tweaks and enhancements. Here's what's new.

Smartphone screen displaying software update options, featuring iOS 26 Beta 3, 2.19GB. Automatic updates are off. Blue background.
Apple has released the third developer beta of iOS 26.

On Monday, two weeks after the debut of the second developer beta, Apple released iOS 26 developer beta 3. The update increases the build number to 23A5287g, up from the previous 23A5276f.

While the preceding iOS 18 update focused largely on Apple Intelligence features, iOS 26 launched with Apple's "Liquid Glass" design language, which is used across all of the company's platforms. The software features dynamic user interface elements that mimic the look of real-world glass, replacing the flat aesthetic used from iOS 7 through iOS 18.


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Get an AirTag for $19.99 or 4 for $67.99 with Prime Day deals

Never lose your keys, wallet, or luggage again with Apple's AirTag 4-Pack, now on sale for $67.99 via big savings on precision tracking.

Four Apple AirTags on a purple gradient background with text: 'AirTag 4-Pack $67.99 Available at Amazon.'
Prime Day deals hit Apple AirTags - Image credit: Apple/Amazon

Apple's AirTag is one of the simplest ways to make sure you never lose track of your keys, wallet, luggage, or backpack again. Available now in a 4-pack for $67.99 on Amazon (down from $99), it offers an effective cost of just $17 per tag.

Buy 4-pack for $67.99


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Apple Watch blood oxygen ban should never have been put in place, and Apple wants it overturned

Apple is urging a U.S. court to undo a trade decision that blocked imports of the Apple Watch because of the blood-oxygen sensor implementation, claiming it unfairly impacted millions of users.

Dark smartwatch back showing two glowing green sensors focused on the center.
Apple fights blood-oxygen ban on Apple Watch in court

On Monday, Apple asked a U.S. appeals court to overturn a trade ruling that forced it to disable the Apple Watch's blood-oxygen feature. The company argued the decision wrongly penalized millions of users.

Masimo, the medical tech firm behind the complaint, said Apple was trying to rewrite existing law to protect its product. Reuters points out that the judges questioned whether Masimo's competing device, still undeveloped at the time, justified the International Trade Commission ruling.


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Dynamic Island again rumored to change with iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 range has, again, been rumored to use a new Dynamic Island, changing how the UI elements appear for the new smartphone line.

Smartphone screen displaying 6:59 time, Friday, September 16, with green and orange background. Calendar shows no events. Yellow gaming device nearby.
The Dynamic Island may get smaller in the iPhone 17 range

Apple's last major change to the top of the display on the iPhone switched out the notch in favor of the better-received Dynamic Island interface. While it hasn't been tweaked with so far, Apple is now thought to be doing something to it for the iPhone 17.

In a Monday post to Weibo by serial leaker Digital Chat Station, a series of details about the iPhone 17 collection includes a mention about the Dynamic Island. "The system has a brand new Smart Island UI," the leaker says, according to a computerized translation.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Apple seeds third developer betas for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26

Apple is now on its third developer beta round for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.

Various Apple devices including a laptop, tablet, smartphone, smartwatch, and VR headset displayed together on a white background.
Apple's hardware getting the 26-generation update - Image Credit: Apple

The third round follows after the second round, which arrived on June 23. The first wave of betas, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, and visionOS 26, which Apple introduced on June 9, after the WWDC keynote.

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Apple researching AI agent that can describe Street View scenes to the blind

Apple engineers have detailed an AI agent that accurately describes Street View scenes. If the research pans out, it could become a tool to help visually impaired people virtually explore a location in advance.

Street view on phone screen featuring shops, a Dragon's Den sign, adjacent electronics store, Late Show theater marquee, cars on Broadway, Manhattan cityscape in background.
Visually impaired iPhone users may get more out of Look Around in the future

Blind and visually impaired people already have tools at their disposal to navigate their devices and their local environment. However, Apple believes it could be beneficial for the same people to know about a place's physical features before visiting it.

A paper released through Apple Machine Learning Research on Monday talks about SceneScout, a multi-modal large language model-driven AI agent. The key to the agent is that it can be used to view Street View imagery, analyze what is seen, and to describe it to the viewer.


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Trump trade admin calls Apple's China ties a 'Silicon Valley soap opera'

The Trump administration is once again pressuring Apple to ditch China — but its vision for U.S. iPhone production doesn't quite add up.

Three men in suits examine a large circuit board in a brightly lit industrial setting.
Apple CEO Tim Cook [left] with Donald Trump [right] at a Mac Pro factory

On Monday, Peter Navarro, trade advisor to the Trump administration, criticized Apple for not manufacturing the iPhone in the U.S. He accused CEO Tim Cook personally of dragging his feet on the project.

"Going back to the first Trump term, Tim Cook has continually asked for more time in order to move his factories out of China," Navarro said in an interview on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street."


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Nuki Smart Lock, new Govee floor lamps, & more on HomeKit Insider

On the latest HomeKit Insider Podcast episode, your host breaks down the newest smart home news from floor lamps to powerful smart locks.

HomeKit Insider
HomeKit Insider Podcast

This week, Nuki finally brought its popular smart lock to the US market. The Nuki Smart Lock starts at $159 and supports Matter over Thread with an optional add-on keypad.

We did a deep dive into the new lock as well as what separates it from others on the market — such as its powerful brushless motor — on a previous episode of the podcast where the founders stopped by. Be sure to go back and listen to that one for more information.


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Amazon slashes AirPods Pro 2 to $159.99 ahead of Prime Day

For its extended Prime Day, Amazon is now selling the AirPods Pro 2 for $159.99 — making it their lowest price of the year.

AirPods Pro 2 displayed on a pink-to-yellow gradient background with Prime Day offer text.
Grab the year's best AirPods Pro price for Prime Day - Image credit: Apple

Update: Amazon has dropped AirPods Pro 2 further, now on sale for $149.99.

This year's early Prime Day sale on Apple AirPods Pro 2 makes this top-of-the-range model actually cheaper than the usually lower-cost AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. That means getting the best AirPods for a truly bargain price — or it does if you can get them before stocks run out.


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DOJ goes after US citizen for developing anti-ICE app

The developer of an iPhone app for sharing sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers has been publicly threatened by the US Attorney General.

Smartphone screen displaying ICEBlock app with ice cube icon, 3.9 stars rating, suitable for ages 9 and up, ranked #2 in social networking.
ICEBlock is a free iPhone app

Trump's deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers into Los Angeles — conducting raids the LA Mayor says are entirely unnecessary — has already sparked riots in the city. A free iOS app called ICEBlock has been letting users report sightings of these officers, and thereby warning other locals to avoid certain areas.

Now as first spotted by Wired, the app's developer has been publicly threatened by United States Attorney General Pam Bondi. "We are looking at him," she said on Fox News, "and he better watch out."


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GEEKOM IT15 Mini PC Review

Today we’re checking out the GEEKOM IT15 Mini PC – A tiny machine equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor, 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory, and a 2TB Crucial P3 Plus SSD. It features Intel Arc 140T integrated graphics, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, dual USB4 ports, and support for up to four external displays. Can this tiny PC deliver big performance?

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:40 Specs and Pricing
04:01 Inside / Ports I/O
05:46 Size and Build Quality
06:53 Cooling and setup
07:25 Light Gaming
09:38 Productivity
10:42 Fans and Noise
11:09 Power / Heat / Clock Speeds
13:15 Thermal Camera
13:58 Closing Thoughts

Specifications

  • Form Factor – 117 × 112 × 45.5 mm w/ rubber foot
  • CPU – Intel® Core™ Ultra 9-285H
  • GPU – Integrated Intel® Arc™ 140T GPU
  • Memory – Dual-channel DDR5 262PIN 5600 MHz SODIMM, up to 64 GB
  • Storage – Crucial P3 Plus M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 2TB SSD
  • I/O Port –
    • 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and 1 × USB 2.0 Type-A (back panel)
    • 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, supports S5 power delivery
    • 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (front panel)
    • 2 × USB4, one support PD (back panel)
    • 1 × 3.5mm stereo headset jack (front panel)
    • 1 × 2.5G RJ45 (back panel)
    • 2 × HDMI(back panel)
    • 1 × DC in (back panel)
    • 1 × Power Button
    • 1 × Kensington Lock
    • 1 × SD Card 4.0 Reader
  • Internal Connector
    • 1 × M.2 key-M slot for PCIe ×4 Gen 4 NVMe SSD, 2280
    • 1 × M.2 key-B slot (SATA), 2242
    • 1 × M.2 key-E slot for CNVi/PCIe WIFI, 2230
    • 1 × FAN
    • 1 × 5 ping header for SATA/HDD LED
    • 1 × USB 2.0 pin header
    • Ethernet – Intel 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps RJ45
    • Wireless LAN – Intel M.2 Wi-Fi 7 , Bluetooth 5.4
    • Adapter – 19V power supply adapter (120W) with geo-specific AC cord (IEC C5)
    • Operating system – Microsoft Windows*11 pro 24H2(64-bit)
    • Accessory – VESA Mount

Coupon code 10% Off: IT15KT10

This exclusive coupon will remain valid till August 2025 UK buy link: https://tinyurl.com/ylfggovl US buy link: https://tinyurl.com/yufdkmdv

KITGURU MAKES NOTHING from sales of PC's from either link above.

The model featured in the review has a full RRP of £1299 but is currently on sale for £999 (as of 04/07/25) – GEEKOM are running special pricing for Amazon Prime Day 2025 and have provided our readers with an extra 10% off on their website using the code: IT15KT10

Pros:

  • Extremely small form factor
  • Solid build quality with inner metal frame
  • 32GB of DDR5 memory on all models
  • 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD included with the model we reviewed
  • Great for light 4K editing
  • Decent gaming performance in titles that support Intel XESS
  • Spare M.2 slot for additional storage (Sata speeds)
  • Easy to disassemble and upgrade

Cons:

  • Hampered by thermal throttling and triple digit CPU package temperatures when under sustained CPU intensive workloads
  • Expensive for the top spec model

KitGuru says: The IT15 is a useful, powerful and compact computer. Unfortunately it is hampered by very high CPU temperatures when under intensive CPU workloads. 

