1.Relive the Classics: Microsoft Open-Sources the Entire Zork Trilogy
Microsoft did something really cool for old-school game fans. They're letting everyone have the original code for Zork, Zork II, and Zork III. Why is this a big deal? Well, think about it: these days, tons of games only exist online. If the company running the game goes bust or just decides to shut the servers down, poof! The game's gone. All you're left with are your memories and some screenshots.
That's why Microsoft opening up the Zork code is huge. It means the games aren't going anywhere, no matter what. The people at Microsoft who handle open-source stuff, along with the Xbox team and Activision, all pitched in to make it happen. They said they aren't trying to update Zork or anything; they just want to keep it around so people can mess with it and learn from it. That's a great way to look at games as more than just something to kill time with. They're worth studying and remembering.
Let's get this straight: Zork was a big deal back in the day. Released in the late '70s and got really popular in the early '80s, it was one of the first text-based adventure games that really let you do stuff. Instead of just picking options from a menu, you typed in what you wanted to do like “open mailbox” or take lantern. It felt way more real and involved than other games at the time. People got super into it.
Tech-wise, Zork was ahead of its time, too. It ran on something called the Z-Machine. Think of it like a virtual console that would run on almost any computer back in the '80s and '90s, from Apple IIs to PCs. It was like they were trying to make games that would work on everything, which is what modern game developers are trying to do again today.
Zork didn’t just make its mark and fade. It kicked off a whole wave of text adventure games. Even now, there are people who still love making and playing these kinds of games. Giving them the Zork code is like giving them the keys to the kingdom. They can see how the masters did it and use that knowledge to make their games better.
Plus, Zork is just part of gaming culture. Lines from the game, like You are standing in an open field west of a white house, are famous. Keeping Zork alive is like keeping a piece of history around.
Now, think about how hard it is to keep old games going. It's not like books or movies; games need hardware, software, and sometimes even online services to work. All that stuff can disappear. Stores shut down, servers go offline, and licenses expire. Then the game becomes unplayable.
Back in 2019, someone actually posted the Zork code on GitHub, but because Activision still owned the rights, there was a chance they could take it down. But now that Microsoft is releasing Zork under the MIT License, anyone can use it, change it, and study it without worrying about getting sued. It's out there for good.
Microsoft sees this as a way to teach people and let them explore. Computer science students can look at Zork's code to see how they designed games back then, how the text system worked, and how the Z-Machine was structured. Historians can learn more about how games have changed and how they reflected what was going on in the world at the time.
This move also sends a message. A lot of people think game companies only care about money, but Microsoft’s showing that they also care about keeping games alive as part of our culture. It’s like how libraries keep old books safe and museums protect old artifacts. Releasing old games as open source code is a way to make sure they stick around.
What happens next is anyone's guess. Maybe people will create new games based on Zork, or maybe researchers will study the code to learn more about how games have changed. Who knows? The point is, it opens up a lot of possibilities.
This could also set an example for other companies. Maybe they'll start releasing their old games, too. It’s a step in the right direction.
Basically, Zork, Zork II, and Zork III are more than just games. They're important pieces of gaming history. By letting everyone have the code, Microsoft and its partners are making sure these games will be around for a long time. It's a win for everyone who cares about games.
2.Microsoft Executive Blasts AI Critics, Labels Their Concerns "Mind-Blowing"
**AI: Cool Tech, But Are We Ready For It?**
So, AI is like, *the* thing right now, ya know? But not everyone's drinking the Kool-Aid. You've got bigwigs at these companies dropping crazy amounts of cash on AI, calling it the next big thing. Then you've got everyone else, regular people, who are kinda side-eyeing all this AI stuff creeping into their lives.
This tension got real public when Mustafa Suleyman, who's running the AI show over at Microsoft, went on X (formerly Twitter) and was all, I can't believe some people aren't impressed by AI!
He was like, Seriously? I used to play Snake on my Nokia! Now we've got AI that can chat with you and make any picture or video you want. How is that *not* amazing?
Suleyman sees it as a huge jump, going from simple games to super-smart AI. But he also sounded a bit annoyed that people weren't as excited as he is. For him, it's like, C'mon, be grateful! But for the rest of us, it's not about whether AI is cool—it *is*. It's about whether we really *want* it everywhere, all the time.
**Big Money, Big Expectations**
Microsoft's throwing down something like $90 billion on AI. That's why they're so eager to get everyone on board. When you're spending that kind of money, you want people to love what you're building. Suleyman's frustration isn't just personal; it's business. If people stay skeptical, they might not get their money back.
But there's a real gap between the people in charge and the people who actually use this stuff. A lot of folks think AI is neat, but they're also nervous about where it's all going. It's not about the tech being weak; it's about the stuff that comes along with it.
**Why the Pushback?**
People are worried about a few things:
* **Too much, too soon:** AI is popping up everywhere, even when it doesn't make things better. It's annoying when we're forced to use AI in ways that feel pointless.
* **Hurting the planet:** Training these AI models takes a ton of power, which means more carbon. That's not good for anyone.
* **Taking jobs:** AI could replace a lot of jobs, which means people could lose their livelihoods. That's scary.
* **Taking over:** These data centers need a load of space, water, and electricity which means towns and nature can be changed.
* **Money trouble:** There are some analysts who are starting to worry that AI may be a bubble, where the hype isn't a real deal.
* **Existential thoughts**: Some people think that AI could take over humanity.
That’s why many people may marvel at the abilities but still question whether the trade-offs are worth it.
**The Agent OS kerfuffle.**
Suleyman probably posted his opinions partly because Microsoft is playing with our operating system using agentic features. Pavan Davuluri, Windows president, said that they are making Windows a platform where AI is used to manage and assume the needs of their users.
The reaction was very quick and quite negative. A user named Hasen Judi mentioned on X that many people do not want Microsoft to imply that they are going to perish if they don't adapt it. He continued to say that most users do not care what the tech giant is doing, and using chatbot is about it.
Most users might have a tiny niche for AI chatbots, but the idea of using an autonomous agent is making people fear. People are worrying about losing control of their computers to these systems without consent.
**Microsoft moving forward.**
Microsoft cleared up the agentic features despite the criticism. The company stated that a test will be sent to a private developer for beta testers in the Windows Insider program. The company seems to be moving forward, not worried about the criticism, and they are focused on placing AI in their product.
Skeptics think corporations are trying to force the people to use AI regardless of whether people want it or not. However, Microsoft seems to think once the people find that these benefits, they will change their opinions.
**The broader divide**
The incident with Suleyman showed how tech and the public are very different. Executives think AI will impact the world like the internet and smartphones, but people think that this solve is really searching for problems, with the user having to worry about problems and risks that they did not ask for.
The big debate is how tech should be managed and released. Should the companies aggressively push their tech and leave the users to adapt later? or should the company listen and slow down before reshaping everyday tools?
**Conclusion.**
AI is very impressive, but it is not for everyone. Suleyman's comment on cynics shows how the industry thinks of achievements that people are meant to accept. People do push back about Microsoft's agentic OS, and they want to have a say.
AI's hot potato of enthusiasm will continue to be switched from person to person. People need consent, trust, and the mindblowing innovations can feel unwelcome.
3.Oura Ring 4 Black Friday Deal Makes Smart Rings More Affordable Than Ever
Black Friday 2025 is shaping up to be pretty awesome. Tech deals are popping up everywhere, and guess what? The Oura Ring 4 is one of them! Now, I get it, smartwatches aren't for everyone. If you're like me and want to keep an eye on your health but don't want a screen strapped to your wrist, this ring could be perfect. And the best part? The Black Friday prices are seriously tempting.
So, usually, an Oura Ring 4 will set you back about $349. But for Black Friday, retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy are dropping the price to just $249 for the black and silver models, that is a deal for $100 off! If you're feeling a little more indulgent and want the gold or rose gold version, those are marked down to $349, saving you $150. The thing is, Oura Rings don't usually go on sale, so this could be your chance to snag one without breaking the bank.
What else to learn about the Oura?
These rings are made of titanium. They're definitely sturdy, which is a huge plus, especially if you're active. Plus, they come in sizes 4 to 15, so finding the right fit shouldn't be a problem. And the battery life? Seriously impressive. You can get about a week on a single charge. This is way better than previous models that only lasted three or four days. So, you can wear it all the time without having to worry about charging it.
So, what's the scoop with the Oura Ring, anyway?
Well, smart rings are more of a recent thing compared to smartwatches. The Oura Ring has been getting tons of attention lately. People seem to love the minimalist design. It doesn't look like some clunky piece of tech, which is what a lot of people are going for these days. You can track your health without that smartwatch look.
They kept the design of the Oura Ring 4 the same, but they redesigned the software. It monitors your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and activity levels. It also tracks things like light workouts, stress levels, menstrual cycles, and more, all from your finger.
If you're interested in how well you're sleeping and how your body recovers, this ring could be a game-changer. It gives you a ton of data that can help you understand your sleep patterns, decide when you should work out, and get a better handle on your overall health.
Now, here's where it gets complicated:
To get the most out of the Oura Ring, you'll need the Oura Membership, which is $5.99 a month. Without it, you only get the basic tracking features. If you get the membership, you get thorough sleep analysis, continuous heart rate monitoring, precise temperature readings, and personalized health insights.
This is a turn off for some people. The monthly price adds up, making the ring more of an expense. Even with the Black Friday discount, it still rubs some people the wrong way.
A lot of other health tracking platforms do subscriptions, even Fitbit and Apple. I guess Oura's following the trend. Still, it's important to think about what you spend.
So, how does it stack up against smartwatches?
If you're not into smartwatches, the Oura Ring 4 is a great option. Watches like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch can do a lot of things, like show notifications and run apps, but they can also be distracting. The Oura Ring focuses on health and wellness. It's ideal for tracking sleep and recovery.
Basically, the ring is a solid choice if you don't care about getting notifications on your wrist or using bunch of apps. Plus, it lasts a week on a single charge, which is way longer than most smartwatches. So, if you like your tech simple and long lasting, the Oura Ring is worth checking out.
Okay, so who should buy one?
The Oura Ring 4 is perfect if:
* You're really into health tracking and want detailed insights into your sleep, stress, and recovery.
* You don't like smartwatches.
* You travel a lot and want something that lasts for a week and is easy to carry.
* Oura uses the ring readings to track periods, specifically for women.
But, if you need smartwatch features like notifications, apps, or GPS, the Oura Ring might not be for you. It excels in certain areas but might not be for everyone.
Is the Black Friday price a good offer?
At $249, you're getting the Oura Ring 4 at a bargain. With the money you save, you might consider subscribing to the membership, particularly if you've been wanting a smart ring for a while. And that $150 discount on the gold and rose gold versions? That means get nice things at an affordable price.
Oura Ring deals are not common, so the Black Friday deal is the only chance you get to buy the product for an affordable price. Just make sure you really want all the ring’s health features before you buy.
In conclusion, the Oura Ring 4 Black Friday 2025 deal provides a simple, health focused smart ring. Its long battery life, thorough health tracking, and resistant titanium material. Even with the membership.
At $249, the Oura Ring 4 pairs elegance with purpose, making it one of the best wearable deals this holiday season. Whether you're already using Oura products or looking to explore what smart rings are, the low price is a tempting offer.
4.Xbox Partner Preview: Vampire Crawlers – Inside the Surprise Spin-Off with Its Creator
Alright, let's get down to it – you've probably sunk some hours into Vampire Survivors, right? That crazy reverse bullet hell thing made by Poncle? It's blown up since it showed up in Early Access back in 2021. They've been piling on the content ever since. We are talking co-op, weird crossover stuff, and even big expansions. But now, Poncle really took things to another level. At the latest Xbox Partner Preview, they dropped a surprise: Vampire Crawlers, a totally new spin-off!
This thing's hitting Xbox next year (and it's gonna be on Xbox Game Pass Premium and Ultimate from day one). Vampire Crawlers is like a dungeon-crawling roguelike mashed up with a deckbuilder, all set in the same world as Survivors, you know, same characters, items, and even the inside jokes. After you pick your Crawler (those are the characters who are back from Vampire Survivors, each one got unique skills), you're gonna be exploring dungeons, building decks of attack cards, and getting into wild card battles. If you know this studio, expect things to get pretty crazy.
I was able to peek at a bit more of the game than they showed in the trailer, and even talked to Luca Galante, the guy who started Poncle. We talked about how this whole game came to be, what's waiting for us in the game, and all sorts of other stuff.
Let's nail down the basics. So, what exactly IS this game?
Luca said that the genre is named “Action TurboTurn™ Game (Turbo Turn System)”. Jokes aside, the game is a dungeon crawler you play with cards!
It is about taking down tons of enemies using cards as you travel through dungeons, which you can play at a pace that you are enjoy. You can play slowly and focus on strategies, or play cards quickly as the game has been made to provide smart and logical consequences, despite all the chaos your skills can cause.
Aside from the deck-building, it has a card customization feature that can change the way you play your cards. They designed the system to be used by every player that want as much or as little as they like.
Luca said that this a spin-off to Vampire Survivors […] With regards to a sequel to Vampire Survivors, they have been working on something, but they have not disclose what it is yet.
Fans of Vampire Survivors are going to find all sorts of cool things they know well, like treasure chests, weapon upgrades, new stuff to get after each run, and a great soundtrack, as well as stupid jokes.
So, is this a sequel, or something else completely?
Luca's take? It's just a spin-off. Our goal is to take the main ideas from Vampire Survivors and put them into other kinds of games! Regarding a Vampire Survivors sequel, their team is still in the works.
How long have you been cooking this up, and what gave you the idea?
According to Luca, it started way back, almost right after Vampire Survivors got big. He was already thinking about teaming up with other studios to make spin-offs. So, yeah, this has been brewing for close to four years!
He called these ideas “experiments,” and Vampire Crawlers clicked right away. Even when it was just a prototype, you could tell it had potential. It took off faster than any of the other ones.
Roguelike deckbuilders are huge now, but this one looks a bit different. What were you looking at for inspiration?
Luca said that this game will remind them of blobber, a genre known on PC in the 80s. UI, exploring grid-based dungeons in first person using giant buttons to use to move, is a concept used with this fast card-playing game.
Like usual, Luca said he found ideas from many games he has played over the years. From some games he played 30 years ago to games he played yesterday. He has taken ideas from PC games from the 80s, RPGs, modern game of solitaire, JRPGs.
With all those different things in the mix, why stick with the Vampire Survivors universe?
Luca gave me a few reasons. First, it tells players it's built on the same core ideas as Vampire Survivors, he explained. Second, it got rid of a problem I always had making games: coming up with stories, settings, and all that stuff.
With VS, Luca managed to put all of it while he was developing the game, by taking ideas from the weapon icon, music track and community jokes!.
Now all of the information has a huge meaning to them, that let them and the developers to focus on the gameplay while making place for other ideas thanks to the open-endedness of VS.
Now that the discussion is about “open-endedness”, there have been consistence updates to Vampire Survivors. Does this apply to this game, or this is a “one and done” project?
Luca stated Vampire Survivors launched as an Early Access title, while Vampire Crawlers is going to be a complete game. We set a goal to make a global released so players can get the whole game the moment it is released.
They have great ideas to expand the game further. They will let the community decide if they want more content and what they want from it.
Since Vampire Survivors made its own genre, Crawlers is you putting something already famous. Does that change the way you approach design?
Yes, it does! Vampire Survivors have different needs. The goal was to have a game where they can keep adding content, because they mainly wanted to focus on making content.
Luca wanted to take an existing genre and remove the things he find frustrating. He likes card games, deckbuilders, he looked at this from a different perspective. He wanted to take everything he likes from the deck builders he has played, focus on them, and cutting the things he finds frustrating.
That is where the idea of playing at a fast pace came from. Once he gets good at playing a card game, he feel frustrated to wait for animations to end or fake pauses to play his whole hand.
Here's a big difference: you're actually exploring a dungeon between fights. What made you decide to do that?
Luca mentioned that a lot of roguelike games are making a choice-tree that aren't as interesting anymore. It is common but he wanted to make something more interesting to give a meaning to exploration, less into RPG territory.
It is going to be released in 2026, and the day it comes out, you can try it if you are an Xbox Game Pass Premium or Ultimate subscriber.
It has been hard to ensure exploration is not a huge component of the game! The dungeons provide interesting choices about what you want to do in between fights and to help give the feeling that you are walking into a world that a lot of things can happen, instead of traveling menus.
Another thing that is unexpected is a “mana combo” system- so you are going to make stacks of cards ( for example a 0 mana, then 1 mana, then 2 mana) to get the biggest results. Where did that originally come from?
Luca thinks that the mechanic seems basic there are famous Italian card games where their values are stacked not mention Solitaire. Similar to Baten Kaitos, it is easy to understand and fun to do especially when the screen replies to your combos.
The main thing: When can we play the game?
Luca responded with once it is ready! They do not have a release date yet, seeing that it is the first global launch for a new title, the process will take more than given.
At the very least it will be 2026. The day the game launch you can play immediately if you are a Xbox Game Pass Premium or Ultimate subscriber.
5.HP, Dell Cut HEVC Support on New Laptops, Affecting Video Performance
**Dell and HP Are Turning Off Video Features, and People Are Annoyed**
So, computers have been able to play HEVC videos (also called H.265) for a while now. Most Intel chips from, like, six generations ago can do it, and AMD's been doing it since around 2015. Your computer can play good quality videos without being slow or wasting your battery. Cool, right? But some Dell and HP laptop owners are finding out these companies are getting rid of this feature on some models. How annoying is that?
**A Not-So-Obvious Problem**
HP at least mentions it somewhere, if you really look. If you dig around in the specs for laptops like the HP ProBook 460 G11, ProBook 465 G11, and EliteBook 665 G11, they say the fast HEVC video thing isn't there.
What does this mean? Well, even if the laptop *could* play HEVC videos somehow, your web browser or apps that need the fast hardware might not work right, or the video will keep pausing to load. If a media player uses the computer's processor only, it *might* still work, but it won't be smooth. Someone on Reddit said their old computers worked better! Some people are manually turning off the fast decode setting in their browsers or removing software from the Microsoft Store to get things working. These fixes make everything slower and could take away features, like blurred backgrounds on video calls.
Dell isn't as open. For example, the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 can't do HEVC hardware decoding, but you won't see that mentioned on the product page. You'll only find a basic support page saying that Dell laptops can play HEVC format only if they have specific extra parts: a better graphics card, a 4k screen, Dolby Vision, and some Blu-Ray software.
**What the Companies Say**
When people asked, both companies gave careful answers. HP admitted that they chose to take out the HEVC hardware in some devices from 2024 (the 600 Series G11, 400 Series G11, and 200 Series G9). They suggest getting software that’ll fix the problem.
Dell's answer is alike. If the device is high-end, it will decode HEVC videos. If it doesn't then they suggest getting software from the Microsoft Store to fix their hardware issues.
So, the companies push the more prices models or getting software to avoid any problems.
**Why Is This Happening? Probably Money**
Neither company says *why* they're removing the hardware decoding, but people think it's about the fees. Companies like Dell and HP might have to pay for every device that can understand HEVC. The VIA Licensing Alliance says these rates are going up.
For companies that sell many devices, even small fees add up to a lot of money. By disabling HEVC on some laptops, they're probably saving money and keeping that function only on the models that make them more money.
**It's Not Just These Two Companies**
Dell and HP aren't the only ones doing this. NAS company Synology has said it will be stopping HEVC, H.264/AVC, and VCI transcoding on its DiskStation Manager. They also said that the hardware is supported across most devices, limiting their server-side transcoding. Synology has mentioned that the action would lower the amount of resources spent.
This means that companies are willing to make sacrifices to save money, especially on licensing. This is specially true when alternatives like AV1 is becoming more wanted.
**People Aren't Happy!**
Users feel like this is a step backwards. Some media platforms use HEVC, which affects reputation, due to hardware problems. People online are saying that some cheap $800 laptops are also facing problems.
It also means that Dell is hiding the problem from their customers.
**What's The Detail?**
Dell and HP removing HEVC shows that issues happen between what's possible and the cost of licenses. Modern processors can handle HEVC, and these companies are limiting capabilities to save on fees. Meaning buyers will have worse performance.
The increased fees mean AV1 will be a main product in the market. For now, buyers should know that the option may be missing from hardware.
6.Golden Joystick Awards 2025: Full List of Winners Announced
The Golden Joystick Awards happened again, their 43rd year, and the 2025 show just ended. They streamed the whole thing live from a fancy place in London on November 20th, which I watched on my laptop. It's basically about giving props to the people who are making great content in video games.
I'm talking about so many people getting noticed. It's the creators that take years of expertise to create games, the voice actors who give life to the characters we adore, the talented people who capture every movement we see, and those companies that build the computers and TVs we play them on, that get awarded. So much is given back to the industry and the creators.
I think the best part, it wasn't all about industry people shaking hands -- gamers like us got to vote in some of the categories. So, our opinions actually mattered, which is awesome. This keeps regular people involved with the whole show, and it makes you care!
This year, one game came in and destroyed everyone. *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*. I am not joking. Sandfall Interactive absolutely crushed it. They won seven awards. SEVEN! That's crazy. They even took home the biggest award of the night, Ultimate Game of the Year. This puts them up there with *Baldur's Gate 3*, which was a total smash, everyone loved that game. So, yeah, *Clair Obscur* completely won the night.
*Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 -* A Big Win
*Clair Obscur* won almost every award. I guess it was meant to be. Best Story? Done. Best Soundtrack? Got it. Best Visuals? Check. Ultimate Game of the Year? Yeah. It was not only the game that was given appreciation, but two of the actors in the game also won awards. Jennifer English, which fans know as Maelle, won Best Lead Role while Ben Starr, AKA Verso, won Best Supporting Role. These awards, along with the overall love the game received, helped make Sandfall Interactive the Studio of the Year. They are going to be big; trust me.
So, Why Was *Clair Obscur* So Good?
So, what makes *Clair Obscur* so amazing? Why did it get all the awards? I hear the story is super emotional, and the game felt new and fresh. The actors must have been incredible, and the music from Daniele Zandara and Filippo Vicarelli really hit the heart. Plus, the game has amazing visuals. But the win was not going to be easy because *Clair Obscur* fought with titans such as *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* and *Assassin's Creed Shadows*, but they played hard.
Other Big Awardees
Although *Clair Obscur* cleaned up, some other games and people got some recognition as well.
* *Ghost of Yōtei* got Best Audio and Console Game of the Year. I will have to add that to my personal list of games.
* *Peak* won Best Multiplayer and Streamers' Choice Award. I should check this one out.
* *Blue Prince* won Best Indie Game. I've heard so many good things about this game. And get this, *Hollow Knight: Silksong* won Best Indie Game (Self-Published) and PC Game of the Year. Surprising, to say the least.
* *Lies of P: Overture* won Best Game Expansion, and it deserved it.
