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Nine more games announced for Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass

We've reached a new month, which makes it time for another wave of titles for Game Pass. The first half of the month will see nine more games joining the Game Pass library, including the day-one release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 remastered. 

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 is a follow-up to the widely praised remake of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2. As the name implies, the package includes all of the content from both THPS 3 and THPS 4, all remade. However, the soundtracks are different in the newer games compared to the originals.

Here is the full list of titles coming to Game Pass over the next couple of weeks:

  • Little Nightmares 2 (Cloud, Console and PC) – Available Today
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider (Cloud, Console and PC) – Available Today
  • Legend of Mana (Console) – July 2nd
  • Trials of Mana (Console) – July 2nd
  • Ultimate Chicken Horse (Cloud, Console and PC) – July 3rd
  • The Ascent (Cloud, Console and PC) – July 8th
  • Minami Lane (Cloud, Console and PC) – July 9th
  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 (Cloud, Console and PC) – July 11th
  • High on Life (Cloud, Console and PC) – July 15th

As always, a small number of titles will be leaving Game Pass at the end of the month. From July 15th, the following games will no longer be available:

  • Flock (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Mafia Definitive Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Magical Delicacy (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • Tchia (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • The Callisto Protocol (Cloud, Console, and PC)
  • The Case of the Golden Idol (Cloud, Console, and PC)

The good news is that if you do want to continue playing any of these games, you can buy it at a 20% discount before it leaves Game Pass.

KitGuru Says: Will you be installing any of this month's Game Pass titles? 

The post Nine more games announced for Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass first appeared on KitGuru.
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Nintendo sold over 5 million Switch 2 consoles in June

The Nintendo Switch 2 continues to break records. Just short of a month on from the console's release, it has surpassed 5 million units sold, pushing it ahead of the PS4 as the fastest-selling console to date. 

As spotted by Twisted Voxel, In June, 1.8 million Switch 2 consoles were sold in the US, with a further 1.47 million sold in Japan. Over in Europe, 1.18 million consoles were sold across the continent, with ‘other regions' combining for just over half a million sales. All of this took place in the span of 25 days, making this a very impressive launch.

Despite pre-orders selling out, Nintendo has been able to keep stores replenished with new stock since launch week. We aren't at a point where Switch 2's are ‘readily available' but you shouldn't have to wait very long to find one in stock either, at least that has been my observation so far in the UK.

At this current pace, the Switch 2 has been the fastest-selling console in US history, and it is making waves in other countries as well. Nintendo is expected to host a Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct stream sometime this month to show off new games heading to the console throughout late 2025 and early 2026.

KitGuru Says: Have any of you picked up a Switch 2 already, or are you waiting for Nintendo to release more games? Personally, I would like to see the Xenoblade games updated for the Switch 2 before making the upgrade. 

The post Nintendo sold over 5 million Switch 2 consoles in June first appeared on KitGuru.
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Nvidia rolls out new Game Ready driver with support for RTX 5050 and new DLSS 4 titles

Nvidia is kicking off July with another wave of DLSS 4 updates for various titles. This week's new Game Ready driver lays the groundwork for DLSS 4 upgrades in Diablo 4, Still Wakes the Deep and Mecha Break. Additionally, the Neverness to Everness Closed Beta is arriving this week and will support DLSS 4 right out of the gate.

Mecha BREAK, developed by Amazing Seasun Games, is a multiplayer third-person shooter that allows players to choose from diverse mechs and battle colossal war machines in 3v3, 6v6, and PvPvE modes. Mecha BREAK launches today with day-one support for DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, DLSS Frame Generation, and DLSS Super Resolution. Diablo 4's Season 9 update also launches today and will introduce DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame generation.

Still Wakes the Deep is the latest game from The Chinese Room, a studio famous for horror experiences like Everybody's Gone to the Rapture and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs. Still Wakes the Deep is a first-person narrative horror game and has supported DLSS 3 since launch. However, an update this week brings DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation. Finally, Neverness to Everness is a new online RPG from Perfect World Games – the closed beta goes live tomorrow complete with DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation.

On top of all of this, Nvidia is also rolling out a new Game Ready driver today. This contains support for the latest updates to Mecha Break, Diablo 4 and Monster Hunter Wilds. It is also the first driver to support the newly launched RTX 5050 GPU for desktops and laptops.

RTX 5050-equipped gaming laptops will begin shipping this month, starting at $999. RTX 5050 graphics cards for desktops will be available starting in the second half of July, with prices starting at $249.

KitGuru Says: As always, let us know how you get on with the latest driver update.

The post Nvidia rolls out new Game Ready driver with support for RTX 5050 and new DLSS 4 titles first appeared on KitGuru.
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Brazil wants its piece of the App Store anti-competition fines Apple faces worldwide

Brazil has tried fining Apple over the App Store before and backed down, but its technology council is now urging it since other nations are.

Blue app icon with a stylized white overlapping letter A, featuring horizontal and diagonal lines, creating a minimalist design.
The App Store continues to be under first in Brazil

In late 2022, early 2023, Brazil's Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Economica (CADE) regulator opened an investigation following complaints from firms including MercadoLibre, a Latin American ecommerce platform. Now that regulator's technology advisors have concluded that Apple is guilty of the accusations.

The General Superintendence of the Administrative Council of Economic Defense (SG/CADE) said in announcement (in translation), that "Apple's conduct constitutes an infringement of the economic order." The specific accusation concerns restrictive practices over third-party marketing, the same anti-steering issue that Apple has been fined over by the EU.