 

The post GEEKOM IT15 Mini PC Review first appeared on KitGuru.
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Deep Rock Galactic Survivor leaves Early Access in September

Deep Rock Galactic Survivor has been one of my most played games on Steam Deck over the past year, even in its early access state. Now, the extremely fun spin-off is nearing its full release.

Deep Rock Galactic Survivor is heading towards V1.0, which will also mark the end of its time in Early Access. The Survivor team is preparing a whole new gear system for the 1.0 launch, which will provide a lot more variety to your builds with each run. With the release version, gear will be divided up into six types – armour, mods, canisters, gadgets, tools and chips.

Armour will give you more health and damage resistance, mods will alter your guns to do various types of damage, canisters alter explosion potency and radius, gadgets improve your mining skills, tools improve your weapon reload speed and range, and chips will make changes to drones.

This isn't the only major change coming with V1.0, but we'll hear more about other additions in the weeks leading up to launch. Deep Rock Galactic Survivor is launching on September 17th.

KitGuru Says: Have you tried Deep Rock Galactic Survivor since the early access launch? Are you looking forward to V1.0? 

The post Deep Rock Galactic Survivor leaves Early Access in September first appeared on KitGuru.
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Borderlands 4 dev diary gives us a deep dive into Kairos, enemy factions and more

Borderlands 4 is just a couple of months away. The $80 launch disaster has been avoided and 2K is slowly revealing more details about the game. In a new deep-dive video, developers give new insight into the history and lore of Kairos, the new planet where the events of Borderlands 4 take place. 

On Kairos, players will encounter a number of key factions, including the Outbounders, Augurs, and Electi. Each one of these factions controls their own piece of the map, but the true bad guy for this game is the tyrannical Timekeeper.

Here is a piece of the new teaser for Borderlands 4:

“Kairos is hungry for a revolution. There are various factions vying for survival. The Outbounders, a group that crashlanded on Kairos and have not been able to leave, the Augurs, descendants of the first miners sent to acquire resources on behalf of the Timekeeper, and the Electi, the Kairos elite who are locked out of the city walls are all learning to survive. The Vault Hunters are thrown into this unstable world of Kairos – and all roads lead to the Timekeeper, who maintains control through cybernetic implants called Bolts”.

Borderlands 4 launches worldwide on September 12th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. It will also be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 later in 2025.

KitGuru Says: Are you looking forward to Borderlands 4? 

The post Borderlands 4 dev diary gives us a deep dive into Kairos, enemy factions and more first appeared on KitGuru.
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Capcom questioned by shareholders over poor optimisation in Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons recently. While the announcement of the game's new free content update should have been a celebrated moment, the lack of any performance improvements led to a flurry of negative reviews. Now, Capcom has been forced to address the elephant in the room.

Capcom has finally addressed the on-going complaints around optimisation in Monster Hunter Wilds. Since launch, the game has had performance problems on both PC and console. Now that the game has drifted to an ‘Overwhelmingly Negative' user score on Steam, Capcom executives have finally had to face the music in the most recent shareholder meeting.

As reported by PCGamer, one shareholder asked Capcom's board if the development staff was ‘aware of the feedback' around optimisation and content volume in Monster Hunter Wilds. In response, Capcom said that it is “committed to enhancing user satisfaction” with future updates for the game.

It is a fairly standard response, but it is an interesting turn. Capcom has mostly received praise in recent years for its quality releases. The fact that shareholders are asking questions about optimisation and content volume shows that standards have slipped with recent projects like Monster Hunter Wilds, and that will need to be corrected for upcoming releases for games like Resident Evil Requiem.

KitGuru Says: Have you tried Monster Hunter Wilds since it came out? Does the game run well on your system?

The post Capcom questioned by shareholders over poor optimisation in Monster Hunter Wilds first appeared on KitGuru.
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Colorful CVN X870 ARK Frozen V14 Motherboard Review – White Aesthetics & 17-Phase VRM Under $250

It's been two years since the AMD AM5 motherboard platform and the 600-series motherboards launched. Since its launch, the platform has seen the launch of several CPUs in the Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000, and Ryzen 9000 families. 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, so AMD has introduced a new chipset line called the 800-series. Now, AMD has introduced both X870 and B850 series chipsets for high-end and mainstream AM5 motherboards. Both of these chips provide brand-new designs and brand-new […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/colorful-cvn-x870-ark-frozen-v14-motherboard-review-white-aesthetics-17-phase-vrm-under-250/

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Smash Bros, Donkey Kong 64 and more to join Switch Online library

A handful of classic games were announced for Nintendo Switch Online as part of the Switch 2 launch. Now, as we near the next Nintendo Direct showcase, it looks like fans have figured out what new titles will soon be announced for the service, including Smash 64. 

The next Nintendo Direct may include a new wave of Nintendo 64 classics for the Switch Online library of games. ImakuniVT and AndreSegers of GameXplain both went viral on social media this week with claims that the original Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64 will be joining the Switch Online library based on a Switch Online bug that placed the box art for the game within the app.

The bug also showed boxart for Donkey Kong 64, Forsaken 64 and Glover, so these should be the other Nintendo 64-era games joining the Switch Online library. Fans are also anticipating the release of Pokémon Coliseum for the Switch Online GameCube emulator sometime this month.

KitGuru Says: There are so many classics in Nintendo's library that have yet to appear as part of the Switch Online service. A Donkey Kong 64 announcement this month would be very fitting, as a new 3D Donkey Kong game is launching for the Switch 2 later this month. 

The post Smash Bros, Donkey Kong 64 and more to join Switch Online library first appeared on KitGuru.
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CPU-Z adds support for RX 9060 XT, RTX 5060, RTX 5050 and Ryzen Z2

CPU-Z has been updated to version 2.16 for Windows x86/x64, bringing with it support for lots of newly launched hardware. This update is particularly significant for enthusiasts following the latest developments from both AMD and NVIDIA. 

Regarding AMD, the Ryzen Z2 and Z2 Extreme CPUs, which are frequently known by their codename “Strix Point,” are now fully supported by CPU-Z 2.16. These processors are already appearing in devices like the Legion Go S and were created especially for portable gaming devices. Additionally, the update expands its compatibility to the Dragon Range refresh lineup, correctly identifying SKUs like the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 8940HX and Ryzen 7 8840HX and 8745HX, which are 55W processors targeted at the high-end laptop market.

Nvidia's latest GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs are also now correctly detected. CPU-Z 2.16 includes support for the Radeon RX 9060 XT and Nvidia's recently launched RTX 5060 Ti, RTX 5060, and RTX 5050. The complete list of all new devices supported by CPU-Z version 2.16 can be found below:

  • AMD Ryzen Z2 and Z2 Extreme (Strix Point).
  • AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX, 8940HX, Ryzen 7 8840HX, 8745HX (Dragon Range refresh).
  • Improved support of AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 and Ryzen AI 5 340 (Kraken Point).
  • Zhaoxin KaiXian KX-U6780A and KX-U6580 (LuJiaZui, 8 cores).
  • AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT (Navi 44).
  • NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti (GB206), RTX 5060 (GB206), RTX 5050 (GB207)

Those interested in downloading the latest CPU-Z version can do so HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you use CPU-Z? Have you gotten a system with any of the new stuff supported by CPU-Z 2.16?

The post CPU-Z adds support for RX 9060 XT, RTX 5060, RTX 5050 and Ryzen Z2 first appeared on KitGuru.
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Final Fantasy 9 Remake a no show at 25th anniversary stream

For years now, a Final Fantasy 9 remake has been rumoured. When Square Enix announced plans for a special 25th anniversary event for the game, an announcement became widely anticipated. However, the stream came and went this week with absolutely no mention of a new Final Fantasy 9 game.

The Final Fantasy 9 25th Anniversary stream included new merch, some fancy new character art, but no mention of a new game. Leaker NatetheHate, who has spoken about the Final Fantasy 9 Remake in the past, claims to have heard that the game was ‘in trouble' recently. However, other outlets like VGC report that the game is still in development.

Final Fantasy 9 first released for the PS1 in 2000, before re-releasing in 2010 for more modern platforms of the time, like the PSP and PS3. The game is also available today on newer consoles, mobile devices and PC.

We first learned of plans for a Final Fantasy 9 remake in 2021, when a GeForce Now database leak revealed project names and working titles for hundreds of unannounced games. Many of the games first spotted in this leak were later confirmed, including Square Enix titles like Chrono Cross Remastered, Kingdom Hearts 4 and the PC version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

If the remake is still in development, then we should get some kind of nod towards it from Square Enix at some stage this year. However, the company has been reluctant to confirm it so far, although producers like Naoki Yoshida have commented on the idea in interviews before.

KitGuru Says: The stream last night will have been disappointing to anyone who has been following the remake leaks in recent years. I do wonder if the lower-than-expected sales for Final Fantasy Rebirth could have given Square Enix cold feet. In all likelihood, Final Fantasy 9 Remake would have been split up into multiple parts too. 

The post Final Fantasy 9 Remake a no show at 25th anniversary stream first appeared on KitGuru.
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MSI Afterburner beta introduces Radeon RX 9000 series support

MSI Afterburner has forgone support for AMD's most recent Radeon RX 9000 series graphics cards, in large part due to the fact that MSI does not make any. Now, the developer behind Afterburner is correcting this with a new beta update, which brings support for RDNA 4 graphics cards. 

The most recent beta versions of MSI Afterburner, specifically Afterburner 4.6.6 Beta 6 Build 16591, and its companion program, RivaTuner Statistics Server Beta 7 Build 28220, now support RDNA 4 GPUs. These builds can be found in Guru3D (via UNIKO's Hardware), but they are not yet accessible on the official Afterburner website.