* *Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2* won Best Game Trailer, and *GTA 6* was voted Most Wanted Game. Everyone wants this game so badly.
* *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered* won Best Remake/Remaster. I want to play that again soon.
* *Arcane Season 2* got Best Game Adaptation. Not surprising since the first season was awesome.
* AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D won Best Gaming Hardware. If you are aiming for the best frame rates, you have the CPU locked down.
Talent Being Awarded
The awards thanked some really talented people for their efforts to make the games shine. Jennifer English and Ben Starr were great. Schedule 1 got the Breakthrough Award. This is a studio to pay close attention to.
Still Popular
The Still Playing awards, which went to games everyone still loves, went to *Minecraft* for PC and Console, and *Pokémon GO* for mobile. These games are some of the greats. Everyone appreciates them.
Critics' Choices
The Critics' Choice Award was grabbed by *Donkey Kong Bananza*. What a win for Nintendo.
With *Ghost of Yōtei* winning on consoles and *Peak* being a successful multiplayer game that won an award, the Joysticks seem to not just be giving recognition to big games. A good sign. If more games get appreciation, the more the playing field widens.
What Does This All Mean?
The Golden Joysticks seemed to be in touch with what's going on in gaming. *Clair Obscur's* big wins probably tell studios that people want games to give them good stories and pretty pictures since all games are going for that. *Peak's* win means that online games are still where it's at. *Oblivion Remastered* shows everyone wants to play their favorite games again. And, of course, everyone wants a new *GTA 6*, since the series keeps getting so big.
Indie games are on the come up now. *Blue Prince* and *Hollow Knight: Silksong* show how great smaller games that are built by one or two people can be absolutely wonderful. And with all of the modern games coming out, you'll need a system upgrade. If you're thinking about an upgrade to have the means to play the modern games, you should go with the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D.
In Summary
The Golden Joystick Awards showed a wide variety of games. Big name games were there as always. But smaller games also got noticed. The *Clair Obscur* wins were history in the making. But the smaller games that were awarded highlighted how diverse the video game demographic can be. And the people have spoken.
Looking forward to what is coming, *GTA 6* is going to release sometime soon. And who knows, there will be some indie games coming out weekly, if not daily. The Joysticks showed a glimpse of gaming, and it's a nice reminder that gaming is more than just a hobby for a large population.
7.PlayStation 5 Slim and Pro Drop to Black Friday Sale Prices
**Subject: Hot Alert: Early PlayStation 5 Black Friday Deals are LIVE!**
Hey everyone,
Guess what? Black Friday's still a little ways off, but Sony's already dropping some crazy deals on the PlayStation 5! If you've been holding out to get yourself a PS5, or maybe you want another one for the house so everyone can play, now might be the time. These are some great prices.
What’s on sale? Basically, all three PS5 models are getting a price cut:
* The PS5 Digital Edition (the slim one with no disc slot)
* The PS5 Slim (the one with the disc slot)
* And the super-powered PS5 Pro
They're all getting a $100 price reduction! Which means you're getting some of their lowest prices so far this year, the year 2025. You can find these deals right now at places like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. The prices should last until December 18th, but don't wait too long, because of course supplies won't last forever.
Let’s break down each system a bit:
**PS5 Digital Edition Slim: Your Entry to the PS5 World**
The PS5 Digital Edition Slim is now at $399 (used to be $499). So if you want to get into the PlayStation world without emptying your bank account, this is probably your best way in. Keep in mind: this version doesn't have a disc drive, so you will have to buy all your games digitally from the PlayStation Store. But don't worry, if you decide you want to play discs later on, Sony sells an optional external disc drive for $79.99. Cool, right?
This Digital Edition has 1TB of storage, which is nice. It's definitely a much needed fix over the earlier PS5s that didn't have as much space. Also, if you needed even more space, you could always get a compatible NVMe M.2 SSD with a cooling thingy, like the Samsung 2TB 980 Pro. Pretty sweet! So, if you are cool with buying digital games, or you are getting games from PlayStation Plus, the Digital Edition is a great, inexpensive option at this price.
**PS5 Slim: A Good Mix of Everything**
The regular PS5 Slim with the disc drive is marked down to $449 (from $550). Okay, so this is the one that’s got the slimmer design and 1TB of storage like the Digital Edition, but it can play discs! If you have a bunch of old PS5 games on disc or you watch Blu-rays, this is for you.
Here’s a fun fact: Buying the Slim with the disc drive is actually a better expense compared to buying the Digital Edition and then getting the external disc drive separate. So if there is any chance you want to play discs, go with the regular Slim. It also has two USB-C ports on the front, and it's a little bit lighter than the first PS5 model. All good stuff.
**PS5 Pro: Pure Performance, For Those Who Need It**
You want the best? Then the PS5 Pro is for you which is $649 right now (reduced from $749). This system is upgraded with a few extra features that can really bring your PlayStation experience a cut above the rest:
* It's got a better graphics card, so your games look even more beautiful!
* PSSR, it is basically where AI helps make your games look great, and run smoothly at the same time!
* Ray tracing has gotten an upgrade, basically making lights and reflections in games seem far more realistic.
* It has Wi-Fi 7. Which means your internet should be able to keep up with its capabilities.
* Lastly they have doubled the storage now having 2TB
The Pro's main job is to make games look better and run faster. No game at the moment is only for the pro though. Games that can make use of the Pros abilities are marked as PS5 Pro Enhanced meaning they are using its extra abilities. People playing on the pro have stated that the graphical upgrades are only really seen up close on a large display, But for the people who want the best gaming experience possible, the Pro is for you.
**Accessories and Bundles on Sale Too!**
The sale isn't just about the consoles themselves. A bunch of accessories are getting discounts too:
* **PlayStation Portal:** It's $179 (usually $200). You can stream games to this handheld from your PS5 when you are on your Wi-Fi or the cloud if you subscribe to PlayStation Premium Plus.
* **DualSense Controller:** Around $54 (originally $75). This is the standard PS5 controller, and it even works with PCs and Macs.
* **DualSense Edge Controller:** $169 (originally $200). This is a fancier, pro-style controller where you can change out parts.
* **Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds:** $169 (usually $200). These earbuds sound amazing and have low latency.
* **Pulse Elite Headset:** $129 (down from $150). A headset with noise filtering that works on PS5, PC, and Mac.
* **PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle:** $299 (originally $400). This is Sony’s VR headset with one of the cool exclusive VR titles.
* **PDP Riffmaster Guitar Accessory:** $110 (down from $150). A Wireless guitar for Rock Band 4 and Fortnite: Festival!
**Why This is a Good Time to Buy**
So, these deals are actually kind of a big deal. See, Sony actually raised the prices of the PS5 because of those tariff things back in August. So this sale is kind of like they're making up for those higher prices. If you want a PS5 at a fair price before the holidays get crazy, now is the time to do it.
These prices should be good through December 18th. But, keep in mind, different stores might have different stock. So if you are interested in a PS5, you will want to probably order soon!
**Which One is Right For You?**
So, with all these options, how do you pick?
* **If you are on a budget:** The PS5 Digital Edition Slim for $399 is your best bet. If you only buy games online, this is for you!
* **If you want a balance of everything:** The PS5 Slim with the disc drive for $449 is probably the best option.
* **If you want the best performance:** The PS5 Pro at $649 is the only choice. If you have a high-end TV and want your games to look amazing, you should buy this.
There's something for everyone, whether you like playing on the go with the Portal or diving into VR with the VR2 bundle.
**Bottom Line**
Sony is having some awesome early Black Friday sales on the PlayStation 5 right now. With all the consoles getting discounts, plus money off accessories, it's a great time to get a PS5 or add to your setup.
Those PS5 Slim models are a great expense, and the PS5 Pro is there if you want the best performance. All these deals on controllers, headsets, and VR gear mean you can have the ultimate PlayStation experience.
You really don't have to wait until Black Friday. The prices are already excellent, and they're going to be around until mid-December. Go get your PS5!
8.PlayStation’s 2025 Black Friday Sale Launches with Big PS5 and Game Discounts
Subject: PS5 Black Friday Deals are LIVE!
Yo!
Guess what? Black Friday came early, and Sony's dropped prices on all PS5 models and accessories! Been putting off buying a PS5? Or want to grab one as a gift? Now's the time. Seriously, the deals are pretty wild.
So, what's on sale? All three PS5 models have had $100 knocked off:
* PS5 Digital Edition Slim (no disc drive)
* PS5 Slim (standard version with disc drive)
* PS5 Pro (the souped-up one)
They are some of the lowest prices all year! You can find these deals at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. The sale lasts until December 18th, but stuff might sell out fast, so don't wait around if you're serious about buying.
Let's quickly go over each console:
**PS5 Digital Edition Slim: Budget-Friendly Gaming**
The Digital Edition Slim is now $399 (was $499). If you want to get into PlayStation without spending a ton, this is the way to go. This one doesn't have a disc drive, so you'll need to buy games from the PlayStation Store. If you decide you want to play discs later, Sony sells a separate disc player for about $80. Not bad, right?
It comes with 1TB of storage, which is a lot more than the older PS5s had. If you need even *more* space, you can add a compatible NVMe M.2 SSD. Overall, the Digital Edition is a solid, affordable choice if you are okay with digital games or plan on using PlayStation Plus a lot.
**PS5 Slim: The Sweet Spot**
The regular PS5 Slim, with the disc drive, is $449 (down from $550). It's got the newer, smaller design and the same 1TB of storage as the Digital Edition, but it plays discs! Got a bunch of old PS4/PS5 game discs? Or collect Blu-rays? Then this is for you.
Here's a pro tip: it's usually cheaper to get the Slim with the disc drive than to buy the Digital Edition and then the external disc drive. So, if you *might* want to play discs someday, just get the regular Slim. It also has two USB-C ports on the front and is a bit lighter than the original PS5. Cool, huh?
**PS5 Pro: The Beast**
Want the best gaming experience? The PS5 Pro is calling your name. It's on sale for $649 (was $749). It's got serious upgrades for next-level PlayStation gaming:
* A beefed-up graphics card for insane-looking games.
* Improved ray tracing for realistic lighting and reflections.
* Wi-Fi 7 for super-fast internet.
* 2TB of storage (double the others)
The Pro makes games look amazing and run smoothly. Right now, no games *need* the Pro to work. Some games will say PS5 Pro Enhanced, meaning they use the Pro's extra power. People say the improved graphics are really noticeable on bigger TVs. If you always want the best, the Pro is your pick.
**Sweet Accessories on Sale, Too!**
The deals don't stop at consoles. Accessories are also discounted:
* **PlayStation Portal:** $179 (usually $200). Stream games from your PS5 to this handheld over Wi-Fi.
* **DualSense Controller:** $54 (was $75). The standard PS5 controller, works with PCs and Macs, too.
* **DualSense Edge Controller:** $169 (originally $200). A pro-level controller with customization options.
* **Pulse Explore Wireless Earbuds:** $169 (usually $200). Great sound with zero audio delay.
* **Pulse Elite Headset:** $129 (was $150). Solid headset with noise filtering, works with PS5, PC, and Mac.
* **PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle:** $299 (originally $400). Dive into VR with Sony's headset and game!
* **PDP Riffmaster Guitar Accessory:** $110 (down from $150). Rock out with a wireless guitar for Rock Band 4 and Fortnite: Festival!
**Why This is a Good Time**
These deals are worth paying attention to. Sony actually raised the price of the PS5 earlier in the year, thanks to tariffs. This feels like they're making up for that. If you want a PS5 at a decent price before the holidays, now is it.
The deals are good until December 18th. Stores will have limited stock though, so order sooner rather than later!
**Which PS5 is Right for YOU?**
Okay, so much to think about, how do you pick?
* **If you're on a budget**: The PS5 Digital Edition Slim for $399 has you covered. If you buy everything online anyway, it's a good choice.
* **Want the best of both worlds:** The normal PS5 Slim with the disc drive at $449 is probably best.
* **Want the best image quality:** The PS5 Pro at $649 is it. If you have a great TV and game a lot, the Pro will wow you.
The savings on the Playstation Portal is awesome since it allows console gaming to be played on the go. Similarly the VR2 provides a brand new approach to play your favorite games!
**In Short**
Sony's doing some great pre-Black Friday deals on the PlayStation 5. With price cuts on all the console models and accessories, now's the time to buy your first PS5 or improve your current setup.
The new PS5 Slim models are a great deal, and the PS5 Pro is there if you want top-tier performance! These sales on controllers, headsets, and VR gear mean you can set up your ultimate PlayStation gaming setup right now!
Don't wait for Black Friday. The prices are already great, and they won't last forever. Go buy yourself a PS5 and have fun!
9.Anker Unveils Black Friday Deals on Power Banks, Chargers, Adapters & More
**Anker Black Friday 2025: Great Deals on Chargers, Batteries, and Other Fun Stuff!**
Black Friday's almost here, and the sales are kicking off *now*. Thinking about picking up some new tech goodies? Anker has some pretty sweet markdowns happening. While they offer all kinds of tech stuff, they're really known for keeping your gadgets powered up and just making your tech life a bit smoother. If you're already a fan of Anker, this is a great time to stock up. If you're just browsing, Anker's products are known for being reliable and well-made. You see them pop up on a lot of best of lists. From those cool magnetic iPhone chargers to handy wireless charging pads, they've earned themselves a good reputation in the tech world.
With Black Friday 2025 right around the corner, now's your chance to grab some Anker gear without emptying your bank account. So, let's take at what's on special and break it down by category, so it's easier to shop around.
**Portable Batteries: Goodbye, Low Battery Stress!**
Portable batteries? They can be lifesavers when your phone, tablet, or whatever is flashing that scary low battery icon, and there's not a wall outlet in sight. Anker's batteries are popular because they give you a good amount of power at a good price, and they often have other extras that make them worth it. Here are some of the deals that are great to check out this year:
* **Anker Nano Slim Magnetic Battery (5K mAh, 15W):** \$38 (usually \$55). These are designed to be super thin. The magnets mean you can just stick it to the back of your iPhone. They're easy to carry around, and they look pretty sharp. It’s the fit, if you want something light and small, and it's enough to get you out of a jam when that battery gets low.
* **Anker Magnetic Battery (Qi2 15W, 10K mAh):** \$55 (usually \$90). People like this one because it has a built-in stand, perfect for watching videos. It charges at a reasonable rate. The stand is a winner because you can set it up on tables or even those tiny airplane tray tables.
* **Anker Laptop Battery (25K mAh, 165W):** \$88 (usually \$135). This is a real powerhouse of a battery. It'll charge your laptop, tablet, and phone, all at the same time. Talk about packing a punch! It can handle multiple devices at once.
* **Anker Battery (26K mAh, 300W):** \$160 (usually \$230). If you need a crazy amount of power, then grab this one. It’ll charge a whole bunch of stuff one after the other without issues. It's super if you like camping trips. Get everyone’s phones charged up.
* **Anker Nano All-in-One Charger (10K mAh, 30W):** \$30 (usually \$45). It works great if you want to keep your phone and other small tech items alive on your trips. Just throw it into your purse and get peace of mind.
* **Anker Magnetic Battery (10K mAh, Qi2 15W):** \$55 (usually \$80). Another magnetic option that gives you a solid amount of battery life. It's awesome, for keeping in your bag. It’s a safe buy and a great gift as well.
Snagging any of these at these prices means you'll be ready to protect your phone, tablet, or laptop from dying. If you travel a lot or spend a lot of time working in cafes or airports, one of those Laptop Batteries would be awesome. You can wave bye-bye to running around the airport looking for somewhere to plug in! While everyone else is fighting over outlets, you’ll be all set.
**Wireless Charging Pads: Cords? What Cords?**
Wireless charging is just a neat way to charge your things. Anker's wireless chargers usually get good reviews because they’re well-built and look great. You get a good look while still working well.
* **Anker MagSafe 3-in-1 Charging Station (Qi2 25W):** \$149 (usually \$230). This station will charge your phone, earbuds, and watch on one stand. It makes everything feel clean and organized. Get everything done in one stop on the pad and get charging all!
* **Anker Zolo Magnetic Charger (2-Pack, Qi2):** \$25 (usually \$40). These are pretty inexpensive magnetic chargers, and you can share one with a with a friend. Make one your home charging buddy and one as your work charging buddy. People just love to give to pals.
* **Anker 313 Charger (2-pack, Qi, 10W):** \$32 (usually \$36). It’s simple and works for simple charging. Drop one on your nightstand or in your house's living room. It’s an awesome match, for the price.
* **Anker Magnetic 2-in-1 Charging Station (7.5W) with 20W wall adapter:** \$39 (usually \$80). This is a complete set, it comes with a wall plug. You won't need to find them in your drawers.
* **Anker MagGo Magnetic Charging Station (Qi2):** \$48 (usually \$60). It's a pleasing go-to, if you have devices that use magnets. It's tough to miss this one on your desk.
These are awesome choices, for keeping your desk or nightstand tidy, and they make it easy to get your tech charged up, so it can get going. Cut the messy wires and gain more space, if you see you want one.
**Wall Chargers: Quick Charge, Now!**
As neat as wireless charging is, a cable is the one to go to for speedy charging. Anker’s chargers using GaN tech can be small but powerful, great for charging phones and laptops, and some let you charge several devices at the same time. Here are some deals:
* **Anker Nano Charger (30W, 1-port):** \$13 (usually \$17). This is a fast little charger for phones. It's small enough to stow in a bag without any problems. The form-factor, is awesome.
* **Anker Charger (67W, 3-port):** \$35 (usually \$50). Pick this up, if you have lots of devices that need power. Need your phone and tablet charged? Done. It's great!
* **Anker Charging Station (9-in-1, 100W):** \$30 (usually \$40). This improves your charging options and you'll want it if you have a bunch of tech toys. It's one that does it all. In case you own a lot of tech, this works.
* **Anker Charger (100W, 3 Ports, GaN):** \$42 (usually \$70). It’s small but mighty, for travel to cut down on a lot of cords. Now you're a tech guru.
* **Anker Nano USB-C Charger Block (70W, 3-Port):** \$35 (usually \$50). This works with a phone and a laptop. Have this to save space in your luggage and get it done.
* **Anker Laptop Charger with Screen (140W, 4-Port):** \$60 (usually \$90). The screen shows how much power is getting used, which is a neat to.
* **Anker Charger with Screen (160W, 3-Port):** \$100 (usually \$150). If seeing how your tech things takes power from the wall is your want, then this is what is for you.
These are good for people owning gear or want their laptops set. You'll be so used to, once you start seeing the power.
**Speakers: Big Sound, Modest Prices**
Anker makes audio gear that goes under the Soundcore name. You can hunt down good earbuds and good speakers, and the price is a good match. These deals should work:
* **Soundcore Space A40 Wireless Earbuds:** \$43 (usually \$80). Check these out when you can. The sound is good and the price is just at that sweet spot. It's good, so you can listen while you work, talk with your friends, or whatever else hits your path.
* **Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker:** \$28 (usually \$45). This speaker is ready for you if you want to blast at a good budget price. Become a DJ, if you want to make fun times with the music.
* **Soundcore Select 4 Go Bluetooth Shower Speaker:** \$22 (usually \$35). It's the way to unwind in the shower. Make sure this gets you what you'll expect it to do.
With this said and done, you're locked in at this cost.
**Odds and Ends: Cables, Card Readers and More**
Anker also makes small things you can hunt for, and it's good!
* **Anker USB-C Right Angle Cable (240W, 6-ft, 2-pack):** \$10 (usually \$16). The things you plug, will be more safe at the base.
* **Anker SD Memory Card Reader 2-in-1:** \$9 (usually \$18). This, as hard it is to move around a file, helps at this one.
These aren't super awesome, but there are times when you wish you saw fast at moving.
**Why Anker? No, Really – Why Anker?**
Anker is good due to finding them and the pricing. You get a bang for what you buy and sleep good knowing your purchase. When needing those battery thing, they hit the notch. So watch out when things come with the sales around the corner and get your goods.
From laptop chargers, to some power banks, to some earbuds. It is good!
**To Wrap Things Up...**
Black Friday 2025 is coming, and it has the Anker sales just around the corner on batteries, wireless pads, wall chargers, audio units, and smaller things. Some you can hunt is about half-off so you can get things in order!
The sales mark devices well. The Qi2 battery, or the Spaces A40 are there to say hi. Watch them, and make yourself at ease. Let's get it from eyeing their site!
10.Pixel’s New Airdrop-Style Sharing Works Seamlessly Across iPhones, iPads, and Macs
Google did something pretty cool this week – they rolled out AirDrop support that works between their Pixel 10 phones and iPhones! Yeah, you can now zap photos, files, anything really, from a Pixel 10 straight to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It’s secure, it’s fast, and it just…works.
For ages, AirDrop has been an Apple thing. It's been one of those features that Apple fans use to show off how well their stuff works. It always felt like Apple wanted to keep you locked in, right? Like, If you want this awesome feature, you HAVE to stay in the Apple world. But now, and this is kind of a big deal, Android users are getting in on that action. They can now enjoy the same level of easy sharing that iPhone users have had for years.
### How Did This Even Happen?
When I first heard about it, I thought, No way! How did Google pull that off? It felt like Google was trying to challenge Apple. You see, Apple doesn't normally play nice with others. They like their stuff to be exclusive. Remember when Beeper tried to get iMessage on Android? Apple shut that down fast. Or way back when Palm tried to make their phones work with iTunes? Apple wasn't having it. Those were more like hacks. Google was going around the side door, then Apple would close them immediately.
But this time, it’s different. Google wasn't trying to sneak anything in. Actually, there was a reason that this change happened. The EU's rules had created the path for Google to add the cross-platform capability. Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA) is what made this happen. The DMA basically says, Hey, big tech companies, you need to make your stuff work with other people's stuff. No more playing favorites! Apple, because of these rules, started using Wi-Fi Aware. The Wi-Fi Alliance developed the protocol for handling the file sharing. This helped Google add AirDrop abilities to its Quick Share.
### The EU: The Unlikely Hero?
The DMA has been changing things in the tech world. You can see the changes. Remember when everyone was complaining about Apple using their own charger? The EU said, Nope, everyone uses USB-C now.” Apple had to listen, so now iPhones have USB-C ports. Also, Apple is starting to use RCS messaging, so texting between iPhones and Android phones isn't as janky as it used to be. And now, cross-platform AirDrop… all thanks to the EU!
It feels like the EU is doing what people have wanted for years: forcing Apple to open up. Apple's strategy has always been to make everything work really well inside their own world, but not so well with anyone else. It keeps people buying Apple products. Now, the EU is saying, Enough! You have to play fair. So, the customers win. They get stuff that works better, no matter what devices they use.
### So, How Does It Actually Work?
The new AirDrop uses something called Wi-Fi Aware. With Wi-Fi Aware, devices can find each other and talk to each other directly, without needing to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Because Apple's now using this standard, AirDrop and Android’s Quick Share can speak the same language. The Pixel 10 phones got this feature in a software update. After you turn it on, it is right there in the sharing option.
