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We found the best Prime Day gaming deals on video games, hardware and more

10 July 2025 at 13:42

It doesn't take much to play games these days. Phone, console, PC or handheld are all viable options. But why play using the bare minimum when you can upgrade your setup on the cheap by snagging a deal or two during Amazon Prime Day. Just a couple of key improvements can make a huge impact on how you enjoy a game or even how you play it. But instead of wasting your free time combing through thousands of listings yourself, we've collected the best gaming discounts and promos into a single place so you can get back to the action as fast as possible.

Best Prime Day deals on video games

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Nintendo Switch) for $52 ($8 off)

We rarely see discounts on first-party Nintendo games, especially when it comes to major franchises like The Legend of Zelda. But for Prime Day, Echoes of Wisdom is available for 15 percent off, which is even more impressive when you consider the game the game is less than a year old. Not only is this the first Zelda game to put our beloved princess in the spotlight (instead of Link), it offers a fun twist on the series' classic top-down action RPG formula thanks to Zelda's new ability to summon objects and monsters with the Tri-rod.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch) for $53 ($17 off)

Alternatively, if you are looking for something a bit faster paced, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom may be one of the best sequels in recent video game history. And now for Prime Day, it's available for $17 off its normal retail price. Not only is this a great pickup for anyone who hasn't played it yet, it's also a great showcase of the Switch 2's capabilities as users can purchase a $10 upgrade pack (or get it for free if you have a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack) that adds support for HDR, faster loading times, enhanced textures and smoother framerates.Β 

Star Wars Outlaws - Limited Edition (Amazon Exclusive), PlayStation 5 for $29 ($31 off)

At full price, this game was easy to skip. But now that it's available for just $29 (half off its normal retail price), Star Wars Outlaws suddenly becomes a lot more interesting for fans of the franchise. You get to live out your dreams of being an intergalactic scoundrel while taking down bounties or battling secret crime syndicates. And because this is the limited edition, the game includes some pre-order rewards like the Kessel Run bonus pack and the Rogue Infiltrator bundle.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Limited Edition for PS5/Xbox Series X for $48 ($22 off)

If you missed the latest entry in Ubisoft's most well-known franchise, this might be the time to jump in because for Prime Day, Assassin's Creed Shadows is available for $48, more than $20 off its regular retail price. This instalment has you explore feudal Japan as either the shinobi Naoe or the legendary samurai Yasuke while encountering some notable figures from the time period. If all you want is a wonderful world to sneak around in, it's hard to go wrong with Assassin's Creed on a discount.

Elden Ring: Shadow of The Erdtree Edition for PS5/Xbox Series X for $60 ($20 off)

Elden Ring is one of the most highly regarded games of this decade so far (and arguably of all time). For Prime Day, you can become a foul tarnished by picking up a version that includes the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for $60. Elden Ring typically costs around $50 (though it's down to $30 on PS4, PS5 and Xbox Series X for Prime Day) and the DLC will usually run you another $40, so that's a decent discount compared with buying them separately β€” or even the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition at its regular price.Β 

The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation 5 for $30 ($40 off)

The Last of Us is one of the greatest modern video game franchises, spawning both a critically acclaimed sequel and TV adaptation. For Prime Day, you can now get part one of the remastered version for more than 50 percent off. This latest edition for the PS5 features a brand new game engine, improved loading speeds and haptic feedback support for Sony's DualSense controller and more, which is enough to make the series feel like an entirely new experience (even if you played the original back in the day). And while it isn't getting as big of a discount, you can also pick up The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on Amazon for just $40 (10 off its regular price).

Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition for PlayStation and Switch for $66 ($9 off)

This collection of pixel remasters of the first six Final Fantasy games is discounted by $9 during Prime Day. Several other games in the series are on sale for PS5 as well, such as Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade ($30, $10 off), Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ($40, $30 off) and Final Fantasy XVI ($25, $15 off)

Best Prime Day deals on VR headsets

Meta Quest 3S 128GB Bundle for $249 ($51 off)

The Quest 3S is one of our picks for best VR headsets for good reason. Meta cut just the right corners from the more full-featured Quest 3, enabling it to drop the list price down lower. It has the same Snapdragon chip and controlers, but cheaps out a bit on the lenses, slightly lowering the graphics fidelity in use. Just like the Quest 3, it works standalone for lighter games and streaming, or in concert with a gaming PC for full-fat AAA VR titles. It's well worth the $300 Meta usually asks for it, so at $249 with two games included (Cardboard Hero and the excellent social VR hit Gorilla Tag), it's a steal.

Best Prime Day deals on PCs and PC components

Razer Blade 14 with RTX 4070 for $2,300 ($400 off)

The Blade 14 is one of my favorite laptop lines because it combines a super sleek chassis with solid performance and truly excellent build quality. And now, as a way to get in on the Prime Day festivities, Razer has an exclusive offer on its website that will knock $400 off configs with RTX 4070 GPUs or up to $300 on models with RTX 4060 cards. These kind of savings go a long way towards neutralizing my biggest issue with Razer's laptops: their price. So if you're looking for a system that can do some serious gaming but is still easy to carry around, you're going to want to snap this deal up fast.Β 

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-Core processor for $664 ($35 off)

AMD's X3D chips are the cream of the crop when it comes to gaming performance and while it's only enjoying a $35 discount right now, informed buyers know that the real savings are bigger than that because these chips often go for well above their MSRP. But the best thing is that for Prime Day, in addition to the 9950X3D, there are a bunch of other X3D processors on sale right now including the $460 Ryzen 7 9800X3D and $265 Ryzen 7 5700X3D so you can pick the right component for your budget. If you need a new CPU to speed up your gaming rig, now is a great time to upgrade.

ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop with RTX 4060 for $1,360 ($340 off)

While an RTX 4060 isn't the most powerful GPU on the market, getting a whole new laptop with solid specs for just $1,360 isn't something you can just ignore, especially if you're on a budget. This ROG Strix G16 comes with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. And while its Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU is one generation old, it's still plenty fast enough for gaming, video editing or pretty much anything else you need to do. I also appreciate small features like a MUX switch that lets the laptop connect directly to the GPU for increased performance, though if you want, you can also enable automatic switching for better battery life. And with a 16-inch 240Hz QHD display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage, everything on screen is sure to look great.