The official patch notes for MSI Afterburner v4.6.6 Beta 6 Build 16591 can be found below:

  • Extended +3000MHz memory clock overclocking range tweak for NVIDIA RTX 5000 series graphics cards, which was available as separately downloadable hardware database for the previous beta, is now integrated into distributive.
  • Added some future NVIDIA RTX 5000 series GPUs to hardware database.
  • Added unofficial AMD RDNA4 GPU family support
  • Relaxing preemptive sleep delay is now excluded from cumulative polling time displayed by performance profiler on Overdrive8 capable graphics cards to avoid confusing beginners.
  • Fixed missing CPU Power sensor on Intel Arrow Lake CPU family
  • RivaTuner Statistics Server has been upgraded to v7.3.7 beta 7

Note that compatibility for “future GPUs from NVIDIA” is also mentioned in the changelog for this beta update. Although this might be a reference to the recently released RTX 5050, it also raises the possibility that there are other unannounced Nvidia products in the works.

KitGuru says: This update offers the much-needed support for RDNA 4 graphics card users who rely on Afterburner to adjust GPU settings, apply custom fan curves, or prefer the powerful overlay features offered by RTSS.

The post MSI Afterburner beta introduces Radeon RX 9000 series support first appeared on KitGuru.
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Video game industry pushes back as Stop Killing Games petition gains traction

The Stop Killing Games petition has surpassed one million signatures in the EU, meaning the movement may soon move towards next steps to getting new consumer protection laws in place targeting the video game market. As a result of this, a lobbying group backed by Ubisoft, Take-Two, WB, Riot Games, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, and Nintendo, has spoken out against the petition.

Video Games Europe is a lobbying group backed by some of the biggest publishers across the industry. Its entire goal is to get involved with politics to ensure laws remain in line with industry interests. In a statement sent to press outlets like VGC, Video Games Europe makes it clear that it does not support the Stop Killing Games movement:

“We appreciate the passion of our community; however, the decision to discontinue online services is multi-faceted, never taken lightly and must be an option for companies when an online experience is no longer commercially viable. We understand that it can be disappointing for players but, when it does happen, the industry ensures that players are given fair notice of the prospective changes in compliance with local consumer protection laws”.

In response to those wanting the option for private servers, the group claims it is “not always a viable alternative option”, claiming that the lack of protections against illegal or unsafe content would leave the rights holder legally liable. In a response video published this afternoon, Ross, the creator of the Stop Killing Games petition, disputed the claim that rights holders would be legally liable for content found on privately hosted servers for an unsupported, End-of-Life game.

In his response video, Ross also disputes other portions of the Video Games Europe statement, reaffirming the stance that no developers will be forced to continue supporting their online games indefinitely, which the Video Games Europe statement seems to imply would be a problem if new game preservation laws were to go into effect.

The Stop Killing Games petition has reached its target number of signatures in the EU and UK, but more signatures are needed as there will inevitably be a number of signings that get discounted as being illegitimate.

KitGuru Says: It doesn't surprise me that games industry executives don't want new laws that would impact the ways they currently do business. However, there is growing concern around the industry's continued efforts to erode the rights of video game buyers, so something needs to change. 

The post Video game industry pushes back as Stop Killing Games petition gains traction first appeared on KitGuru.
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Windows 11 has more users than Windows 10 for the first time

Windows 11 has finally surpassed Windows 10 as the most popular Microsoft operating system, almost four years after its initial release in October 2021. Given that Windows 10's official end-of-support date of October 14th, 2025, is approaching, this change is not particularly surprising.

This marks a significant turning point for Microsoft, which has observed a relatively gradual adoption rate for Windows 11 over the past few years. However, as of July 2025, data from StatCounter (via PCGamer) indicates that Windows 11 now accounts for over 50% of all Windows PCs, finally surpassing Windows 10's market share (by about 6%).

Image credit: StatCounter

Given that almost all new Windows laptops sold since 2021 have Windows 11 pre-installed, this accelerated rise can surely be partially attributed to the natural cycle of hardware upgrades. As a result, some of the increase is just due to consumers buying new devices. But it's anticipated that more and more Windows 11 users will be “reluctant converts” from Windows 10 in the upcoming months, mainly because security updates will soon stop.

Although Microsoft recently provided a limited reprieve, offering a way to get a free extra year of Windows 10 security updates in exchange for signing in with a Microsoft account and backing up PC settings to the cloud, this is only a temporary fix. It is generally not recommended for individual users to continue using Windows 10 after security updates expire due to increased vulnerability, even though enterprise users have options to maintain older Windows versions beyond official support.

Users do have good options if Windows 11 isn't a good fit. Switching to a Linux distribution might be a wise decision, particularly for users with outdated hardware that doesn't support Windows 11's compatibility requirements. For gamers, excluding games that use kernel-level anti-cheat, the majority can now run smoothly on Linux thanks to Steam's Proton compatibility layer.

KitGuru says: Are you already on Windows 11? How has your experience been up to now?

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NZXT N9 X870E Review

While a little late to the party, NZXT is back! What we have here is a premium X870E motherboard for AMD Ryzen CPUs that offers a unique aesthetic with an interesting approach to fan control. But amongst stiff competition in the price bracket, can it keep up?

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Samsung boosts SmartThings with AI routines & expanded Apple support

Samsung is giving iOS users new ways to control their smart homes with AI-powered routines and improved Apple Watch integration.

Person using phone and laptop, surrounded by SmartThings interface, smartphone screens, logos, and devices on a light green background.
Samsung expands SmartThings support for iOS

Samsung's SmartThings platform is getting a major upgrade for Apple users. It adds new iOS features that aim to simplify smart home control and broaden integration across devices.

The company announced an AI-powered Routine Creation Assistant that lets iOS users type simple phrases to build custom automations. For example, you can write "Turn off all the lights when I leave the house" to generate a full automation without manual setup.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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Fifth Avenue Apple Store hit with Trump environmental protest graffiti

The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue was the target of a small protest by the environmental group Extinction Rebellion, with slogans spray painted on the famous glass box.

Graffiti spelling 'Boycott' in green paint on a glass surface, with a blurred backdrop of a store interior and an illuminated logo above.
Spray paint on the Fifth Avenue Apple Store - Image Credit: Extinction Rebellion NYC

On Sunday, the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, New York, was the scene of a small protest. A man used a can of green spray paint to write slogans on the glass, attacking Apple and President Donald Trump.

In a video posted by Extinction Rebellion NYC on Sunday, the unnamed man took a minute to spray "Boycott" and "Tim + Trump = Toxic" on two panes of glass, before being stopped. The video continues with the man being arrested, addressing viewers with more protest talking points.


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Apple buys two firms to improve Apple Intelligence, Apple Vision Pro

Two more companies have been quietly acquired by Apple, giving it technology and staff that appear to be working on Apple Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence.

Aerial view of a large, circular building surrounded by trees and other smaller structures within a landscaped area, with urban surroundings visible.
Apple Park

While Apple has always bought firms, typically making at least several Acquisitions every year, most recently it appears to have been buying AI firms in particular. Now, as first spotted by MacGeneration, it's been revealed that Apple has bought at least two more such companies.


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What the iPhone 17 Pro looks like with moved MagSafe & Apple logo

New renders of what the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max could look like have been shared by a serial leaker, complete with a slightly repositioned Apple logo.

Two clear phone cases with visible Apple logos and camera cutouts for iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in cases, with shifted MagSafe and Apple logo - Image Credit: Majin Bu

As the introduction of Apple's next generation of iPhone models draws closer, renders and physical models surface at a faster rate. On Sunday, a new render showed off what to expect from the iPhone 17's Pro models.

The image, shared by Majin Bu, depicts the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in transparent cases. The design follows the currently expected refresh for the rear, including a camera bump spanning almost the entire width of the smartphone.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Apple: EU App Store micromanagement demands are illegal, fights $570M fine

Apple has formally filed an appeal against the European Union's $570 million fine, arguing that the EU is making demands that go beyond the law, and is continually changing the rules to micro-manage the App Store.

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

Early in June 2025, Apple filed an appeal against the EU's mandate that it freely share its technology with rivals, even though no other firm is required to do so. Now it has also entered its appeal specifically against the $570 million fine the EU imposed against the company for alleged non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

In a statement to AppleInsider, Apple says that its appeal concerns what it believes is the EU exceeding its legal authority in dictating the company's operations. The statement reads:


Continue Reading on AppleInsider
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MGS Delta studio compares Nintendo Switch 2 CPU to PS4 and GPU to Series S

Nintendo has stayed away from the console wars for quite a few generations, especially when it comes to the power/performance of said consoles – instead opting for relatively modest hardware. With the Switch 2 having now been out in the wild for a bit however, we’re seeing more and more developers weigh in on the system’s capabilities and potential.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is an interesting handheld/console hybrid, with the system being far more powerful than 2017’s Switch 1 while also taking advantage of bespoke upscaling techniques such as DLSS.

That said, in terms of raw horsepower, the sequel system is seemingly still quite behind its contemporaries, with the studio behind the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta – Virtuos – telling WCCFTECH:

“GPU-wise, the Switch 2 performs slightly below the Series S; this difference is more noticeable in handheld mode. However, the Series S does not support technologies like DLSS, which the Switch 2 does. This makes the GPU capabilities of the two consoles comparable overall.”

Unfortunately, it seems as though Switch 2’s CPU is where the console falls behind the most, with the team continuing: “CPU-wise, there is a clearer distinction between the two consoles. The Switch 2 is closer to the PlayStation 4 in this respect, having a CPU just a bit more powerful than the PS4's.”

Nintendo Switch 2

Offering some context for what this means with current-gen games, the team claimed “Any game shipping at 60 FPS on the Series S should easily port to the Switch 2. Likewise, a 30 FPS Series S game that's GPU-bound should also port well. Games with complex physics, animations, or other CPU-intensive elements might incur additional challenges in reaching 30 or 60 FPS or require extra optimization during porting.”