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Apple accuses ex-engineer of stealing details of unreleased Apple Vision Pro features

Apple is suing a design engineer who allegedly copied Apple Vision Pro research and is using it in his new role at Snap, maker of Snapchat and smart glasses.

A sleek, gray virtual reality headset rests neatly on a wooden table, showcasing a soft, padded design with adjustable straps.
The current Apple Vision Pro

There's probably now a standard pro forma lawsuit that Apple gets out every year, as this latest example of alleged trade secret theft is far from the first. In 2022, an employee leaked confidential information to the press, while in 2023, three ex-Apple engineers were accused of stealing Apple Car.

And in 2024, Apple finally settled with Rivos, a startup firm accused of taking both trade secrets and poaching engineers from Apple.


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Hellblade 2 Enhanced Edition brings higher graphics settings to PC

Ninja Theory has been quietly working on improvements for Hellblade 2 since the game's launch a year ago. Now, Hellblade 2 Enhanced Edition is launching and better yet, it will be a free upgrade for owners of the original game.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced Edition includes several updates. For the first time, console players will be able to switch to a 60FPS performance mode. On the PC side, we're getting a new ‘Very High' tier of graphics settings to push fidelity even further. It is unclear exactly what this new preset will change or add to the game, but Hellblade 2 was already one of the most visually impressive games on the market. Ninja Theory hasn't just focused on pushing the high-end though, a new preset is also arriving for Steam Deck, which will allow the game to become Steam Deck Verified for the first time.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced Edition will also be available on PS5, marking the first time that the game has been sold on a non-Xbox console. Ultimately, those picking up the game for the first time on PS5 will get a much better day-one experience thanks to the addition of 60FPS gameplay. The next-gen enhanced version of Hellblade 1 is also coming to PS5 for the first time, right alongside Hellblade 2. Those who already own the PS4 version of Hellblade 1 will get the PS5 upgrade for free.

Aside from performance and visual improvements, the Enhanced Edition of Hellblade 2 also features a new difficulty level that brings back the Dark Rot mechanic from the original game. In this mode, each time the player fails, rot will spread further across Senua's body, if it reaches her head, its Game Over.

Hellblade 2 Enhanced Edition launches on August 12th.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up Hellblade 2 following the Enhanced Edition update?

The post Hellblade 2 Enhanced Edition brings higher graphics settings to PC first appeared on KitGuru.
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EA Sports is finally returning to Basketball

While EA Sports has thrived in most sports categories, the company has struggled to break into Basketball over the past decade. During the Xbox One/PS4 generation, two NBA Live games were released but there has been a drought since then, leaving NBA2K to dominate the market, and progressively get greedier along the way. Some much-needed competition may now be back on the table. 

EA Sports is returning to Basketball after a lengthy hiatus. Following the success of EA's College Football game, they are now also bringing back Collegiate-level basketball. For reference, this will be EA's first NCAA basketball video game since 2009.

Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back. #CBB #ItsInTheGame pic.twitter.com/iBNhGxn2yj

— EA SPORTS (@EASPORTS) June 30, 2025

EA Sports has only teased the game so far, but as spotted by IG, Mike Straw has claimed to have seen documents that indicate both EA and Take Two will be producing college basketball games.

This would mark EA's first return to basketball since NBA Live 19. While EA has said that it has been working on the return of NBA Live multiple times over the years, nothing has come to fruition yet.

KitGuru Says: This could be popular over in the US, but in a country like the UK where televised collegiate sports leagues aren't really a thing, it seems unlikely that this would sell very well. 

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Crucial T710 Gen5 2 TB NVMe SSD Review – Fastest Storage Again With SMI’s SM2508 SSD Controller

Crucial T710 Gen5 2 TB NVMe SSD Review - Fastest Storage Again With SMI's SM2508 SSD Controller

It's been two years since the launch of the Crucial T700, the company's fastest Gen5 SSD. Delivering up to 12.4 GB/s speeds, the T700 was phenomenal throughout our tests, and leveraged Phison's E28 controller. The company also introduced its follow-up, the T705, which features up to 14.5 GB/s speeds. Now, Crucial is unveiling its new flagship product, The T710, which pushes things up to the next level, and leverages Silicon Motion's SM2508 controller alongside Micron's G9 NAND Flash. These combinations are helping T710 deliver well over 14 GB/s speeds which is a new benchmark for high-performance SSDs. One of the […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/crucial-t710-gen5-2-tb-nvme-ssd-review-fastest-storage-again/

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Windows 11 is getting a major feature update soon

While Windows 12 is reportedly being worked on, Microsoft still has plenty of work left to do on Windows 11. This week, Microsoft announced its plans for the next major Windows 11 feature update, which is now available to Windows Insider testers. 

According to Microsoft's Jason Leznek (via Tom's Hardware), Windows 11 version 25H2 leverages the same core platform and servicing stack as the current version 24H2. This shared foundation means that users upgrading from 24H2 to 25H2 can expect a streamlined transition, described as “as simple as a quick restart”, akin to applying a typical monthly cumulative update. This method is significantly faster than the “OS swap” experience encountered when upgrading from earlier versions like 23H2 to 24H2, which involved a more extensive file replacement process.