Acer Nitro V gaming laptop with NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU for $1,200 ($150 off, lowest ever price)

Acer's Nitro gaming laptops are meant to be more affordable alternatives to its flagship Predator systems. But now thanks to Prime Day, this model just got even more budget-friendly while still offering decent specs. You get an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU with 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage and an RTX 4060 GPU, the latter of which should pair nicely with its 15.6-inch full HD 144Hz display. I also appreciate that unlike some gaming laptops, the Nitro V is stylish without being in your face with too many RGB lights, which makes it feel like an even better deal at $1,200. That's the lowest price we've seen to date for this configuration.

Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) RAM for $95 ($25 off)

Adding some extra memory to your desktop can help unlock its full potential. So for Prime Day, Corsair is offering two 16GB sticks of its Vengeance DDR5 RAM for just $95. Not only do you get built-in RGB lighting, Corsair's onboard voltage regulation makes it simpler to overclock your system. And for those who don't want to mess around in BIOS settings, you can control almost everything from the easy-to-use free iCue app.

Thermaltake GF1 (2024) Fully Modular ATX 850W Power Supply for $80 ($30 off, lowest ever price)

Even though power supplies aren't the most exciting component you can put in your desktop, the importance of a good one can't be understated. For just $80, which is the lowest price we've seen to date for this product, the Thermaltake GF1 is fully modular (which means you can add or remove power cables as you need them) and has an ample max power of 850 watts along with an 80 Plus Gold rating for efficiency. And thanks to its 140mm fan, it should be pretty quiet, so it won't cause a ruckus if you decide to play some games at night.

Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB PCIe M.2 SSD for $114 ($63 off)

If you're like me and are constantly running out of storage, this deal for one of Samsung's 990 EVO Plus 2TB M.2 SSDs is a fantastic way to add extra room on the cheap. With a 36 percent discount for Prime Day β€” down to $114 β€” this is the lowest price we've ever seen. And it's not like you're cutting corners on speed either, as the SSD supports both PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2 and read/write rates of up to 7,250/6,300MB/s.

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 6-Core, 12-Thread Unlocked Processor for $156 ($123 off)

The Ryzen 5 9600X isn't super flashy, but it's a really solid budget CPU. And now, it’s even more affordable during Prime Day where it's going for just $156, which is $123 off its normal retail price. It features six cores and 12 total threads with a max boost speed of 5.4GHz and support for DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 5. It's also unlocked, so you have the freedom to overlock if you want. That said, you will need to buy a CPU cooler separately, as one doesn't come in the box.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X 16-Core, 32-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor for $434 ($215 off)

The biggest issue with the Ryzen 9 9950X CPU was that at launch, it was a bit overpriced. But during Prime Day, that problem is being addressed thanks to a $215 discount that brings its cost down to under $500. The CPU features 16 cores and 32 threads along with 80MB of cache and support for DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 5. However, like some of AMD's other processors on sale this week, you will need to get a CPU cooler separately.

Best Prime Day deals on gaming peripherals

Razer Enki Gaming Chair for $450 ($50 off)

If you're going to be spending all day in front of a screen gaming, you better make sure whatever you're sitting on is super comfy. And as I've been using the Razer Enki every day for the last four years, I can attest that this chair is worth the money. It has a ton of adjustability for things like the arm rests, seat height and more. For more flexible folks, it was even designed so people can sit cross-legged. I also appreciate that in homes where neon green might not fit your vibe, there's an all-black model (plus a pink one too, though that one is currently sold out).

Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 for $110 ($40 off, lowest ever)

If you've ever dreamed about becoming a gaming streamer or simply want some extra customizable controls for your PC, Elgato's Stream Deck MK.2 could make a great addition to your setup. It has 15 programmable macro keys with built-in LCD displays so you can make custom buttons for switching scenes, turning on lights and so much more. Elgato also has plugins for services like YouTube, Twitch, Discord, so it'll play nicely with all the major streaming platforms. In short, it's like a command center for all your content creation and livestreaming needs.

Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse for $29 ($21 off)

The Logitech G305 Lightspeed gaming mouse is just a simple PC peripheral done well. And at just $29, it's super affordable during Prime Day too. It features six programmable buttons, compatibility with both PCs and Macs and a sensor with sensitivity of up to 12,000 DPI. Meanwhile, thanks to a battery that lasts up to 250 hours between charges, you can go weeks between needing to plug it in. And because it's wireless, there won't be any cords or cables to get in your way.

Amazon Luna Controller and one month of Luna+ for $40 ($30 off)

The Luna Controller by itself is down to $40, which matches a record-low price. However, if you're a newcomer to Luna+, you may as well pick up this bundle (which is also matching a record low) for the same price, as it includes one month of access to the service for new subscribers. This gamepad is a solid option for those who want to check out Luna, Amazon's cloud gaming service. Prime subscribers get access to a dedicated channel with a rotating selection of games at no extra cost. This month, for instance, you can check out Death Stranding Director's Cut, Hollow Knight and EA Sports FC 25.Β 

8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard for $80 ($20 off)

With its Retro Mechanical Keyboard, 8BitDo strikes a great balance between a nostalgic design and support for more modern features like wireless connectivity (both BT and 2.4GHz). There are several different versions to choose from, though the one inspired by the classic NES is the model I'd choose. The keyboard features an 87-key layout with PBT keycaps and Kailh Box switches, though because the PCB is hot swappable, you can always change them out for something else.

Sony Inzone H9 Wireless Gaming Headset for $198 ($102 off)

For anyone looking for a new pair of over-the-ear wireless gaming headphones to pair with a PS5, it's hard to do better than Sony's Inzone H9 headset. Not only does it have a similar design to the console, they are the only other headphones besides the official Pulse cans that support on-screen status notifications for volume, mic mute, game/chat balance and more. They also share a lot of the underlying tech used in Sony's iconic WH-1000XM line, so you'll get fantastic audio quality and active noise cancellation. But the best part is that at $198, you're looking at a serious discount of 34 percent, which is more than $100 off its regular retail price.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card 2TB Solid State Drive for $209 ($21 off)

Games are getting bigger every day, so if you need some extra storage for your Xbox Series S or X, you'd be silly not to pick up one of Seagate's 2TB Expansion Cards for just $209. That's enough room for a dozen or more digital titles (or like three versions of Call of Duty) and it's the biggest SSD storage module that slots into the back of the console without the need for a separate box.