The user experience is the same as normal AirDrop. Quickly and safey, you can move files without clud service or third-party programs. The only necessity is Wi-Fi Aware, which the Pixel 10 has.
### Why Should People Care?
Think about it: you have a photo on your Pixel and you need to get it to your MacBook. Before, you'd have to email it to yourself, upload it to Google Drive, or use something like Slack. Now? You just hit Share and pick the Apple device. Done! This is huge for photographers, designers, journalists, or anyone who uses both Apple and Android stuff. It just makes life easier.
It also sends an important message. AirDrop was the symbol of Apple's walled garden. Now that it works with Android, it says, Things are changing. It shows that governments can force even the biggest companies to share a little. It makes things more fair for everyone.
### Apple’s Not Exactly Thrilled
Apple didn't ask for this. They are still fighting the DMA. They are asking for it to be changed. Some people are saying that Europe is taking a step back from the DMA rules, especially because they want to help their own AI companies. Apple might be hoping that the pressure will go away and they can go back to their old ways.
Even so, the sharing is real right now. People with Pixel 10 can AirDrop to Apple. It will also come to other Android phones that use Wi-Fi Aware. The next steps include Apple being friendly or trying to limit it.
### A Victory… For Now
This all sounds amazing, but you can't help but wonder if it's too good to be true. Some tech people are saying that Apple could break this function. If regulators change their minds, it may also go away. Before that happens, you can play around with this new function. If you use a Pixel 10, you get to enjoy having a special that works and makes the phone better. You will enjoy solving a problem.
### The Bottom Line
The new cross-platform AirDrop on Pixel 10 shows how people are fighting over being able to use different devices together. You might thing that Google moved first, but actually, the DMA helped. The Apple had to use open programs. This has made it easier for customers. Also, it is changing how closed-off the systems are.
The sharing abilities might not last forever. Regulators have to stay strong, and Apple needs to be happy to follow the rules. Pixel 10 users should like the fact that they can just AirDrop to Apple products. These don't have to be hacked. It feels like we are making progress.
11.Apple’s Most Affordable iPad Drops $70 Ahead of Black Friday
Alright, let's talk about iPad deals for Black Friday 2025.
Apple iPads are popular for a reason – they've got something for almost everyone. You've got the standard iPad, which is kind of the basic but good option, and then you move up to the Pro models, which are powerful enough to replace your computer. Black Friday is when you can score these things for way cheaper than usual. So, whether you just want a tablet to binge-watch your favorite shows or you're doing some heavy-duty creative work, there's probably an iPad that'll fit you.
**The Regular iPad (11th Gen): Solid and Won't Break the Bank**
The 11th generation iPad is totally enough for lots of people. We're probably going to see it around $279 (normally $349) at places like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. That's the cheapest it's ever been, so it's a pretty good deal. It's a simple, reliable choice that won't empty your wallet.
It's running on an Apple A16 chip, so it's easy to stream stuff, browse the web, make video calls, and play games when you've got some down time. Plus, they gave it a storage bump, so you're getting 128GB instead of the old 64GB. That extra space is super useful for taking a bunch of photos, downloading games, and saving movies and shows for when you're on the go. The screen is 11 inches, which is the biggest they've put on their base models. That extra room is great for reading, drawing, or just having multiple windows open.
You'll probably get around 10 hours of battery life, so you can easily make it through a full day without having to plug in. College kids, people who like to browse the web, and families chilling on the couch should take a look at this one.
**What's Not So Great?**
Okay, so it's not perfect. The basic iPad doesn't have Apple's fancy AI features – those are only on the higher-end models. So, don't look for any AI help with writing, graphic design, or creating smart workflows.
Accessory-wise, it's also a bit limited. It works with the basic Apple Pencil with a USB-C connector, but not the Pencil Pro. The Pro can sense how hard you're pressing, which is really useful for artists. The USB-C one is fine for just writing and doodling. It also doesn't work with the newest Magic Keyboard, so you can't really turn it into a full-on laptop replacement.
**iPad Air M3: The Perfect Middle Ground**
Now, if you need a little more power but aren't ready to shell out for a Pro, the 11-inch iPad Air M3 is a great middle-of-the-road option. We might see it for around $449 (down from $599) during Black Friday at places like Amazon and Best Buy.
It's got an Apple M3 chip inside, which really boosts the graphics performance for demanding apps. That makes it a good one if you're doing creative work, gaming, or juggling a bunch of apps at the same time. Unlike the base iPad, it works with the Apple Pencil Pro and the newest Magic Keyboard. That Magic Keyboard can make the Air feel like a real machine for work stuff, sketching, or some light video editing.
A lot of people think the Air has the just the right mix of power and price. It's thin, capable, and should last you a good long time.
**iPad Pro M5: The Top Dog**
Up at the top of the food chain is the iPad Pro M5 — it's Apple's best tablet right now. Looking at Black Friday sales, the 11-inch model with 256GB of storage and Wi-Fi could be around $900 (which is normally closer to $1000). You might also find deals on models with even more storage.
It uses Apple's M5 processor, with another chip that handles main functions, plus cell service (if that's the kind you get). It can connect to the fastest networks, charges up really fast, and has at least 12GB of RAM. All that makes it almost as capable as a computer, so you could run video editing software, create 3D graphics, or even make music.
The Pro iPad also works with Apple's AI stuff, so it comes with AI tools that can help you amp up your creative work. If you're a pro who depends on having a solid tablet, the Pro is probably the one you want. Just keep in mind that they're normally expensive, even with the sale prices, so only grab it if you know you'll really use those extras.
**So, Which One's the Right iPad for You?**
Now that you know what the different models are all about, it really comes down to how you plan to use it:
* **11th-Gen iPad ($279):** Good for casual users, students, and general household use. Cheap, reliable, and handles regular tasks just fine.
* **iPad Air M3 ($449):** Hits a sweet spot if you want more power without spending a ton. Good for productivity tasks and some creative projects.
* **iPad Pro M5 ($900+):** Made for professionals who want the best of everything. Super powerful, smart AI assistants, and works with all the accessories.
They each have their strengths, and with the Black Friday sales, you might find a price point that works for you.
**To Sum It Up**
Apple gives you options for all budgets, but they tend to keep the newest features locked away in their more expensive devices. That's how the iPad lineup works. The regular iPad makes things accessible, while the Air and Pro models give you more power.
Apple's AI integration makes a difference, with clear distinctions between what each model can do. If you're thinking about buying, think about whether those features and extras are worth the extra cash for you.
**What's the Bottom Line?**
Black Friday 2025 could be a good time to find iPads on sale. If that happens, the 11th gen model at $279 might be a steal if you just want a tablet for everyday stuff. The iPad Air M3 ($449) could be the sweet spot, and the iPad Pro M5 (around $900) will give pros exactly what they need.
Whether you're looking to buy your first tablet, replace an old one, or find something to create with, now's your chance. With these deals, iPads are more affordable, and if you think any of these versions would work for you, you're getting a seriously good tablet.
12.Windows 11’s Full Screen Experience Rolls Out to Xbox Insiders Starting Today
**Windows 11 Gets an Xbox Makeover: Is PC Gaming About to Change?**
Microsoft's been talking about connecting Xbox and PC gaming for ages, and it looks like they're finally making it happen. They've just rolled out the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) to everyone using Windows 11 on those handheld gaming PCs. But the cool part is, they're also letting folks try it out on regular laptops, desktops, and even tablets. The idea? Make things dead simple, crank up the performance, and give you a console-like setup so you can jump straight into your games without any fuss.
**So, What's the Deal with this Full Screen Experience?**
Think of it as turning your Windows 11 machine into something that feels a lot like an Xbox. The Xbox Full Screen Experience is all about putting the controller first and giving you a smooth, full-screen thing that's made just for gaming. Forget wading through the usual Windows desktop; this is more like what you see on modern game consoles.
The best part is that it’s trying to make it easy to find and kickoff games from everywhere you get them – even the ones that aren't from the Microsoft Store. Plus, there’s a nifty Task Switcher so you can bounce between games and other apps without screwing up your game. Also, if you’re rocking a handheld, you can set it to boot directly into this Xbox style, which makes it feel like a proper console as soon as you turn it on. No one likes to wait, it gets you in the game quicker.
**Why Does This Matter for Handhelds?**
Those handheld gaming PCs are kinda like the hot new thing. You've got stuff like the ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw all going head-to-head with Valve's Steam Deck. Sure, they run Windows, which is cool, but people have pointed out that the old-school desktop view isn’t ideal for gaming – especially on smaller screens.
Microsoft's FSE is trying to solve that problem head-on. If you start it up in a controller-friendly way, it makes those handhelds feel way more like proper consoles, but you still have all the benefits of a regular PC. And hopefully, performance improvements in this update should help those handhelds run games smoothly. In short, it is less messing, more playing.
**It's Not Just for Handhelds – Coming to Laptops, Desktops, and Tablets Too**
While the handhelds are getting first dibs, Microsoft's also bringing FSE to other Windows 11 devices for testing. Got a laptop, desktop, or tablet? You can try to get into the Xbox Insider Program and Windows Insider Program and get an early look. That gets gamers early access to features.
On those machines, FSE is designed to fit into the PC world. It doesn't replace your desktop, but it gives you a dedicated game-focused area to switch to when needed. Perfect if you prefer using a controller. It also makes Windows PCs bit easier for console folks to deal with it - if they find PCs intimidating.
**Want to Give It a Shot? Here's How to Get the Preview**
Want to check out the preview on your PC? You'll need to become a member of both the Xbox Insider and Windows Insider Programs:
1. Grab the Xbox Insider Hub app and sign up for the Xbox Insider Program.
2. Go to the Previews area, look for PC Gaming Preview, and click Join.
3. Sign up for the Windows Insider Program too. You can pick either the Beta or Dev channel.
You're in. Now fire up FSE, get a feel for the new way of doing things. Microsoft’s also keen to know your thoughts via the Feedback Hub (just press WIN + F) or the Report a Problem feature in the Xbox PC App, under Gaming and Xbox then Gaming Full Screen Experience.
**Your Thoughts Count**
Microsoft’s pushing the community so they can find out how FSE will turn out. Xbox Insiders should check out the Xbox Insider subreddit, where they can find Microsoft staff, moderators, and other testers who can offer some advice. Adding to any existing conversation will really help keep things on point.
Those efforts that show Microsoft and users are making the features together.. The Insider programs have already been used to test out the new idea and, FSE is the newest example. They get feedback, so it will make it better when released for everyone using Windows 11.
**The Larger Picture: Consoles and PCs Fusing Together?**
The release of FSE that shows how Microsoft tries to make the gaming world into a single that makes the Xbox consoles and Windows PCs feels more alike as a step to a unified platform. Game Pass, cross-platform play, and cloud gaming are being connected. The effort promotes the cross platform that companies are starting to work on.
Windows machine feel a bit more like consoles, Microsoft wants people to game in anyway they want without giving up the ease of use. The handhelds got the boost right away but the desktops and laptops now get the more immersive option. Which can turn Windows into the go to platform.
**To wrap things up**
The Xbox Full Screen is not just a new look but the future of console and PC gaming disappearing. It lets the handhelds feel like they are consoles the gamers have asked for, While the PCs get the gaming first space that that focuses on the experience with a controller,
By making the community become part of the Insider Microsoft is making sure that FSE responds to to what the users wants. Which ever handheld or the laptop that you have the main go is is more playing time and a more unified across all the system.
As this comes to place as time goes on. Windows 11 wants to be something instead of a PC system.
13.SpaceX’s First V3 Super Heavy Booster Crumples During Early Pressure Tests
**SpaceX Starship V3 Hit With a Setback: Booster 18 Crushed in Test**
So, those guys at SpaceX, you know, with their crazy-big Starship plans? They just hit a snag. Back on November 20, 2025, they showed off Booster 18. This is the bottom part the V3 Starship megarocket. The plan was to start putting it through its paces at their Starbase site down in Texas. This booster is supposed to be an improvement over the V2 Starship, which, let's be honest, had its own share of problems all through 2025. I mean, the V2 *did* finally manage to pull off two flights that worked out in August and October.
But get this – *before* the V3 could even get its tires dirty, its booster had a major ouch. Starship Gazer, this person who's always watching what Starship is doing, posted pictures of the bottom of Booster 18. And it looked like someone had stepped on a soda can. It seems the damage was mostly in the liquid oxygen (LOX) tank area, and that has some people wondering if the new design is strong enough.
**What the Heck Happened?**
SpaceX says the problem happened when they were checking the pressure of the gas system. They have to do that before they do a big structural test, so they can find out any weak area quickly. And, just so you know, it's not filled with actual rocket fuel. The tanks were empty, and the engines weren't even on. The company was fast to let everybody know that nobody got hurt; they make sure to keep people far away during these tests to avoid accident.
SpaceX put a heads-up on X, saying that Booster 18 had a problem when they were checking the gas system pressure. No fuel, no engines attached. Now, the engineers are digging into the cause of the issue.
This whole thing is clear about how hard it is to build such a huge rocket. Pressure tests are there to push the rocket to its limit. The point is to find the weak spot *before* they actually send it to flight. The test check did exactly what it needs to. Still, just by the looks of the damage, they might need to rethink the entire design or just beef it up.
**What's new in Starship V3?**
From the surface, V3 looks almost exactly the same as V2. But let me tell you something, deep down there is a big difference:
* **Taller:** V3 is about five feet bigger than V2.
* **Hot Stage Ring:** V2 had a separate hot stage ring that comes off itself. V3 has the ring built-in. I think it is to make thing simpler.
* **Engines:** V3 boosters are made to join the Raptor 3 engines. Of course, they need it because it's supposed to have more power and use the fuels more efficiently.
* **Grid Fins:** V3 has three grid fins, instead of four. Also, each fin is 50% bigger. That could helps keep it stable when it comes back down
We definitely see that SpaceX wants to learn from some issues with V2. The goal is to give it more dependable and have better result. That Booster 18 incident is an example that how little changes can create a big issue.
**2025: Great and Bad Times**
The Starship V2 had sort of a roller coaster ride in 2025. Yeah, it blasted off five times. Only the past two succeed. The other tries has some good feedback and some faults like when the Super Heavy and Ship lost in the third launch.
SpaceX actually made a progress. They started to get hold of Mechazilla tower arms in order to catch those Super Heavy boosters in the first two flights. And look at this, they launch one of that in May! By the end of the year, Starship V2 tries to put fake starlink satellites into the orbit. And amazingly, all stages did go smoothly.
With the result it encourage SpaceX as they slowly move to V3. People said that the new design might copy the V2’s problems and help them move to real flights faster. But you know with what happened to the Booster 18, they may have to wait for a while.
**NASA's Artemis Plans**
This is so important because NASA wants SpaceX to use Starship as the lunar lander for Artemis 3. The goal is send humans back to the moon in 1972. NASA wants it to be quickly done by 2027 but SpaceX suggest that 2028 is more realistic.
If Booster 18 fails many times then the date might be farther than we expected. It is on the news that NASA is deciding between other landers because they don’t just want to depend on SpaceX. The head of NADA before, Jim Bridenstine, said lately that Starship design has many perspectives. SpaceX must also give evidence that they are ready to land people safely on the Moon.
**Challenges To Face**
Before space travels, SpaceX must first prove some key process:
* Transfer fuels by Ship stages in orbit. You need so much concentration because the boiling point is very high.
* Land safely without having people on the Moon, to demonstrate that the system works.
* Have so much Fuel, so that it can reach the lunar lander. What will happen is, it might takes a dozen or more Starship launches to reach there
Those are very hard processes and the situation with the Booster 18 made the work extra more to think. It's obvious that they can just fix the problem but it so hard to meet deadlines.
**A Project So Hard**
SpaceX’s opinion is that there will be fails. They accept them as lessons. The team also knows how to solve the problems quickly, build new designs and test. On the other hand, the pressuring program. NASA's Artemis Program is still looking for Starship so those plan for moon travels.could fail in U.S.
To summarize all of this, the smashed Booster 18 tank is a backstep for the V3 design. Safety is number one as many were saved and not injured. Even with the new V3 design, there are still areas to improve. With NASA's Artemis 3 mission coming it can affect the timeline.
Starship is still the face of the space exploration. Meant to carry so much things and reusable. Booster 18 and the trip to moon has also so many issue the more we try. The next months, we will see if SpaceX can consider this as chance or lesson to them.
14.Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Nearly Matches 8 Elite Gen 5 in AnTuTu Performance
Qualcomm is getting ready to show off their Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 on November 26th, and a lot of people are curious about it. Seems like Qualcomm's real top dog is still the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but this regular Gen 5 might be a really good option, too. They're both made using the same fancy 3nm N3P tech, but the Gen 5 has a few differences that could make it more appealing to phone companies and us customers.
**How Fast Is It? The Numbers Look Good**
Somebody leaked some AnTuTu benchmark scores for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, and they look pretty good. Tech guy Abhishek Yadav shared that it scored around 3.56 million points. Now, the word is that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 hits about 4 million. That's only a 14% difference! That's not a huge gap, especially considering the Gen 5 is supposed to be a step down from the Elite.
For a chip that's NOT the absolute best, those are impressive numbers. It looks like the Gen 5 will give you performance similar to the top-end chips, but maybe without some of the problems, like extra cost and getting too hot.
**Which Phones Will Get It First? Maybe the OnePlus Ace 6T**
People think the first phone to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 will be the OnePlus Ace 6T. It'll probably have Android 16, 16GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM, and a massive 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. All this stuff together tells you that the Gen 5 is a high-quality chip, even if it's not Qualcomm's most expensive one.
What does this mean for you? You get access to really good performance and cool features without having to spend a ton of money on a super-premium phone. And for phone companies, it means they can make really good phones that don't cost as much.
**How Does It Work Inside?**
The buzz is that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 has a similar CPU setup as the Elite Gen 5. It's got two cores for doing the heavy lifting and six cores that are more about saving power. But the Gen 5 runs at slightly slower speeds:
* Fast cores: 3.80GHz
* Efficient cores: 3.32GHz
These slower speeds probably explain why it's a little bit slower in the benchmarks. But it could also mean better battery life and that it doesn't get as hot. Some people have been saying the Elite Gen 5 can overheat when you're really pushing it. By slowing things down a bit, Qualcomm might have found a good balance between speed and keeping things cool.
**Is It Going To Overheat?**
Keeping phones cool is super important these days. As phones get thinner and more powerful, it's harder to not let them get too hot. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has had some issues with this, which worries people about how well it performs over time.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, because it runs at a slower speed, might avoid these problems. If it can keep performing well without slowing down because of heat, it could be a better choice for a lot of people. We still need to see more tests to know for sure, but the initial signs look good.
**A Real Contender?**
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 looks like it could be a real option instead of the Elite. For phone companies, it lets them add nice features without spending as much money on the most expensive chip. And for buyers, it means you might get near-top-end performance for less.
That's kind of how Qualcomm works in general. They offer different levels of chips so different phones can have good performance, speed, and features.
**What's Next?**
The AnTuTu scores are just the start. When we see more tests that measure graphics, AI, and how well it handles heat over time, we'll have a much better idea of how the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 compares to the Elite and to chips from other companies like MediaTek and Apple.
If the Gen 5 keeps doing well in all the tests, it could become a very popular choice from Qualcomm. It's got a modern design, good performance, and maybe won't overheat as easily.
**The Bottom Line**
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is about to be revealed, and people are already talking about it. Early tests suggest it's almost as fast as the Elite Gen 5 (only about 14% slower in one test). It uses the same basic technology but runs at slightly slower speeds, which might help it avoid getting too hot.
For phone companies, the Gen 5 is a cheaper way to make really good phones. And for consumers, it could mean flagship-level performance without the flagship price tag. We'll see what more tests say, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 could end up being one of Qualcomm's best chips yet, giving you a good mix of everything.
15.Engineered for the Track: Precision Performance Meets Advanced Aerodynamics
You got yourself a Porsche, huh? A GT3, no less! Thinking about seeing what it can really do? That's where Manthey Racing comes in. Those guys can turn your already awesome Porsche 911 GT3 – the 992.2 model, the one that gets everyone drooling – into an absolute beast on the track.
Now, this isn’t just about slapping on any old parts. This is about serious performance upgrades. Porsche themself actually teamed up with Manthey to develop these upgrades specifically for your GT3. Think aerodynamic improvements, a suspension system that's been fine-tuned for the track, and brakes that will stop you on a dime, even when you're pushing hard. Basically, they let the race car that's already inside your GT3 come out to play.
Your GT3 already handles great, right? Well, the Manthey touch just cranks it up a level. They really improved things by working on how the air flows underneath the car. See those little fins under there? They're bigger now, which means more downforce. That in turn helps stick the car to the road.
Up front, the lip spoiler sticks out a bit more than before. Plus, you got those fins and flaps on the sides. Those make the front tires really grip when you're diving into corners. And that massive rear wing? It has a swan neck thing going on (that’s what everyone calls it), with a little lip at the back, called a Gurney flap. This basically allows to add downforce without creating too much drag. They also changed up the wing's endplates to smooth out the way the air flows. Those longer fins on the rear diffuser help plant the rear more firmly on the ground.
Oh, but there’s more! They've put carbon fiber covers on the wheels to improve the airflow. The outcome? At 177 mph, the car now makes around 780 pounds of downforce. And if you enable track mode with all the Manthey goodies, that number jumps to 1200 pounds at the same speed! Seriously, it’s like the car is glued to the track.
And it doesn’t stop there. The suspension dampers can be adjusted without any tools, which is pretty important when you're trying to get your car dialed in on the track. It allows you to fine-tune the suspension to handle all the bumps and curves. You can adjust the car just the way you want it. Also, they made the springs about 10% stiffer compared to the stock setup. That’s great for keeping up with the extra downforce and keeping the car feeling super responsive.
The revised suspension seriously improves grip and stability. Also, if you want to lose a little weight, swapping the stock wheels for lighter ones will make the car lighter by around 13 pounds.
What about the brakes? They got a refresh too. The kit comes with steel-braided lines. Those make the brake pedal feel much more firm. Also, if you have the optional Porsche ceramic composite brakes (PCCB), opting for special racing pads is worth it.
Going beyond the performance add-ons, Porsche and Manthey also added carbon fiber door sills, LED door projectors that show the Porsche logo, and Manthey decals for the doors. You get to choose what carbon fiber wheel discs you want to match your car.
They also give you track day stickers in yellow, black, or red. Slap them on the front and back, but remember to take them off before you drive on the street, they might get you in trouble with the local authorities! If you want your car to look even more aggressive, they added carbon fiber trim on the front and rear vents.
They really put this car through its paces at the Nürburgring. DTM champ Ayhancan Güven clocked a 6:52.981 lap time in the GT3 (992.2). That’s almost three seconds faster than the previous GT3 (992.1) with the Manthey kit! It's worth noting that some parts of the track were a bit wet when they ran the lap.