While the initial preview build of Windows 11 version 25H2 mirrors the features already present in the 24H2 Beta Channel, Microsoft plans to introduce new functionalities progressively. As with previous Windows iterations, new features developed for 25H2 will first be integrated into the 24H2 branch in a disabled state. As these features mature, they will be bundled into monthly cumulative updates for 24H2 and activated via small enablement packages. Although an official release date for version 25H2 has not been set, the period from September to October 2025 is considered a likely window. This timing strategically aligns with the official end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025 (one-year extension not included).

Updating to version 25H2 will also reset the support clock. Enterprise and Education editions will receive an extended 36-month maintenance cycle, while consumer and professional editions will be supported for 24 months. This incentivises users to upgrade to 25H2 to ensure their PCs remain supported with the latest security and bug fixes for the longest possible duration. Windows Insiders can begin testing version 25H2 immediately, providing feedback to Microsoft as development progresses. Once generally available, users can activate Windows 11 version 25H2 by restarting their systems after the enablement package is applied.

KitGuru says: Unfortunately a lot of these major Windows updates have also introduced new bugs. Perhaps this time around, Microsoft will manage a smoother rollout. 

The post Windows 11 is getting a major feature update soon first appeared on KitGuru.
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Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 confirmed to be getting second year of support

Released over a decade following its first entry, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 launched in September of last year to a wave of success; both critically and commercially. With the game encroaching on its 1st anniversary, the team at Saber have now confirmed that a second year of post-launch support is planned, including “both free and DLC content.”

Taking to their blog to make the announcement, the team at Saber/Focus Entertainment spoke on the future of Space Marine 2 in the wake of the most recent patch 8.0, writing:

“We’re happy to announce that a second year of both free and DLC content included in a new yearly season pass is on the way! This extended support to Space Marine 2 has been possible thanks to your unwavering support, so once again, thank you very much for being part of it!. Expect new PvE missions, enemies, weapons, and… more.”

As part of this announcement, the team confirmed that the previously-unveiled PvP mode (which was initially planned to arrive with patch 9.0) has been pushed back to September as part of Space Marine 2’s big 10.0 patch.

Space Marine Support

Though they refrained from giving too much away, patch 10.0 is confirmed to be bringing with it the aforementioned PvP mode alongside new chaos armours and the Power Axe melee weapon.

Last but not least, the team offered additional details on the previously-announced ‘new class’ for both PvE and PvP – confirming it to be a Techmarine, though “we’ll reveal more about this new class in the next community updates.”

Since its arrival in September of last year, Space Marine 2 has continued to see a ton of support from both Saber and fans alike – with the most recent figures putting the game at 7 million total players. It will be interesting to see where the game is at by the time the big 10.0 update rolls around.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to update 10.0? What unconfirmed features would you like to see added? How has Space Marine 2’s post-launch support been in your opinion? Let us know down below.

The post Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 confirmed to be getting second year of support first appeared on KitGuru.
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Halo Studios teases upcoming announcement planned for October

Ever since 343 Industries took over the Halo franchise from Bungie, fans have been met with increasingly disappointing sequels – culminating in 2021’s Halo Infinite. As a result of this however, 343i announced late last year that they were rebranding to Halo Studios while moving away from the SlipSpace Engine over to Unreal Engine 5. Though we’ve seen little aside from some tech demos so far, Halo Studios have now teased that their first big announcement is set to go live this October.

In discussing 2025’s edition of the Halo World Championship, Halo Studios teased that the October event will feature more than just players duking it out for the top spot, taking to their blog to say:

“Over the past few weeks, there’s been a fair amount of speculation about when and where more details might emerge about any of the multiple projects Halo Studios is actively working on. We don’t usually comment on such matters, but this time we want to enter the chat and share a little more perspective for Halo fans who might be on the fence about whether to attend this year’s event.”

They continued, “Last year at HaloWC, we premiered ‘A New Dawn’ where we talked about the switch to Unreal Engine, gave you a behind the scenes look at Project Foundry, and debuted our evolution to Halo Studios as we enter a new chapter for Halo. For us, ‘A New Dawn’ was just the beginning – at this year’s HaloWC, we look forward to continuing the conversation.”

Halo Studios October

They concluded by writing: “Speculation is always fun, but if you want the official scoop on what Halo Studios has been working on, you won’t want to miss this year’s Halo World Championship. We really hope you’ll join us in Seattle this October!”

As mentioned, the future of Halo has been somewhat unknown since the release of Infinite back in 2021. Initially planned as a platform which would receive updates for the next decade, Infinite ultimately fell into a routine of middling updates and an overreliance on community-made-content.

Since then, rumours have claimed that a remake/reboot of the original Halo: Combat Evolved is in the works. Meanwhile, other reports have stated that The Master Chief Collection is planned to come to PS5. Of course, rumours are just that – rumours, and so it will be interesting to see what 343i Halo Studios are working on when it’s officially revealed in a couple months’ time.

KitGuru says: What do you think the future of Halo looks like? Are you interested in watching the Halo World Championships? Let us know down below.

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Crucial T710 2 TB Review - Record-Breaking Gen 5

The Crucial T710 PCIe 5.0 SSD is built using the new Silicon Motion SM2508 controller paired with Micron's new 276-layer 3D TLC NAND flash. This is a winning combo, which makes the SSD the fastest drive we have ever tested. Energy efficiency is also improved over SSDs using the Phison E26 controller.