As always, even the most powerful console can run games poorly assuming the title was not optimised (cough cough MindsEye cough cough), and so the relative power of the Switch 2 functions more as an interesting anecdote. It’ll be curious to see just how much power developers manage to squeeze out of the Switch's successor throughout its lifecycle.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the Switch 2's performance so far? Are you impressed by its power? How long will it take for the system to get its first ‘impossible port’? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post MGS Delta studio compares Nintendo Switch 2 CPU to PS4 and GPU to Series S first appeared on KitGuru.
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Arkane founder claims Game Pass “has been increasingly damaging the industry”

Over the years, there has been a ton of back and forth discussions surrounding Microsoft’s subscription service Xbox Game Pass and its impact on the industry. While some have claimed it to be a net negative – others state the opposite. Now, the founder and ex-CEO of Arkane Studios has weighed in on the matter, calling it “unsustainable.”

Raphael Colantonio was the founder and CEO of Arkane Studios from its inception back in 1999. Since then, Colantonio co-created the excellent immersive sim series Dishonored as well as Arkane Austin’s Prey reboot – before ultimately departing in 2017.

Currently working on a new immersive sim at WolfEye Studios, Colantonio took to Twitter to offer some thoughts on Xbox Game Pass and its model, stating:

“I think Gamepass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidized by MS’s ‘infinite money’, but at some point reality has to hit. I don’t think GP can co-exist with other models, they’ll either kill everyone else, or give up.”

Arkane Game Pass

Of course, this comes at a time when Microsoft just fired over 9000 employees; shutting down game studios while also gutting others; cancelling a bunch of titles and more. As such, the frustration felt by Colantonio is understandable.

Whether Game Pass is truly unsustainable, we will have to wait and see, but given the fact that Microsoft willingly shuts down successful endeavours it’s anyone’s guess what the future of Game Pass looks like.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Game Pass as a consumer? Will the service survive long enough to reach its 10th birthday? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Arkane founder claims Game Pass “has been increasingly damaging the industry” first appeared on KitGuru.
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Rust has sold over 20 million copies on Steam alone

Rust needs little to no introduction, with the PC-focused multiplayer survival game taking over Steam when it launched in Early Access back in 2013. Created by the maker of Garry’s Mod, Rust has seen just as much success – having now officially sold over 20 million copies on Steam alone.

Releasing a video to YouTube recapping the past 6 months of additions and events in Rust, the team at Facepunch revealed that the game has now officially sold over 20 million copies. What’s more, this represents Steam users exclusively, meaning that the game has likely sold millions more when accounting for players across PlayStation and Xbox.

As mentioned however, Rust is a PC focused title, with the game being exclusive to the platform from its Early Access launch back in 2013 up until 2021.

Still, even without the added console players, Rust is easily one of the best selling games around – sitting only slightly behind the studio’s other success story ‘Garry’s Mod’ (which surpassed 25 million copies late last year).

With the recent release of the Friends with Benefits update, it is clear that Facepunch has no plans to slow down its support for Rust. It will be interesting to see whether Rust manages to break its peak CCU which it achieved right at the tail-end of last year.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Rust in 2025? When did you first try it? Do you still return to the game from time to time? Let us know down below.

The post Rust has sold over 20 million copies on Steam alone first appeared on KitGuru.
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Destiny 2 announces Open Access trial featuring all expansions

Ever since the release of Final Shape, Destiny 2 has been in a bit of a limbo. That said, with the game’s next big expansion set to arrive in a little over a week’s time, the team at Bungie are enticing both old and new players alike to hop back into the live-service looter shooter with an open access period. Starting from tomorrow, all of Destiny 2’s expansions (alongside other additional content) will be free to play for the next two weeks.

Making the announcement as part of the company’s This Week In Destiny blog post, the team at Bungie offered a ton of new details surrounding the upcoming Edge of Fate expansion – including new weapon tuning for different archetypes; exotics; economy updates; quality of life improvements and much more.

Those who haven’t played Destiny 2 in a while however will have quite a bit to catch up on. Fortunately (and in a rather rare move for the game), Bungie announced that Destiny 2 is getting an ‘open access’ period – writing:

Destiny 2 Open Access

“Starting July 8 and until July 22, all currently available Destiny 2 Expansions will be available for free on all supported platforms Additionally, all three currently available Episodes will also be free for all supported platforms until July 15.”

Of course, the base Destiny 2 is a free-to-play experience, however many of the game’s best aspects are locked behind its expansions/episodes.

As such, if you’ve been away from Destiny for a while, now might be the best time to check back in and see whether the new content is for you or not.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Open Access periods? Are Destiny 2’s expansions too expensive? Do you have high hopes for Edge of Fate? Let us know down below.

The post Destiny 2 announces Open Access trial featuring all expansions first appeared on KitGuru.
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Save up to $150 with the best early Prime Day Apple Watch deals

With mere hours to go before Prime Day kicks off, Amazon has quietly launched new Apple Watch deals, delivering the year's best price on the Ultra 2.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 on display with a colorful face, offering $150 off against a blurred purple background.
Save up to $150 with early Prime Day savings on Apple Watch.

Save up to $150: A variety of Apple Watch styles are discounted as Prime Day is about to kick off.

Prime Day 2025 officially starts at 12:01 a.m. PDT on July 8, but Apple Watch deals are already rolling in, with a $150 discount that's especially enticing on the premium Ultra 2 with a Black Titanium Milanese Loop Band.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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OXS Thunder Pro+ Spatial Audio Sound System Review

Today we’re taking a detailed look at the OXS Thunder Pro+ — a Dolby Atmos 7.1.2-channel soundbar designed for desktop use. Featuring ten drivers, a detachable control dial, multiple connectivity options, and an optional wireless neck speaker for rear-channel audio, the Thunder Pro+ aims to deliver immersive sound without the need for a traditional multi-speaker setup – Can it surround us with enough sound to match it’s premium price tag?

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:48 Pricing / Design
02:25 Lighting and Controls
03:28 Connectivity and Specifications
05:14 Satellite Neck Pillow Speker
05:42 Battery Life
06:08 Real World / Audio Testing
10:06 Software
11:19 Remote control
11:43 Closing Thoughts

Specifications

System Configuration – Dolby Atmos® 7.1.2

Drivers

      • 2 * 0.75″ Tweeter
      • 2 * 2.5″ Full-range Driver
      • 4 * 1.5″ Full-range Driver
      • 2 * 1.5″ Full-range Driver (Neck Speaker)

EQ-Mode

      • FPS, RAC, MOBA, Standard

Connectivity

      • Bluetooth 5.0
      • AUX IN
      • HDMI IN, HDMI eARC
      • USB-C, USB-A for Neck Speaker
      • 3.5mm MIC-in, 3.5mm stereo jack

Power (Soundbar)

      • Output Power: 80 watt
      • Peak Output Power: 160 watt

Power (Neck Speaker)

      • Output Power: 10 watt
      • Peak Output Power: 20 watt

Frequency – 75Hz – 20kHz

Sound Level – 96dB

Distortion – <1%

Battery (Neck Speaker)

      • Capacity: 2400mAh
      • Play Time: 12Hrs
      • Charging Time: 2Hrs
      • Quick Charge Time: 10Mins for 2Hrs
      • Input: 9V 1.7A

Functionality

      • DSP
      • Multi-device Compatible
      • Channel Volume Adjust

Dimension

      • Soundbar: 608 x 122 x 78 mm (23.9″ x 4.8″ x 3″)
      • Neck Speaker: 294 x 171 x 112 mm (11.6″ x 6.7″ x 4.4″)

Package Weight: 7.06 KG

What's in box (Soundbar)

      • 1 * Main Soundbar
      • 1 * Toggle Control
      • 2 set * Detachable feet for angle adjustment
      • Adapter
      • User Manual
      • Remote Control (2* AAA battery included)
      • HDMI Cable, USB-A to C Cable

What's in box (Soundbar)

      • 1 * Satellite Neck Speaker
      • 1 * USB-A Dongle (5.8G)
      • 1 * USB-C to C Cable

You can buy the Thunder Pro+ Soundbar either on its own or as a bundle with the neck pillow – starting from £599.99 either directly from OXS Audio HERE or on Amazon UK HERE

Both are currently on offer for Amazon Prime Day 2025 – The full bundle is currently £549.99 and the standalone soundbar is £449.99

Pros:

  • Great spatial audio from the soundbar
  • Satellite neck pillow adds a lot of immersion to gaming and media
  • Wide range of connectivity options
  • Neck pillow is comfortable
  • Good build quality and premium feel

Cons:

  • Lacks a bit of bass
  • No customisable EQ control
  • Expensive

KitGuru says: The Thunder Pro+ and neck pillow combo has great surround sound and spatial audio performance but lacks a true low end bass. That being said, the level of immersion it adds to gaming is thoroughly impressive and brings games and movies to life. 

The post OXS Thunder Pro+ Spatial Audio Sound System Review first appeared on KitGuru.
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TikTok builds new US app version ahead of planned sale

Social media giant TikTok will launch a new version of its popular app to Apple's and Google's app stores on September 5, as part of an agreement to sell its US business looms.

Hand holding a smartphone displaying the TikTok logo on a black screen against a light background.
US users of TikTok will see a new version of the app starting September 5, 2025.

Users of TikTok in the US will eventually need to migrate to the new version of the app, though the company reports that the present version is expected to work until March 2026. The unusual update will enable the new app to address US security concerns, and allow the new owners of the US version to take control.

A consortium of non-Chinese tech firms are expected to buy TikTok's US operations. Among those involved in the deal is US-based firm Oracle, though original owner Bytedance will retain a minority interest, according to The Information.


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Amazon slashes AirPods 4 to $99, AirPods Pro 2 to $169 leading up to Prime Day 2025

Amazon's $99 AirPods 4 deal is back leading up to Prime Day, with AirPods Pro 2 dropping to a respectable $169.

The word 'DEALS' overlaid on close-up views of AirPods earbuds with a pink and dark blue background.
AirPods are on sale from $99 - Image credit: Apple

Amazon's best AirPods 4 price is back, with the earbuds dipping to $99.99 after a 23% price drop. You can also pick up AirPods Pro 2 for $169.99, a discount of $80 off MSRP. Both deals are available to the general public and do not require an Amazon Prime membership.