Amazon Basics UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector 800VA/450W for $65 ($10 off)

I'm not here to nag, but if you have a desktop PC, you really ought to consider adding a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to your setup as they prevent power surges or momentary outages from knocking your system offline. Plus, this one has a beefy 450-watt battery backup and 12 outlets so you can connect all of your other PC gadgets to it. So if you're going to do the smart thing by adding some extra electrical protection to your home during Prime Day, you might as well save some money in the process.

Best Prime Day deals on mobile gaming gear

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB) for $1,055 ($365 off)

With Samsung's next Unpacked event expected to show off new foldables, it looks like some of the existing models are getting some serious discounts for Prime Day, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra. And at $1,055, this is the lowest price we've seen for Samsung's current flagship phone yet. For gamers, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the S25 Ultra offers some of the best performance you can get in a phone right now, while its built-in vapor chamber should help prevent throttling. Its 6.9-inch AMOLED display is also one of the best mobile screens on the market today.

Razer Kishi Ultra for $100 ($50 off)

Razer doesn't normally run a ton of deals for Prime Day, but it seems this year the company is making an exception as there are discounts on everything from gamepads to headsets and more. That said, one of the standout deals is for the Kishi Ultra gaming controller. On top of just being a well-built gamepad add-on for phones and tablets, its larger dimension and USB-C port means it works with a huge range of devices β€” both Android and iOS. This even includes more niche devices like foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold series, which often don't fit inside other mobile gamepads due to their unique design.

Best Prime Day deals on gaming monitors and TVs

Sony 85-Inch Class 4K Ultra HD Bravia 3 LED TV for $1,098 ($500 off)

There's no better way to upgrade your living room gaming setup than with a brand-new, big-ass TV. Granted, the Bravia 3 is one of Sony's entry-level models (fancier sets get higher numbers), but with a discounted price of $1,098 for a massive 85-inch panel, this deal represents one of the biggest screens you can get for the money. It also has Google TV built in, so you'll get a very simple and straightforward way to stream your favorite shows and movies from services like Netflix, HBO and more. But perhaps most importantly is that for PS5 owners, the Bravia 3 supports exclusive features when connected to a PS5, such as Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture mode.

By the way, for a more in-depth look at the best TV discounts, check out our dedicated guide covering the best TV deals for Amazon Prime Day 2025.

Alienware AW2725DF 26.7-inch OLED gaming monitor for $600 ($300 off)

For anyone who has been waiting for prices of OLED gaming monitors to drop, this may be your chance to pounce on a great deal. That's because at $600, Alienware's 26.7-inch OLED display strikes a good balance between price and performance with a 360Hz refresh rate, 2560 x 1440 resolution and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. And of course, you get those lovely pure blacks and vivid colors that OLED panels have become known for.

Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Series 57-inch 4K 240Hz 4K gaming monitor for $1,600 ($700 off)

This 57-inch monitor isn't for people with limited space. But if you've got the room, at $1,600, this is the lowest we've ever seen the Neo G9 as this deal represents a whopping $700 savings compared to its regular list price. This thing features a solid 240Hz refresh rate along with support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, a 1000R curve and Quantum mini LED tech with 2,392 local dimming zones. For people who love ultra-wide displays, this should be at the top of your upgrade list during Amazon Prime Day.

Acer Nitro 27-inch WQHD IPS gaming monitor for $170 ($120 off)

Anyone looking for a solid and affordable 1440p gaming monitor during Prime Day should really check out this 27-inch IPS display from Acer. For just $170 (matching a record-low price), it features a relatively speedy 180Hz refresh rate along with support for AMD FreeSync Premium and a good color range that covers 95 percent of DCI-P3. The height-adjustable stand can also swivel and pivot, while thin bezels on top and on the sides will make sure it won't look dated in a few years. So while this thing isn't super fancy, it's simple and competent in the best ways.

Best Prime Day deals on batteries and power packs

UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank 10,000mAh fast charging battery pack for $30 ($3 off)

The Switch 2 is a fantastic handheld, but its longevity could be better. So if you're planning to take it on a long trip, pick up UGREEN's 10,000mAH fast charging battery pack to help keep running when you're away from a plug. This power pack almost has enough juice to fully refill a Switch 2 twice, which can add between five and 12 hours of additional game time (depending on the title). It also has an output of 20 watts, which is as much as the Switch 2 can suck down at once, but it's still super pocketable measuring just four inches long and 0.7 inches thick. And if you need a convenient way to recharge your phone, the battery pack also comes with Qi wireless support.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/we-found-the-best-prime-day-gaming-deals-on-video-games-hardware-and-more-144228655.html?src=rss

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Β© Engadget/Amazon

The best gaming deals for Amazon Prime Day 2025

EU regulators are once again investigating TikTok over data transfers to China

10 July 2025 at 12:46

TikTok is in more regulatory hot water. Only a couple of months after it slapped TikTok with a hefty fine over data transfers to China, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) is opening a fresh investigation into the platform.Β 

During the previous probe, TikTok claimed that European Economic Area (EEA) user data was stored on servers outside China. It said that TikTok staff in China accessed such data remotely. The DPC concluded the investigation on April 30 and fined TikTok 530 million euros ($620 million at current exchange rates). But that investigation and subsequent penalty didn't take into consideration any storage of EEA users data stored on server in China.

However, earlier in April, TikTok informed the DPC it discovered in February that "limited EEA user data" had been stored on servers in China after all, though it claimed that it had deleted the information. This revelation, which the DPC said "is contrary to TikTok’s evidence to the previous inquiry," prompted the latest investigation. The DPC is seeking to determine whether TikTok has breached the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation.

TikTok, like many other major tech enterprises, has its European headquarters in Ireland. As such, the DPC is the EU's primary regulator for the platform.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/eu-regulators-are-once-again-investigating-tiktok-over-data-transfers-to-china-124658844.html?src=rss

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Β© ASSOCIATED PRESS

El app de TikTok en un iPhone en Houston el 17 de enero del 2025. (AP foto/Ashley Landis)

Subnautica 2's early access release delayed to 2026 amid developer drama

10 July 2025 at 12:30

Subnautica 2 is one of the most highly anticipated games around. It's the second-most wishlisted game on Steam behind (you guessed it) Hollow Knight: Silksong. However, you'll need to wait longer than anticipated to try Subnautica 2 in four-player co-op, as the survival game's early access release has been delayed until early 2026.