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Ace Combat celebrates 30th anniversary; teasing its next game

The Ace Combat series is easily the most well known in the combat flight sim genre, with the franchise stretching all the way back to 1995. That said, we’ve not seen a new entry since 2019’s Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. 6 years and more than 6 million copies sold later, it seems the team are finally gearing up for what’s next – while celebrating the franchise's 30th anniversary.

Taking to their blog to celebrate the moment, Ace Combat’s brand director Kazutoki Kono wrote: “Since the release of the first title in 1995, thanks to your unwavering support, the ACE COMBAT series has reached a remarkable milestone—its 30th anniversary in 2025.”

Kono continued, “Over the past thirty years, times have changed. Values have shifted, technologies have evolved. Our company and our team have continually transformed to navigate these tides. In a word, we've embraced change. There were times we may not have fully met your expectations. But I also believe there were moments when we exceeded them—when we soared higher than anyone imagined.”

The director concluded by teasing what’s next, saying: “After three incredible decades of adapting to change, we've built an enduring bond of trust with all of you. That connection is the very force that has sustained the ACE COMBAT series and propelled it into the future. I can now feel this truth in every fiber of my being. And I'm proud—proud that our ongoing commitment to delivering value and earning your trust has led us to this 30th anniversary. And now, we're ready. Everything is in place. It's time to take flight once again—toward even greater heights.”

While Kono remained just shy of officially announcing the next entry in the Ace Combat series, it is quite clear that a new game is currently in the works and will (hopefully) be ready to be shown off sooner rather than later.

Since 1995, Bandai have published over a dozen Ace Combat titles. That said, we’ve not seen a new entry of any kind since 2019’s Ace Combat 7. As such, it is high time that Project Aces were to finally announce a sequel. Though we’re not quite there yet, it’s only a matter of time.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Ace Combat 7? How long have you been waiting for a sequel? What improvements/additions are you hoping to see with the next entry? Let us know down below.

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Microsoft Game Studios founding member claims “Xbox has no desire” to ship hardware

The past couple years for Xbox has been a bit of a whirlwind. From spending almost $100 billion on acquiring studios to becoming a 3rd-party games publisher, the future of Xbox is somewhat unclear. According to one of the founding members of Microsoft’s Game Studios (who worked at the company since 1995) “it looks like Xbox has no desire or literally can’t ship hardware anymore.”

Laura Fryer was one of the founding members of the Microsoft Games Studios division upon its creation back in 1995. During that time, Fryer served as executive producer, being responsible for the shipping of and involved in countless high profile Xbox games – including but not limited to Gears of War; Crimson Skies; Zoo Tycoon 2; Halo: The Master Chief Collection and more.

Taking to their YouTube channel with a video titled ‘The Future of Xbox’, Fryer used their years of experience at the company to comment on the current state of Microsoft’s consoles, claiming that the company’s Xbox Anywhere messaging is (as transcribed by VGC) “just marketing [and] style, with no substance.”

Explaining further, Fryer continued, “Obviously, as one of the founding members of the Xbox team, I’m not pleased with where things are today. I don’t love watching all of the value that I helped create slowly get eroded away. I’m sad because from my perspective, it looks like Xbox has no desire or literally can’t ship hardware anymore. So this [ROG Ally] partnership is about a slow exit from the hardware business completely.”

Xbox Studios

In alignment with many other think pieces regarding the future of the console/brand, Fryer added, “Personally, I think Xbox hardware is dead. The plan appears to be to just drive everybody to Game Pass. And let’s be clear, it has a lot of value. I’m thinking that might be why they decided to charge $80 for Outer Worlds 2… And here’s the thing, maybe it will work.”

Fryer concluded by offering a bit of hope to Xbox fans, stating: “Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the Xbox, and I’m sure that they will have some big announcements and plans for honoring the milestone. Maybe next year is the year. Maybe next year is the year that the fog will clear and all of us will see the beauty in these latest announcements. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

With each new major decision by Microsoft, it is becoming both more and less clear as to what the long-term plans for the brand is. As fryer stated, we will just have to wait and see.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the brand in 2025? Is their messaging clear or muddled? Do you see it surviving another 25 years? Let us know down below.

The post Microsoft Game Studios founding member claims “Xbox has no desire” to ship hardware first appeared on KitGuru.
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How to use a spare keyboard or numpad as a macropad in macOS

The Stream Deck is great for running macros on your Mac, but there are ways to do it significantly cheaper. Sometimes, all it takes is a spare keyboard or a secondary numpad.

A numeric keypad with a silver knob rests on a colorful geometric-patterned surface.
Epomaker EK21 works with Via for macros

In the pursuit of productivity, users can turn to macros as a way to get things done on their Mac. By hitting specific keys or key combinations on their keyboard, using configuration software supplied by the manufacturer, tasks can be sped up.

These are different from keyboard shortcuts, in that you often just have one action performed with keyboard shortcuts. Macros, however, can be complex enough to trigger multiple functions.


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Apple loses bid to dismiss wide-ranging DOJ antitrust case

Apple's motion to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit has been rejected, which means a trial that could result in upending more of Apple's businesses will soon begin.

Aerial view of a circular building with a superimposed Department of Justice seal over a wooded area and surrounding urban landscape.
The US DOJ antitrust suit is moving forward

An antitrust investigation brought on by a case with Spotify in 2019 opened Apple up to a lot of scrutiny. In 2024, after years of vague threats, the Department of Justice finally filed a wide-sweeping and vague antitrust lawsuit against Apple.