Both cars were running on Michelin tires, and the lap times are official. Güven said that he car felt easier to control. He thinks he could've gone even faster if the track was dry.
According to Nicolas Raeder from Manthey Racing, this kit took a year to produce. It required a lot of wind tunnel time and it was tested on a bunch of tracks. Their next goal is to beat their own lap record if the weather is good.
The Manthey Kit for the 911 GT3 (992.2) should be available at Porsche dealerships soon. Also, your warranty should still be valid if you let them handle the installation.
The Manthey Kit transforms the Porsche 911 GT3 (992.2) into a real weapon for the track. All that extra downforce, the tuned suspension, and the upgraded brakes all equal faster lap times. Go out there and enjoy the track!
16.Apple’s Budget iPad Gets a $70 Price Cut Ahead of Black Friday
**Black Friday 2025 iPad Deals: Finding Your Perfect Match – Basic, Air, or Pro?**
iPads from Apple? Think of them like a super-tool; there’s usually one that will do what you need. Need something for watching videos or taking notes? Want to go all-out on creative projects? Chances are, there's an iPad for that. With Black Friday 2025 coming around, the deals are looking pretty sweet this year, which can make it hard not to grab one. Now, are you thinking about the basic iPad (11th gen), a solid iPad Air (M3 chip), or the really strong iPad Pro (M5)? Let's check them out.
**The Standard 11th-Generation iPad: Totally Worth It**
Like, right now, you can find the 11th gen iPad for like $279 (normally it's $349) at places such as Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. I mean, that's cheap, and it's as low as they've ever gone. This is where Apple starts with tablets, so you can do all of the usual stuff and it does it great. Powered by Apple's A16 chip, you can stream shows, surf the net, video call your buds, or play mobile games. Want to play Stardew Valley on the train, or get your Candy Crush on? This will be it.
They even doubled the storage to 128GB, instead of the basic 64GB. That's awesome if you have tons of pictures, a bunch of apps, or just dig watching shows when your phone doesn't have service on your travels. It also has an 11-inch screen, with the view estate being the largest of baseline iPads, so you have lots of room to read, draw, or handle multiple apps. The battery can last about 10 hours on a full charge, so you can probably make it through the whole day without charging it.
If you are a student in school, part of a family, or someone wanting a rock-solid tablet on the cheaper side, you may wanna consider the 11th-gen iPad.
**Reasons Why You Might Not Get the Basic iPad**
What's funny with the entry-level iPad is that to get to a reduced price, you won't get everything. It can’t even use Apple's cool new features that can only be found on the more expensive models. So, you won't be able to try the latest tools.
You also don't have as many good accessories. They only give the 11th-gen iPad an Apple Pencil (USB-C), so it can’t connect to the Pencil Pro. The Pro version can sense pressure and has tools that artists enjoy, so the USB-C Pencil is all you get for notes. Also, the base iPad does not support the Magic Keyboard, meaning you're limited on what you are able to do near the Air and Pro models.
**The iPad Air M3: The Happy Medium**
Thinking of getting a little more power but cannot get the Pro? The 11-inch iPad Air M3 is where it's at. You can pick one up for $449, which will save you $150.
This tablet uses the M3 chip, which gives it speed and experience in app-heavy tasks. This is better for creative work, and you can swap between lots of apps. The Air is made to connect with the Apple Pencil Pro and the cool Magic Keyboard, which also adds something like a laptop feel. You can take notes, draw, or even do video edits without issue.
Most people enjoy the Air, because the features and prices make it great. It's small, has storage, and I bet that you will enjoy it for years.
**The iPad Pro M5: Really Strong**
The greatest of the iPads is the iPad Pro M5, Apple's best tablet for now. The 11-inch, 256GB Wi-Fi model can be found for close to $899.99 (used to be $999).
This is powered by Apple's M5 processor and also has an N1 chip and a C1X. It also works with Wi-Fi 7. This is super quick. It starts with 12GB of RAM, so doing tasks on it will finish fast. Stuff like professional-level apps for video, 3D art, and music creation won't be a problem.
Of course, the Pro will also work with Apple features. Whenever you are using a tablet for work, the Pro won't mess around. Just know that it might be best to only pick one up if you want a premium tablet.
**So, What iPad Do You Want?**
Picking which iPad to get comes down to needs and budget.
* **11th-gen iPad ($279):** If you just want one for basic stuff, then this is a great pick.
* **iPad Air M3 ($449):** If you want more features, then you can pick one of these up. Plus, you can use this for work and leisure.
* **iPad Pro M5 ($899 and up):** This is for people wanting the best. With all of those features, you can see that it's a premium experience.
All of these iPads have bonuses, and their prices make them pretty nice.
**In Conclusion**
Black Friday 2025 has brought awesome iPad deals. Get the 11th generation iPad if you want a solid tablet for all of your usual activities. Also, the iPad Air M3 for $449 is there for value and power. In the end, you can meet the needs with the iPad Pro M5 for $899, and you can work with more speed.
If you want your first-ever tablet, go get one. They're cheap now, and you might not get these prices at another time of the year. You will enjoy any of these, as they stand out.
17.Windows 11 Hotpatch Bug Resolved with New Out-of-Band Update from Microsoft
Microsoft had a bit of a hiccup with a Windows 11 update, and they've just put out a fix. Basically, there was this weird bug where update KB5068966 kept reinstalling itself over and over again on computers running Windows 11 version 25H2.
Now, this wasn't actually messing anything up on your computer. Everything was still working fine but it was annoying for people who keep an eye on their update history. Imagine seeing the same update being installed again and again! It would make you wonder if something was wrong.
What was happening was that every time Windows checked for new updates, it would think that KB5068966 hadn't been installed. So, it would download and install it again. Microsoft said that it was only the update's way of checking if it was installed, causing the problem.
To sort this out, Microsoft released a new update called KB5072753. You can think of this as a patch that fixes the problem. This new update includes everything that was in the original KB5068966 update, plus a fix for the reinstallation bug.
The good news is that you don't need to install any previous updates before installing KB5072753. It includes all the fixes, so you can just jump straight to this one. If you haven't installed KB5068966 yet, Microsoft says you can just skip it and install KB5072753.
Just a quick note, the KB5068966 update was a hotpatch. Hotpatching is a way to update Windows without having to restart your computer. By patching running processes, these kinds of updates can reduce the time that system needs to be down. They're especially useful for big companies where restarting servers can cause problems.
The recent KB5072753 release is among many updates that Microsoft had to pushed out this month. The company issued a Windows 10 update to take care of issues with installing extended security updates (ESUs). On systems users encountered (0x800f0922)errors that keep them from installing successfully. Also, a week before that Microsoft fixed incorrect end-of-support warnings on Windows 10 computers. Some folks with security coverage saw a message after the October updates saying their version of Windows was no longer supported, which wasn't true.
If you're in charge of a company's computers, these issues show why it's important to stay on top of update information. Even though these bugs didn't cause any danger to user data or software, they made updating computer process a confusing mess.
This KB5072753 update is useful for companies that use Windows 11 25H2. It replaces KB5068966, which make the deployment easier. This ensures that computers are properly patched without unnecessary, repeated installations.
Microsoft has been pretty open about these problems. They've been sharing information through the Microsoft 365 Message Center. By admitting that something went wrong quickly and helping people, the company hopes to be trusted by businesses.
Microsoft was open about KB5068966 issue, and calmed concerns, saying that the feature wasn't affected. Since then they worked on the fix. Releasing KB5072753 shows that fixing this in a timely matter is their top priority.
In the future, hotpatching will most likely become an important part of how Microsoft updates Windows. While it can be easier to update, things such as KB5068966 need that the installation process has to be accurate to prevent confusion.
To sum this up, it's important to stay informed, check messages, and install any hotfixes when they get recommended. November 2025 has been pretty busy for Microsoft's update team, but the company's quick responses have prevented these problems from becoming serious.
The KB5072753 update demonstrates Microsoft's ability to fix update problems. The company fixed the reinstallation bug that KB5068966 had which give the costumers confidence.
The bug showed how complex modern systems are for installing and updating. Adding this to recent updates for Windows 10 installation errors and end-of-support warnings, November 2025, shows that maintaining a global operating system can be challenging.
As of right now, people in charge of systems can relax cause KB5072753 fixes problems, making sure systems are up to date without needing to reinstall.
18.Black Friday 2025: As a Headphone Reviewer, These Are the Noise-Cancelling Deals Worth Buying
Black Friday 2025 has great deals if you're thinking about new headphones or earbuds. I'm telling you, I start watching prices way back in October! This year looks especially good if you have your eye on some high-end stuff from Sony, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Beats, or Apple. All of them dropped new models earlier this year, so the older versions are going to be discounted.
I always go for advice to my friend Timothy Beck Werth. Tim does tech review. He's been at it so long, so he really knows what he is talking of. Actually, I got him to make a list of Black Friday headphone and earbud deals that weren't just fake markdowns. He can spot those phony sales. He only picked items that actually give you good sound for the price. So, no matter what you want, you'll find something good.
**Top-of-the-Line Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6**
Check it, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones just came out this year. It's the newest in Sony's XM series, which is known for amazing quiet. You can barely hear anything around you when you put these on. They’re great for traveling, or if you work in a noisy place, or if you just want some peace.
I think the XM6’s will go on sale for around $398 on Black Friday. They usually sell for around $460. It’s not a huge price cut, but they're brand new. Still, if you want the latest tech with the newest sound and comfort updates, these are a good choice if you want them.
**The Smart Pick: Sony WH-1000XM5**
If you want the best deal, get the Sony WH-1000XM5. You can probably find them for around $248. No, I am not joking! They usually cost $400. That's more than $150 off. What's wild is that they're almost as good as the XM6 model.
Tim compared them, and he said, the XM5 and XM6 are more similar than you think. Unless you're a total sound nerd who notices the smallest differences, the XM5 is the best value out there. You'll still get killer sound quality, insane noise cancellation, and an app to adjust the sound the way you want it. Here's another benefit, it's the lowest price ever on these headphones. The XM5 might be the flat-out best Black Friday deal.
**Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Headphones and Earbuds**
Bose really improved things this year with their QuietComfort Ultra stuff. The new QuietComfort Ultra earbuds will probably go down to $249 (that is a $50 saving), and the QuietComfort Ultra headphones should come in around $298 (and a $131 saving).
Tim called the Ultra earbuds the best noise-canceling earbuds of the year. They’re super comfy, sound great, and block out almost all the noise. If you prefer over-ear headphones, the Ultra headphones are amazing. If you want something like this, you have to purchase it.
**For Sound Pros: Bowers & Wilkins Px8**
If you only care about sound, get the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 over-ear headphones. They normally go for around $700, but look for them around $515 (saving $184). The sound is extra clear, with deep bass, and it just feels high-end.
Bowers & Wilkins are also putting the Px7 S2e on sale for about $270 (they usually cost $400). They aren't as fancy as the Px8, but the Px7 S2e still have professional sound.
**Apple AirPods Max**
The Apple AirPods Max might be on sale, too. You might see them for around $430 (they used to be $550—that's $120 off). Apple products look good *and* sound great! They go well with your iphone, super-easy to setup, spatial audio, etc. If you already like Apple stuff, now is the time to buy it.
**Headphones: Good for Workouts**
Need something for the gym? The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 should be around $200 (they were $250). Those will stay in your ears. Also, they are sweat-proof, and feature noise cancellation. It is a good deal if you want a good workout.
For everyday headphones, check out the JBL Tune 770NC for like $80 (saving $70), and the Sennheiser Accentum for around $100 (they usually cost $190!). The Beats Solo 4 will probably be around $130 (normally $200). These are great deals if you want to try noise cancellation without spending a lot of money.
**Earbud Deals**
There’s more—there are a bunch of earbud sales:
* Amazon Echo Buds: $35 (saving $85!)
* JBL Tune Flex: $40 (saving $60)
* Anker Soundcore Space A40: $43 (saving $37)
* Beats Studio Buds: $100 (saving $50)
* Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: $160 (saving $85)
* Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: $169 (saving $60)
* Sony WF-1000XM5: $228 (saving $62)
Whether you're broke or splurging on some fancy Sony XM5s, you will find it.
**Why Is Black Friday 2025 Great for Headphone Buying?**
This year the discounts are awesome. Pretty much every brand, from Sony's XM6 to Bose's Ultra headphones, Apple's AirPods Max, and Bowers & Wilkins' Px8, has something on sale. You can get high-end sound without spending that much.
Tim says that most of these products are the real deal. The deals up there aren't just cheap imitators. By only recommending the products that people online have praised for their comfort, sound and price, these recommendations are things you can trust.
**To Sum Up**
If you work at home, is a traveler, or cannot stand noisy places, noise-canceling headphones and earbuds are essential. This year's Black Friday 2025 has so many good prices on headphones and earbuds, so there is nothing stopping you.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 for $248 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds for $249 are awesome places to start (both were chosen by Timothy Beck Werth). Is that not enough, then the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 offer low-price luxury, while Apple lovers can get the AirPods Max without paying too much.
This sale season is special because of those low costs. Is your old headphones are broken, or do you want to block out noise from outside, or you want great sound, you can find something you will like this Black Friday!
19.2025 Tech Gift Guide: The Best Gadgets for Every Price Range
Holiday time! Time to find some cool stuff to give your friends and fam. If you're shopping for tech gifts, things can get tricky, especially if you don't wanna break the bank. Good news: Amazon's got tons of things that would be awesome to get as a gift this year. Here you can also see what tech presents we think are cool for that person who has literally everything.
This year, we spent some time browsing Amazon to try and find some of the coolest tech gifts for 2025. We kept it to smaller items, perfect for someone who loves new toys or just uses tech a lot. Nothing on this list costs more than $100, so you can keep it reasonable no matter how much you're wanting to spend. Plus, other people who bought these things seem to like them a lot. I'll will explain how we made our choices at the end. So, for the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, here are 10 really good tech gifts that won't empty your wallet.
**1. Keyboard, Laptop, and Gadget Cleaner**
You know what everyone needs? Something to clean their stuff! This All-in-One Keyboard, Laptop, and Gadget Cleaning Kit is a simple way to keep stuff in good shape. It's on Amazon for $14.99 (Black Friday deal: $11.98 for a bit!) and has a 4.6-star rating from almost 3,000 reviews. It's a great office gift or stocking stuffer. Seriously.
What's in the pack? A keyboard brush, polishing cloth, keycap puller (for fancy keyboards), a metal pen thing for headphones, a sponge, thin brush, lens cleaning pen, cleaning spray, and a big microfiber cloth. It all fits into one gadget, which is nice for keeping in a desk or car. People who bought it say it cleans great and they enjoy having so many tools in one place. They also say it's small, because normal cleaning stuff can take up room.
**2. Ortizan Portable Bluetooth Speaker**
A small speaker is a great gift for anyone who likes music while they work or do stuff around the house. The Ortizan Portable Bluetooth Speaker is awesome. You can find it on Amazon for $28.48 right now (usually $49.99). It has a 4.5-star rating from over 44,000 people. If you don't want to spend a lot, this is way cheaper than some of the fancy speakers. It connects via Bluetooth and has a cool light show while it plays. It should last for around 30 hours on one charge, but some people have different experiences with the battery.
People who got it tell that the sound is great for the price. They also like that it hooks up to Bluetooth well and its size makes it super portable. Plus, it's waterproof and dustproof, so you can take it to the pool, beach, or in the shower.
**3. Ocoopa Magnetic Hand Warmers**
Cold hands are awful. With the Ocoopa Magnetic Hand Warmers, you're giving the gift of warmth! These fit in your hands and heat up on three different settings. They fit in your pocket or on your bag. They stick together because they're magnetic. When they run out of juice, just charge them with a USB cable. Amazon's got a Black Friday deal for $18.99 (normally $29.99). They have a 4.7-star rating from over a thousand reviews.
People say they get warm really fast and stay that way for hours! Battery life changes based on how hot you set them and how often you use them. But overall, these are winners as a small gift for anyone who's always cold.
**4. Bluetooth Beanie Headphones**
A beanie is a nice gift, but a Bluetooth beanie? That's next level. The Fulllight Tech Beanie has speakers built in so you can listen to tunes or take calls. The battery lasts a long time and can be recharged. You can even take the speakers out and wash the hat. It's $14.89 on Amazon for Black Friday (normally $17.52) and has a 4.6-star rating from over 11,000 reviews. They come in different colors.
People who own it are stunned by the sound quality. Music sounds good and calls are clear. The speakers don't bug you while you wear it, and it actually keeps your head warm. People love the Bluetooth, shockingly. It’s a great gift for people who like to listen to music or talk on the phone while doing outdoor stuff.
**5. Frtonyi Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set**
For the cook in your life, how about electric salt and pepper shakers? The Frtonyi Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set lets you grind with one hand. The battery recharges fast with a USB cable. You can adjust how coarse the grind is. They're $29.99 on Amazon, but on discount for Black Friday for $18.99. Shoppers rated it 4.5-stars from nearly 7,000 reviews.
People who use them rave about grind quality, and said the settings make it much more than just a salt and pepper shaker. Others say the light that shows when you're using it and the clear window to see what's inside are great. People enjoyed the battery life, quick charging, and stylish style that fits in any kitchen. Great present idea, for sure.
**6. InnoView Portable Monitor**
Shopping for someone who's always working on their phone or tablet? The InnoView Portable Monitor might do the trick. It's a 15.6-inch monitor with HDMI and USB that hooks up to your devices or works as a second monitor for your computer. It comes with a cover that protects it and also works as a stand. You can get it for $98.99 on Amazon, but it's on big discount for $59.98 during Black Friday. It has a 4.4-star rating from thousands of customers.
Those are the folks who snapped it rave about how clear and bright the screen is. Portability is also a plus: big enough to be helpful, but not too big to carry around. Also, it's easy to setup. You don't need to download anything
**7. Elgato Stream Deck Mini**
Do you know a tech fan has to be at their computer all the time? The Elgato Stream Deck Mini is a solid idea. It connects to a computer and does things when you hit the buttons. It can launch a browser, mute stuff, or do stuff while live streaming. You can change the buttons to do whatever you want. It connects to a computer and works right away. It goes with programs like Zoom, Microsoft Office, Spotify, and Adobe Photoshop. And you can change the pictures on the buttons.
The Elgato mini goes for $57.99 on Amazon and earned a 4.8-star rating from a heap of reviews. The quality is excellent and it works well with any computer. You can set it up fast, it's simple to use, and you can change it however you like. It doesn’t take up a lot of space.
**8. Anker Prime 6-in-1 USB Charging Station**
Need a great charging station for someone? The Anker Prime 6-in-1 USB Charging Station fits the bill. It has AC outlets, USB-C ports, and USB-A ports. It's small enough to take on trips. Heads-up: it's not a power bank itself. It's $109.99 on Amazon, but you might find it for $59.99 on Black Friday. People rating it had a 4.6-star average.
People talk about how quickly stuff charges. A display screen shows the wattage for each port, which is cool if you care about that stuff. Some people take it on trips. This helps with charging your gadgets while you're away from home.
**9. Voltrex Electric Protein Shaker Bottle**
Your fitness pals need easy protein shakes after workouts? The Voltrx Electric Protein Shaker is what they're looking for! It mixes the protein into liquid for you immediately. A quiet vortex mixes the protein inside the bottle. It's $19.99 on Amazon, and you might notice it on Black Friday for $15.79. Users rated it 4.4 stars overall.
Buyers that use Voltrx Protein Shaker say it works amazing. They mention its effectiveness. Afterwards, the shaker is easy to clean.
**10. Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner**
If you need a lovely gift, it may the Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner. Jewelry or other small items receive a great cleaning when underwater. High-frequency sound waves scrubs the dirt off. It's a fast way to polish jewelry without wrecking it. Don't use it for cheap watches, scratched glasses, or soft stones such as pearls. The cleaner is portable, and doesn't take up much space. It goes for $42.99 on Amazon, or $28.88 during Black Friday. Reviews stand at 4.5-stars average.
Reviewers adore how awesome it keeps their stuff in perfect condition, without making too much noise while it's running. It's easy to turn on - just add water.
**How We Picked These Items**
We cared about price, first and foremost. We wanted to know people felt like they're getting a lot. We also wanted things that anyone could use, like the Bluetooth Beanie and the Hand Warmers.
Once we picked the stuff we liked, we looked at what other people said about them. We made sure other users enjoyed them, too. These gadgets had to do what they claimed to and be easy to use. Anyone who gets these should be able to use them without a problem. Price is relevant at this present time. Everything on this list has over 1,000 reviews and at least 4 stars on Amazon.
20.Silent Hill 2 Remake Hits Xbox Globally at 50% Off, Plus a Fresh Movie Trailer Drops
Silent Hill fans, listen up! It feels like Konami just cranked up the fog machine, cause there's a TON of stuff happening all at once. Remember that Silent Hill 2 remake from Bloober Team? Well, surprise! Turns out it's now available on Xbox Series X/S, a lot sooner than people expect. No longer a PlayStation and PC thing, so that's cool. But wait, there's more! Christophe Gans, who kicked things off with the first Silent Hill movie, just dropped a video for his new movie, Return to Silent Hill. And guess what? It's taking a LOT of inspiration from the Silent Hill 2 story that we're all obsessed with.
**Silent Hill 2 Remake on Xbox – And on Sale!**
The rumors are true: the Silent Hill 2 remake showed up on Xbox. Head over to the Xbox/Microsoft Store, and boom – you can download it right now. Plus, get this – it's half-price! I saw it in the UK store for £27.49 instead of the usual £54.98. Even the Deluxe Edition, the one with the digital goodies and Pyramid Head mask, is marked down to £34.99.
Word on the street is that this sale is heading to PlayStation and PC soon, so everyone can get in on the action without destroying their bank accounts. Been waiting for a reason to check it out? Now's your shot!
**Bundle Up for Savings**
But that's not all folks . Konami is planning on dropped two new bundles, with Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill f. It sounds like the bundles - both regular and deluxe versions - will get a 20% discount starting November 25th. Not sure if that 20% stacks on top of the Silent Hill 2 sale, but we'll have to wait and see .
And speaking of Silent Hill f, the new game gets some love too! It's 30% off on PlayStation now, and that deal hits other platforms on November 25th. From what I've heard, Silent Hill f is keeping scary, but doing its own thing. You want the true and tried horror of SH2 with the new, off-the-wall scares of Silent Hill f? Get the bundle.
**New Return to Silent Hill Movie – Hype or Horror?**
Okay, if all that game news wasn't enough, we got our first look at Christophe Gans' new film, Return to Silent Hill. He directed the first one, and this one is going straight for that SH2 story.
You see all the sign there, fog, those scary nurses, Pyramid Head, and Yamaoka's amazing music. The video's editing style is what gets me, so many quick cuts and reveals seem a little weird. The appeal of Silent Hill is about the atmosphere and the messed-up characters, and I'm praying the movie doesn't depend on cheap jump scares.