Grab AirPods from $99.99


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Apple's 'F1' movie tops box office, expects to earn over $300 million

Apple's latest theatrical release, F1, has been a roaring success with audiences — but will likely only just break even in its cinema run.

Brad Pitt stars in Apple's original film F1. Image credit: Scott Garfield/Warner Bros/Apple Original Films
Brad Pitt stars in Apple's original film F1. Image credit: Scott Garfield/Warner Bros/Apple Original Films

The company is enjoying its first summer blockbuster movie, with F1 surpassing $200M in box-office receipts since it opened on June 27. It could top $300 million by mid-July, meaning the film would only now start turning a profit.

Star Brad Pitt has seen the film give him his biggest opening weekend box office of his career. Warner Bros. Distribution Chief Jeff Goldstein believes the film will stay in theatres for a few more weeks, saying "there's a lot of gas left in the tank" for it.


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Unreal Engine 5.6 gets DLSS 4 plugin

With the release of the most recent version of its DLSS plugin for Unreal Engine, Nvidia has full support for DLSS 4 in Unreal Engine 5.6. With the help of this updated SDK, developers can more easily incorporate Nvidia's state-of-the-art AI-powered upscaling and frame generation technologies into games and apps created using the game engine from Epic Games.

As of right now, this plugin works with Unreal Engine versions 5.2 through 5.6; official support for earlier versions is no longer offered. This release comes after Unreal Engine 5.6 made its debut last month, and the first DLSS UE5 plugin was released in February. Recall that Unreal Engine 5.6 was used for The Witcher 4 tech demo, demonstrating the engine's new version capabilities. Comparisons between the Paris Tech demo built with UE 5.2 and 5.6 have also been made, where we can see notable FPS (average and low) improvement.

A wide range of features are supported by the DLSS plugin, such as Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (DLAA), Ray Reconstruction, Super Resolution, Multi-Frame Generation, Transformer upscaling model, and standard Frame Generation. With the help of the plugin, developers can now easily incorporate these DLSS features into their Unreal Engine projects. It is important to note that the GPU architecture of the player will determine whether or not each particular DLSS feature is available.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Most games in development using Unreal Engine 5.6 are likely still a long way from release. Still, given Nvidia already launched this plugin, there's a good chance they'll come out supporting DLSS 4 at launch.

The post Unreal Engine 5.6 gets DLSS 4 plugin first appeared on KitGuru.
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The next Hades 2 patch could be the last before full release

Even though Hades 2 has not yet reached its full 1.0 release, it has maintained an impressive early access run on PC. With more than 61,000 Steam reviews, the game has been in early access for more than a year, and even its early versions have received praise for their polish and depth of content for a game that is still in development. With the eagerly anticipated 1.0 launch ever closer, one can only imagine where this journey will end.

On June 17th, Supergiant Games released “The Unseen Update”, their third significant early access patch. With the addition of a new “Vow of Rivals” that not only made Guardian battles more intense but also urged players to change up their tactics for every encounter, this update mainly addressed combat changes. The latest patch, Patch 10, expands on this by making a few minor adjustments to already-existing items and abilities and fine-tuning the Vow of Rivals encounters. Additionally, Supergiant has stated that no new locations or plot points will be added before the v1.0 release, as the game's actual conclusion is being postponed until the full release.

According to the developer, Patch 10 is “likely to be our final patch before our v1.0 launch”. The sentiment implies that the end of early access is approaching, even though they followed this with a cautious “whenever that will be!” This is undoubtedly exciting for console gamers or those who would have instead waited for the game to be finished.

Xbox and PlayStation users, however, will have to be a little more patient. Hades 2's precise 1.0 release date is still unknown, but Supergiant has made it clear that the game will first be available on PC, the Nintendo Switch, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Fans have previously received assurances from the developer that the game is optimised to run smoothly on both Nintendo platforms at a steady 60 FPS.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you tried Hades 2 already or are you waiting for the final 1.0 patch?

The post The next Hades 2 patch could be the last before full release first appeared on KitGuru.
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Arctic unveils new Premium high air-resistance case fans

Arctic has officially released its new P Pro Series of fans and on top of that, the company is also equipping its Liquid Freezer III AIO cooler with the new fans, which offer high static pressure and airflow, making them ideal for those seeking to lower temperatures. The P12 Pro, P12 Pro A-RGB, and P12 Pro PST are the first 120mm models to hit the market, with more to come in the next few weeks.

A carefully redesigned fan blade structure is at the heart of this new series. Arctic has used automated manufacturing processes to get very low tolerances, which means that there is only a small gap between the impeller and the fan frame. This level of precision engineering leads to higher static pressure and a significant boost in airflow efficiency, making sure that these fans can move air well even in very tight spaces. A high-precision balancing procedure, an optimised bearing, and a longer impeller shaft all work together to keep vibration to a minimum and keep the P12 Pro running “quietly” at speeds of 600–3000 RPM.

A new controller-motor combination not only lowers the noise that motors naturally make but also smartly makes up for any speed drops that might happen when obstacles like dense radiator fins make it harder to move. There are also built-in safety features that effectively reduce inrush current peaks and prevent damage from reverse polarity.

Below is a list of all fan variants of the P Pro series:

  • P12 Pro Series
    • P12 Pro
    • P12 Pro PST
    • P12 Pro PST – 5 Pack
    • P12 Pro PST (White)
    • P12 Pro PST CO
    • P12 Pro A-RGB
    • P12 Pro A-RGB – 3 Pack
    • P12 Pro A-RGB (White)
    • P12 Pro A-RGB (White) – 3 Pack
  • P14 Pro Series
    • P14 Pro
    • P14 Pro PST
    • P14 Pro PST – 5 Pack
    • P14 Pro PST (White)
    • P14 Pro PST CO
    • P14 Pro A-RGB
    • P14 Pro A-RGB – 3 Pack
    • P14 Pro A-RGB (White)
    • P14 Pro A-RGB (White) – 3 Pack

The P12 Pro fans (black) are available now, and for a limited time, Arctic is offering an automatic webshop discount of up to 52%. The P12 Pro costs a reasonable €7.99 (the original price was €16.49), and the P12 Pro PST 5-pack costs €27.49 (the original price was €39.49). The P12 Pro A-RGB is available for €11.99 (original price: €19.99) for those who want something extra. As mentioned, additional models from the P12 Pro and P14 Pro Series are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: On the market for some new fans for your PC? Maybe consider getting the new P12 Pro and taking advantage of these significant discounts.

The post Arctic unveils new Premium high air-resistance case fans first appeared on KitGuru.
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Call of Duty: WWII pulled offline due to RCE security flaw

Call of Duty: WWII officially came to Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass earlier this week. However, the PC version has had to swiftly be pulled offline due to a newly discovered security issue.

It seems that Call of Duty: WWII has been hiding a bug that enables Remote Code Execution. One player found themselves targeted mid-game, forcing the game to close and a text file to open informing the player that their PC had been remotely accessed.

I JUST GOT HACKED PLAYING WW2! EVERYONE DO NOT PLAY WW2 ON GAMEPASS! @Xbox @XboxSupport @Activision @charlieINTEL @CODUpdates @FaZeScope @Mobbing pic.twitter.com/I5pehK1kHK

— Wrioh (@wrioh75753) July 3, 2025

Activision has so far only acknowledged that it had to pull the game offline to fix ‘an issue', with no mention of the serious security implications this bug could have on customers. With that said, Insider Gaming reports that the bug may have been around for years already, which would indicate that this has been a long-standing problem.

Nobody wants a videogame to double up as a backdoor into their PC. It is good that the game was pulled offline once the alarm was raised, but there is no telling how long it will remain offline for. Back when an RCE bug was discovered in the Dark Souls trilogy on PC, all three games had to be pulled offline for months while it was fixed. However, Microsoft has a bit more experience in the cyber security department, so things may move a bit quicker for Call of Duty: WWII.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: If you had Call of Duty: WWII installed, consider uninstalling it. If you've played the game online recently, you should run a system scan to check for any rogue files.

The post Call of Duty: WWII pulled offline due to RCE security flaw first appeared on KitGuru.
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Kojima’s Xbox game ‘OD’ unaffected by recent Microsoft cuts

Needless to say, this has been an awful week for Xbox, with thousands of developers being let go, several high-profile game cancellations and even a few studio closures. As Microsoft purpotedly began cancelling funding for third-party game projects, some fans became worried about the status of Kojima's upcoming Xbox game, OD. 

OD was announced a couple of years ago at The Game Awards. It was going to be the first time that Kojima had produced an Xbox exclusive, but given Microsoft's recent pivot to multi-platform releases, it is now no longer certain that OD will be exclusive to Xbox platforms.

Kojima Productions has been busy with Death Stranding 2, so progress on OD has been slow and we've heard no news since the game's initial teaser. However, it is far from a ‘dead' project. As reported by Windows Central, Kojima Productions' deal with Microsoft for OD was not affected by the recent cuts at Xbox.

There is still no word on when the game might come out, but we would expect it to be a few years away at least.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: OD is anticipated to be Kojima's return to survival horror. After we all missed out on Kojima's version of Silent Hill, OD is going to have a lot of eyes on it. 

The post Kojima’s Xbox game ‘OD’ unaffected by recent Microsoft cuts first appeared on KitGuru.
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Helldivers 2 won’t be coming to Game Pass

Helldivers 2 launched last year as a PlayStation console exclusive, and as the PC version is also published by PlayStation, it was widely assumed that the game would never come to Xbox. That changed this week with a surprise announcement, but while Helldivers 2 will be on Xbox moving forward, it won't be coming to Game Pass. 

Helldivers 2 for Xbox Series X/S consoles will be available starting on August 26th. However, the game will not be coming to Game Pass, now, or perhaps ever.

As reported by Videogamer, Arrowhead's Community Manager responded to fans asking about a Game Pass release in the official Helldivers 2 Discord server. To one fan, they wrote “definitely not” when asked if the game would be available through Game Pass, and later added that there are “no plans” to ever bring the game to Microsoft's subscription service.

