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This is probably the most beautiful workstation PC you will see in 2025: I can't take my eyes off the delicate wooden grain of the Corsair One i600 - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 13:34
  • Corsair One i600 comes in a choice of wood and metal finishes, combining beauty and performance
  • It's powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5080 GPU
  • It has a full range of ports for pro-grade tasks and whisper quiet liquid cooling

The Corsair ONE i600 is a compact workstation PC that, that for me, really stands out in both design and performance.

There are two finishes available – Metal Dark and Wood Dark. The latter is the most eye-catching and combines dark recycled aluminum with real FSC-certified walnut wood side panels. Every panel has a unique grain, giving each unit a slightly different finish.

It’s not just the outside where the Corsair ONE i600 shines of course. Inside there’s Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K processor, paired with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5080 GPU. The system is built for heavy creative workloads, gaming, and AI applications, with 64GB of DDR5-6400 RAM.

Liquid cooled performance

Storage is spread across two M.2 NVMe SSDs, 2TB each for a total of 4TB, configured to separate system and project files or gaming libraries. There's also an additional 2TB secondary drive, giving users even more options for local data storage.

To keep temperatures in check, Corsair includes dual 240mm liquid coolers, one for the CPU and another for the GPU. Corsair says this setup runs quietly, even under heavy load, with fan noise typically staying under 35dBA.

A tri-spoke vent design helps maximize passive airflow within the micro-ATX chassis.

On the outside, users get access to a full suite of ports. Up front, there are two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and a combo headphone/mic jack. Around back, connectivity includes a USB 20Gbps Type-C port, a USB 10Gbps Type-A port, four USB 5Gbps Type-A ports, and two legacy USB 2 ports.

Networking options are 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4 support included as standard.

The system draws power from a 1000W SFX 80 PLUS Gold power supply and runs Windows 11 Home out of the box. It weighs 15kg and ships with a two-year warranty.

With customizable front-panel lighting and Corsair’s control software for thermal and lighting management, the i600 is aimed at those who want power without compromising on form. It’s priced at $4,999.99 and available now.

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Don't Nod reveals new sci-fi action adventure game Aphelion, arriving in 2026 - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 13:48
  • Don't Nod has announced its next game, Aphelion, at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025
  • The game is coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS5, and PC in 2026
  • The sci-fi action-adventure game follows astronaut Ariane, who is stranded on the frozen planet and must rescue her wounded partner, Thomas

Don't Nod has announced Aphelion, a new sci-fi action-adventure game, coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS5, and PC in 2026.

Revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase alongside an action-packed gameplay trailer, the game follows the protagonist and astronaut Ariane, who is stranded on the frozen planet Persephone.

She must survive and brave the landscapes and shifting realities of the planet to rescue her wounded partner, Thomas.

The end of the trailer also seemed to hint at something more sinister, so the sci-fi adventure game could take a turn.

Don't Nod also confirmed that the game will blend exploration, traversal, and "tense stealth gameplay", and that players will have to avoid "lurking threats" and uncover "haunting secrets buried beneath the ice".

"By 2060, Earth will be uninhabitable. The discovery of a 9th planet – Persephone – at the edge of the solar system, is humanity’s best hope," the game's blurb reads.

"The European Space Agency is dispatching the Hope 01 scientific mission, consisting of 2 of their accomplished astronauts, Ariane and Thomas. Their mission: to survey the planet and determine whether humanity can prosper anew here.

"Your adventure begins in chaos, as the crash landing of their ship scatters them across the planet, launching them on a desperate quest to find one another."

Although the game doesn't launch until 2026, you can wishlist it right now.

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It's official, Persona 4 Revival has been announced, but there's no release date yet - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 14:06
  • The Persona 4 remake is official and known as Persona 4 Revival
  • No release date yet, and with only a short teaser here, it could be a ways off
  • It looks like it'll be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one

Following months of rumors, Atlus has formally announced the Persona 4 remake, now known as Persona 4 Revival.

Revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase, Persona 4 Revival is officially coming to PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, and it's confirmed to be a full remake just like Persona 3 Reload.

Unfortunately, there's no release date yet, but from the short teaser trailer, we know that the game won't have a fixed perspective camera like the original game, and will now allow players to explore their surroundings with a full 360 camera.

The small fictional Japanese town of Inaba has never looked better, and we even got snippets of the game's iconic soundtrack. These don't seem to be remixed versions in the trailer, but I do expect a remixed soundtrack here similar to how Atlus did with Persona 3 Reload.

The short teaser trailer for Persona 4 Revival also has an Xbox Game Pass logo at the end, suggesting the game will be available on the subscription service on day one. While it's just Xbox platforms that have been confirmed for release at present, Persona 4 Revival will most likely release on PS5, PC and perhaps Nintendo Switch 2.

It also remains to be seen if Persona 4 Revival will contain all the bonus content and extra story content from the Persona 4 Golden re-release. Hopefully, we'll learn more about this upcoming game later this year.

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Move over Nintendo Switch 2 – Microsoft has revealed the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 13:28

Microsoft has announced an Xbox take on the Asus's ROG Ally handheld gaming PC: meet the ROG Xbox Ally.

Shown off at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, this version of the ROG Ally comes in two variants. While both machines have a 7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a white Xbox Ally version targets 720p gaming, somewhat like the Valve Steam Deck, and a the black Xbox Ally X console aims for 900p to 1080p gaming.

Both of these Ally consoles-meet-PCs use AMD Ryzen chipsets; the more powerful black machine has the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, while the Xbox Ally uses the Ryzen Ryzen Z2 A. The latter comes with 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM and 512GB of M.2 2280 SSD storage, while the Xbox Ally X comes with 24GB of LPDDR5X-8000 RAM and a 1TB SSD.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Unlike Asus' current ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, the Xbox version has a tweaked design with contoured grips that echo the shape of the current Xbox Wireless Controller. And as one would expect, both Xbox Allys sport the Xbox 'ABXY' button layout and a dedicated Xbox home button.

Much like the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Xbox Allys have hall-effect impulse triggers, which should feel familiar to Xbox Series X and Series S gamers and give the handheld machines some of the best analog game controller triggers around (at least in my humble opinion).

⬛ ROG Xbox Ally X​​◻️ ROG Xbox Ally pic.twitter.com/InOsAK2eSFJune 8, 2025

In terms of ports, the Xbox Ally has two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports that support DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery 3.0 , and uses a UHS-II microSD card reader for storage expansion.

The Xbox Ally X has one of the above USB-C ports, but also has one USB4 Type-C port with DisplayPort 2.1, Power Delivery 3.0, and Thunderbolt 4 support. It also comes with a microSD card reader.

Both handhelds have a 3.5mm headphone jack, and offer Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4  connectivity.

Windows 11 meets Xbox customization

(Image credit: Microsoft)

While the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are attention grabbing, the current crop of handheld PCs already have Xbox game support via Windows 11 and Xbox Cloud Gaming. But the experience hasn't always been slick, with there being a solid argument that Windows can hold back handheld gaming, especially when compared to the Steam Deck.

But Microsoft has worked to optimize Windows to work particularly well on the Xbox Allys, with the operating system booting into new full-screen Xbox experience, which pulls in Xbox games, as well as those from other storefronts/PC gaming platforms such as Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Tweaks to the Xbox app and the Game Bar have been made to help them be more handheld-friendly, and the latter to integrate Asus' Armoury Crate.

All of this should make it easier to access Xbox games, other PC games, cloud streaming and apps like Discord from one easy interface.

If the Xbox Allys can deliver on solid handheld performance, we could be looking at an impressive alternative, or in some cases a complementary console, to the Steam Deck.