**Cautiously Optimistic**
I'm a little nervous because Gans' first movie? Wasn't exactly perfect. Great look and mood, but the story was kind of a mess. I'm hoping Return to Silent Hill can find the right mix between the emotion of James Sunderland's story and giving us the chills.
The movie is supposed to come out on January 23, 2026, so we have over a year to wait. Some fans are already dissecting the videos, like, what happened to Mary's famous line? Others are trying to stay hopeful, saying videos always show the flashiest stuff to get people interested.
**Why We Can't Quit Silent Hill**
The fact that the remake is coming to Xbox at the same time as new movie stuff? Proves that Silent Hill just doesn't want to leave our minds. After all these years, Silent Hill 2 is, and still always will be, the best example of psychological horror games. It deals with stuff like grief, guilt, and inner demons, and that is what sets off away from those other horror games.
By releasing the remake, a new group of people get to get the same treatment that was handed to those the original group of gamers once did. Silent Hill f is trying new things, while also maintaing those things that the community came to appreciate and love.
**The Short Version**
In conclusion, if you are someone of likes of Silent Hill, you are going to like all this good news. Silent Hill 2 is on Xbox, on sale, and you can get stuff with Silent Hill f if you want. And the director of first film is in charge for Release to Silent Hill in theaters in 2026. There things to come in the future, with still the promise to create new fan in the community.
Whether you're diving back into Silent Hill with the remake, excited about the new direction of Silent Hill f, or interested to see what Gans does with James Sunderland's story, now is an important time to be a fan. Silent Hill in its future, the big questions is what will happen with future releases.
21.OnePlus 13 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: Solving Your Black Friday Dilemma
Black Friday 2025 is going to be a good time to grab a new phone. If you're like me and sticking with Android, there are two phones, I think they're pretty good, and stand out since they're going to be cheaper. Amazon's knocking $200 off the OnePlus 13 (512GB model). Not bad at all! But here's the kicker – they're taking a huge $362 off the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, again with 512GB of storage. Both are cheaper than you would normally find, so it's a good oppurtunity to buy.
But how to decide which one's for *you*? Alright, let's see:
**Round 1: Speed**
Both phones are using the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip from Qualcomm. In 2025, this is going to be the fastest. Now, I heard Samsung played around with the S25 Ultra's chip to try and make it even faster, which I think it ended up being.
* **Geekbench 6 (Single-Core):** Galaxy S25 Ultra – 3137, OnePlus 13 – 2967
* **Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core):** Galaxy S25 Ultra – 9769, OnePlus 13 – 9081
* **3DMark Extreme High:** Galaxy S25 Ultra – 6208, OnePlus 13 – 6330
* **3DMark Extreme Low:** Galaxy S25 Ultra – 2981, OnePlus 13 – 4452
So, yeah, Samsung seems to win those first tests. Although, the OnePlus 13 actually does better in some of the graphics tests. And this is the important part – it has 16GB of RAM, while the Ultra only has 12GB. The OnePlus can do many things and not get too hot. The S25 Ultra gets hot, which can slow it down. For the day-to-day stuff, you probably will not notice the speed difference, so don't put too much worry into it.
*Round Winner:* OnePlus 13. The OnePlus will do better if you play games or edit videos.
**Round 2: Camera**
The camera on the S25 Ultra is really good though. It uses a big 200-megapixel main sensor and a pretty diverse 50-megapixel ultrawide. It takes good photos. The colors seem to pop, the details are very clear, and it's just one of the better camera systems you can buy. If the lighting is bad, or you are using the zoom function on the camera itself, this is pretty useful.
The OnePlus 13 has a good enough camera, with the 50MP main camera with a 50MP ultrawide as well. It takes good enough pictures. Sometimes, the photos become overprocessed. You might find the colors too bright, and edges too sharp. Samsung wins in this instance since they want a more realistic desired outcome to photography.
*Round Winner:* Galaxy S25 Ultra. Buy it, without thinking twice, if you want your pictures to mean something.
**Round 3: The Displays**
Both screens are AMOLED screens, with a 120Hz refresh rate. What you should come to expect. The colors look good, the animations are not sluggish, and it looks visually pretty. With the S25 Ultra, you get the larger screen measuring at 6.9-inches, as well as having a display resolution of 3120 x 1440. The OnePlus 13 is smaller at 6.82 inches, but it has a resolution of 3168 x 1440. To be honest, they both have nice screens.
When both displays are cranked up, the Samsung's does show a little more brightness, plus it even has a coating protecting from the sun. The OnePlus is good at what it does, but the Samsung wins out for display brightness.
*Round Winner:* Galaxy S25 Ultra. The difference is small, but the display on the Samsung is arguably better, mostly for when outside in sunny conditions.
**Round 4: How Good Are The Batteries?**
For the Galaxy S25 Ultra it comes with a 5,000mAh battery, just like the average phone in 2025 should be. The one from OnePlus is loaded with a 6,000mAh battery!
Just doing a couple of things like browsing the internet or streaming some content, the OnePlus will make the battery last a bit longer:
* **Surfing the Web:** OnePlus – 21h 34m, Galaxy – 20h 49m
* **Streaming content:** OnePlus – 9h 12m, Galaxy – 8h 54m
Strangely enough, the Galaxy will last longer in your gaming sessions:
* **Gaming:** Galaxy – 14h 21m, OnePlus – 8h 12m
* **General use:** Galaxy – 8h 0m, OnePlus – 7h 30m
And there's more, when charging, the OnePlus will easily win out. The phone will fully charge in only 43 minutes, in contrast to the Samsung requiring 69 minutes. Wireless charging is quicker on the OnePlus too.
*Round Winner:* Tie. It all will come down to how you use it.
**Round 5: How Long Will These Get Support?**
Samsung is stepping up their game when they said they would be giving seven years of software along with security to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. OnePlus will continue to stand by four years for upgrades to Android, together with six years of security .
If you want your phone to last a long time and be safe, Samsung is your friend!
*Round Winner:* Galaxy S25 Ultra. You will want to use the security updates to keep safe.
**Round 6: What is The Damage to My Wallet?**
The Galaxy S25 Ultra with 512GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM costs around $1,058, even with the Amazon deal. On the other hand, the closest phone One Plus 13 is under $800 with the same storage capacity AND even more RAM (16GB)!
With a price difference of $258, the choice seems obvious. The Samsung has the S Pen, but paying too much is not favorable.
*Round Winner:* OnePlus 13. The most for your buck.
**What is the final Decision?!**
They are both great phones, each for their own reasons:
* Buyers of the **OnePlus 13** users will recognize the price, have confidence in the performance for gaming, enjoy charging speed, and the ok camera. For the overall deal, and not having to spend too much, choose this device.
* **Galaxy S25 Ultra** customers will be happy to use the nice camera, see the bright screen, plus the S Pen. To keep the amazing memories, be sure to take photos with this device.
The OnePlus 13 is the best option to save a penny, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a fun phone to use. This will come down to your budget.
**To Sum it Up**
Hold on because Black Friday 2025 is nearly here! The OnePlus 13 and Galaxy S25 Ultra, you should take these into consideration as they are very awesome phones to look to purchase!
The OnePlus 13 does not ask much, the Galaxy S25 Ultra gives you the best camera and long updates.
22.Free iPhones This Black Friday? Here’s What You Should Watch Out For
**Black Friday iPhone 17 Pro: Too Good to Be True?**
Thanksgiving's almost here, and you know what that means: Black Friday deals are everywhere! Your inbox and favorite websites are probably crammed with ads, especially for deals on the new iPhone 17 Pro. You might have even seen some free iPhone 17 Pro offers floating around. Sounds awesome, right? After all, these phones cost a small fortune. But, just like with most things these phone companies try to sell, there's usually a sneaky catch.
Let's look at what Verizon, Mint Mobile, and T-Mobile are offering and figure out what you'll *actually* pay.
**Verizon's Free iPhone 17 Pro**
Verizon's throwing around the idea of a free iPhone 17 Pro for new single-line customers. Sounds great, but here's the lowdown:
* **Startup Costs:** They smack you with a $40 activation fee right off the bat.
* **Locked In:** The phone only works on Verizon for the first few months.
* **Expensive Plan Required:** You only get the free phone if you get their priciest plan - around $90 a month with AutoPay (or $100 if you don't use it).
That means you're stuck with them for three whole years. Let's do some quick math:
* **Three Years of Service:** $90 x 36 months = $3,240
* **Activation Fee:** $40
* **Estimated Taxes:** Let's say around $72.87
* **Total Cost:** $3,352.87
So, yeah, the phone is technically free, but you're paying for it with a super expensive plan you might not even want. Verizon's got good coverage in some areas, sure, but is it worth being locked into their priciest plan?
**The Verdict:** This deal only makes sense if you were *already* planning on getting Verizon's top-tier unlimited plan. Otherwise, that free phone will wind up costing you a lot.
**Mint Mobile: Buy the Phone, Get Cheap Service**
Mint Mobile takes a different approach. They don't dangle free phones to attract you. They just sell you the iPhone 17 Pro with a year of service at a discounted rate. Here's how the numbers fall:
* **Phone Discount:** They knock off around $200, bringing the iPhone 17 Pro down from $1,099 to $899.
* **Cheap Service:** Their unlimited plan is usually $360 a year, but it's just $180 with this deal.
* **Upfront Total:** $899 + $180 = $1,079 *before* taxes and fees
When you go to checkout, the total lands around $1,165.06. Here's the breakdown:
* **Recovery Fee:** $25.25 (who knows what that is)
* **Fees:** $60.81
The good thing about Mint is that you pay for it all at once. It's basically Mint's way of getting customers to help Mint get a little more money and get a year of service for peanuts.
**The Verdict:** Mint's deal is actually not bad. They're honest with their prices. There are no contracts linking you into a long commitment, and the total cost is way less than Verizon. If you don't mind using Mint (which runs on T-Mobile's network), it's a solid offer.
**T-Mobile's Free iPhone 17 Pro - Gotta Trade-In!**
T-Mobile's also throwing around free iPhone 17 Pro, but there are strings attached:
* **Trade-In Condition:** The savings depend on what phone you trade in. A fairly new iPhone 16 Pro Max will get you, the full $1,099. Got an older phone? The deal is nowhere near as worthy it.
* **Two-Year Contract:** You're stuck with them for two years, at a minimum.
* **Expensive Plan:** You'll need their most expensive plan, which clocks in around $100 a month.
* **Again Locked Phone:** You can't use your phone with a different company for some time.
The money works out like this:
* **Two Years of Service:** $100 x 24 months = $2,400
* **Estimated Fees:** Around $83.54
* **Total Cost:** $2,483.54
It's less than Verizon, but you still need the pricey plan and a good phone to trade. If your old phone isn't worth much, you won't save a load of money after the dust settles.
**The Verdict:** T-Mobile's a bit better than Verizon in the amount of money, but you need a good trade-in to make it count.
**Let's Compare, Shall We?**
A quick look at the options:
| Company/Provider | Upfront Cost | Contract Length | Monthly Plan Cost | Total Cost | What You Need to Know |
| ---------------- | --------------- | -------------- | ---------------- | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Verizon | $0 (phone) +$40 | 36 months | $90/month | $3,352.87 | They try to lock you into their plan. |
| Mint Mobile | $1,079 | 12 months | Included | $1,165.06 | You pay upfront. |
| T-Mobile | $0 (trade-in) | 24 months | $100/month | $2,483.54 | You must trade in an eligible device. |
**Hidden Costs to Watch**
These deals all come with those little hidden costs:
* **Activation Fees:** Verizon and T-Mobile both charge these.
* **Sales Taxes:** These vary by location.
* **Phone Restrictions:** You can't use the phone with other companies for a while.
* **Required Plans:** You will need to get the priciest plans to get the deal.
These little things can add up!
**So, Which One Should You Pick?**
It depends on what matters most to *you*:
* **Best Overall Rate:** Mint Mobile. A higher upfront cost, but a year of service is at a good price. It comes with no long-term commitments.
* **Good service Everywhere:** Verizon. Do you want good service no matter what, it's for you.
* **Got a Good Trade-In?:** T-Mobile. If you have a newer device and you don't mind using T-Mobile, it can be a cheaper option.
**The Takeaway**
All Black Friday iPhone 17 Pro deals change in the amount of money they can save you. Verizon and T-Mobile have expensive long-term plans. Mint Mobile might be the best choice for the actual saving that it provides.
Be sure you know what you're paying for. A free iPhone can cost a lot in the end!
23.Phictly Launches App Connecting Fans Through Books and TV Shows
Remember the good old days of social media? Back when Myspace and early Facebook were all about geeking out over stuff you truly cared about? Like, posting a mega-long rant after a *Grey's Anatomy* episode, or joining a 'Team Jacob Forever' group without shame? Nowadays, those big social platforms are just... huge. It's almost impossible to find those small, tight-knit communities anymore.
That's where Phictly comes in. It's a new app that wants to bring back that cozy feeling of belonging, by letting you create clubs around specific books, shows, and movies. It's on both iPhone and Android, and the whole point is to recapture the fun of niche fandom *without* all the yelling and judging you get on the bigger sites.
So, how did Phictly even start?
Well, the founder, Nyleena Aiken, got the idea after starting a book club with her sisters. Turns out, picking books everyone liked was a total pain! And that made her think: What if there was an app where groups could form around, like, *one single* book, show, or film at a time?
She told TechCrunch that she saw that there are a lot of big groups out there, but not much real talk going on. Phictly is made to keep discussions on point and work with how busy people are, so you can actually join in without it taking over your life.
Basically, she wanted smaller, more real communities where people could have great conversations that aren't a waste of time and energy.
What Makes Phictly Special?
The coolest thing about Phictly is that each club can only have 20 people. This means the conversations stay intimate. Instead of being lost in some giant Facebook group with thousands of folks, Phictly feels like you're just chilling in someone's living room, and everyone gets to speak.
Plus, you get to pick how fast the club goes. Are you a super-fast reader or you binge shows like crazy? Then you can create short-term clubs that only last a day or two. Or, if you like to take things slower, you can join clubs that last up to a month. It's easy to find a place that fits your own speed.
And get this: they also thought about spoilers! People can post them, but they stay blurred out unless you click to see them. That way, you won't have your favorite show ruined before you're ready.
They also have this thing called Talk Points. It's a way to set dates to chat about certain episodes or chapters. That way, everyone can jump in the conversation when they're ready.
More Than Just Talking
Phictly isn't just for talking, it can also help you keep track of what you're reading and watching. It's a bit like Goodreads. You can log what you're doing, set goals for yourself, and keep a list of everything you've finished. This can really help if you're trying to read more books or trying to keep up with the water cooler shows everyone is talking about.
Phictly is trying to connect people and also help them improve themselves.
What's Next?
The app is still growing, and they've got some cool ideas coming. They want to add a way to match people with similar interests, fave genres, and frequently enjoyed movies/shows/books. This helps you find new clubs and people that you connect with.
And they are also planning to let you make clubs about video games too. Gaming is a huge deal these days, so it makes sense! It’ll open the door for all sorts of groups, from hardcore fans of the big-name games to people who love smaller, indie hits.
How Much Does It Cost?
Right now, Phictly is free to download. But, they are thinking about adding a premium version with extra features, like private profiles and ways to customize your experience.
A lot of apps do this. They give you a good free version, but then let you pay for extra stuff if you want it.
Why You Should Care
Phictly is coming out now because a lot of people are tired of how huge social media has gotten. It’s easy to feel lost in the crowd, and the conversations are not intimate. Phictly is trying to bring back that old feeling of closeness by keeping groups small and focused.
People want to find smaller communities where they can share what they are actually passionate about. Whether you want to go deep on the relationship between Violet and Xaden in Rebecca Yarros’ *The Fourth Wing*, or rehash old Grey’s Anatomy episode, Phictly is a place where those specific interests can exist.
In short...
Phictly is trying to be more than just another app. It wants to go back to how online communities used to be. It puts a big emphasis on closeness, clear purpose, and working with your schedule. It feels like a response to the chaotic mess of the giant social media platforms. With features like spoiler controls, Talk Points, and ways to change the reading/watching speed, it's made to work with people's modern lives, while still keeping that fun feeling of fandom.
With new features coming soon, like better matching and video game clubs, Phictly might just get people talking about the media they love. So, if you miss the goofy Myspace days, Phictly might be for you.
24.Apple Adds Hikawa Grip to Its Expensive iPhone Accessory Lineup
**Apple's Hikawa iPhone Grip & Stand: Is This Just a Fancy Rubber Band for $70?**
Apple's been experimenting lately. Remember that weird, overpriced Issey Miyake iPhone Pocket? Okay, maybe you don't. But it existed, and someone thought it was a good idea. Anyway, they're at it again, teaming up with a designer on something new: the Hikawa iPhone Grip & Stand. This time, the idea is to make your phone easier to hold, but brace yourself, it's still gonna hit your wallet hard.
**The Price Tag: Ouch!**
Seventy bucks. Yep, you read that right. For a grip. That puts it in the seriously high-end accessory zone. You can get it straight from Apple in two, uh, *interesting* colors:
* Chartreuse: Basically, it's neon green. Like, highlighter-marker-from-the-80s neon. If you are a loud person.
* Crater: A darker color that looks like it could potentially have been made from old tires, or something equally recycled-y.
If you go to Hikawa’s actual online shop, they oddly call it the Adaptive Grip & Stand and you have more colors. There’s a Cobalt Blue that is cool. There is also Blurple Swirl that looks fun. No matter where you buy it, like I said above, it is still $70 for what basically looks like a rubber band that you stick on your phone. Even though those colors may look cool, $70 is still $70 and the feeling will not change.
**MagSafe to the Rescue (Maybe)**
The good thing is? It uses MagSafe, so it just snaps onto the back of any iPhone 12 or newer. Also, if you have a MagSafe compatible case? It sticks on that too. It fits any size iPhone from the small Mini to the big Pro Max. So, most iPhone users are fine for this.
**Apple vs. PopSockets: A Real Comparison**
Let's be real. At first view, this looks like a PopSocket. You know, those things that everyone has? They magnetically stick, they act as stands, and they are WAY cheaper. Why would anyone drop $70 on Apple's version of a PopSocket?
Really, it all comes down to how Apple is, rather, trying to sell it. PopSockets are all about fun, and they are about your style. The Hikawa Grip doesn’t say it as loudly. Hikawa Grip is more like a tool to make your phone easier to hold. You know that they are thinking about things to do with inclusion. Apple says that they all spoke to people that have hand troubles with weaker muscles or less finger action. They thought about that info to produce something that wouldn’t need much effort to hold an iPhone, making it easier for people that have trouble.
**Meet Bailey Hikawa**
Bailey Hikawa lives in Los Angeles and designs grips and cases for iPhones. She really likes ease of use. Her focus on accessibility is why Apple first contacted her. Hikawa listened to people with difficulties and began crafting stuff that any user can use with nice looks.
Now she is working with Apple, and people may think about her concepts more often. Now we get that the Hikawa Grip is more than just a phone item. It states that designers should think about everyone.
**What It's Made Of, and How It Feels**
Hikawa reports, that the grip is also made from specific silicone that is very soft. However you grip it, it’s made to be easy to hold. You don’t have to squeeze so hard to keep your phone from falling, which is good if you don’t have strong hands.
There is just a loop with a center hole. Some may not enjoy the very bright green, but it is meant to feel good and offer more hold, so that you have ease of use.
**Is Phone Use Improved By This**
Apple is chatting about how phone use gets better. They don’t want you to assume it's only for folks with difficulties. Anybody can have the sensation that iPhones are hard to hold. They’re always getting bigger and heavier, so regular folks may want anything to hold on to it easier without much weakness.
This also makes the Hikawa Grip much different than those cheap PopSockets. The PopSockets are about looks and being easy. Apple wants to say it is about being thoughtful and helping everyone out. If you suppose to that, it might be alright.
**Is This Worth It At All**
Although it is meant to help all, there are those that are in doubt. It is a bit more than the rest at $70. There’s a part, of the opinion, where Apple slapped a designer's name on a PopSocket and created a super high price. Because of the bright green color, some believe it looks cheap. So there is also a doubt that it works properly and nice.
Apple has also been known to make weird items to be well known. That happens when certain ideals are linked. Ideals like being inclusive and eco-friendly.
**The Big Idea: Apple Teams up with Designers**
The Hikawa Grip is basically Apple now wanting to work with designers to produce cool stuff. The Issey Miyake iPhone Pocket talked about fashion, but the Hikawa Grip is on ease of use. They both infer that Apple is trying to make goods. The goods are not just tech, but they will also be something in your lifestyle and what you admire.
Apple and their work with designers like Hikawa delivers a statement that their designs are meant for anyone. It also causes them to seem like a company that is caring and helpful in their designs.
**The Bottom Line:**
The Hikawa iPhone Grip & Stand looks like a simple rubber thing. It was planned because of the feedback from people with difficulties. This shows that Apple focuses on making smartphones available to everyone. People assume it is too much compared to the regular PopSockets at $70. No matter, Apple is counting on people to esteem its quality, what the designer is well known for, and that it aids those people.
The Hikawa Grip is either funny to be such an expensive thing, or it supports people a ton. It proves that Apple finds out how to intersect design, support, and tech. It might be worthy to watch out for if you want great phone use, has a nice feel, and grants a major benefit.
25.Android Auto Gets Its Biggest Update Ever from Google
**Android Auto is getting a major upgrade as they swapped Google Assistant for Gemini**
So, the Google Assistant has been the voice inside Android Auto. In the past, it could do the basics. It could give you directions, handle messages, and play music. It worked fine, but it wasn't anything amazing. It felt clunky. Google decided to replace the Google Assistant for Gemini.
Google talked about this a while back, and it's finally happening! Now you can have conversations with your car. The idea is that Gemini is going to make driving easier and safer.
**Real Conversations on the Road**
The best part when you have Gemini is how well understand you when you are chatting. You don't have to speak super clearly anymore, you can speak casually. Chat like you would with a friend, and it will understand you. Gemini can figure out what you're talking about through questions, so you don't have to keep repeating it. Gemini offers good, complete answers.
You know before when you had to say, Okay Google, find burger restaurants near me that are open. Sort it by rating. Now, you can just ask it, Hey, any good burger places open right now on the way home? Then, you can ask extra questions like, Can I bring my dog? or What are people saying is good on the menu right now? The old Google Assistant couldn't do that stuff. This upgrade is bigger than it seems. It goes from feeling like you are giving orders to talking with another person. My grandma can use this without needing help. How cool is that?
**The Five Coolest Things You Can Do with Gemini in Your Car**
Google says Gemini is helpful:
1. **Finding the Best Local Spots:** Gemini is tied to Google Maps, so it is good at finding restaurants, gas stations, and stores. Gemini gives you real-time info, short review summaries, and tells you what's unique about a place. It looks for whatever you like. Need coffee? Running low of gas? Looking for a restaurant that lets you bring your pet on a patio? Gemini makes it easy. You can ask it questions, such as, Which gas station is close that has premium gas and is considered safe at night. Why not test it out are there charging stations near me that has a restroom, I am confident it can do these tasks.