The lawsuit got off to a messy start with the judge recusing himself and being replaced by US District Judge Julien Neals. Apple wrote a letter to the judge and requested an immediate dismissal, and now, more than a year later, Apple's request has finally been addressed.


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New UPS text scam targets iPhone users with fake package redelivery info

Cybercriminals and fraudsters are using fake texts, this time from UPS, to gain access to iPhone users' personal information. Here's how to stay safe and keep your data from falling into the wrong hands.

UPS delivery rescheduling message on a smartphone screen, urging recipient to reschedule delivery due to missed contact. Includes a suspicious link for further action.
Scammers are impersonating UPS and trying to steal iPhone users' information.

Text messages claiming to be from the package delivery service UPS have been popping up as part of a new phishing scam. Much like the fake DMV texts our staffers receiver earlier in June 2025, which scared people with claims of unpaid traffic tickets and threats of legal action, the fraudulent UPS texts inform users of a supposed failed package delivery.

The message even instructions about how to reschedule delivery, and claims that failing to do so will cause the unspecified package to be returned to its sender. The scammers behind the message put in a considerable amount of effort, and it may appear legitimate at first glance, given the lack of any obvious grammatical errors.


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Apple faces AI talent turmoil as senior Siri researcher departs

A senior researcher's exit and a near-mutiny among Apple Intelligence engineers expose Apple's struggle to stay competitive in the AI arms race.

Colorful twisted infinity-shaped lines surrounding a metallic apple logo on a black background.
Senior Siri researcher leaves Apple

Apple is facing mounting internal fractures over its AI strategy, losing one of its top researchers while scrambling to keep key teams on board. It increasingly looks like a crisis of confidence in Cupertino.

Tom Gunter, one of Apple's most senior large language model researchers, has left the company after eight years. Colleagues say his deep expertise is tough to replace, especially as rivals like Meta and OpenAI throw around multimillion-dollar pay packages to poach talent.


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Apple rumored to be in talks with Anthropic and OpenAI about powering new Siri

A rumor around Apple's AI initiatives suggests the company could turn to third parties instead of relying on its own Apple Intelligence for an upgraded Siri, but there's likely a different story.

A glowing, multicolored spherical shape with overlapping red, pink, and blue elements on a dark background.
Apple could bring ChatGPT to Siri in a more integrated way

Apple has been in some hot water optically since it announced Apple Intelligence upgrades that never shipped. More zealous customers and shareholders feel betrayed by the company, and lawsuits have even sprung up because of it.

However, according to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is exploring several options around how it can bring more powerful AI tools to its platforms. Specifically, it seems Apple could be looking to Anthropic or OpenAI to run the backend of an AI-powered Siri.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Epic antisteering court order is 'constitutionally offensive' to Apple's free speech rights

Apple shouldn't have to change the App Store rules to meet a court order in the long-running lawsuit with Epic, a trade group insists, as it would violate Apple's First Amendment rights.

Silhouetted crowd watches a screen displaying a giant apple face with sunglasses and a worm. The screen shows the date and time: 08.13.20, 10:00.
A still from an Epic Games video instigating the lawsuit against Apple - Image Credit: Epic Games

In April, the ever-persisting Epic vs Apple trial saw the court sanction Apple for deliberately violating a 2021 injunction to remove anti-steering barriers for third-party businesses. As part of the sanction, Apple was ordered to make quite a few changes.

The list of requirements ranged from not charging a fee on purchases made outside of an app, to stop limiting how developers promote alternative payment options within their apps, to allowing developers to more freely use links in apps, among other measures.


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Proton lawsuit targets Apple's grip on iPhone apps & payments

Apple is facing fresh legal heat from privacy company Proton, which wants to break open the iPhone's closed App Store.

Smartphone displaying a VPN app with a map of Europe and flags. Prominent triangular logo in the foreground. Menu shows connection location as United Kingdom.
Proton lawsuit targets Apple

Swiss privacy technology company Proton has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Apple in California, claiming Apple maintains an unlawful monopoly over app distribution and payment processing. It cites harm to developers and consumers.

The proposed class action, filed in Oakland, alleges Apple forces developers to distribute apps only through its App Store. It also claims Apple imposes mandatory payment processing and extracts commissions of up to 30%.


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iOS 18.6, macOS 15.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6 and visionOS 2.6 get second betas

Apple is now on its second round of betas for its current-gen testing track, with new builds of iOS 18.6, iPadOS 18.6, macOS 15.6, watchOS 11.6, tvOS 18.6, and visionOS 2.6 now available for testing.

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

The second iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 developer betas have build number 22G5064d, replacing the first, 22G5054d. The second macOS Sequoia 15.6 build is 24G5065c, up from 24G5054d.

The second tvOS 18.6 build is 22M5065b and replaces 22M5054b, the second watchOS 11.6 build is 22U5065c taking over from 22U5054b, and the second visionOS 2.6 build is 22O5764b, up from 22O5754c.


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Pixelmator Pro gains better RAW images, Accessibility -- and Apple Intelligence

In the first major update since it was acquired by Apple, the Pixelmator Pro image editor for Mac has added features for pros with more RAW support, plus Image Playground from Apple Intelligence.