And these Allys will need to impress given the Nintendo Switch 2 is holding a lot of the handheld gaming linelight; check out our Nintendo Switch 2 restocks coverage for a taste of how it's kinda tricky to get Nintendo's console. But a portable Xbox in this Ally guise is definitely worthy of stealing some brief attention from the Switch 2.

Right now, we don't have any detail on the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X's release date or price, but expect the latter to be in line with what the current Allys cost.

Are you interested and keen for an Xbox Ally? Let me know in the comments.

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Xbox Games Showcase 2025: everything revealed from Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Persona 4 remake to a new handheld - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 12:10

Whether you're a devout Xbox fan or just wanted to see the reveals of some of the most exciting games on the horizon, the Xbox Games Showcase was worth tuning into.

This show was part of Summer Game Fest 2025 and followed the main show the day before. The biggest reveals included the announcement of Persona 4 Revival, Grounded 2, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

There were also plenty of cooler smaller games, like Mudang Two Hearts, There are no Ghosts at the Grand, and At Fate's End. We also finally learned about the long-rumored upcoming Xbox handheld, the Xbox Asus ROG Ally and Asus Rog Ally X!

Read on for a full list of everything shown, plus live reactions as it happened.

Everything announced at the Xbox Games Showcase

Here is a list of everything major revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2025.

  • The Outer Worlds 2, October 29
  • High on Life 2, Winter 2025
  • Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy
  • Xbox Asus ROG Ally and Asus Rog X
  • The Blood of Dawnwalker, 2025
  • Super Meat Boy 3D, 2026
  • Ninja Gaiden 4, October 21, 2025
  • Indy: The Order of Giants, September 4, 2025
  • Beast of Reincarnation, 2026
  • Clockwork Revolution, Coming in due time
  • Grounded 2, July 29 (Game Preview)
  • Cronos The New Dawn, late 2025
  • Aphelion, 2026
  • There are no Ghosts at the Grand, 2026
  • Age of Mythology Retold - Heavenly Spear, Fall 2025
  • Mudang Two Hearts, 2026
  • Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf, 2026
  • Fallout 76: Gone Fission
  • Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive, 2025
  • Aniimo, 2026
  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, July 11
  • At Fate's End, 2026
  • Gears of War Reloaded, August 26
  • Persona 4 Revival
  • Sea of Thieves Smuggler's Tide update, August 2025
  • Invincible VS, 2026
  • Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 16 coming to Xbox
  • Keeper, October 17, 2025
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, 2025
Xbox Games Showcase stream

You can catch up on the Xbox Games Showcase below.

Xbox Games Showcase start time

The Xbox Games Showcase took place on June 8 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT / 6PM BST / 7PM CEST.

Xbox Games Showcase length and schedule

While there is no exact schedule, the Xbox Games Showcase will be followed immediately by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct - a deep dive presentation on the upcoming Xbox RPG.

There's also no official word on length right now, though I would expect the Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct to last around two hours in total, though this is just a prediction.

Hello everybody and welcome to the very, very beginning of my Xbox Games Showcase 2025 coverage!

If you're reading this, it means you're on the of the very first people to join me as I cover the upcoming Xbox event.

Stay tuned, as I'm just about to hit you with some of my biggest hopes and predictions...

My big predictions (and some things I'm really hoping to see)

(Image credit: Atlus)

As the Xbox Games Showcase gets even nearer, I've been thinking a lot about the games that I expect (and want) to see.

First and foremost, it's hard to ignore all the chatter about a potential Persona 4 remake. This is a game that I've been hearing about through some of my contacts for months and I honestly I expected it to have been announced by now.

The latest rumors suggest that it is set to be shown off at the Xbox Games Showcase, with a version for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in addition to PS5 and PC. It will likely be something similar to the Persona 3 Reload, so a complete from-the-ground up recreation.

(Image credit: InXile Entertainment)

That aside, there are plenty of other games that I think are very likely to show up.