Whether or not that stance changes in the future is anyone's guess. For its part, Microsoft does support Sony's competing PlayStation Plus subscription service with various games. Somewhere down the line, if it makes business sense for Sony to put the game on both services, I wouldn't rule it out.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: A whole new class of Helldivers are about to be recruited into the ranks, which is a great thing. I don't think we need to water down that fact by focusing on the game not being available as a Game Pass freebie. 

The post Helldivers 2 won’t be coming to Game Pass first appeared on KitGuru.
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CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger announce Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

Anime Expo 2025 is taking place this weekend and CD Projekt Red did not disappoint with its panel. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is indeed returning, and Studio Trigger will be handling it once again. 

Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020 and quickly became critically panned for its major bugs and performance issues. The release of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners also coincided with a turning point for the video game. The incredible critical success of Edgerunners sent many back to Cyberpunk 2077 to re-experience the game after many patches, which then kickstarted the ‘Cyberpunk is good now' discussion in 2022.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will feature 10 episodes. David Martinez will not return, but we will be exploring new stories in Night City, with a new set of characters.

Studio Trigger and CD Projekt Red say that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will tell a “raw, real chronicle of redemption and revenge” but beyond that, we don't know any other details. Currently, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 does not have a release date, but it will drop on Netflix when its ready, just like the first season.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was so good that I think we all expected another season at some point. It is confirmed now, and there is a trailer, but it was only shown at Anime Expo, so we'll have to wait a while longer before we get our first look. 

The post CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger announce Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 first appeared on KitGuru.
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Romero Games could seek a new publisher and reopen

One of the more surprising casualties from last week's Xbox layoffs was Romero Games. Founded by DOOM creator, John Romero, the studio was not owned by Microsoft, nor had any public business ties to the company. However, it turns out that Romero Games was working on a new shooter, with the funding coming from Xbox. Now due to the cuts, Romero Games is feared to be closing down. 

While Romero Games has not named Microsoft or Xbox in any of its official statements, the company did confirm this week that it had lost publisher funding for the new First-Person Shooter it was developing. As a result, the entire team is being let go and the game has been cancelled.

As reported by VGC, one anonymous Romero Games employee gave comment on the situation, saying: “Everyone is out of a job. We had meetings with the publisher the day before this happened, there was no mention of it”.

However, it is also claimed that the studio is “trying to find other ways of funding the project”, so there is a chance that this shooter could return from the dead. In the meantime, though, the studio can't retain its employees, so the studio would have to go through a period of rebuilding, even if it did find a new publisher to finance the game.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Romero Games had remained as a small studio for years before obtaining funding for its current projects. Then when it finally grew to a full production-sized team, that funding was snatched away. If the UE5 shooter was far along enough, they may be able to convince another publisher to push the project over the finish line. 

The post Romero Games could seek a new publisher and reopen first appeared on KitGuru.
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Apple pulls the curtain back on durability testing of iPhone, iPad, and more

Apple continues to open up its product durability testing to outsiders in an effort to let customers know how the company continues to balance design, durability, and repairability for the iPhone and other products.

A robotic machine to test repeated insertion and removal of a USB-C cord. Image credit: Jonathan Bell
A robotic machine to test repeated insertion and removal of a USB-C cord. Image credit: Jonathan Bell

In an effort to counter some video producers who deliberately damage and destroy iPhones and other Apple devices for clicks, the company invited some popular YouTubers who don't engage in that practice, along with some industry research firms, to tour one of its testing facilities.

Counterpoint Research was one of the organizations invited to attend the most recent tour. While there are many factors behind the popularity of products like the iPhone, buyers who take care of their devices are often able to hand them down to other users when they upgrade.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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How to stop your LG or Samsung smart TV from tracking you

Even when used as a monitor for your Mac, an LG or Samsung smart TV will periodically capture what's on screen and send it to company servers. Here's how to stop that terrible behavior.

A flat-screen TV displays a vivid waterfall scene with lush greenery and clear blue sky, blending into the background with a soft-focused effect.
Smart TVs can double as silent spies

Smart TVs from LG and Samsung are increasingly being used as monitors for Mac and PC, given that they are generally cheaper than an OLED display. The trade-off that you get for an inexpensive TV is adware. To accomplish this goal, they can capture screenshots of everything on screen, and sell it to just about anybody who asks, or they use that data themselves for targeted home screen advertising.

This isn't a giant problem when you're watching television. But when you're working on your Mac on a television, that capture can include sensitive documents, emails, private work, and everything else that happens on your computer.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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Ten best Mac games to buy during the Steam Summer Sale

The Steam Summer Sale is running now, and Steam is a fantastic place to get Mac games. Even better, they're cheaper than they are on the App Store.

Colorful animated scene with a winged figure surrounded by small green figures in a rocky landscape. Text reads 'Steam Summer Sale, June 26th - July 10th @ 10 AM PT'.
Image Credit: Steam / Valve

It's that time of year again — the Steam Summer Sale. It's the perfect time to snatch up all those games you've been eyeballing for the past year. If you're not sure where to start, let us help; we've compiled a list of our personal favorites that are all Mac compatible.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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Xbox has reportedly downsized Turn 10 and cancelled Forza Motorsport

This week, Microsoft announced plans to let go of 9000 employees. Various studios within the Xbox unit were impacted, including Turn 10, which reportedly lost as much as half of its employees. Now, an ex employee has made the claim that Forza Motorsport has effectively been cancelled. 

Former Turn 10 developer, Fred Russell, commented on the layoffs at his old studio. Through contacts, he says that “Turn 10 Studios has shuttered the Forza Motorsport space and the team is no more”. If true, it would mean that Microsoft has made the decision to axe Forza Motorsport, but to keep Turn 10 on as a support studio for Forza Horizon, which is primarily developed by Playground Games.

Since being acquired by Microsoft in 2018, Playground Games has grown into a multi-project studio and is now working on the Fable reboot, as well as future Forza Horizon games. Turn 10 was responsible for the Forza Motorsport games, which have slightly more limited appeal compared to Forza Horizon. While Forza Horizon is an open-world game with multiple types of races, Forza Motorsport focuses exclusively on track car racing.

The latest Forza Motorsport game released in 2023 after a couple of delays. While the game was a critical success, it is unclear if it was a commercial one. Given that Turn 10 is now reduced to support studio status, it seems likely that Forza Motorsport sales had fallen behind expectations.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Do you think we'll ever see Forza Motorsport return?

The post Xbox has reportedly downsized Turn 10 and cancelled Forza Motorsport first appeared on KitGuru.
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Nvidia RTX 50 GPUs gain ground in latest Steam Hardware Survey

Nvidia's GeForce RTX 50 series has begun to register significant adoption in Steam's 2025 Hardware Survey. Despite only debuting in early 2025, with the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 launching on January 30th and mid-range options like the RTX 5070 and RTX 5060 following in February and May, respectively, these cards collectively account for a notable 3.69% of all surveyed systems.

Leading the charge among the new Blackwell GPUs in the Steam hardware survey results is the RTX 5070, which has already captured nearly 1% of the total market share. The RTX 5080 and RTX 5070 Ti follow closely behind. The survey data further reveals that even the more budget-oriented RTX 5060 Ti and RTX 5060, along with the flagship RTX 5090, have made an impact in a short span.

This rapid uptake suggests that gamers still prefer the Nvidia cards over AMD ones, as the results don't even mention a single Radeon RX 9000 series card. Absent from Steam's monthly poll is also Intel's Arc B-series GPUs. This suggests that their shipping numbers haven't yet reached the critical mass required to cross Valve's visibility threshold in the survey.

Despite the swift adoption of the RTX 50 series, the RTX 4060 Laptop GPU continues to hold its ground as the most popular GPU on Steam, maintaining a share of just under 5% of the installed base.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you recently bought an Nvidia RTX 50 series GPU or a system equipped with one? What made you go for an Nvidia-based system instead of an AMD one?

The post Nvidia RTX 50 GPUs gain ground in latest Steam Hardware Survey first appeared on KitGuru.
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Ocypus unveils new Sigma Pro AIO liquid coolers

Ocypus has announced the debut of its Sigma Pro Series, a new line of high-performance liquid coolers. The flagship models in the Sigma Pro lineup feature a 3.5-inch IPS display and an innovative “floating pump” design, all built upon a large copper base.

Taking centre stage in Sigma Pro liquid coolers is a 3.5-inch square IPS screen boasting a 640×480 resolution and framed by an ultra-narrow bezel. This display is customisable, allowing users to monitor their system in real-time or display their favourite videos, personal photos, and animated GIFs. Available in black and white, the Sigma Pro will be available with 240mm and 360mm radiators.

The cooler's floating pump structure, accented by a bright silver frame, adds a sense of dimension and elegance to any PC build. Complementing this unique design, an ARGB light ring is subtly integrated into the side of the pump. Users can personalise this ARGB ring with a variety of adjustable lighting effects or synchronise it with their entire system's lighting for a unified and cohesive glow. Installation is designed for ease, with a magnetic mounting system allowing for quick attachment and simple rotation to ensure the display is aligned.

The Sigma Pro incorporates a ceramic pump bearing and a 0.1mm microchannel layout, working in tandem with a 3700mm² copper base to maximise heat transfer efficiency from the CPU. The included high-performance PWM fans, equipped with fluid dynamic bearings, promise long-term stability and powerful, consistent airflow.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: If you were to get an Ocypus Sigma Pro liquid cooler, which model and colour option would you choose?

The post Ocypus unveils new Sigma Pro AIO liquid coolers first appeared on KitGuru.
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Granblue Fantasy: Relink reaches 2 million sales

Cygames' action RPG, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, has achieved significant success since its release last year on PS4, PS5, and PC. After selling over one million copies in its first 11 days, the game has now surpassed two million units sold worldwide. This milestone is being celebrated with a 60% discount on both PC (Steam) and PlayStation versions for a limited time.