Digital illustration of a person in a green sweater holding a pencil, surrounded by colorful, abstract swirls, displayed in graphic design software.
The new Pixelmator Pro 3.7 remains a standalone app, but has Apple improvements throughout — image credit: Pixelmator

If you've been crossing your fingers since November 2024 that Apple wouldn't strip its newly-acquired Pixelmator Pro for parts, now is the first real clue of just how Apple intends to use the image editor. For Pixelmator Pro 3.7 adds only one new feature that's akin to its additions before the acquisition, but it's remained a separate app — with a lot of Apple elements added.

The most immediately obvious of which is that Pixelmator Pro now includes Image Playground. It's not quite as odd an inclusion as it was when professional video editing app Final Cut Pro got Image Playground, though.


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Monster Hunter Wilds update brings optimisation improvement

Last week, the next major content update for Monster Hunter Wilds was announced, but the response wasn't quite what Capcom was hoping for. Rather than excitement for the new hunts, Capcom was faced with renewed backlash from fans over the game's optimisation issues. As it turns out though, Capcom did include one ‘optimisation' change in the new update.

Capcom has not made any statements regarding Monster Hunter Wilds optimisation issues since the game's launch and that did not change with the reveal of Title Update 2 last week. However, now that the full patch notes are now available, we do have confirmation of at least one optimisation change. The latest update for Monster Hunter Wilds now begins Shader Compilation on initial startup, rather than in-game. This means that there should be less stuttering, better hardware utilisation and players will no longer need to manually delete shader cache files.

Unfortunately for Capcom, this has not put a stop to the current review bombing that Monster Hunter Wilds has been receiving on Steam. User reviews for the game are still Overwhelmingly Negative and the timing could not be worse, as the game is being promoted heavily as part of the Steam Summer Sale.

As for the key features of the new Monster Hunter Wilds update, they include:

  • New monsters – Lagiacrus, Seregios and Arch-tempered Uth Duna
  • Layered Weapons with customised appearances
  • New Support Hunter – Mina (Sword & Shield)
  • Photo mode enhancements
  • Limited-time Festival of Accord event with summer-themed rewards

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KitGuru Says: This is not going to fix performance all around, but it is a step in the right direction.

The post Monster Hunter Wilds update brings optimisation improvement first appeared on KitGuru.
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Ghost Recon set to return in 2026

It has been a few years since the last Ghost Recon game, but it looks like the next mainline game is on the horizon. New leaks suggest that the next Ghost Recon is deep into development and is about to hit a new key milestone. 

According to Insider Gaming, the next Ghost Recon game is being developed under the codename ‘Ovr' and is going to exit pre-production and into alpha this year. It is also claimed that Ubisoft is planning for a 12-month alpha, which would mean that theoretically, the next Ghost Recon game will end up being a Holiday 2026 release.

Ubisoft has not yet announced its 2026 schedule, but we do know of at least one major game due to release in early 2026. The Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake is still listed as releasing in the current fiscal year, meaning it should come out before March 31st of next year.

Ubisoft rebooted the Ghost Recon series in 2017 with Ghost Recon: Wildlands, transforming the military shooter into a large open-world game where squads of players take on missions all across the map, with access to a bunch of new vehicles and weapons. Ghost Recon: Breakpoint continued this formula in 2019 but was not as well received by fans.

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KitGuru Says: I am hoping that Ghost Recon comes back strong. The series has had two cancellations and two game launches in the past decade, so a flop could spell disaster for the future of the series. 

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Nvidia RTX 50 Super GPUs rumoured

While Nvidia has not yet made any official announcements, the rumour mill is spinning, with recent reports indicating that the RTX 50 Super series is on the way and will feature upgraded VRAM and a higher TDP. 

The latest intel from kopite7kimi points to the RTX 5070 Super utilising the GB205-400 GPU, indicating a fully enabled version of that silicon. This card is expected to feature 6,400 CUDA cores, a modest increase over the original RTX 5070's 6,144 cores. The most significant upgrade, however, appears to be in the memory configuration. The RTX 5070 Super is rumoured to pack 18GB of GDDR7 memory, bringing a 6GB increase over the original RTX 5070. Since it retains a 192-bit memory bus, this implies the adoption of 3GB GDDR7 modules. Memory speed is expected to remain consistent at 28 Gbps, maintaining the overall bandwidth at 672 GB/s. The card's TGP is also set to increase to 275W, an additional 25W compared to the RTX 5070.

Nvidia is reportedly also working on an RTX 5070 Ti Super, according to kopite7kimi. This GPU is expected to employ the GB203-350 GPU, maintaining the same 8,960 CUDA cores as the current RTX 5070 Ti. However, the memory configuration on the RTX 5070 Ti Super sees a notable upgrade. While it will retain 28 Gbps GDDR7 memory and a 256-bit memory bus (meaning no change in bandwidth at 896 GB/s), its capacity is set to increase to 24GB. This is again attributed to using 3GB GDDR7 modules, which are reportedly common across all upcoming RTX 50 Super variants.

The TGP for the RTX 5070 Ti Super is also rumoured to climb to 350W, a 50W increase that places it just 10W below the RTX 5080. The TGP value for the RTX 5080 Super is claimed to be 415W, a 55W increase over the RTX 5080.

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KitGuru says: Given the supposed specs of the RTX 50 Super series, it's unclear if Nvidia will replace the existing non-Super models with the new ones. Nvidia could make them coexist, selling the Super models as the high-VRAM variants.