Remember Clockwork Revolution? That cool looking steampunk action game showed off by Xbox studio inXile Entertainment last year? I would be shocked if we don't get another trailer, and maybe even a release date.

There's another big Xbox game in the works too that I think will definitely make an appearance: Fable. With the game now set to come out in 2026 following a delay, I'm expecting a pretty beefy trailer to help keep everyone excited.

In a similar vein, State of Decay 3 really needs some new details. It feels like the open world zombie adventure has been in the works for absolutely ages, so it's really about time that we got a good look at it.

(Image credit: MachineGames/Bethesda)

Some safe bets here: we'll almost definitely see something of the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle DLC, plus new content for The Elder Scrolls Online from Bethesda.

On the Activision front, we'll surely get a trailer for a Diablo 4 update or expansion.

There's also a chance that we might get our very, very first tease for the next Call of Duty game. It's likely to be another entry in the Modern Warfare subseries, which I'm hoping is the case as I just can't resist any Call of Duty game with my Task Force 141 boys.

(Image credit: Future)

On to what I'm hoping to see... Well, a new Xbox controller would be absolutely amazing. I'm heard some slightly rumblings of an Xbox Elite Series 3 pad, which would make me very happy.

It's about time that Microsoft's dated, but still super expensive, pro controller got an update - especially considering the arrival of the DualSense Edge over on the PlayStation side of things.

With the high likelihood of an Xbox handheld announcement, I'm also praying that we will be shown some updates coming to the Windows 11 gaming experience.

Have you ever tried to play an Xbox game on the Microsoft Store or via PC Game Pass? It's absolutely horrible, and if the company wants to compete against the likes of the Steam Deck it's time that the Windows gaming experience got serious.

But what about Hollow Knight: Silksong?

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Will we see a Hollow Knight: Silksong trailer today?

Normally, I would have said that it's a near impossibility - though after the game's surprising (and brief) appearance in the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal stream I think that it could show up.

Surely developer Team Cherry has something to show off by now? It's been more than five whole years after all. As far as I know, the game is still set to come out in 2025 - so we have just got to see something soon.

Now, some thoughts from my colleagues on what they're looking out for...

(Image credit: Playground Games)

After the crushing announcement of its delay, News Managing Editor Roland Moore-Colyer is still holding out for fresh look at Fable.

"As a gamer in his late thirties, I've been a fan of Xbox since the original chunky model, and one of the games that defined Microsoft’s first console for me was Fable. I’m really hoping today’s showcase finally gives us a proper look at Fable 4 gameplay.

Given the work Playground Games has done with the Forza Horizon series, I’m bubbling to see what the developers can do with the Fable name. My hope is a charming open-world that one’s actions can influence that is steeped in very British humor.

I have my fingers crossed."

(Image credit: Arkane / Bethesda)

Roland also had a bit to say about the upcoming Blade game from Arkane, something that I had honestly forgotten was even announced...

"Arkane is working on a take on Marvel’s Blade, and as things have been relatively quiet from the developer Dishonored and Deathloop, in my humble opinion), I’m cautiously hopeful we’ll hear more about it.

I’d even take a punt on saying we could see some clips of gameplay, though that could be wishful thinking. Arkane is one of the masters of immersive sim games and I’ve been twiddling my thumbs for something that’ll have me pulling all sorts of tricks to sneak past enemies or creatively dispatch foes.

It’s my utmost hope that whatever Arkane does with Blade that it won’t abandon its immersive sim roots."

(Image credit: Bethesda)

He's also excited for some potential Elder Scrolls 6 information. It's been six years now, so I think it could happen - but part of me feels like it's still a little early.

"It’s been six years since Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls 6, and in that time the company was snapped up by Microsoft.

That sort of worked out well for Starfield, which launched rather bug-free compared to previous Bethesda open-world games, though the ambitious space adventure didn’t quite live up to a lot of people’s expectations,

So I’d love to see what’s happening with The Elder Scrolls 6, as I feel that’s still one of the few games that could draw some hype from Grand Theft Auto 6. I also reckon that Bethesda is better off focusing on fantasy open-world games that have a narrower scope rather than an entire galaxy."