2. **Messaging is easy (It can Edit!):** Texting can be dangerous, but Gemini makes it safer when you just need to send a message, mostly during emergencies. You can get a summary of new texts that came in, send messages out loud, and pull everything together. For example, it goes: Tell Jessica that I'm stuck in traffic, send my ETA, and add a frustrated emoji., then you ask Ask her if she wants to get dinner afterward, and translate it into Spanish. It feels safer and more effortless to handle messages while you're driving. Instead of grabbing your phone, you can allow Gemini to do the hard work.
3. **Learn As You Drive:** Gemini is also good for learning while on the road. You can ask random trivia, such as Give me three historical events that happened in July. Kid keep asking questions? Gemini might be able to answer those random facts!! When it comes to Gemini on your phone, you can shut it when it babbles, that isn't the same in a car. It isn't a big deal, but Google can fix that in the future.
4. **Good Music, All the Time:** Any long car ride needs good music, and now you can hear it. Gemini makes playlists based on your mood, the weather, and how long you'll be driving. Suggest a two-hour playlist of happy songs that everyone will enjoy. Or you can say, The weather is pouring rain, what type of music would go in accordance to the weather? It may not work for all services, such as Youtube Music, or Spotify. Keep testing it to get better taste over time.
5. **Keeping On Track:** When in traffic (which happens!), you can have Gemini read your unread emails, check your schedule, and reserve spots. You can say, Where is my hotel tonight? Give me the address, and begin navigation. Instead of doing it separately, everything can be performed in a single order. You can ask, what is the quickest way to travel?
**Activating Gemini**
Switching from the old system to Gemini is easy. Here are all the options:
* Say Hey Google as you usually would.
* Tap the microphone image on the home screen.
* Hold the voice prompt button down on your steering wheel.
Update Gemini on your phone, you should see a popup message that will help you out.
**Feels Better**
Reviewers of Gemini are saying it's better than the old Assistant. It feels smarter, and everything is getting easier.
Gemini seems like the AI partner everyone wants. Speaking, finding places, and finishing tasks. And hopefully things continue to improve.
**Cars Later**
What if Gemini learns and knows about your automobiles? Warning you when you're over the speed limit, or knowing the dangers that are coming up.
It will be great to see what Google updates when driving. Automobiles are gradually getting smarter because of AI.
**Wrap Up**
Gemini seems to be something special when driving. By replacing the Google Assistant, Google has routines easier when you drive. It makes you find places that are hype, and finding music lists.
A few problems remain (such as how you can't cut it off), but it will get better over time.
26.Walking on Giant Stilts: Is It Really More Efficient?
**Stilt-Walking: It's Not Just for Show (But the Show is Cool, Too!)**
Ever wonder why people walk on stilts? It's one of those things that pops up, and you think, Huh, that's interesting. Well, someone on Reddit actually asked if it's better than walking normally. Seriously!
The whole thing started with a video of the Banna tribe in Ethiopia. These guys casually stroll around on super tall wooden stilts. Turns out, way back when, it probably helped them keep an eye on their cows *and* avoid getting attacked by wildlife. These days. it's a cultural thing.
Stilt-walking is a big deal during festivals and special occasions. Young, unmarried dudes are usually the ones doing it—it's like a rite of passage. And they don't just walk; they paint their bodies with white stripes, making it a whole performance. For the Banna, it's about who they are, where they come from, and putting on an amazing show.
**Reddit Weighs In: Is it Math or Body Mechanics?**
Naturally, Reddit had opinions. Some people figured you could get around faster once you got the hang of stilts. Others pointed out the obvious: if you've never done it, you're going to be slow and clumsy. One person put it perfectly It's all about how your body moves, not just numbers. If you're used to it, maybe it's faster, but probably not.
Basically, everyone agreed you couldn't just do some math to figure it out. You'd need to get some experienced stilt-walkers and run some tests. Guess what? Scientists already did!
**Stilts in France? Who Knew?**
Turns out, Ethiopia isn't the only place where people used stilts. Back in the 1700s and 1800s, people in France used them a lot. Shepherds and people living in the villages used stilts to walk across swampy areas and get where they needed to go faster. That got some researchers wondering if there was something mechanically useful about stilts.
**The 1981 Stilt-Walking Experiment**
Back in 1981, some researchers decided to check out how stilt-walking really worked. They found three guys who walked on stilts for fun. Each of them got stilts that were about 4.6 feet tall, making their legs a lot longer.
The guys walked at different speeds in a gym—slow, normal, fast, and super-fast. The researchers wore masks and measured how much oxygen they were using. They also looked at how long their steps were and how often they took them.
The results backed up what people had seen before: stilt-walkers take longer steps and don't step as often. When they were going as fast as they could, their steps were about 30 percent longer, and they stepped about 10 percent less often. So, they went a little faster, about 0.4 to 0.9 mph faster. That lines up with how fast people go in stilt races.
**Burning Calories: Less Work or More?**
The scientists thought that walking on stilts might save energy because it could cut down on how much your body bounces up and down. Longer legs could mean less bouncing and less energy used.
But that's not what happened. It didn't really save energy. Each stilt weighed about 4.4 pounds. Previous experiments had showed that if your feet is heavier, you burn more calories. Adding that much weight to each foot increased energy costs by about 30 percent. So, while the longer steps might have helped a little, the heavy stilts canceled it out.
**More Than Just Getting Around**
So, is stilt-walking better than regular walking from a science point of view? Not really. You can go a tiny bit faster, but you use way more energy. However, getting somewhere quicker isn't everything.
For the Banna tribe, stilts are a symbol of their culture and a part of their traditions. For those French shepherds, they were a handy way to get across the land. And now, some people walk on stilts just for fun, for exercise, or even as part of a performance.
**What's the Big Deal?**
This whole thing shows that people don't always do things because they're the easiest or most efficient way. Stilt-walking might not save you energy, but it gives you a better view, it can protect you, and it definitely has meaning. In Ethiopia, it connects young men to history. In France, it used to connect villagers to their surroundings. And today, it gets people on Reddit thinking about culture.
**In Conclusion**
Stilt-walking is a custom with a lot of history, from the Banna tribe to French shepherds. Even though science says it's not really more useful than walking because of the extra weight, it's still awesome. It reminds us that we were not always trying to take the easy way.
Whether it's keeping away from animals, making people laugh, or celebrating a culture, stilts lift you up, but they also lift up culture, identity, and curiosity. You might not walk faster, but the things stilts stand for are really important.
27.You’re Not Imagining It: The Internet Is Experiencing Widespread Issues
**The Internet's Surprisingly Flimsy Foundation: How Tiny Mistakes Can Cause Major Problems**
Ever notice how the internet's been a little wonky lately? There have been a few hiccups this year alone, and the crazy part is, it wasn't hackers or some huge cyberattack causing the trouble. Each time, it was something kinda normal – a small change to a file, a little DNS adjustment, a setting getting tweaked, or even a new rule added to a service. But somehow, each of these tiny things snowballed into a big, frustrating mess that everyone felt.
The official explanations sound like boring tech manuals. So what really went down? A file on Cloudflare got way too big, a pointer on AWS just vanished, an update on Azure went haywire, and a rule on Google Cloud got stuck in a loop, taking stuff down. How embarrassing is that?
No one to really blame, though. It's like leaving a door unlocked by accident. But each time, it showed a scary truth: the internet isn't this super strong thing we think it is. It's pretty interconnected. A small mistake in one spot can ripple outward and mess things up everywhere because everything relies on the same basic things: the ways networks connect, the ways traffic flows, the ways we make sure you are who you say you are, and the paths data takes.
**Cloudflare's Giant Document Problem**
Let's discuss the Cloudflare thing... earlier this year, they had a hidden issue that showed when a file exceeded its size limit. You might think: so what? I just shows way more, it created major problems. It wasn't just Cloudflare customers that were affected. Banks struggled, shops online slowed down, messaging apps went bonkers, and even things like smart coffee machines, thermostats, and navigation apps started bugging out. All because the part of the internet closest to people (the edge layer) wasn't working well.
Cloudflare handles a lot of web traffic; they are a vital role. A change to database permissions disrupted tons of sessions. A Cloudflare official said they pretty much did not meet the need of the internet. It shows how a little change, hidden somewhere, can mess with everything.
**AWS's Case of the Disappearing Address**
Then, right after that, AWS had a tough break. A DNS spot – like a street address for the internet – disappeared from their busiest area. Traffic was rerouted, services stopped working, and experts guessed the effects would result in millions in insurance claims. People said there were over 17 million issues right away! It show how much people still rely on those AWS areas, even when they're trying to have backup locations.
Having backups didn't do much good because things like authentication, data, and other things still depended on that one main spot. The issue didn't last too long, but it surprised many businesses that thought they had protections.
**Azure's Identity Crisis**
The next week, Microsoft Azure had a glitch. A traffic update made sign-ins slower for work, check-ins, online stores, and even video games. It seemed like separate issues, but it all came from a system that routes traffic based on how Microsoft checks who you are.
Many businesses that don't use Azure still use Microsoft to verify IDs, give access, or find data paths. Just a change in that system messed with travel, shopping, communication, and office work.
**Google Cloud's Control Panel Mix-Up**
Earlier in the summer, Google Cloud had this problem when a service rule went to the wrong spot. The code that approves requests kept crashing and restarting. This made requests stuck or they just died. Authentication issues, problems when software was in work, and apps disappearing and reappearing were reported, causing issues for streaming, team work, and even some of Google's own stuff.
It went away fast, but it showed that Google's control system is a single point of failure. Any mistake there affects everything that uses it.
**One Web, One Weak Point**
These problems had different causes, but they showed the same thing. The internet now depends on a few big companies that are important to everything. Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, for example, handle the biggest portion of cloud funds. Cloudflare is in charge of much of web traffic. And Microsoft, Amazon, and Okta handle many logins daily.
The internet used to be a strong, group of connected things. Now, it looks like a few huge server farms and security spots. Big changes or a missing DNS record can mess with the whole digital domain.
**Shared Systems = Sensitive Systems**
Companies talk about using different providers and having backup sites. The the mess-ups show that those plans aren't that solid when all users rely on the same systems. Shops that use different cloud options can mess up if their checkout depends on a delivery network that fails. Hospitals that have records on site can have delays if their messaging uses some service experiencing issues. Airlines that have data centers can slow down if they use an identity checker in a rough spot.
The problem has to do more as to the planning. This depends on choices that companies don't have direct control over.
**Small Mistakes, Big Problems**
Specialists say that the impact on people is more important than how long it goes during this time. The Cloudflare issue created many reports. The AWS DNS issue affected businesses in many countries. The Azure deal caused many complaints in the first hour. The Google thing made difficult a lot of streaming and team projects.
Each time, the issue showed how the internet's basis has a concentration problem. Small changes – a file running too big, a DNS pointer disappearing, a routing setting going bad – resulted to big messes everywhere.
**The Short Story: It's All Combined**
These hiccups don't mean the internet will stop working . Though, they give everyone a idea of the web. The web is like a massive machine that relies on everything else. Businesses and folks operate inside that engine whether or not they planned to.
The next problem: It could be a setting change, a routing table update, or a file hitting its limit. The internet hasn't ended, but everyone saw how prone it is to problems.
28.Google and US Government Clash Over the Future of Online Advertising
**Google vs. Uncle Sam: The Ad Tech Throwdown**
Alright, so Google's back in court again, this time in Alexandria, Virginia. And it's a big one. The U.S. government is taking them to task over what many see as a stranglehold on online ads. This isn't just about Google's bottom line; it's about who gets to call the shots on the internet as we know it. Think of it this way: Google's ad business is what keeps a lot of the internet's lights on, from news sites to your favorite blogs. The question is, has Google been playing fair? Can watchdogs keep these huge companies with their fingers in everything in check?
**How We Got Here**
This face-off didn't happen overnight. People have been side-eyeing Google's ad game for years. Back in April, one of the judges, Leonie Brinkema, said that Google messed with their ad tech in a way that made it an illegal monopoly. Basically, she said they had already broken the law. So, they had a trial this fall mainly discuss about what to do about it instead of Google being innocent.. The trial which lasted 11 days was all about what kind of punishment or changes Google should face to stop its shady behavior.
This Friday, both sides – the Justice Department and Google's high-priced lawyers – get one last shot to sway Judge Brinkema. She's expected to give her verdict early next year. Her call could totally shake up the digital ad world, which is worth hundreds of billions every year and keeps a huge amount of online content free.
**Google's Ad Machine Explained**
So, how does Google make all this money? Their ad setup is super complicated, connecting websites, advertisers, and people like you and me. There are the basics, like Google Ad Manager and Google Ad Exchange. These connect the people who post ads with the people who have space to show them, on loads of pages on the internet. Advertisers fight over who gets to show their ad to you, and Google helps the websites try to make the most cash.
Some people are mad because Google controls everyone, by being the connection between the advertisers and websites. The Justice Department says Google used this power to cheat, change fees, and keep competitors out. And, as said before, Judge Brinkema agreed that some of the things Google was doing was an illegal monopoly.
**The Government's Argument**
The Justice Department is laying it out simply: Google's control of online advertising is hurting everyone. It jacks up the costs for advertisers and cuts into the money that websites can make. Because Google is in charge of everything, they can control the market.
The prosecutors tried to make the jury by comparing Google to a financial bank that handles the people buying and selling stocks, while controlling the stock market. They said that would be unfair and would cause lots of abuse. They said Google's actions have stopped new ideas, scared off other companies, and made Google too powerful, which breaks the law.
**Google's Side of the Story**
No shocker, Google doesn't see it that way. They say their ad tools are helpful for advertisers and websites, making deals simple and working well at a big scale. They say the online ad space is still open, pointing to companies like Meta (Facebook), Amazon, and other small ones.
Google's legal team is warning that huge changes, like making Google sell pieces of its ad business, could mess up the whole freakin' internet. They say Google's systems work nicely together and breaking them up could hurt people, businesses, and websites.
**What Happens Next?**
Now, Judge Brinkema has to figure out how to fix Google's bad behavior. She could tell them to be more open, like showing how the ad fights work. Or, she could go big, making them split up their ad business.
Splitting the company would be huge. Google might have to sell its ad exchange or separate its ad tools for websites from the ones for ad posters. This would be like the government breaking up AT&T way back when. It could show others companies how to manage other tech businesses.
Smaller changes might be more monitoring of Google, showing more about what Google does, or stopping Google from connecting some services. Whatever she decides, it'll likely be felt everywhere, touching companies like Meta, Amazon, and Apple.
**The Bigger Picture**
This case against Google is just one fight, but part of a bigger war against Big Tech. Watchdogs all over the world are getting worried about a few companies having all the power in areas like search, social media, online shopping, and cloud computing.
For Google, this is massive. Ads are where they make most of their money, which pays for things like YouTube, Gmail, and Android. If they have to make big changes, it could weaken the company and change how online ads work.
For all of us on the internet, this situation raises questions about keeping things fair while being effective. Google's setup has made online ads easy and worth it, but it's also given them a scary amount of power, which might not be great for competition and new ideas.
**In Conclusion**
As the judge listens to the closing arguments, she has to look at everything and decide what to do about a company that's become synonymous with the internet. Her choice could be known as the the future for telling digital stations what to do.
Whether she chooses to split them up, make them fix their behavior, or something in between, her decision will change not only Google's future but also where the web is going. Everyone's watching to see how a judge in Virginia will decide the future of one of the world's biggest companies.
29.Meta Opens Its Ultra-Realistic Photosphere to Everyone, Allowing Cross-Platform Virtual Hangouts
**Meta Hyperscape: Your Place, Virtually**
So, Meta's back at it with the VR stuff. This time, it's Meta Hyperscape, and to be honest, it sounds pretty interesting. Remember how your Meta Quest can scan things? Well, this lets you scan whole areas – your apartment, that nice coffee shop, anything. It makes digital get-togethers a reality. I'm talking totally digital copies of real places. Then, you and your friends can walk around in them together, even if some are just using their phones. I mean, you could show everyone your place (whether it's clean or a total mess) no matter where they are. Plus, it's an easy way to show off your home.
But, Hyperscape doesn't stop there. You can jump into places other folks have scanned too. Whether you're on a Meta Quest or just your phone, the plan is to feel like you're all hanging out for real. It's like virtual reality mixed with augmented reality, giving you a totally different way to connect with others. The big picture is taking your favorite real-world hangouts and putting them online for everyone to see. Sounds kinda fun, right?
**Turning Heads**
Meta showed this off a bit last year, and a lot of people got excited. It gave them a reason to keep going on the project. The first people to try it said the scans looked super real. They wouldn't stop talking about how much detail was in each place, and how real it felt to be there. I even tried it out myself with a Meta Quest 3, and was surprised how real the scanned places felt. It's neat.
And, here's the cool part: Hyperscape works with Meta's Horizon Worlds engine. You scan a place with Hyperscape, then you can bring it into Horizon Worlds, and anyone there can check it out. But it doesn't end there! You don't even need a VR headset. Meta's working to let you see Hyperscape spots using the Meta Horizon app on Android phones and iPhones, so even more people can get in on the fun. They are really trying.
**Sharing is a Piece of Cake**
Meta keeps saying Hyperscape is all about being social, and they’re making sharing super easy. You can go to any Hyperscape spot – whether you scanned it or Meta made it – and just tap the share button. Then, send the link to your pals, and they can jump in and see what's there. It's that simple.
This setup lets up to seven people hang together, no matter what device they're using. It's more accessible. It doesn't matter if you're really into VR or just using your phone. Plus, Meta might let more people in at once later on. Who knows?
**Better Performance Means More Fun**
Here's a smart thing about Hyperscape: It does all the work right on your device, instead of sending stuff back and forth to a server. Before, when places were streamed, you'd sometimes get lag or other problems. Now, your Quest or phone is doing all the work, so things should work better. It is what people really want.
Because of this, hangouts should be way better, even if you've got a bunch of people in the same area. And, since Hyperscape isn't relying on Meta as much and is doing most of the work on your phone, it might be able to handle more users.
**Holidays Done Differently?**
Meta seems to think Hyperscape could be more than just a tech toy. They're saying this is a new way to connect with your family and friends. Imagine this: walking through a scanned version of your family's house with everyone during the holidays! It's a kinda cool way to just hang out and share things, no matter where everyone is.
This goes along with Meta's idea of making VR a normal hangout spot, not just for games. By putting Hyperscape on different devices, Meta's getting ready for the mainstream. With this, Meta wants everyone to prepare for shared virtual spaces.
**Meta Quest 3 Black Friday Deals**
Meta's timing things well with Hyperscape's release. There are deals showing up for the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S for Black Friday. The Meta Quest 3S with 128GB of storage is going for about $300. But you can get it for less, like $250 at Best Buy. There's also a free game known as Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, and there might be a gift card, too.
Amazon's sales have dropped the Quest 3S's cost to about $200 with the gift card. That's supposedly the best deal going for a VR headset. Quest 3 supporters can look forward to things like Deadpool VR and Batman Arkham Shadow once they drop. It seems like the scan-and-play parts of the Quest 3 are what people are most interested in.
**So, What Happens Now?**
Meta mentioned that they'll keep improving Hyperscape to handle a lot more users at once and add more things from Horizon Worlds. They want to make sharing everything easy. All of this should become a pretty big part of the reality scene someday.
Are you excited about Hyperscape? Basically, it turns real places into digital hangouts to share with people. Whether it's for exploring, chilling, or gaming, this gets Meta closer to a bigger vision of digital togetherness. It's something people want.
**To Wrap Things Up**
Meta Hyperscape moves beyond many things, so what is in store seems awesome. You can see family easier now in this app. Black Friday deals might be good for Meta 3s. The way the tech is now, it should be a blast. No one knows.
Meta figures they have to keep working on Hyperscape. Once they do, things like checking out Gordon Ramsay's kitchen with other people will just be normal. Who knows what they will come up with next. It could be big.
30.As AI Worries Shake Markets, This Stock Signals Trouble Before Nvidia
**Is SoftBank's AI Bet Starting to Look Shaky?**
Lately, things have felt a bit strange in the markets. Everyone's trying to figure out what's happening. Some think that the Federal Reserve might not reduce interest rates as much as everyone was hoping for. In addition, there's some worry about private lending, and the feeling that tech stocks, particularly those related to AI, may have increased in price too quickly.
However, what if the bigger issue isn't interest rates or private lending, but the fact that the big excitement around AI is decreasing? For about the last couple of years, AI has been *the* main thing, causing prices of stocks to skyrocket. But now, some wonder whether AI will actually change everything and produce big money as fast as predicted. Usually, most look to Nvidia to see how well AI is performing. However, there are those who think that SoftBank might give a better clue about possible upcoming trouble.
**SoftBank: They've Been Here Before**
SoftBank, run by Masayoshi Son, is popular for taking big risks on tech firms. Way back in the late '90s, during the dot-com days, SoftBank's shares jumped way up because the company was putting money into internet startups. However, when the bubble burst, SoftBank's stock dropped off *way* before everyone else's, in a way showing how unstable those tech stock prices were.
The people at Citi think the same thing might be happening now. SoftBank's shares have gone down quite a bit recently. That might suggest that the excitement around AI that has driven the market since 2023 might be losing power.
**Is the AI Hype Real?**
For nearly two years, AI has held market interest. Nvidia's chips, which are important for teaching those large AI tools, became super popular and the company’s stock went through the roof. Several others, like Microsoft, Alphabet, and a bunch of smaller new firms, all got on board as part of the parade, talking about new and different uses for AI.
Still, there are questions needing attention. The expense toward instruction of AI models requires a heck of a lot of funds and electric energy, not to mention difficult to find gadgets. Also, getting money from AI is appearing difficult. Only some firms have generated revenues from their AI projects. Investors are wondering and asking if the tall stock prices match gains or if it is wishes.
SoftBank's investment in AI is surely there, despite not always attracting headlines. SoftBank became a huge face in the AI world, through it's Vision Fund investments. If SoftBank's shares declines more, it could mean investors no longer think is in AI’s Future.
**Recent Red Flags**
SoftBank's problems are occurring side-by-side with other concerns on the market. Arm Holdings, where SoftBank has major, share, has also seen it's prices lower. The feeling about demand for Chips could be useful from phones to AI Tech. Businesses SoftBank has deals in, like T-Mobile or Deutsche Telekom, also face difficulties with it's investments.
The stock market has been up and down. Scores like the S&P 500, Dow Jones, or Nasdaq have it's good moments recently, but the feeling is uncertain. Bonds are still around, with oil prices down a bit, and Bitcoin isn't doing great. That's telling people to think safe when dealing with money.