The post Nvidia RTX 50 Super GPUs rumoured first appeared on KitGuru.
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Intel may adopt 3D V-Cache starting with Nova Lake CPUs

Intel is reportedly developing a new strategy to challenge AMD's stronghold in the gaming CPU market. A new report suggests that upcoming Nova Lake CPUs will integrate a “bLLC” (large Last-Level Cache) technology, hoping to get the same performance gains from AMD's 3D V-Cache in their X3D processors. 

Haze (via Techspot) states that at least two Nova Lake CPUs will feature this enhanced L3 cache. Both configurations are said to include 8x P-cores and 4x low-power E-cores. One variant will pack an additional 20x E-cores, while the other will have 12x E-cores. Both are expected to have the same 125W TDP rating.

This “bLLC” technology isn't entirely new to Intel's ecosystem, having already been implemented in their Clearwater Forest server CPUs. In those chips, a local cache is integrated directly into the foundation tile, which sits beneath the compute tiles. This approach mirrors AMD's current 9000-series X3D architecture, where 3D V-Cache is attached to the bottom of the CPU dies. However, this development surprises some, as Intel had previously downplayed plans for a consumer-facing technology akin to AMD's 3D V-Cache. In November 2024, Intel's Tech Communications Manager, Florian Maislinger, explicitly stated that there were no intentions for a desktop version of such a feature.

The Nova Lake-S series for desktops is anticipated to launch in late 2026 or early 2027. This generation is expected to introduce a new LGA 1954 socket and feature at least six desktop variants. The lineup is rumoured to range from a top-end CPU with 52x cores and a 150W TDP to an entry-level model with 12 cores and a 125W TDP.

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KitGuru says: AMD has had great success in the gaming market thanks to 3D V-Cache. Do you think Intel will get a comparable performance bump? 

The post Intel may adopt 3D V-Cache starting with Nova Lake CPUs first appeared on KitGuru.
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ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Extreme Review

A halo tier flagship motherboard should be drooled-over by many and owned by few. There's no doubt that this is one of the most extreme X870E options on the market, featuring unique approaches to expansion and support for sub-ambient overclocking. But does it do enough justify the price tag?

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MacBook with A18 Pro first appeared in macOS 15 code

Apple's potential low-cost MacBook using the A18 Pro iPhone chip may have surfaced earlier than thought, with code references to the model apparently surfacing back in July 2024.

A laptop with a glowing screen, displaying a modern abstract design, situated in a cozy living room with slightly blurred background details.
A new MacBook could use an A-series chip

Early on Monday, commentary from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo advised that Apple was working on a MacBook that runs on an A-series processor instead of an M-series chip. Hours later, it seems that the model may have been teased quite a while ago.

According to posts shared by Aaron Perris via X in July 2024, code references in macOS 15.1 included a lot of iPhone, iPad, and Mac models. That list included a reference to "Mac17,1" a currently unused model identifier.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Apple tells EU to forget about getting all the new iOS 26 features

The EU's DMA is said to be in the interests of consumers, but as its been implemented, it's just denying them iOS 26 features Apple can't risk giving away to rivals.

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

EU Mac users still haven't got iPhone mirroring, and they aren't going to get Live Activities on the Mac, either. Now Apple has directly told the EU regulators that there are more iOS 26 features that its users at least won't see remotely as soon as anyone, anywhere else.

The only one named is Visited Places, but according to the Wall Street Journal, Apple's vice president of Apple Legal, Kyle Andeer, has used a new EU workshop to tell officials that there will be more.


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Save $240 on Apple's M4 MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD in early Prime Day price war

Early Prime Day sales are heating up, with today's MacBook Pro sale discounting the 14-inch model with an upgrade to 24GB RAM and 1TB of storage by a substantial $240.

MacBook Pro 14-inch with 'M4 Deals' text over gradient background blending pink, yellow, and blue.
Get an early Prime Day discount on Apple's MacBook Pro - Image credit: Apple

Save $240: Pick up Apple's M4 14-inch MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD for $1,759 at Amazon and B&H Photo.

Save $240 on Apple's current 14-inch MacBook Pro with a bump up to 24GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage during an early Prime Day price war between Amazon and B&H Photo.


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Verizon denies 61 million customer records for sale online are legitimate

Verizon denies that a database offered for sale on a public forum contains real customer records, describing it as old data not connected to the company or its users.

The word Verizon in white bold letters on a dark industrial background, with a red check mark at the end.
Verizon denies data breach

A report by cybersecurity researchers at SafetyDetectives found a forum post advertising a database labeled "Verizon USA" with over 61 million records. The listing claimed the data was 3.1 gigabytes in CSV or JSON format and included sample screenshots of personal information fields.

Verizon told TechRadar it reviewed the postings and dismissed the data as old information recycled from forums. The company insists it has no link to its systems or customers and rejects any claim of a new breach.


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Nomad MagSafe wallet, Hue price hikes, & Brilliant comeback on HomeKit Insider

On the latest HomeKit Insider Podcast, Ryan Okimoto joins to talk about the latest home automation news, and the relaunch of Brilliant.

HomeKit Insider
HomeKit Insider Podcast

Ryan Okimoto — or Oki — is the Senior Director of Customer Engagement at Brilliant, and is our special guest this week on the show. He has a long history in tech hardware companies, spending time at Sonos and Eero before Brilliant.

Brilliant had faced a future of uncertainty after it was unable to meet its financial obligations. Despite this, the company website and its servers never went dark.