Developer Unknown Worlds said that community members who took part in playtests provided positive feedback about the story, creatures, environment and general direction of the game. However, the studio said, they "also provided some insight that there are a few areas where we needed to improve before launching the first version of Subnautica 2 to the world. Our community is at the heart of how we develop, so we want to give ourselves a little extra time to respond to more of that feedback before releasing the game into early access. With that in mind, we’ve made the decision to delay Subnautica 2’s early access release to 2026."

The delay will afford Unknown Worlds a chance to add more biomes, tools, vehicle upgrades and creatures while expanding the story, the studio said. Players can expect more details in the coming months.

But news of the delay comes amid behind-the-scenes drama at Unknown Worlds. Bloomberg reports that the studio had been in line for a $250 million bonus (which the leadership group planned to share with employees) from Krafton if it hit revenue goals by the end of this year. The delay reportedly means Unknown Worlds is very unlikely to hit those targets. As such, Bloomberg's sources suggest that means the team of around 100 people may not be eligible for the payout.

Last week, Krafton β€” which bought Unknown Worlds in 2021 β€” turfed out the studio's leadership team of CEO Ted Gill and co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire. The publisher brought in Steve Papoutsis, a former executive at The Callisto ProtocolΒ developer Striking Distance, as the new CEO of Unknown Worlds.

"There is nothing more important than the gamer experience. Given the anticipation around Subnautica 2, we owe our players nothing less than the best possible game, as soon as possible," Krafton CEO CH Kim said in a statement, "We are thrilled Steve is joining us in our shared commitment at Krafton and Unknown Worlds to deliver Subnautica 2 as a more complete and satisfying entry in the series β€” one that truly lives up to player expectations."

Per Bloomberg, Papoutsis told employees this week that Krafton didn't believe Subnautica 2 was ready for an early access release and claimed he didn't know the specifics of the contract regarding the quarter-billion-dollar bonus. "It’s never been told to me that we’re making this change specifically to impact any earnout or anything like that," he reportedly told staff.

According to Cleveland, however, Subnautica 2 is actually "ready for early access release." The studio's co-founder wrote in a lengthy X post on July 5 that "while we thought this was going to be our decision to make, at least for now, that decision is in Krafton’s hands."

A Krafton spokesperson told Eurogamer that the decision to delay Subnautica 2 was "based solely on our commitment to quality and to delivering the best possible experience for players" and it was not "influenced by any contractual or financial considerations." They added that "the decision had already been under discussion prior to recent leadership changes at the studio."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/subnautica-2s-early-access-release-delayed-to-2026-amid-developer-drama-123042406.html?src=rss

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Β© Unknown Worlds Entertainment/Krafton

Subnautica 2

OpenAI’s own web browser could arrive within weeks

10 July 2025 at 12:00

OpenAI is said to be almost ready to unleash its own web browser, which could be out in the wild within weeks. According to Reuters sources, the company is aiming to more deeply integrate its services into users’ work and personal lives, and the browser is part of that strategy (as is its push into hardware). Naturally, the browser is slated to have a ChatGPT-style chatbot baked in.

OpenAI is reportedly looking to use the browser to capture more user data β€” a strategy that has worked out to Google's benefit with Chrome. The browser is also expected to have agentic AI features such as Operator, which are billed as tools that can carry out actions (such as booking reservations) on a user’s behalf. Having direct access to information like web browsing data may make it easier for OpenAI to pull that off.

The browser is said to be designed to keep many interactions within an AI chatbot interface rather than directing users to websites. As with Google’s AI Overviews, this could dissuade people from clicking through to the sources of information that the likes of ChatGPT rely on, potentially depriving website operators of valuable traffic.

If OpenAI does start offering users access to its own browser, it would be following Perplexity, which released a browser with agentic AI functions on Wednesday. That browser, Comet, is currently only available to those with a $200 per month Perplexity Max subscription. Opera also released a "fully agentic" browser back in May.

While ChatGPT has more than 500 million weekly active users that OpenAI can market Its browser to, the company will face a tough battle if it truly wants to challenge Chrome, which is estimated to have more than 3 billion users. As it happens, OpenAI’s browser is reportedly built on Chromium, Google’s open-source code on which Chrome, Comet, Microsoft Edge and Opera run. Reports last year suggested that OpenAI may build its own browser after hiring two former Google execs who helped create Chrome.

Google has long tapped into data garnered through Chrome to help with ad targeting. However, the Department of Justice late last year said it wanted Google to sell off Chrome. A judge ruled earlier in 2024 that Google was a "monopolist" in the search sector and that it violated the Sherman Act (Google plans to appeal the ruling). OpenAI has said that were Google forced to sell off Chrome, it would be interested in snapping up the world's most popular browser.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-own-web-browser-could-arrive-within-weeks-120039766.html?src=rss

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Β© REUTERS / Reuters

FILE PHOTO: OpenAI logo is seen in this illustration taken February 16, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

A surrealist documentary about climate change and other new indie games worth checking out

5 July 2025 at 11:00

Welcome to our latest roundup of indie game news and releases. It's a shorter edition than usual this week, but there are still a few interesting games here that are worth having on your radar.Β 

Also, there's still plenty of time to pick up some bargains in the Steam Summer Sale. So if you're planning on bringing your Steam Deck (or ROG Ally or whathaveyou) to a cookout this July 4 weekend and have some change to spare, why not pick up a game or two and try it out? There are a bunch of quality options available for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. We've highlighted some of the juicier deals too.

Technically, 8BitDo is an indie gaming company in that it's an independent enterprise that makes third-party gaming controllers. That's relevant, because I read a cool story this week in Endless Mode (a new gaming- and anime-focused publication from Paste Media). It's about how medical students are using tiny 8BitDo controllers to help them study with a flashcard program called Anki. And here's me thinking those controllers would be most useful for on-the-go Mario Kart World sessions with friends.

New releases

Atuel is one of the more interesting new(ish) games that popped up on my radar this week. After debuting on Itch.io back in 2022, this experimental project just landed on Steam and Google Play.

It's a short, free experience that should take around half an hour to finish. Atuel is billed as a surrealist documentary about climate change "in which you explore beautiful, dreamlike landscapes inspired by the topography and wildlife of the Atuel River Valley in Argentina." Add an eye-catching trailer into the mix and I'm quite happy to spend 30 minutes checking this one out.Β 

We probably shouldn't expect to see much more from the team behind this one β€” the crew at indie game co-op Matajuegos called it a day last year. However, the developers have been working on other projects, including their own games.