As a solo narrative, Relink immerses players in the journey of Gran, Djeeta, and Lyria as they confront the supporters of Avia. Following Lyria's abduction, players embark on a mission to rescue her, encountering foes like Id and Lilith. The game features a roster of beloved characters such as Katalina, Eugen, Rosetta, and Rackam, alongside additional playable characters like Narmaya, Cagliostro, and Vaseraga.

Cygames Osaka has consistently provided post-launch support for Relink. This included the introduction of new playable characters like Seofon, Tweyen, and Sandalphon, and the challenging Ultimate Showdown mission against Lucilius. While the major post-launch content for Relink appears to have concluded, the development team have expressed gratitude to fans for the game's tremendous reception.

If you're interested in buying Granblue Fantasy: Relink, you can do so with a 60% discount over at Steam and the PS Store until July 10th.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you tried Granblue Fantasy: Relink? What did you think of it?

The post Granblue Fantasy: Relink reaches 2 million sales first appeared on KitGuru.
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MindsEye creator blames ‘internal and external saboteurs’ for rocky launch

MindsEye has been in a rough state since launching a few weeks ago and it sounds like the studio behind it isn't in any better shape. Build a Rocket Boy founder, Leslie Benzies, has allegedly accused developers of sabotaging the game, and the studio may also face closure. 

MindsEye launched just a few weeks ago on June 10th and was quickly panned for its day-one state. The game quickly became infamous for its technical issues, along with an underwhelming campaign. Build a Rocket Boy founder and former Rockstar producer, Leslie Benzies, has not taken the outcome well though.

As reported by IGN, sources within the studio claim that while addressing staff this week, Benzies made reference to “internal and external saboteurs”, who he blames for the state of MindsEye. In an email to staff, Benzies also claimed that jobs are in jeopardy due to low sales of the game.

MindsEye currently has a 38 overall critic score on Metacritic for its PC version, and an even lower 28 overall critic score for the PS5 version. Despite all the nonsense sprinkled in, Benzies' message to staff did also include a promise to rebuild and relaunch MindsEye, so perhaps in a year or so, we'll be having a different discussion about this game.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Needless to say, there is no evidence to suggest that ‘saboteurs' are the cause behind the rocky launch of MindsEye.

The post MindsEye creator blames ‘internal and external saboteurs’ for rocky launch first appeared on KitGuru.
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Resident Evil goes tactical with Resident Evil Survival Unit

Capcom had another secret Resident Evil-related game announcement up its sleeve. Weeks on from the reveal of Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom has now announced Resident Evil Survival Unit, a new strategy game.

Resident Evil Survival Unit presents a new take on the horror franchise. Survival Unit is a strategy game, developed by Joycity and Aniplex, in collaboration with Capcom and Kingdom Hearts co-creator, Shinji Hashimoto.

Resident Evil Survival Unit has only been teased for now, but a full reveal is happening next week, on July 10th at 11PM BST. At this point in time, the game has only been announced for mobile devices. Occasionally we do see mobile games also coming to PC and consoles but it is too early to say whether or not this game will get a release on non-mobile devices.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Survival Horror and Strategy are two genres that rarely mix, so it will be interesting to see what this game has in store for us. 

The post Resident Evil goes tactical with Resident Evil Survival Unit first appeared on KitGuru.
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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 8 GB Review

NVIDIA’s new GeForce RTX 5050 is the company’s most affordable Blackwell-based graphics card, priced at $250. That budget-friendly tag comes with some trade-offs: 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM and 2,560 GPU cores. In our review, we’ll find out whether it stands as a true alternative to the RTX 5060 and Radeon RX 9060 XT—or if it's worth spending a little more.

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Siri's future, the original iPhone's past, and Apple Music's birthday on the AppleInsider Podcast

Apple is celebrating 10 years of Apple Music, but ignoring 18 years of the iPhone. Plus Siri is not being replaced by ChatGPT, and Apple's cross-promotions of its services just keep on coming.

Hand holding a smartphone displaying app icons, with a black geometric logo on the left and a blue geometric logo on the right against a plain background.
Apple will surely add more AI extensions to Apple Intelligence, but it isn't buying Perplexity

If you've been living under Airplane Mode for the last many weeks, you may be the only person Apple hasn't managed to tell about its "F1: The Movie." One of your hosts has now seen the film — and not had pushed any of the incessant promotions Apple is accused of sending to iPhone users.

As Apple's latest effort goes into theaters, though, this week is also time look back at a remarkable ten years of Apple Music. And a slightly confusing new playlist of everyone's top 100 songs. Or 98. Or 67.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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Tim Cook isn't going to get fired, and Steve Jobs isn't rolling over in his grave

Tim Cook has constantly been criticized, most recently over Apple Intelligence, but always for just not being Steve Jobs — yet the fact that he isn't Jobs is what has made Apple the technological and financial juggernaut it is today.

Two men with glasses sit together on stage; one wears a black shirt, the other a striped polo, holding a paper cup.
Tim Cook (left) with Steve Jobs — image credit: Apple

There was criticism right back at the start in 2011, when Tim Cook was no longer the temporary stand-in for Steve Jobs, but was getting the CEO job permanently. Today there's criticism of Cook over how Apple Intelligence has seemingly stumbled.

And in between, say around 2018, there was criticism for the now forgotten weak sales of the HomePod. Plus before even then, the Apple Watch was branded a failure, it was called a device without a point.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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Five best iOS 26 features that will help you be more creative

Creative work gets a major upgrade in iOS 26, with on-device tools that let you generate custom images, tweak your tone, and organize your ideas more naturally.

A black cat with bright yellow eyes sits on a colorful disco-themed floor, with a mirrored disco ball and vibrant stripes in the background.
Image Playground in iOS 26 offers creative options for art

Apple's iOS 26 brings a deeper focus on creativity by expanding the tools you already use every day. While many of these features started in earlier updates, the newest version adds more power, flexibility, and relevance to creative work on iPhone.

Whether you're sketching a character, rewriting a story, or organizing your thoughts, these features help you move ideas forward without getting in the way.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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How to send fireworks, balloons, hearts, and other flair in iMessage

Give your text and emoji-based messages a bit of life, by sending special effects to others in the iMessage conversation.

You can send various iMessage effects to your friends and family.
You can send various iMessage effects to your friends and family.

Sometimes, sending a message from your iPhone to others can seem a bit pedestrian. A line of text doesn't really elicit emotion unless it's a meaningful message, unless you count the use of emojis and copious use of capitalized letters and punctuation.

If you're eager to show that you're excited or that you love someone tremendously, you can do a lot better than sending plain old text. A FaceTime call certainly allows you to be more expressive, but you may not be in a situation where you can actually place it.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider
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Romero Games cancels new game following Xbox cuts

Since leaving id Software and DOOM behind, John Romero has been operating his own independent studio in Ireland. Over the last couple of years, Romero Games has been working on a new first-person shooter, but now the studio is closing after losing funding from its unnamed publisher. 

In a statement this week, Brenda Romero confirmed that the studio has lost its funding, saying: “last night, we learned that our publisher has canceled funding for our game along with several other unannounced projects at other studios. This was a strategic decision made at a high level within the publisher, well above our visibility or control. We deeply wish there had been something, anything we could have done to prevent this outcome.”

As reported by VGC, a Romero Games employee made the claim that the entire studio has been let go following this news. The studio employed around 75 people, all working on a new FPS game in Unreal Engine 5. While Romero Games did not name the publisher that pulled funding, it doesn't take much to piece together a likely culprit – Microsoft.

This week, Microsoft announced plans to layoff 9000 employees across various divisions. The Xbox division was hit hard by this, with multiple studios closing and several games being cancelled. including a new MMO from Zenimax Online studios, Everwild from Rare Studios and Perfect Dark from The Initiative. This unannounced FPS from Romero Games appears to be amongst the casualties.

Romero Games is now “evaluating next steps” and has not confirmed the number of layoffs resulting from this cancelled game.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: For years, Microsoft's messaging was that it wanted to support smaller studios in an effort to get more creative titles for Game Pass. Since acquiring Activision Blizzard, they appear to have done a 180 and are now all in on feeding the AAA machine, leaving smaller teams by the wayside. 

The post Romero Games cancels new game following Xbox cuts first appeared on KitGuru.
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Destiny: Rising officially launches this August

While Destiny 2 is in a bit of an odd place currently, the franchise as a whole is looking far more positive thanks to the upcoming mobile-exclusive Destiny: Rising. Officially unveiled late last year, the game is now set to arrive on both iOS and Android this August.

For the uninitiated, Destiny: Rising is a mobile-exclusive take on the Destiny formula. Developed in collaboration with NetEase (Marvel Rivals, Blood Message; Diablo Immortal etc…), the game was officially announced back in October of last year alongside a 2025 release year.

Following various playtests, NetEase has now announced that Destiny: Rising is launching on the 28th of August on both iOS and Android.

Sentiment surrounding the spin-off during its playtests have been positive, with the mobile release including many of the familiar elements from regular D2 (including a traditional campaign; patrol zones; PvP and more) while also adding its own unique aspects such as a rogue-lite mode; a 3rd-person option and deeper hero-shooter styled gameplay.

NetEase has plenty of experience in developing spin-offs of popular console games for mobile, and so hopefully Destiny: Rising proves to be a welcome addition to the Destiny universe – and isn’t too egregious with its gacha mechanics. You can pre-register for the game right now.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Destiny Rising? Could it surpass D2 in your opinion? Would you like a full rogue-lite mode in regular D2? Let us know down below.

The post Destiny: Rising officially launches this August first appeared on KitGuru.
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Anthem will no longer be playable after January 2026

While it seems as though a new live service title pops up and subsequently shuts down on a daily basis at the moment, one of the first major swings (and misses) came with EA and BioWare’s Anthem. Released back in 2019, the sci-fi RPG looter-shooter quickly failed – leading EA to scrap future content plans. Though the game has remained playable until now, EA has officially announced that Anthem is going offline in early 2026.

While Anthem has been pretty much dead ever since the game’s big 2.0 revamp was cancelled back in 2020, BioWare’s failed live-service shooter has remained playable, despite being an always-online experience.