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BOE wants to return to Apple's good graces with OLED factory expansion

After a rocky start in Apple's display supply chain, display supplier BOE has bulked out its OLED panel supply chain in the hope it can secure more iPhone screen orders.

Smartphone with a colorful gradient wallpaper on display, featuring hues of orange, pink, blue, and purple, set against a simple gray background.
The iPhone 17 generation is on the way - Image Credit: AppleInsider

The display supply chain for iPhones has been dominated by Samsung Display and LG Display, with BOE being a much smaller supplier in comparison. However, BOE really wants to be a big player, and has expanded its production capacity in the hope that Apple will use it.

According to the China Display Trend Report from UBI Research, seen by ZDNet Korea on Friday, BOE has managed to construct an annual production capacity for 100 million OLED panels for iPhones.


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Apple Music's birthday specials include a 500 most-streamed songs countdown

Marking ten years of Apple Music, the streaming service is hosting a week of special programming, ranging from the countdown of its top streaming chart, to documentaries about the streamer.

Two men sit at a podcast desk with microphones. The Apple Music 10 Years logo appears in the corner and 'Don't Be Boring' text is visible on a phone screen.
Apple Music celebrates its tenth anniversary with special programming

Since it launched on June 30, 2015, Apple Music has continuously streamed radio shows as well as individual tracks, and it has created performances from live sessions to the Super Bowl. Now, alongside unveiling a new Los Angeles studio for musicians, Apple has announced special programming for the streamer's anniversary day.

The programs start with "Don't Be Boring: The Birth of Apple Music Radio with Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden," which at time of writing is already streaming live on June 30, 2025. It's scheduled to run from 6 A.M. Pacific to 8 A.M. Pacific.


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How to get Apple Music to show you your most-played songs of all time

Apple Music is turning 10, and to celebrate, it's giving you the "Replay All Time" playlist of your all-time most-played songs. Here's how to listen to it.

Two smartphone screens display Apple Music's Replay feature with colorful album covers, play, and shuffle buttons on a pink background.
Apple Music adds Replay All Time playlist

Apple Music's new Replay All Time playlist shows you the songs you've played the most since you joined the service. It is, essentially, your annual Replay, but for your entire listening history.




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Apple celebrates 10 years of Apple Music with new studio for artists

Alongside celebratory shows on Apple Music live streaming, Apple is marking the first decade of its streaming service by opening a 15,000-square foot studio for musicians.

Brick building with black windows, a glass door, modern exterior lighting, surrounded by plants, against a twilight sky. Nearby, palm trees and a multi-story stairwell are visible.
Exterior of the new Apple Music studio in Los Angeles— image credit: Apple

Apple Music went live on June 30, 2015, and since then has added Apple Music Classical, Spatial Audio — and opened a studio in Paris. Now Apple has announced a new complex that provides two studios, a soundstage, and facilities for artists in Los Angeles.

"Apple Music Radio has always been a home for storytelling and artistry, serving as a space for bold conversations and surprising moments," Rachel Newman, Apple Music's co-head, said in the announcement. "With this new studio, we are furthering our commitment to creating a space for artists to create, connect, and share their vision."


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Apple's take on smart glasses may finally start shipping in late 2027

The long-rumored Apple Glass smartglasses may actually reach consumers' faces in late 2027, Ming-Chi Kuo claims.

Optimistic renders of what Apple Glass could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsider
Optimistic renders of what Apple Glass could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsider

As a concept, Apple Glass has featured heavily in rumors. Smart glasses taking multiple forms is a hot favorite to come out of Cupertino at some point in the future.

In a Monday post TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recaps and offers new forecasts on Apple's smart glasses endeavors.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Apple Music's ten years, billions of dollars in fines, and one failure

On June 30, 2015, Apple launched Apple Music, the service that has brought music pleasure to millions — and cost Apple billions in fines — plus it included a social media feature no one wanted.

Red circles with white text list music genres like country, pop, hip-hop, blues, reggae, and more. Instructions above suggest clicking on preferred genres.
It's fine to be nostalgic for red blobs.

If you joined Apple Music when it first launched and have stayed with it since, you have probably paid out at least $1,198.80. The price has gone up over the years, plus there are more expensive tiers with a family plan, cheaper ones with the student offering, and Apple Music is also part of the Apple One bundle, but you've been paying something for up to a decade.

What won't have happened, though, is that you've ever had the service for free — at least not above limited trials. Unlike its rivals, specifically Spotify, Apple Music does not offer a free ad-supported version.


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Apple Vision Pro with M5 may arrive before the end of 2025

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has two new Apple Vision Pro headsets in development, with the M5 version expected to arrive perhaps by the end of 2025.

Futuristic white and black headset with reflective visor resting on a stone surface outdoors, with blurred background of buildings and greenery.
Multiple models and new designs of the Apple Vision Pro are said to be coming

Of all the rumors concerning future versions of the Apple Vision Pro, one of the most recent was that a lighter version would be released in early 2026. Ming-Chi Kuo now disagree with that, and chiefly claims there will be no new headsets at all in 2026 — and then a small raft of them starting in 2027.

In his blog post on the topic, Kuo states that five — including both Apple Vision Pro and other smart glasses designs — have confirmed launch dates, while two are yet to be determined. The full headsets include an M5 version of the Apple Vision Pro that he says will start mass production in the third quarter of 2025, but the others will come out between 2027 and 2028.


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