Upcoming

It’s been a decade since the debut of Turbo Kid, one of my favorite films of all time. It’s a low-budget love letter to Saturday morning cartoons with bucketloads of blood and heart. I love it so very deeply.

A video game that serves as a quasi-sequel arrived on PC in 2024. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and it’s coming to Nintendo Switch soon. This is a Metroidvania (in other words, an action platformer) from Outerminds. It has wonderfully gruesome pixel art and a cracking soundtrack from Le Matos, the composers of the film’s score.

I’d highly advise watching the Turbo Kid movie before playing this one. You have a few weeks to do so before the Switch release date of August 5.

FMV games never really went away, and an upcoming one from Tales of Kendra: Zau developer Surgent Studios and Palworld creator Pocketpair's publishing arm caught my eye this week. Surgent founder Abubakar Salim is an actor himself, so it's perhaps not too much of a surprise that he'd want top-notch talent for his latest project.

Dead Take stars two of the most highly regarded game actors around in the lead roles: Neil Newbon (Baldur’s Gate 3, Resident Evil Village) and Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33). In this game, you'll play an actor who is searching for a missing friend after a Hollywood party. You'll solve escape room-style puzzles and piece together videos you find along the way to find out what really happened. Sounds promising!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/a-surrealist-documentary-about-climate-change-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-110021975.html?src=rss

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Β© Matajuegos

A screenshot of Atuel, a documentary game by Matajuegos.

The Flame Fatales 2025 speedrunning event includes Blue Prince, Hades 2 and Clair Obscur runs

2 July 2025 at 17:14

Awesome Games Done Quick and Summer Games Done Quick aren't the only speedrunning marathons in town. There are others dotted throughout the year, such as Frost Fatales and Flame Fatales. Those all-women and femmes events are also operated by the Games Done Quick organization. The schedule for this year's Flame Fatales has just dropped, and there are lots of fascinating runs on deck.

For one thing, you'll be able to watch an Any% run (i.e. beating the game with any percentage) of Hollow Knight. What's more, SawaYoshi will do this one-handed. The runner is expected to pull this off in around 45 minutes β€” it typically takes around 27 hours to beat that game.

Some newer titles are in the mix as well, such as Blue Prince. It might seem odd that a puzzle game with a heavy randomization element is on the schedule. ProfessorBurtch will be undertaking what's known as a "B Quest Bingo" run. The idea here is to get to the Antechamber while using a bingo board. Here's an example of such a run (it contains spoilers, of course):Β 

Elsewhere, we have Any% runs of the wonderful Neva, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and New Super Mario Bros. in the mix, along with speedrunning staples like Celeste and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The bonus runs include the first act of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and all regions of Hades II. I'm very intrigued by the Stardew Valley finale, which is a "Marriage% Co-Op Haley/Penny (Lesbian%)" run.

In all, there will be more than 50 speedruns during this edition of Flame Fatales, which runs from September 7 - 14. This year's edition is being held in support of Malala Fund, which is a non-profit that helps girls around the world to have safe, secure and quality education. The event will be livestreamed on the GDQ Twitch channel.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-flame-fatales-2025-speedrunning-event-includes-blue-prince-hades-2-and-clair-obscur-runs-171451081.html?src=rss

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Β© Sandfall

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review

Tesla deliveries drop 14 percent amid Musk backlash

2 July 2025 at 14:16

Tesla says it delivered 384,122 electric vehicles in the April-June timeframe, which is a 14 percent drop compared with the same period in 2024. It's also the second quarter in a row that sales have fallen year-over-year (YoY).

The company produced 410,244 vehicles in Q2, which is very close to the 410,831 it made during the equivalent period last year. However, the company delivered more vehicles (443,956) than it produced in Q2 2024. That's not the case this time. The number of vehicle deliveries in Q2 2025 plummeted by nearly 60,000 YoY.

The line has been trending downwards for a while now. The company saw a dip in annual deliveries for the first time in 2024. For the first quarter of 2025, Tesla reported 336,681 deliveries, which is a drop of 13 percent from the same three-month period in 2024.

Multiple reports over the last several months suggested that Tesla sales had been falling in several markets. CEO Elon Musk reportedly fired Tesla's head of manufacturing and operations, Omead Afshar, last week as the numbers continued to sink.

Various factors have played a hand in Tesla's declining sales numbers. For one thing, the company (which is focusing more on autonomous driving efforts such as the Robotaxi) is facing tougher competition, particularly from Chinese manufacturers that are making less-expensive models.

And then there's the Musk factor. So much of Tesla's success has been pegged to the public persona of its chief executive. But there's been a significant backlash against Musk in recent years, particularly after he became a major financial backer and advisor to President Donald Trump during the 2024 election campaign. After Trump's inauguration, Musk became the head of the administration's Department of Government Efficiency program, adopting a similar slash-and-burn approach to cost-cutting within the government to the one he undertook at X. Musk formally left his government role in May.

In recent weeks, Musk has become an ardent critic of the Trump administration's major tax and spending bill. The proposed legislation β€” which is no longer officially called The One Big Beautiful Bill Act β€” passed the Senate on Tuesday and is set for another House vote. The bill includes provisions that could harm Musk's businesses, such as removing incentives for consumers to buy EVs. Trump has threatened to end contracts that Musk's companies have with the government amid a spat between the two men.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-deliveries-drop-14-percent-amid-musk-backlash-141638753.html?src=rss

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Β© ASSOCIATED PRESS

Una camioneta Cybertruck de Tesla en exhibiciΓ³n en Buena Park, California, el domingo 3 de diciembre de 2023. (AP Foto/Richard Vogel)

Prime Day deals include $50 off one of our favorite Ninja air fryers

7 July 2025 at 08:30

For many, summer means it's time to grill outdoors. But cooking inside does at least mean you’re likely to deal with fewer bugs. It also makes it easier to try out new kitchen equipment, such as a Ninja air fryer that’s on sale ahead of Prime Day. The Ninja Foodi Dual-Zone 10-quart air fryer is $50 off and down to $180.

This is not a record low price for this model. However, it’s still a good price for this time of year, some five months away from Black Friday.

The DZ401 is one of our favorite air fryers. In fact, it's our pick for the best dual-zone air fryer. It heats up quickly and runs quietly, but the real selling point here is the dual-basket setup. If you cook a lot or make meals for several people on a regular basis, the Ninja Foodi DZ401 could be a game changer.