**Why SoftBank Better Tells The Story Than Nvidia**
Nvidia is major in it's company from AI, but better tells of it's own problems with SoftBank. Nvidia's demand is rising in it's products, raising net income, or being strong in it's area. SoftBank shows in riskier investments or less way to generate gains.
This makes SoftBank a good measurement about what people feel. If people feel bothered, riskier business shows drop. The crash also hints on the dot-com crash, SoftBank's might also signal on the bigger chance from AI Stocks.
Citi's advise is not that hard to use. If's SoftBank's situation goes south, chances are, the AI can face challenges in a better expected plan.
**Things To Remember For Investors/The Market**
The Main key that investors should know is try acting safe. AI is still remembered in thoughts, but the markets might've had to move further. Strong businesses and finance will handle in whatever drops possible, but much more risk could cause drops greatly.
SoftBank's problems shows what can happen once happy situations over thinking about value from the company. This Vision Funds has already covered with big cost to startup and not seeing things win. If AI is shows same path, SoftBank shows story about speculation.
Look at the market. Cloud service can be used from other's. Chip builders and software depends on the AI market about doing stuff with their stock. If AI starts trouble, signal will drop for areas of what can ruin the stock even if the economy good.
**Overall**
The market shows mix money to business changes. High rates, private risks, value of stock adds a mix. The loss from tech shows problems to AI and problems from SoftBank.
The stock loss before rest of the markets with failure back then, SoftBank shows important issue about AI.
31.Amazon Drops Price on 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet to Just $70
## Is the Aiprotablet A30 Black Friday Deal Really Worth It? Here's the Lowdown
Black Friday is here, and everyone's hunting for killer deals. Electronics are always a hot item, and this year, buried in the avalanche of Amazon discounts, there's one that really grabbed my attention: the Aiprotablet A30, a 2-in-1 that works as both a laptop and a tablet. They're selling it for just $70 – it used to be $100! If you need something for work and fun that won't empty your wallet, this might be exactly what you're looking for. Let's see.
### One Device, Two Ways to Play (and Work!)
Usually, you have to pick: do you want a tablet that's easy to carry around, or a laptop that's good for getting stuff done? Tablets are great for watching videos, reading, and just surfing the web. Laptops are way better when you need to do more, like write papers, edit documents, or run more power-hungry programs. The Aiprotablet A30 tries to give you both in one device.
It comes with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that you can take off whenever you want. That means you can switch from tablet to laptop mode in a snap. Plus, they throw in a stylus, so you can use it for taking notes, sketching, or marking up documents. I think any student, worker, or anyone who just wants one gadget for all their different needs would like this.
### What's Under the Hood? Don't Let the Price Fool You
The price is great, sure, but what’s truly surprising is the hardware they managed to pack into something so cheap. Check this out:
* **12 GB of RAM:** That's what lets you do lots of things at once smoothly. Open a bunch of browser tabs, switch between apps – it won't bog down.
* **64 GB of ROM:** That’s space for all your files, but if you need more, you can add a microSD card up to 2 TB. That's like having a huge external hard drive right inside your tablet.
* **Unisoc T606 octa-core processor:** Okay, that might sound like gibberish, but it's basically the brain of the tablet. It's good enough to watch videos without stuttering, play games, and do your work without wanting to throw the thing out the window.
* **Android 15:** This is the newest version of Android. It looks nice and works with almost every app out there.
You don't see these insides for less than $100. Some people who bought it said the A30 feels really snappy. Even when they are running a lot of apps, it keeps up.
### A Screen That Doesn't Disappoint
The A30 has a 10.1-inch screen. It shows everything clearly and with good colors. Whether you're binging Netflix, playing games, or just reading a book, the screen actually makes it more enjoyable.
Someone on Amazon even said the screen looks as good as the one on their Samsung Galaxy phone and desktop monitor. That's pretty high praise, especially when you consider how much this tablet costs.
### Cameras for Staying Connected
Video calls are life now, and some people like to make their own videos, too. The A30 has a 5-megapixel camera on the front for video chats, and an 8-megapixel camera on the back for taking pictures or scanning documents. They aren’t super amazing, but good enough if you want to use them for school or work. No need to worry.
### Seriously? They Include All This Stuff?
The A30 deal is crazy, because you get a bunch of extras without paying anything extra. Ready? You get:
* A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse
* A stylus
* A case to protect the tablet
* A screen protector
* A USB-C cable with a charger
If you bought all of that separately, it would easily cost more than the tablet itself. You have everything you need right out of the box. You can start working like a laptop or hang out like a tablet.
### How Long Does the Battery Last?
The A30 will run for about six hours on a charge. That's a pretty normal workday, or a good amount of time to watch videos. It's not the best battery life ever, but it's okay for the price. Plus, you can always carry a portable charger with you if you need more juice. For checking email, surfing the web, or watching shows, it gets the job done.
### What People Are Saying
Customers keep talking about how smooth it is, how much storage it has, and how flexible it is. People like that they can do all their usual stuff without any lag. Other people are happy since they can keep tons of videos, games, and other files on it because you can add more memory.
One person said it feels as fast as their computer. Think about that!
### What Else Is Out There?
Amazon has a couple of other cheap 2-in-1s for sale on Black Friday, too:
* Tabwee T80 2-in-1: $89
* Aiprotablet K12 2-in-1: $59
* Tuohaitime 2-in-1: $68
These are all acceptable, but the A30 is like a fine wine. It is the best deal of the bunch.. It has everything.
### Final Verdict
If you want a 2-in-1 without spending too much, the Aiprotablet A30 is the way to go. The parts inside are good, it can be used as both a laptop and tablet, it comes with a bunch of extras, and it doesn't cost a fortune. It will work well, whether you're a student, professional, or only want to watch streaming videos.
You don't need to pay a lot to get something that does both work and play. Its the greatest! The A30 for $70 might be the biggest surprise of the holiday season.
32.Apple Named Stock of the Day Ahead of Holiday Season
**Will Apple's Stock Price Soar During the Holiday Season?**
Okay, so here's the deal: Apple's (AAPL) stock is getting a lot of attention as the holidays get closer. You know the drill – everyone starts thinking about gifts, and Apple's products, from the newest iPhones to AirPods and Watches, are always popular. With Black Friday around the corner, it looks like Apple could have a fantastic end to the year, at least that's what the experts on Wall Street are saying.
On Tuesday, Apple's stock closed at $271.49, which is a solid 2% increase in one day. If you want to buy Apple stock, now might be a good time. This happened after the stock made a upwards movement around October 20th. For almost 42 weeks, the stock price was stuck, but started moving. According to some internet stock analysts, there's a chance to buy between $260.10 and $273.11. The idea is that you can buy low now, and then it will possibly go up again later.
Let's see what those stock charts tell us, okay?
**Reading the Tea Leaves: What the Charts Are Saying**
If you look at the stock market charts for Apple, you might be excited. Market analysts note that the stock has been in a three-weeks-tight pattern. This pattern suggests that after sitting still for a while, the stock is now about to launch. It might let you buy more stock at $277.32. This number is also their highest price ever, which it hit after an earnings statement where it stated that it did well.
It also seems like the stock has good support right now. It has stayed above its 21-day line, and it's way higher than its 50-day average. This likely signals that big investors, like institutions, are backing the stock. The relative strength (RS) line, which compares Apple's performance to the rest of the market, has been rising for months. So, even with other tech stocks being unstable, Apple is holding its own because people love Apple.
**The AI Question: Is Apple Smart Not to Overreact?**
Here's something to think about: Apple hasn't been as affected by recent AI stock issues. There was negative talk about Apple last year, with some saying they were too slow to get on board with AI. But, that might have protected them from the major drops that hit companies very invested in AI.
Honestly, Apple's success comes from a continuing customer base, with loyalty towards Apple ecosystem . While other companies are so concerned with AI, Apple has kept creating new products, improving on previous offerings amid competitors struggling.
**Could Holiday Sales Boost Apple Even Higher?**
This holiday season could send Apple's stock through the roof. John Donovan, an analyst at Loop Capital Markets, mentioned that his team's projections point to awesome holiday sales for Apple. The upcoming iPhone release is supposed to be the biggest ever. People have been waiting to upgrade their old phones, and these new phones have sleeker designs, better battery life, and way better cameras.
Donovan recommends buying Apple stock, with a target approaching $315. So, he thinks it will continue to rise. If holiday sales are fantastic like everyone expects, Apple could have another record-breaking quarter, giving investors confidence and pushing the stock even higher.
**Future Leadership: Who's Next in Line?**
There's also been chatter about who will take over from Tim Cook when he decides to retire. Cook, who recently turned 65, has been running Apple since 2011. Some believe Cook might step down around 2026, which begs the question, who will be the next CEO?
Apple has a lot of talented people, but changes at the top can always make waves. Cook is seen as a leader that has improved the company. Whoever takes over will have a difficult task. What happens if they pick the wrong person?
**Assessing Apple's Performance: How Good Is the Company Doing?**
Apple currently has a Composite Rating of 96 out of 99, which suggests it is a solid investment. The Industry Group Ranking is 55 out of 197. Apple is also on a few watchlists, which is a good sign.
Remember that three-weeks-tight pattern I mentioned. If Apple stock goes past $277.32, it could hit record highs.
**To Summarize:**
Apple seems to be heading into the holiday season in fantastic shape. The stock looks strong, and the new products are very highly desired. The stock market, because of AI, might be unpredictable, but Apple has remained steady.
Investors have a decision to make. Do you buy now while you can, or wait to see if it goes above $277.32? Either way, it looks like Apple is set for a great holiday season.
33.Play Classic DOS Multiplayer Games from the Year 2000 Right in Your Browser
Remember the late '90s and early 2000s on PC? Those were awesome times. We got real-time strategy gold like Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, and killer first-person shooters such as Unreal Tournament and Quake III Arena. Seriously, LAN parties? The thing back then. Picture this: you're lugging your super heavy CRT monitor and PC tower to a buddy's place, could be their messy basement or a dorm room. Then the entire weekend turns into a blur of non-stop gaming, laughing, and trash talk. Trying to play online was possible but a pain! You had to mess around with network settings, and port forwarding. It took so much patience!
Now, fast forward to now. You won't believe it, but those same games are back. They have returned in a crazy unexpected way: right inside your web browser. Some super fans poured their heart and souls into bringing those days back. Now we can play without dealing with old operating systems or network setups. All you have to do is have a decent browser and sometimes, your old game files. Isn't that wild?
**Chrono Divide: Red Alert 2 – Play Instantly!**
You gotta check out Chrono Divide. It's a fan-made version of Red Alert 2. Honestly, it's really impressive. The project started as a hobby back in 2020 as just a test, but now it has grown into a full-on multiplayer experience that's free for everyone. I am sad to say that single-player campaigns are still not available, but the multiplayer rocks. I bet you are surprised everything is included: from classic mouse controls to adding mods.
You won't believe this – Chrono Divide is entirely browser-based. No need for any plugins or extra software. You don't have to mess with port forwarding or firewall stuff because it has a client-server setup. Do you remember those headaches? Gone forever! The game works great on almost any device and operating system, including phones and tablets. It's never been this easy just to get your Red Alert 2 on.
You can jump into matches, glance at the leaderboards, and join events with rotating maps and special rules. They even have a Discord server for the community – that's where everyone hangs out and keeps Red Alert 2 alive in 2025. I'm amazed that fans can keep a game this great alive, don't you think?
**DOS Zone: All the Legendary Shooters**
Chrono Divide is not the only awesome project available for us players. DOS Zone allows us to hop into online matches of classics such as Doom, Quake II, Quake III Arena, Unreal Tournament, and Half-Life: Deathmatch. All it requires is one click. These games established that boomer shooter vibe: fast-paced action, tight maps, and multiplayer that still is amazing.
DOS Zone made joining games so simple. It totally cuts all the annoying tech stuff that made setting things up so frustrating back then. As same as Chrono Divide, its Discord is a cool way to chat. Just jump into matches and get your blood pumping with all those rocket jumps and frantic deathmatches.
**Let me tell you why this rocks**
It's not just for older gamers. These projects show the potential of web tech. To play a full-on RTS or FPS inside a browser was thought to be impossible. Now with of JavaScript, WebAssembly, and network stuff, it's totally doable.
The upside for us gamers is huge! If you love to play without installing stuff, worrying about compatibility, needing a gaming PC or any fancy stuff, you're gonna love this. Doesn't matter Windows, Mac, Linux, or your phone, just grab some friends and start playing these amazing games. Because of this, these games last forever and are not forgotten. Their legacy will live forever. Which is often not there in gaming companies.
**Fans come to the rescue!**
These projects show how much gaming communities help the older games. Some companies pay no mind to these classics, but the fans are willing to go far and beyond. Chrono Divide and DOS Zone are labors of love, because the people who love games share with them all.
The server's leaderboards, events, and Discord, show all these classics are back and gamers love them. It's not just a simple recreation, they're building a community that gamers want to be there for.
**Old games, new players**
If you played back in the day in the LAN party stages, this is awesome and amazing. Imagine playing Unreal Tournament's Capture the Flag or doing a Red Alert 2 with your buddies, but without the outdated drivers or network issues?
These browser versions bring back the nostalgia, but without those frustrating issues. Instead older gamers get to play again and younger players touch the amazing classics.
**Here's what I have to say**
Fan-made browser games like Chrono Divide and DOS Zone do more than experiment with tech. They're safeguarding our gaming culture. The golden age of PC multiplayer is still there due to games such as Red Alert 2, Unreal Tournament, and Quake III Arena made available on your browser.
We live in a world where we constantly download huge files, updates, and complex settings, so the idea of just clicking a link and playing feels awesome. No matter if you played in those LAN parties back then, the nostalgia is there. These projects show the classics never die.
So start your browser and play these games. You will find amazing servers and new things that may catch your eye.
34.Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Launch Sales in Europe Lag 63% Behind Battlefield 6
**Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Has a Rough Start in Europe**
Call of Duty is usually the king of the hill in gaming. Every year, a new game comes out and smashes sales records. But this year, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launched in Europe, and it looks like something's not quite right.
Some data people at GSD keep track of game sales, both the discs you buy in stores and the downloads. They said that Black Ops 7 sold a whole lot less in its first week compared to other big games. We're talking 63% less than how Battlefield 6 did when it came out last October, and even more than 50% less than last year's Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Call of Duty still sold the most copies and made the most money for the week ending November 16, which is still a really big deal, BUT these numbers aren't great news for Activision, the company that makes the game. Call of Duty used to feel like nothing could touch it, but now it's got some serious competition, and players don't seem as hyped as they used to be.
**Game Pass Changes the Game**
Here's a catch: GSD doesn't count downloads from those subscription services like Game Pass. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is on Game Pass, but Battlefield 6 isn't. So, a bunch of people are probably playing Call of Duty through Game Pass instead of buying it. That would explain why the regular sales numbers are down.
Still, how things look to people is important. Call of Duty has always been famous for HUGE, amazing launches. If it seems like this one isn't doing as well, that can make investors nervous, and even make regular fans feel like the game's not as cool anymore.
**Battlefield 6 is Back in the Fight**
Part of the reason Call of Duty is having a harder time is that Battlefield 6 is doing really well again. Some analysts at Ampere Analysis said that a lot of people who were playing Call of Duty in September switched over to Battlefield 6 in October—more than 25% did! That shows that Battlefield has got people excited who might have just stuck with Call of Duty otherwise.
Battlefield had a great launch, and people seem to like it a lot. That's putting pressure on Black Ops 7. The reviews from players for the new Call of Duty haven't been great. It sounds like people aren't as impressed with this one as they were with other games in the series. Maybe it's the way the game plays, or some technical problems, or maybe people are just tired of Call of Duty games. Whatever it is, it's not doing as well as Activision hoped.
**Other New Games Join the Party**
Even though Call of Duty was on top, it wasn't the only new game that came out last week. Ubisoft released Anno 117: Pax Romana, and it came in second place. It actually sold two and a half times more copies at launch than the last Anno game did back in 2019. That shows that strategy games are getting more popular in Europe, where games like Anno have a lot of dedicated fans.
Meanwhile, Football Manager 26 from Sega, which was the best-selling game the week before, dropped way down to number 11. EA Sports FC 26 stayed steady at number 3, and Battlefield 6 went down to number 4. Nintendo's Pokémon Legends: Z-A finished in the top five, which shows that Pokémon is still super popular.
**European Top Ten Unit Sales (Week Ending November 16)**
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (Activision)
2. Anno 117: Pax Romana (Ubisoft)
3. EA Sports FC 26 (EA)
4. Battlefield 6 (EA)
5. Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo)\*
6. Grand Theft Auto 5 (Rockstar)
7. Hogwarts Legacy (Warner Bros)
8. Ghost of Yotei (Sony)
9. Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar)
10. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (Deep Silver)
**European Top Ten Revenue (Week Ending November 16)**
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (Activision)
2. Anno 117: Pax Romana (Ubisoft)
3. EA Sports FC 26 (EA)
4. Battlefield 6 (EA)
5. Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo)\*
6. Ghost of Yotei (Sony)
7. Football Manager 26 (Sega)
8. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo)\*
9. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (Deep Silver)
10. Grand Theft Auto 5 (Rockstar)
(\*Digital data unavailable)
**What It All Means**
The charts show that Call of Duty is still a big deal, but it's not as untouchable as it used to be. It's still selling a lot of copies and making a ton of money, but it's not doing as well as Battlefield or previous Call of Duty games. That might mean that the series is losing some steam.
The fact that Black Ops 7 is on Game Pass makes things even more complicated. Subscription services let more people play the game, but they also make it harder to tell how well the game is really selling. It's harder to compare how successful a game is now compared to how it used to be, and it makes you wonder how companies should measure how well their games are doing in this new subscription world.
**What's Next?**
Activision needs to find a way to get people excited about Call of Duty again. The bad reviews show that players aren't happy, and Battlefield is proving that another game can steal some of Call of Duty's market share. Activision will need to release updates, add new stuff to the game, and talk to the community to change how people feel about Black Ops 7.
At the same time, Ubisoft is doing well with Anno 117, and EA is doing consistently well with EA Sports FC 26. That shows that Europe still has a lot of different kinds of games that people like to play. Strategy games, sports games, and old favorites like Pokémon are all still popular alongside shooting games.
The big picture is that the gaming world in Europe is changing. Call of Duty might still be number one, but it's not as far ahead as it used to be. Subscription services are changing the industry, and there's a lot more competition. Activision needs to change quickly to stay on top.
35.New 31-Minute Trailer Shows Varsapura’s Anime-Style Action, Reminiscent of Control
HoYoverse, the folks who made Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail super popular, just dropped a surprise: their next game is going to be a real departure. Forget the fantasy and sci-fi stuff they're famous for, this one, called Varsapura, is going into straight-up psychological thriller/horror territory. Think of it like Remedy's Control, that weird, mind-bending game, rather than something like Zelda. Yeah, a big change, especially since people initially compared Genshin to Breath of the Wild once it was out.
They didn't just announce it, either. They released a whole 31-minute gameplay video to show off the strange world of Varsapura. It starts with your character filling out a job application for this shady group called SEAL – Shadow Emergency Alliance. Their headquarters looks like a normal government building at first, but then it starts twisting and changing due to these disruption events caused by something called mindrot. Right there, you get the feel of the game: part office drudgery, part spooky supernatural stuff.
The first 20 minutes of the demo is all about exploring the SEAL building, letting you soak up its constantly shifting layout and creepy vibe. After that, the main character gets in a car and drives for a while before heading out to fight these shadowy monsters. What's wild is that the character's costumes during the combat are all over the place – one minute they're dressed like a sexy cop, the next like Harley Quinn. It really underlines the game's surreal, disorienting feel.
And here's where it gets even weirder. HoYoverse says that when you enter the game, your character's appearance shifts depending on who's playing. They change based on that player preferences. They have no idea where this parapsychological phenomenon comes from. This whole feature really makes you wonder how much the game will mess with your head, playing with ideas about how we see ourselves and others, which definitely fits the whole psychological thriller theme. It's as if they want us to question everything the character we control is.
Visually, The project represents HoYoverse first attempt to construct the game made from Unreal Engine 5, ditching Unity, which is what they used for Genshin Impact. You can tell right away in the way the game looks. HoYoverse usually goes for that bright, anime-style look, but Varsapura is way more realistic. The characters and environments have a ton of detail, giving the game a darker, more grounded feel.
If you look at the characters, you see that they resemble HoYoverse's Lumi character model from their Nova Desktop app than some of their previous titles. This seems like a deliberate project toward realism, to capture the unsettling sense of psychological horror better. The result is a game that feels totally separate from HoYoverse other titles, while retaining the studio signature to character design.
Just from the setup of Varsapura, you're definitely getting the that the game will get into the ideas of officialdom, conformity, and messing with you. SEAL, the company with its ever-changing headquarters and dark plans, looks like the administration from Control game. And the whole mindrot element, seems like it about mental state, viewing, and dishonesty.
When it comes to horror elements with game play, HoYoverse appears to create a game that disrupts gamers while still bringing that fighting and searching that fans believe. The always protagonist look including another thing that could be play on the psycological factors that could be included, making players question not the world,but on their own perception on their on player.
What interesting is the Varsapura demo works as a type of recruitment tool. The video stops and offers employment to HoYoverse, leading to a building interest and excitement about the project between gamers. As one Instagram user joked, Hoyo straight point blank said, 'go get a job' by a game.
This angle shows the amount of plan that HoYoverse has with amount of things in production, Honkai Nexus Anima, an animal-collecting game, Petit Planet, a life, and a few others. With the show of Varsapura with the new game, there is a large need of help people who understand with Unreal Engine 5, that believe in the company view of different kinds of genres.
HoYoverse does not having on plan Varsapura Release date and with length and the polish with demo the project will be in production for some time. Fans look foward to the game and its project to come out to the end of 2026.
In the meantime, the show of Varsapura will be most excited projects. Going from a comfort game to Sci-fi, The company will try their best to test out the new genre and tone, potential grow to a lot more people that play their game and make their name big as versatile.
In summary, Varsapura represents new game for HoYoverse. Having themes that include a psychological type, horror type, the look by realistic the game stands out from hit games. The demo makes a unsettling type with administration, identity shifts, combat makes the players question themselves and giving the action that HoYoverse is known for.
Releasing date may not been inplan but the Varsapura show plan is diversify new creative ground. For Genshin Impact and Honkai, The game shows a dark time in the future, that mix reality, showing, and horror will be blurred in many ways.
36.20 Black Friday Nintendo Switch Game Deals—and Counting
**Black Friday Bonanza: Sweet Deals on Nintendo Switch & Switch 2 Games!**
Alright everyone, Black Friday is HERE! That means deals galore on everything gaming. Consoles, gizmos and gadgets, and a TON of games are on sale all over the place! If you're a Nintendo fan, things get EXTRA exciting this year. Guess why? The rumored Nintendo Switch 2 is causing all the buzz! Although we all love the classic Switch, which one of us doesn't want a Switch 2? No one!