Unfortunately, as with pretty much all games with similar requirements, Anthem was living on borrowed time. Taking to their website, the team at BioWare announced that: “After careful consideration, we will be sunsetting Anthem on January 12, 2026.”

Though I doubt many players were taking advantage, BioWare also confirmed that starting from now you won’t be able to purchase any additional in-game currency, though any currency you already have will remain usable.

Anthem 2026

Releasing an FAQ alongside the announcement, the team explained why no offline option is being given, writing “Anthem was designed to be an online-only title so once the servers go offline, the game will no longer be playable.”

Of course, we’ve seen plenty of online-only games release a patch ahead of its discontinuation to allow for users to play offline. In this instance though, it appears EA has no interest in spending the time/money to facilitate this.

As mentioned, in the 5 years since Anthem’s launch, there have been countless live-service failures – many which managed to outdo EA's efforts in the scope of its failings. Even so, the tragic tale of Anthem is one that will be remembered.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of the game back in the day? Did it have potential? What’s the most memorable live-service failure to you? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Anthem will no longer be playable after January 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.
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EA reportedly sets target of 100 million players for Battlefield 6

Ahead of the official launch of Battlefield 6, EA has been continuously hosting a bunch of playtests, letting select players partake in ensuring DICE’s next FPS title is their best yet. It seems the publisher has extremely high hopes for the upcoming title, with insiders claiming that EA hopes to amass 100 million players with the next Battlefield.

In a piece released by Ars Technica discussing the ongoing development of the next Battlefield, multiple current and former developers at EA spoke to the publication – offering some interesting insights.

The full article can be found HERE, but by far the most surprising revelation was the fact that the higher-ups at EA have set the highly unrealistic target of 100 million players for Battlefield 6.

Battlefield 6 Million

Given the fact that the most popular entry in the series (according to the developers) was Battlefield 1 with “maybe 30 million plus” players, 100 million seems completely unachievable.

It is worth noting however that while most Battlefield games have eventually found their way onto subscription services (boosting player numbers), Battlefield 6 is set to be the first entry to offer a truly free-to-play mode – two in fact – with both Battle Royale and Gauntlet modes said to be made available to all.

Even so, Battlefield 6 has a huge hill to climb. While there was once a time when the series could go toe-to-toe with Call of Duty, this hasn’t been the case for at least a decade now. As such, it will be highly interesting to see how players react to Battlefield 6 when it launches (likely) sometime this year.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of EA’s expectations for Battlefield 6? Does this give you more or less hope in the project? Let us know down below.

The post EA reportedly sets target of 100 million players for Battlefield 6 first appeared on KitGuru.
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ASMR Build: Ryzen 9950X3D + RX 9070XT Performance PC

With Amazon Prime Day almost upon us, there will no doubt be some great discounts and offers on PC tech. To showcase its Amazon Prime Day offers CPS PCCOOLER asked us to build a system with its latest C3 T700 dual chamber case, new F7 X120 fans and some other PCCOOLER goodies, all available on Prime Day. Inside the C3 T700 we’ve built AMD’s most powerful gaming PC with a Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU and Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi GPU from ASRock!

Case – PCCOOLER C3 T700 Black – Pre-launch no link currently – Price TBA

  • Compatible with back-connect motherboards and flagship graphics cards up to 400mm long.
  • Extensive cooling support with up to ten 120mm fans, multiple 360mm radiator installation and CPU coolers up to 175mm supported.
  • The panoramic 270-degree glass gives an unobstructed view inside the system with easy access via a clip-on quick-release side panel.

Specifications

  • Case Type: ATX
  • Dimensions: 420 x 285 x 400mm (LxWxH)
  • Motherboard Support: ATX / M-ATX / ITX with BTF Compatible
  • Expansion Slots: 7
  • Storage Bays: 2 x 2.5”/1 x 3.5”
  • Max GPU Length: ≤400mm
  • Max CPU Cooler Height: ≤175mm
  • Max PSU Size: ATX ≤180mm
  • Pre-installed Fans: 4pcs
  • Fan Support: Top:120mmx3 / 140mmx2, Rear: 120mmx1, Side: 120mmx3 / 140mmx2, Bottom: 120mmx3 / 140mmx2
  • Radiator Support: Top: 240/280/360mm, Side: 240mm, Bottom: 240/280/360mm
  • Dust Filters: Top / Bottom
  • Font I/O: Type-C x1, USB 3.0 x1,USB 2.0 x1, MIC & AUDlO, Reset, Power Button

CPU Cooler – PCCOOLER DT360 ARGB Display – Available now from Amazon priced at $249.99 HERE.

  • DT360 ARGB Display features a detachable magnetic 3.4-inch IPS LCD screen with 480 x 480 resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate that can display customisable themes and real-time system information.
  • It's equipped with a copper micro-skived cold plate suitable for installation on all current AMD and Intel desktop CPUs with an all-ceramic bearing pump solution.
  • The included F7 X120 fans feature a wireless modular connection for less cable clutter, with 28mm thickness for concentrated airflow and high static pressure and a 27mm thick radiator with fourteen water channels and a high-density fin array.

Specifications

  • CPU Socket Compatibility: Intel LGA115X/1200/1700/1851, AMD AM4/AM5
  • Radiator Material: Aluminium
  • Radiator Dimensions: L394xW120xH27mm
  • Radiator Tube Length: 400mm
  • CPU Block/Pump Dimensions: 82x80x62mm(LxWxH)
  • Pump Speed: 2600RPM±10%
  • Cold Plate Material: Micro-Skived Copper
  • Pump Connector: 3-pin
  • Pump LED: 3-pin 5v ARGB
  • Fan Dimensions: 120x120x25mm
  • Fan LED: ARGB
  • Fan Speed (PWM): L:500-1500RPM±10%, M:500-2200RPM±10%, H:500-3000RPM±10%
  • Fan Max Airflow: 83CFM
  • Fan Max Air Pressure: 7mmH20
  • Noise (dBA): 15-33.1dB(A)
  • Fan Bearing: Ball Bearing
  • Fan Connector: 4-pin PWM
  • LCD Screen: 4” IPS 480×480 Resolution

Fans – PCCOOLER F7 X120 – Pre-launch no link currently – price expected to be around $50

  • 28mm thick profile with a wide span variable section blade design for high airflow while minimising vortex turbulence and low operational noise.
  • A three-step speed control switch mounted on the fan hub allows for three speed profiles with upper limits of 1500, 2200 and 3000 rpm.
  • The wireless connection mechanism transmits signal and power through contact modules to eliminate cable mess for a clean aesthetic.

Specifications

  • Connector Type: 4-Pin PWM
  • Lighting Connector Type: 5V-3PIN
  • Lighting Type: ARGB
  • Fan Dimensions: 120x120x28mm
  • Fan Speed: L:500-1500RPM±10%, M:500-2200RPM±10%, H:500-3000RPM±10%
  • Max Air Pressure: L:1.7mmH2O, M:3.3mmH2O, H:5.7mmH2O
  • Max Airflow: L:55CFM, M:65CFM, H:83CFM
  • Fan Noise: L:15~22.3 dBA, M:15~28.9 dBA, H:15~33.1dBA
  • Bearing Type: Ball Bearing
  • Operating Voltage: 12VDC

Power Supply – PCCOOLER YS1200 – Available now from Amazon priced at $278.68 HERE.

  • Fully modular, 80+ Gold and Cybenetics Gold rated with ATX 3.1 and PCIE 5.1 certification and a 12-year warranty.
  • Features the latest PCI-E 5.1 12V-2×6 connector with standard 16AWG copper wire and highly durable copper alloy terminals providing 600W capability.
  • Equipped with all Japanese Electrolytic capacitors, a 135mm FDB fan for low noise ouput and a hybrid cooling system with zero rpm mode.

Specifications

  • Type: ATX 3.1
  • Dimension: 160 x 150 x 86mm (L×W×H)
  • Certification: 80PLUS GOLD / Cybenetics GOLD
  • Power Output: 1200W
  • Topology: Active PFC+Full Bridge SRCLLC+DC to DC
  • Fan: FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing)
  • Fan Size: 135mm
  • Fan Work Mode: Hybrid Mode
  • Operating Temperature: 0-50°C
  • AC Input: 100-240VAC
  • Modularity: Full Modular
  • MTBF: 100,000 Hours
  • Warranty: 12 Years

Build Specification:

KitGuru says: If you are looking to upgrade your PC on Prime day, would any of these CPS PCCOOLER parts tempt you? 

The post ASMR Build: Ryzen 9950X3D + RX 9070XT Performance PC first appeared on KitGuru.
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Zenimax’s unannounced MMO was said to be “going well” prior to its cancellation

It’s been a terrible week for Microsoft/Xbox employees, with almost 10,000 developers being let go in the company’s latest round of lay-offs. One of the victims in this latest ‘strategic’ move was Zenimax Online Studios – who had been working on a new MMO for 8 years now. According to a new report, the unannounced title, which was unceremoniously cancelled, had been “going well” prior to its axing.

In a report by IGN following the announcement of project Blackbird’s cancellation, a bunch of new details were revealed regarding Zenimax Online Studio’s unannounced MMO project – beyond the fact that it is no longer happening.

Though the game was in various stages of development for the past 8 years, sources claimed that the project was “going well, and the team was actively ramping up in the hope of moving into full production soon;” with Microsoft approving the progress.

MMO Going Well

In fact, in a revelation which makes this whole situation even more frustrating and ironic, the developers claimed that Xbox’s Matt Booty stated last year that the closures of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Alpha Dog Games were at the time made in service of “justifying increased headcount for other game studios that needed it, including ZeniMax Online Studios.”

With each passing day, it is becoming increasingly clear that what Xbox says it’s doing, and what the company is actually doing, are two entirely different things. I expect we’ll hear more regarding Zenimax and all others affected over the coming weeks.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of this revelation? Does Microsoft have a strategy? Or are they simply laying down the train tracks as they approach them? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Zenimax’s unannounced MMO was said to be “going well” prior to its cancellation first appeared on KitGuru.
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