It's possible to use the two baskets to prepare entirely different foods at the same time with distinct cooking modes β€” you can't do that on a grill. You can also prepare food in both baskets in the same way with the Match Cook feature.Β 

A very useful feature called Smart Finish can adjust cooking times automatically so that the food in both baskets (perhaps you have a protein in one and vegetables in the other) will be ready at the same time. That should help you avoid waiting for one basket to be down while the other gets cold.

On the downside, this is a machine that will take up a considerable proportion of counter space, so it won't be ideal for small kitchens. If you can make room for it, though, the Ninja Foodi DZ401 could be a valuable addition to your setup.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/prime-day-deals-include-50-off-one-of-our-favorite-ninja-air-fryers-131214723.html?src=rss

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Β© Engadget / Ninja

Ninja Foodi Dual-Zone 10-quart air fryer

Puzzle platformers, desktop aquariums and other new indie games worth checking out

28 June 2025 at 11:00

Welcome to the latest edition of our indie game roundup. We’ve got quite a bit on deck this week, starting with a few nuggets of news.

In case you missed it, the Steam Summer Sale is upon us, which means there are bargains galore on the storefront (we’ve rounded up some of the tastier deals). If you're anything like me, you'll end up buying a bunch of games that you'll never end up playing but hope to get to some day. In any case, good luck with your deal hunting!

I read an interesting story on Game Developer this week about Peak, a co-op climbing game from Aggro Crab (Another Crab's Treasure, which I absolutely loved) and Landfall (Content Warning). A team of seven developers made the bulk of the game during a month-long retreat earlier this year. The two studios relied largely on their community managers β€” who'd done a fantastic job drumming up interest for their previous games β€” to hype up Peak.

A combination of factors such as smart marketing (that title is peak), the game's ability to deliver funny moments that could go viral and a low price helped Peak to sell more than 2 million copies in 9 days. This is a cool success story for a game that cost about $200,000 to make. Here’s hoping more small studios find ways to collaborate like this. As a comparison, Remedy says FBC: Firebreak hit 1 million players after eight days, and that game is on PlayStation and Xbox subscription services.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has rubber-stamped a free, fan-made Halo-themed game in the vein of Vampire Survivors. Spartan Survivors, from JuanGGZ, is out on Itch.io and it’s coming to Steam and Xbox later this year.

New releases

After debuting on PC last year and making its way to iOS in February, I Am Your Beast landed on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S this week. From the remarkably prolific Strange Scaffold (Clickolding, TMNT: Tactical Takedown and El Paso, Elsewhere), this stylish, stealthy first-person shooter has been widely acclaimed and now console players can check out what the fuss is all about. In addition, the studio this week updated the iOS version of I Am Your Beast with all of the game's DLC.

Ruffy and the Riverside is a 3D puzzle platformer with charming, hand-drawn art from Zockrates Laboratories and publisher Phiphen Games. The perspective switches to 2D in some sections, in a similar fashion to Super Mario Odyssey.

What might help this game stand out is that it has a feature called SWAP, which enables you to copy the texture from one item and paste it onto another. So you might turn a waterfall into foliage so you can climb it or convert ice into lava. Ruffy and the Riverside is out now on Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.

Quantum Witch is an adventure platformer in which the plot is shaped by your decisions. Even the side quests have multiple endings, so it seems like there's a lot going on here. Solo developer NikkiJay has described this as a "queer emancipation story" in which main character Ren takes back agency over her life.

I'm interested in checking this one out, not least because the pretty pixel art and droll humor remind me of the Monkey Island games I loved so much as a kid. Quantum Witch is out now on Steam.

Antro looks like it's cut from a similar cloth as Playdead's Limbo and Inside. However, this rhythm-based puzzle platformer (from Gatera Studio and publishers Selecta Play and Astrolabe Games) is set to the beats of hip-hop, drill, R&B and electronic music.

Here, you play as a courier in a city that emerges below the ruins of Barcelona following a global catastrophe. Music and freedom (among other things) are banned here, but a rebellion is rising against the tech-dominated dictatorship that's in charge. Antro is out now on Steam, Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Idle games that sit on your screen all day long are having a real moment. For instance, Bongo Cat is near the top of the Steam most-played charts with concurrent player numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Tiny Aquarium: Social Fishkeeping, from Lunheim Studios and publisher Future Friends Games, is one of the newest games in the genre.

This is billed as a cozy game in which you can hatch and sell fish, decorate your aquarium and (of course) go fishing. You can visit your friends' aquariums (and those of other players) too. It all seems cute and charming enough, and I don't think having it in the corner of my screen would distract me too much while I'm crafting the hottest of takes.

Upcoming

There are a lot of things I love about Flock Off! already. The name, the fact it's set in my homeland of Scotland and that it's an alternate history take on the story of Dolly the Sheep β€” the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell.

In this first-person action title from Bunkhouse Games, you and up to three allies will have to use whatever's at your disposal to fend off zombie sheep. Just about anything can be used as a weapon, including a baguette, leek, traffic cone, your friends and a lawnmower that you wield in the fashion of Dead Alive. Flock Off! is coming to Steam later this year, but it's already alive in my heart.

Several years ago, we interviewed musician Sam Battle (aka Look Mum No Computer) about his wild DIY synth projects. Battle has since teamed up with developer The Bitfather and publisher Headup to make a twin-stick shooter in which you can make your own music.

In this game, also called Look Mum No Computer, you'll craft and upgrade synth modules. These also function as your weapons that you'll use to battle rogue components to fix electronics. It's such a cool concept and it now has a release date. Look Mum No Computer is bound for Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG on July 24.

I have to admit, though I've been aware of Firefighting Simulator: Ignite for a while, it wasn't really grabbing my attention. But the release date trailer included a very important piece of information. Those who pre-order this game β€” from Construction Simulator studio weltenbauer. Software Entwicklung GmbH and publisher astragon Entertainment GmbH β€” will get a pack that includes a cool vintage helmet and an absolutely adorable Dalmatian called Simi for their firehouse.