Did you get your hands on that brand-new Switch 2? GREAT! Trying to figure out what games to grab, right? I am happy to tell you I got some HOT Black Friday offers for you right now! Switch 2 exclusive games AND awesome deals on many titles for the original Switch are all here. Do you like RPGs? Maybe sports games? Even platformers? What about something totally out there? I promise there's something for EVERYONE!
**Hot Nintendo Switch 2 Game Deals**
The Switch 2 is fairly recent, but some shops are already cutting prices on big games. Here are the ones that got my attention.
* **Split Fiction – 20% OFF**
* **Price:** \$39.99 (Normally \$49.99)
* Are you a smart-cookie that enjoys puzzles? You will enjoy this story-driven game because it combines storytelling with puzzle-solving. If it your cup of tea, you will enjoy this game as much as I do!
* **Star Wars Outlaws: Gold Edition – 33% OFF**
* **Price:** \$39.99 (Normally \$59.99)
* An open-world Star Wars game from Ubisoft, on the Switch 2? You can have my money, just like that! If you are a Star Wars fan (like me), the Gold Edition with all the goodies is icing on the cake.
* **Sonic X Shadow Generations – 26% OFF**
* **Price:** \$36.87 (Normally \$49.99)
* Classic Sonic and Shadow playing together? I am in. If you enjoy fast speeds, this game is extremely good.
* **EA Sports FC 2026 – 57% OFF**
* **Price:** \$29.99 (Normally \$69.99)
* HUGE discount, people. If you're into sports games, you know what it all means. Now is the time to save.
* **Borderlands 4 – 21% OFF**
* **Price:** \$54.99 (Normally \$69.99)
* Lots of guns, lots of jokes, and wild co-op? This Borderlands game is a must-have if you enjoy shooting and joking with friends
* **Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac – 33% OFF**
* **Price:** \$19.99 (Normally \$29.99)
* Who doesn't enjoy Pac-Man? This version gives a dose of nostalgia and is also super cheap.
Not bad for a start they have Star Wars ,Borderlands, and Pac-Man. This is an example of a good range of deals.
**Original Nintendo Switch Game Deals That Still Rule**
Hey, don't act like the OG Switch is not as good. It still rocks and has titles you may enjoy!
* **Luigi’s Mansion 3 – 13% OFF**
* **Price:** \$51.99 (Normally \$59.99)
* You get to catch ghosts playing as Luigi. Funny puzzles, and you can play with a friend. What's there do dislike?
* **Princess Peach: Showtime! – 13% OFF**
* **Price:** \$52.49 (Normally \$59.99)
* Peach has her own game. You may think like, who would have thought?
* **Super Mario Odyssey – 17% OFF**
* **Price:** \$49.95 (Normally \$59.99)
* For real, this game is one of the best Mario games EVER. Do yourself the favor and just buy it already.
* **Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition – 47% OFF**
* **Price:** \$39.99 (Normally \$74.99)
* If you know yourself and have enjoyed the FF games, then here is the chance to own them all!
* **It Takes Two – 25% OFF**
* **Price:** \$29.99 (Normally \$39.99)
* This would be incredibly depressing to play it alone. Go find a friend right now and play this iconic co-op experience.
* **Donkey Kong Country Returns HD – 14% OFF**
* **Price:** \$51.49 (Normally \$59.99)
* Are you a platforming hardcore player? Then here you go. Be careful, this game will get your controllers broken pretty fast!
* **Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! – 17% OFF**
* **Price:** \$49.99 (Normally \$59.99)
* Wanna know what all the Pokemon craziness is about? The perfect entry point is here, just pick up and start playing.
* **Sonic Mania + Team Sonic Racing Double Pack – 50% OFF**
* **Price:** \$19.99 (Normally \$39.99)
* Two Sonic games for this cost? You can go platforms and racing fast very very fast. How can you say no?
* **Lego Horizon Adventures – 31% OFF**
* **Price:** \$19.99 (Normally \$28.99)
* Lego joins Horizon. It's probably special. Something to play with your family and friends.
* **Sonic Frontiers – 20% OFF**
* **Price:** \$39.99 (Normally \$49.99)
* Sonic takes a trip to an open world. if you like the different side of Sonic, you need to see this.
* **TMNT Mutants Unleashed – 50% OFF**
* **Price:** \$19.99 (Normally \$39.99)
* The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles beat-'em-up. Simple said, good times!
* **Mario Party Superstars – 15% OFF**
* **Price:** \$56.99 (Normally \$66.99)
* Each and every classic mini-game remade. Perfect for some heated and friendly moments.
* **Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – 50% OFF**
* **Price:** \$29.99 (Normally \$59.99)
* Characters of Mario and Sonic playing sports. Everything might go wrong!
* **Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered Deluxe Edition – 40% OFF**
* **Price:** \$29.99 (Normally \$49.99)
* Lara Croft raids tombs, but in a new coat of paint. You are missing out a great deal!
As you can see, the OG Switch is still up to date! The possibilities are pretty high for everything. Every player should enjoy something.
**Console Deals? I Guess…**
If you're thinking about upgrading, take a look in cases:
* **Nintendo Switch 2 – Banggood.com Price:** €11.22 (Accessory bundle) - Pretty weird price.
* **Nintendo Switch OLED – Amazon Price:** \$358 - Everything seems so correct.
**Why Should You Care?**
Nintendo games RARELY go on sale, that thing's obvious around here. Some games' prices go down a week later, but not here, they stay pricey forever. In other words, Black Friday is your chance.
Switch 2 has the chance to build a good library.
The OG switch is great for both new and old players who haven't played all of those before.
**Let's make a quick recap**
Black Friday 2025 brings some incredible Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 deals. There's always something for you, whether you like Split Fiction, Sonic X Shadow Generations, or Super Mario Odyssey.
But remember, expect deals during this Thanksgiving weekend! Get the offer you fell in love quickly. Have good times and good shopping!
37.Concerns Over Apple’s Digital ID May Be Bigger Than the Actual Risks
Apple wants to put your driver's license and state ID right in your iPhone Wallet app. Pretty neat, huh? Now, some folks are already giving it the side-eye, worried about privacy. I understand. You hear the usual concerns like constant tracking and the supposed death of privacy.
Some think Apple's take on this is just another way that different companies are getting into the digital ID stuff, especially the tracking ones. Now, Apple says their stuff doesn't do that. They say your information is safe with them and you don't need to worry about anyone tracking you. So, that's what we should know.
**We're Already Watched (Kind Of)**
If you aren't even a *little* concerned about privacy these days, you have been living under a rock. Think about it: license plate readers and cameras are everywhere. Cell companies know where you are most of the time. Stores track your purchases with rewards cards that you signed up for. Not to mention the constant hacks on governments and big companies. It seems we're constantly hearing about security issues and info leaks that put our personal information in the hands of bad guys. Honestly, the privacy ship has sailed.
The government already has a ton of information on us, of course. Social Security numbers, driver's license details, taxes… they've got files on most of us. Military records even got leaked online because of a mistake by the state. Thinking Apple's digital ID is going to make us targets is dramatic. It's happening already.
**According to Apple, It's Different**
Apple claims their digital ID isn't about sucking up all your data and throwing it into some giant database. They say your ID stays on your phone, all cozy and safe. When someone needs to see it, the system just confirms that you are who you are and your information is secured. Other digital ID systems might track every use or store your info in a huge database somewhere. However, Apple says they're keeping the info to the very minimum, and you only share what *you* want to share.
When you use your ID on your phone, it tells you everything that they're requesting: name, birthday, photo, the basics like that. Then, you approve it with Face ID. They send the info using encryption. Basically, they're turning the info into a secret code, so only the right people can read it. Apple syncs some data across your devices with iCloud. They say: it's super protected, and even *they* can't see what you're sharing. That's a solid move.
**Online Age Checks: Not Yet**
Some are scared that we'll have to use these digital IDs online just to prove we're old enough for certain content. Some states might make websites check ages. Considering the history of data breaches and leaks that have hit big companies and even governments, it does sound dangerous.
Good news! This form of ID with Apple does not work this way yet. Your phone only shares info *after* you check what's being asked and say it's okay. It's not doing any connecting beforehand, during, or afterward. Apple *could* change this later, but right now, it's more for real-world situations, like showing your ID at a bar or getting through airport security.
**Tips to Keep Your Digital ID Safe: It's Easy**
Apple stores your digital driver's license in a secure location on your phone, and they want to protect your personal data, for real. It's got a separate security setup and coding that's close to the chip. Your ID info is also separate from everything else. Again, there will be no shared information without your consent. No consent means no sharing of information.
When you put your ID on your devices using iCloud, that's encrypted too. So, even if they wanted to, Apple can't just snoop. Every time you share your info, your phone makes a secure agreement. You send the least information needed, so you have more control.
**The *Real* Issue: Not Always Spying; It's This...**
The real bummer with digital IDs isn't always spying, it's how they're designed and put into action. Each state gets to write its own rules for digital driver's licenses. Imagine 50 places with 50 completely different rulebooks—it could be a mess! Also, many shops, security folks, and cops might not be ready to read digital IDs. A lot of places are still trying just to figure out chip-based systems. Police officers need training and the money for those digital ID scanners before this thing can take off without problems.
If you're worried about spying, Apple's setup isn't like that. Apple's system doesn't log where you showed your ID. These ID checks work because *you* say so, not because someone's pulling strings behind the scenes.
**Digital IDs Aren't All Built the Same**
To be clear, Apple's digital ID isn't like every scary digital ID idea. Some other ideas might be bad in ways that freak you out; that's what makes them scary! When we see them the same, we might see issues bigger than they are.
Knowing the facts is because Apple's digital ID is an ID system *you* control. It's made to only share the info that someone needs, and only when you say it's okay.
**Let's Be Smart**
Digital IDs are serious. We need to think them through, clearly. People need to feel safe, and rules by the government need to be followed. If we only focused on systems that come with real risks instead of freaking out over nothing, that would be great.
When it comes to Apple's digital ID, we should look at the current system, what it can do, and what it can't. That's how to have discussion. Remember, your ID is on *your* phone, and nothing is shared unless you say so. You need to compare every detail to see what the issues are before becoming too worried.
38.Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1 Smart Glasses Drop 20% Ahead of Black Friday
Hey everyone, Black Friday's here, and Meta's got a deal that might catch your eye! They're putting the original Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses on sale. If you've ever wondered about these things, now's your chance to check them out without spending too much.
They're knocking 20% off the price until December 1st. So, instead of paying the usual price, you can pick them up for around $240. From what I can tell, that’s about as low as they’ve ever been since they launched them last year.
This discount works for all the first-gen styles, no matter what kind of lenses you pick. On top of that, Meta's also lowering the prices on prescription lenses for both the first and second versions of Ray-Ban Meta glasses. That even counts the Oakley Meta HSTN styles! Here's the only rule: If you want the Rx lens deal, you have to buy them from Meta directly. Nowhere else, just them. Got it?
So, what's the difference between the first and second versions? Good question!
The original Ray-Ban Meta glasses came out in 2023 and sold for around $300. The idea was to blend cool looks with some tech. They let you take photos and videos, get quick access to Meta AI, listen to music with open-ear speakers, and handle calls. Pretty neat, right?
Then, earlier this year, Meta released the newer version, costing about $380. The second-gen glasses are better. They have a longer battery life, improved sound, sharper video, and they charge faster. They even launched new frame styles like the Oakley HSTN and Vanguard. So, you weren't just stuck with the typical Ray-Ban Wayfarer look.
Let’s break down the differences side-by-side:
* **Camera:** Both have a 12MP camera, but the Gen 2 has a way better sensor.
* **Video:** The original films 1440 × 1920 video at 30fps. The newer one shoots 3K video and can even livestream.
* **Audio:** The second-gen speakers are louder and have a bit more bass. Both use five microphones. Great!
* **Battery:** The original might get you about 4 hours (32 hours if you include the charging case). The newer one doubles that to 8 hours (48 hours in the case).
* **Charging:** The new ones get to 50% charge in just 20 minutes. Nice and quick!
* **AI:** The first ones have the basics of Meta AI. The second ones have smarter capture modes and, well, smarter features all around.
If you need the best, the Gen 2 is what you should get. But, at $240, the first ones could be a cheaper way to see if you even like smart glasses.
Thinking of getting them?
When you go to Meta's site, you can get that 20% off (and they’ll ship them out fast). You can find the deal at stores like Amazon, Best Buy, Ray-Ban Stores, and Target. This Black Friday deal isn't just in the States; it's everywhere - Europe, Australia, Canada, India, Mexico, the UAE, and the UK. Prices change depending on where you live, but there should be a sale where you are.
Why do they discount prices like this?
Black Friday is huge, and Meta wants to lower the number of first-gen glasses they have sitting around. Now that the second-gen glasses are out, Meta and EssilorLuxottica probably don't want too many people buying the older model. So 20% off is a good way to move stock without making the newer glasses seem not worth it.
Basically, it sounds like the first-gen glasses are unlikely to get any cheaper this holiday season. If you've been waiting for the price to drop, now's your chance.
Before you click “buy,” here's something important to think over:
The Ray-Ban Meta glasses are fun and can do some cool things, but don't think too much of them. They won't replace your phone or your headphones.
* **Video:** They can record video, but it won't look any better than what your phone shoots.
* **Music:** The speakers are okay, but your wireless earbuds will probably sound better.
* **AI:** Meta AI is alright, but other digital assistants are better.
Think of them as a cool gadget with some style. You will look very nice using them every so often, but they won’t replace the stuff you use every day.
Why does Meta make these?
Meta wants smart glasses to become normal for everyone. By working with Ray-Ban and Oakley, they want to make smart glasses that people who care about fashion would want to wear. Putting the tech into regular frames makes it blend in more than other gadgets.
The first-gen deal also allows Meta to get more people into their circle. When you don't have to spend as much money to test Meta AI and the video features, you increase your options to go for the second-gen glasses, or other stuff they make.
To sum it up:
Meta's 20% off deal on the first Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is a nice way to save money on cool tech this Black Friday. At $240, they’re a fun way to try out smart glasses, even if they don't work as well as your phone or headphones.
If you're curious about wearable tech or want a unique gift, think about these. Remember, it's second gen, that's better. If the first gen is fine, then you should buy soon before December 1st comes!
39.Google AI Now Monitors Email Content for Smarter Features
**Google's AI Training: Are Your Emails Part of the Deal?**
So, Google's made a change to how it handles your data in Gmail and Workspace, and people are starting to get worried. Apparently, Google's been using pieces of your private information – emails, attachments, the whole shebang – to train its AI systems, like Gemini. The kicker? They might be doing it without actually getting your okay first.
This discovery has fired up a legal battle. Someone filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in California, saying Google secretly gave Gemini a peek into private chats and emails. The lawsuit basically says this might break California privacy laws, especially since folks weren't clearly told about it and may have been automatically included.
**What Exactly Changed?**
A security company called Malwarebytes figured out three Gmail settings that let Google analyze your stuff for AI improvements:
* **Smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet:** This lets Google use your content to make things like automated email writing and quick replies.
* **Smart features in Google Workspace:** This gives Gemini the ability to summarize info from your Gmail, chats, meetings, and files.
* **Smart features in other Google products:** This uses your data to give you recommendations for stuff like restaurants or events.
The really unsettling thing is that these settings might have been turned on without you even knowing it. Malwarebytes checked, and all three were on by default.
**Why Should You Care?**
It's not really about whether AI features are helpful or not. Quick replies and personalized suggestions can be useful. The problem is about having a say in what happens to your data.
It looks like Google just signed people up for these features without saying anything about it, which brings up all sorts of questions. People expect to control their private conversations, especially when they include sensitive stuff like medical info or money details.
The lawsuit kind of brings this to light, suggesting Google's acting like it's watching you without permission. Even if data is hidden or scrambled, not asking for permission in the first place makes people feel uneasy.
**A Bigger Problem: We're Already Being Watched**
Let's be real, This type of surveillance isn't anything new. Phone companies are tracking where you go, grocery stores are watching what you buy with those customer cards, and the government already has tons of info on you through stuff like Social Security numbers and taxes.
What's different with Google's change is that they're using your personal conversations to train AI. Your emails and files feel private, and using them without asking feels like a step too far for a lot of people.
**Google's Not Talking**
Up until now, Google hasn't said anything about the lawsuit or what Malwarebytes found. They've always said their AI features are there to make things easier, but some people think they haven't been open about these changes.
Without clear communication, people are left wondering if their personal stuff is being used in ways they don't agree with. That makes people suspicious, especially now that AI is popping up everywhere.
**Taking Back Your Privacy**
The bright side is you can turn these settings off if you don't want your information used for AI training. Here’s how:
* **On your computer (Gmail website):**
* Log in and click the Gear icon (top right).
* Hit See all settings.
* Under the General tab, find Smart features.
* If Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet is checked, uncheck it.
* Adjust Workspace smart features by clicking the button and turning off Smart features in Google Workspace and Smart features in other Google products.
* **On your phone (Gmail app):**
* Tap the three-line menu (top left) and select Settings.
* On iOS, tap Data privacy.
* On Android, tap your Google account name.
* Turn off the switch for Smart features.
* Turn off Smart features in Google Workspace and Smart features in other Google products.
Taking these steps puts you back in charge of your data, making sure your emails and files stay private.
**The Bigger Picture**
This whole thing points to a bigger issue with AI and privacy. As AI gets built into more of the tools we use, it becomes harder to tell the difference between something helpful and something that's just watching you. People want clever tools, but they also want to know their personal stuff isn't being taken advantage of.
Being upfront and asking for permission are very important. Companies need to let people know when their data is being used, give them simple ways to opt out, and respect privacy laws. If they don't, people will start distrusting AI, and there'll be more lawsuits like the one against Google.
**The Bottom Line**
Google's choice to use private emails and information to train its AI has caused a lot of trouble. Even though AI features can be handy, not getting clear permission undermines how much people trust them.
For now, if you're worried about privacy, you should turn off those Gmail and Workspace settings. The bigger question is, as AI becomes more common, companies need to make privacy a priority. If they don't, the benefit of better technology will be ruined by worries about being watched and taken advantage of.
40.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Tells Staff Google’s AI Success Could Spark Big Changes
**Apple's Digital ID in Wallet: Are the Privacy Concerns Overblown?**
So, Apple's putting digital IDs into their Wallet app, and of course, some people are worried about privacy. You start hearing the usual stuff about Big Brother and the death of privacy. But it seems like people might be jumping to conclusions here. A lot of folks seem to be confusing Apple's thing with other digital ID ideas out there—even the ones that track your every move. But hold up a sec. Apple says their version isn't made to do that, and the scary scenarios people are imagining don't really fit with how it's supposed to work. Let's check this out.
**We're Being Watched All the Time Anyway**
Seriously, caring about privacy is just smart these days. Cameras are all over the place, systems scan our license plates, and cell phone companies pretty much know where we are all the time. Sometimes, you don't even notice it! Stores track your purchases with loyalty cards, and let's not forget that governments and big companies get hacked all the time, so our personal info ends up all over the internet for anyone to find. The privacy situation is pretty bad already.
The government already knows a lot about us. Social Security, driver's licenses, taxes—they've got a pretty detailed file on most of us. There have even been times when military records got leaked because the government didn't protect them well enough. So, acting like Apple's Digital ID is suddenly going to turn us into some totally controlled society is a bit much. The ability to track people already exists, so it's important to pay attention to those methods of tracking.
**Apple's ID: Something a Bit Different**
The important thing is that Apple's Digital ID isn't about grabbing all your personal data. They claim it doesn't send your info back to some central place. Your ID info stays right on your phone. The system doesn't tell anyone checking your ID anything other than that you've proven who you are. Some other systems might keep records of every time you use it or store your information in some huge database, but Apple says they're trying to take as little information as possible. The idea is to share only what you choose to share.
When you use your ID on your phone, it shows you exactly what info they're asking for: name, birthday, photo—the whole shebang. Then, you have to approve it with Face ID or your fingerprint. After that, the information is sent to the person checking it using encryption. Apple does sync some data between your devices, but they say it's changed so even they can't see what's being shared or how you're using your ID. That's good to know.
**Online ID Checks: Not Happening Yet**
Some people are worried that one day we might have to use these digital IDs online, just to prove you're old enough to see certain things. Some states might push websites to check your age, and that makes some people nervous.
But right now, Apple's Digital ID doesn't work that way. Your phone only shares information after you've seen the request and given the okay. It doesn't contact anyone before, during, or after. Apple might change this later, but for now, it's for use in person, like showing your ID at a bar or at airport security. The main point is how it'll work in regular, real-life situations. It is very useful and convenient.
**How to Keep Your Digital ID Safe**
Apple stores your digital driver's license and other personal stuff in a secure spot on your phone. It's designed to keep your data private. It has its own security and keys that never leave the chip, so your ID info is separate from everything else on your phone. Think of it like a vault for your info. It cannot be taken.
When you sync your ID across your devices using iCloud, it uses encryption. This means Apple can't get to all of your data. Your phone will make a secure agreement with another device or scanner, and the minimum amount of data gets shared, and without this you cannot access it. That helps provide more options, helps you stay safe, and improves your personal experience.
**The Real Risk: It's Not Just Spying, It's This...**
The big risk with digital IDs isn't always who's watching you: it's how they're made and run. Each state gets to make its own rules for digital driver's licenses, and those rules could be really different. Also, many police officers aren't ready to read digital IDs yet until they get used to it. Law enforcement professionals need clear rules, training, and the funds to get digital ID readers before this can really take off. It creates a better system and gives new opportunities for those getting involved.
When people worry about spying, their fears often don't match how Apple's system works. Apple's system doesn't keep records. ID checks only happen if you allow them, not because the government is secretly changing things. Your phone can't secretly contact people to do any of those spying things. It simply cannot do that.
**Digital IDs Aren't All the Same**
Just so we're clear, Apple's system is different from other digital ID ideas. Some digital IDs do give you reason to be worried. Apple's design doesn't have the issues that make those systems scary. The issues stem from a different design that is more aggressive and careless with sharing data. When everyone is mixing up those types of ID systems together, the problems seem bigger.
It's important to get the facts right. Apple's Digital ID is an ID system you control. The design shares as little information as possible with your approval. This provides you privacy and protects your data at all times. It is the safest way to transfer data through identification means.
**Let's Be Realistic Here**
Digital IDs are a serious matter, and we need to talk about them carefully. People need to feel secure, and the government requires clear ground rules. But we should be looking at systems the poses a real threat. We ought to be able to call out the real threats without losing our minds. It does not help to overreact. Look to the truth of the matter at hand.
We ought to look at how Apple's Digital ID works, what it can do, and what it can't. Then we can have a responsible conversation. Your ID stays on your phone, and no one is able to share anything that goes against your consent. With what we know, it becomes clear to see the real privacy issues and not get worked up about stuff that probably isn't going to happen. It is better to be conscious and aware than fearful of the unknown.
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