Firefighting Simulator: Ignite is a co-op firefighting game with more than 35 missions. It's coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on September 9.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/puzzle-platformers-desktop-aquariums-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-110029438.html?src=rss

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Β© Zockrates Laboratories UG/Phiphen Games

Ruffy and the Riverside

Trump ends trade talks with Canada over a digital services tax

27 June 2025 at 19:23

President Donald Trump said the US is ending trade talks with Canada, effective immediately, over a tax on digital services that will impact American tech companies. He also pledged to announce further tariffs on Canada within the next week, adding in a Truth Social post that "they will be paying to do business with the United States of America."

Canada's digital services tax (DST) is set to take effect on June 30, though it will be applied retroactively. According to The New York Times, US companies are preparing to pay around $2.7 billion to the Canadian government to cover a three percent tax on revenue they generated from users in the country. Companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Uber and Airbnb are subject to the levy, as things stand.Β 

In his post on Friday, Trump called the DST "a direct and blatant attack on our country." Amid trade talks with the US, Canada's finance minister, FranΓ§ois-Philippe Champagne, said this month that the country had no plans to hit the pause button on the DST. Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney previously said they aimed to reach a trade deal by around July 20.

Since taking office in January, Trump has been using tariffs as a negotiating tactic with other nations. The US reached a trade deal with China over rare earth minerals this week, and it is soon set to reimpose some of the levies that were put on hold in April for 90 days.Β 

The DST has been a bone of contention between the US and Canada for years. The Biden administration formally challenged the levy last year under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.Β 

Other jurisdictions have considered or enacted a similar tax. It was reported in May that Germany is mulling a 10 percent levy on platforms such as Google and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trump-ends-trade-talks-with-canada-over-a-digital-services-tax-192322721.html?src=rss

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Β© ASSOCIATED PRESS

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump leave after a family photo session during the G7 Summit, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Monday, June 16, 2025. (Suzanne Plunkett/Pool Photo via AP)

Who is this 'final' six-minute Death Stranding 2 trailer actually for?

26 June 2025 at 16:17

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is out today, not counting the early access period. Kojima Productions and publisher Sony couldn't resist putting out one last trailer. I wouldn't be surprised if the filename for it was something like DS2_FINAL_TRAILER_V17_noactuallyitsthelastone.mp4 and yet it still has a runtime of six minutes.Β 

Although there are some fun moments in this trailer, it's much too long. You probably shouldn't watch it if you'd like to stay as spoiler-free as possible before playing the game, as the trailer includes some heavy-handed teases and perhaps gives away some of DS2's surprises.

The game's director, Hideo Kojima, is a man with more ideas than he has time to execute. That's evident in his games, which are packed full of complexity and cinematics. I found a YouTube video titled "Death Stranding 2 All Cutscenes Part 1" that's nearly two hours long. In other words, these games are a lot (though it is cute that there's a special cutscene when it's your birthday). Fittingly, the trailers are excessive as well.

By my count, we've now had over 30 minutes of DS2 trailers, including a 10-minute one. That's not counting the 22-minute gameplay demo at Summer Game Fest. There will be more trailers when Death Stranding 2 inevitably migrates from the PS5 to other platforms, so I don't believe for a second that this is the "final" one. Perhaps there will be a Director's Cut edition with its own trailers.

Yes, studios, publishers and their marketing teams have a tough time on their hands trying to break through the noise and get their games on the radars of players who might want to check them out. But this is a Hideo Kojima game that Sony is publishing. A sequel to an acclaimed game that more than 20 million people have played. The vast majority of people who would be interested in Death Stranding 2 are likely already well aware of it. This probably didn't need a final trailer, and certainly not one that's six minutes long. (I am fully conscious of the fact that, by embedding it here, we're bringing more eyeballs to this trailer. Don't @ me.)

Kojima famously edits the trailers for his games himself, and he did so with this one. But they could probably do with another pass in someone else's hands.Β 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/who-is-this-final-six-minute-death-stranding-2-trailer-actually-for-161728737.html?src=rss

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Β© Kojima Productions

Death Stranding 2

Xbox will reportedly conduct another major round of layoffs next week

24 June 2025 at 14:58

It seems the cuts just keep on coming within Microsoft's gaming division. A company-wide reorganization is taking place, and that's slated to include another major round of layoffs within the Xbox team. Those cuts will be confirmed next week, according to Bloomberg. Engadget has contacted Microsoft for comment.

Microsoft confirmed last month that it would lay off about three percent of its total workforce across all teams, levels and regions in an attempt to streamline operations and flatten its management structure. That equates to around 7,000 people losing their jobs. Per Bloomberg's report, Xbox managers are anticipating "substantial cuts across the entire group."Β 

Microsoft cut 1,900 workers from its gaming division in January 2024, and another 650 last September. It also closed down Arkane Austin and Alpha Dog Games last year, while merging Roundhouse Studios into ZeniMax Online Studios. It shut down Tango Gameworks as well, but Krafton β€” the publisher of PUBG: Battlegrounds β€” acquired that studio last August.

For the first three months of this calendar year, Microsoft reported net revenue of $25.8 billion. It also said that its Xbox content and services revenue had increased by eight percent year-over-year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-will-reportedly-conduct-another-major-round-of-layoffs-next-week-145846887.html?src=rss

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Β© Aaron Souppouris/Engadget

Xbox Series X and Xbox Wireless Controller

The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is out now and it costs $400

24 June 2025 at 13:43

The limited-edition, Xbox-branded Meta Quest 3S headset has arrived. Reports over the weekend suggested that this model, which Meta announced a little over a year ago, would become available on June 24 and that turned out to be the case.

This version of the headset comes in Xbox's classic black aesthetic with a green trim, and a matching Xbox Wireless Controller and Touch Plus controllers. You'll be able to connect other controllers to the headset, including the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and Xbox Adaptive Controller, as well as third-party gamepads like the Backbone Pro.

The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition has 128GB of storage and comes with an Elite Strap, as well as three months of access to both Meta Horizon+ and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. With the latter, you can play games via the cloud on the Xbox app, including supported games you own that are not part of the Game Pass Ultimate catalog.

At $400, this bundle costs a bit more than the standard $300 Meta Quest 3S. Microsoft says that the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is available now, but "quantities are extremely limited." If you'd like to pick one up, you can do so from Meta's website, Best Buy in the US and Argos and EE in the UK. It's only available in those two countries.

The Xbox app with cloud gaming support has been available on Quest headsets since late 2023. Still, this partnership aligns with Microsoft's push to have Xbox games accessible on as many devices as possible. The company recently announced Xbox-branded ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PCs that will be available later this year, and it has hinted at a more open future for the Xbox platform.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/the-meta-quest-3s-xbox-edition-is-out-now-and-it-costs-400-134358869.html?src=rss

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Β© Xbox/Meta

Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition

The next Samsung Unpacked event takes place on July 9

23 June 2025 at 23:00

It's almost time for another one of Samsung's Unpacked events. The third Unpacked to be held this year (following installments in January and May) will take place on July 9 at 10AM ET. It will emanate from Brooklyn, New York and stream on the Samsung Newsroom, the company's website and its YouTube channel.

Samsung is promising a look at the "next evolution of Galaxy AI and the ever-expanding Galaxy ecosystem." The company usually debuts its latest foldables in the summer, so we are expecting to see the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 here. As if there was any doubt that this Unpacked will focus on foldables, an image Samsung sent out along with event invitations (embedded below) makes that clear. It's looking like the rumored Galaxy Z Fold Ultra is in store too, as a teaser video includes the phrase "Ultra Unfolds." Way to be subtle, Samsung.

Stylized Samsung graphic showing a hinged object that's open. The corner of a rectangle touches the hinge.
Samsung

A new Galaxy Watch also seems likely to make an appearance, while rumors have been flying around that this Unpacked may feature a Galaxy S25 FE, which is slated to arrive later this year. We may even get a glimpse of a Samsung tri-fold phone. Meanwhile, the Android XR headset that Samsung has been working on with Google is slated to arrive this year β€” this Unpacked seems like a good opportunity for the company to spill the beans on that.

If you're already pretty sure that you're going to switch to a new Samsung device, you don't necessarily have to wait until July 9 to make a reservation for one of the upcoming models. In fact, if you make a reservation starting tonight on Samsung's website, you can receive a $50 credit.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-next-samsung-unpacked-event-takes-place-on-july-9-230044736.html?src=rss

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Β© ASSOCIATED PRESS

A sign of Samsung Electronics' Galaxy AI is seen during the World IT Show in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

US House reportedly bans WhatsApp on government devices

23 June 2025 at 16:15

US congressional staffers have reportedly been told that they're no longer allowed to use WhatsApp on government devices. The House of Representatives' chief administrative officer (CAO) is said to have informed workers on Monday that the app β€” including the mobile, desktop and web-based versions β€” is not permitted on House-managed devices.

"The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption and potential security risks involved with its use," the CAO wrote in an email, according to Axios. Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Signal (despite how easy it might be to accidentally invite a reporter to a sensitive group chat), iMessage and FaceTime were reportedly cited as acceptable alternatives, and the CAO reminded workers to be vigilant regarding potential phishing scams.

"We disagree with the House Chief Administrative Officer’s characterization in the strongest possible terms," Meta spokesperson Andy Stone wrote on X. "We know members and their staffs regularly use WhatsApp and we look forward to ensuring members of the House can join their Senate counterparts in doing so officially. Messages on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default, meaning only the recipients and not even WhatsApp can see them. This is a higher level of security than most of the apps on the CAO’s approved list that do not offer that protection."

The step follows limitations on congressional staffers' use of other apps (including generative AI ones) that the CAO has deemed to be risky. Those include ChatGPT, TikTok, DeepSeek (which some states and federal departments have also banned from government devices) and Microsoft Copilot.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/us-house-reportedly-bans-whatsapp-on-government-devices-161557444.html?src=rss

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Β© Reuters / Reuters

FILE PHOTO: A keyboard is placed in front of a displayed WhatsApp logo in this illustration taken February 21, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Three months of Audible is only $3 in this Prime Day deal

5 July 2025 at 21:01

The bumper 2025 edition of Amazon's Prime Day is fast approaching and the deals are starting to emerge. While we've seen this offer pop up several times in the past, it's one that's always worth highlighting. New Audible subscribers can get three months of access to the Premium Plus plan for $3. That's a total of $42 off.

This is one of the best streaming deals around right now. It will be available until July 31, which is a few weeks after the Prime Day event ends (it could probably be called Prime Week this year since it's running for four days). If you don't cancel your Audible membership before the promotional period ends, it will automatically renew for $15 per month.

Through the Audible Premium Plus plan, you'll receive one credit each month. You can use this to claim any audiobook you like on the platform, whether it's a bestseller, new release or something else you've been meaning to get to. You'll retain access to audiobooks you claim with credits even after your subscription expires. So, you're effectively getting three audiobooks for your permanent collection for three bucks.

Audible members will be able to take advantage of exclusive discounts and sales too. They also get access to thousands of audiobooks, Audible Originals and podcasts as long as their subscription remains active.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/three-months-of-audible-is-only-3-in-this-prime-day-deal-143734246.html?src=rss

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Β© Audible

Audible subscription

Our favorite smart air purifier is still available for $37 off in this Prime Day deal

10 July 2025 at 13:10

Prime Day has brought a ton of deals to the internet this week, and one of the best at the moment is on an Engadget-approved air purifier. The Levoit Core 400S air purifier is on sale for $183, which is $37 off its usual price and not too far off of the lowest price we've seen. It's part of a larger sale on all kinds of Levoit devices including other air purifiers, cordless vacuums and more.

The Levoit Core 400S is our current pick for the best air purifier overall. Sure, it might not have the prettiest design of all the options we have tested and the companion app might have a little too much going on. But the Core 400S does its job and does it well.

This smart air purifier is slated to clean the atmosphere in spaces of up to 1,733 square feet in as little as one hour. The Core 400S has a cylindrical shape with vents at the top and a touch display that shows air quality readings. You'll be able to get a sense of the current air quality in your space at a glance with a color-changing ring that will light up in blue, green, orange or red. The 360-degree filtration system is said to be capable of capturing over 99.9 percent of pollutants as small as 0.3 microns, such as dust, pet dander and pollen.

There is an auto mode that should suffice for maintaining air quality, but the Core 400S is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls too. The fan isn't too loud, even when it's operating at maximum speed β€” the volume topped out at 62dB in our testing.

Meanwhile, at $50 each, the air filter replacements aren't too expensive compared with those from many of Levoit's competitors. You can also find other Levoit Prime Day deals on Amazon right now that include more air purifiers, cordless vacuums and more.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-smart-air-purifier-is-still-available-for-37-off-in-this-prime-day-deal-143224074.html?src=rss

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Β© Engadget

Levoit Core 400S air purifier
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