With just over 20 minutes to go, we have fishing action

There is just over 20 minutes to go until the Xbox Games Showcase begins.

Grab any snacks and drinks that you want to have on hand and get comfortable, because the show will be here before you know it.

Currently, the stream is showing a live countdown with some relaxing Fallout 76 fishing gameplay in the background.

We have just ten minutes to go until the showcase begins!

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The big event is almost here!

We have just ten minutes to go until the Xbox Games Showcase begins.

Do you have any last minute predictions? I'm going to add on a quick one to my list: I think we might get some news about a potential Halo release on PS5...

Just before we get into the show, I feel like I should also say that there's also been a little bit of talk of a potential Sunset Overdrive remake or remaster.

The source for this one is extremely strenuous and the game was never that successful in the first place, so I'd take this one with a mountain of salt.

The stream begins...

Hold on to something! The Xbox Games Showcase is starting right now...

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 is officially underway!

And the first game I'm seeing on my screen? It should come as no surprise that it's The Outer Worlds 2!

We're getting a deep dive into this game right after the show in The Outer Worlds 2 Direct, so it should come as no surprise that it's one of the first things that we are shown too.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

This certainly looks like a follow-up to The Outer Worlds, with the same whacky sense of humor and expressive art direction.

I'm liking the look of the combat though, which seems a lot more impactful in this entry.

The Outer Worlds 2 is launching on October 29. And what's that? It's coming to PS5 in addition to Xbox and PC? Interesting....

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Now on to the next title, and it looks a lot like a new High on Life game. I'm being bombarded with images of guns with eyes, a knife with eyes, enemies with eyes. Everything has eyes, basically.

Yep, that's High on Life 2 - coming in Winter 2025.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Another World Premiere, with quite a cool fantasy tone this time. Hang on, looking a bit closer - it seems like it might be set in ancient Rome... What could this be?

(Image credit: Microsoft)

It's Resonance A Plague Tale Legacy - definitely not what I was expecting based on that trailer!

Xbox handheld revealed

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Yep, that's the Xbox handheld that I was predicting - an Asus Rog Ally with Xbox branding!

It's got impulse triggers, which is pretty cool. Honestly, I'm liking the look of this a lot - and it's coming later this year!

There will be two models available, an Asus Rog Ally and Asus Rog Ally X.

(Image credit: Microsoft)Hollow Knight: Silksong gets a release window

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Now we're hearing some chatter about the handheld. We saw some clips of Hollow Knight: Silksong too, which is set to release on the same day as the Xbox Asus Rog Ally later this year!

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Now we're moving on to the The Blood of Dawnwalker, an upcoming Bandai Namco published fantasy RPG.

It looks seriously creepy, with a super-powered vampire protagonist.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

That's coming out some time in 2026 for Xbox, PC, and PS5.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

And now we have Super Meat Boy on screen! And he's 3D! This looks like a lot of fun, with fast-paced platforming challenges and no shortage of brutal, meaty deaths.

It's Super Meat Boy 3D, and it's coming in 2026. Day one on Xbox Game Pass too!

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A Xbox published game now! With Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja working on it. I'm thinking that this will be a Ninja Gaiden game, but let's wait and see...

It's Njnia Gaiden 4! And you'll be able to play it on October 21, 2025.

A bit of Indiana Jones news now! I'm betting that it will be that DLC I mentioned earlier...

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Yep, it's the The Order of Giants expansion - which is going to take place in Rome. Will that mean returning to the fantastic Vatican level from the main game? I hope so!

It'll be out on September 4 on all platforms where the game is currently available.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A Game Freak title here! That's unexpected. If you don't know, that's the developer of the Pokemon series.

Whatever is being shown, it looks an awful lot like some kind of souslike with massive bosses.

It's called Beast of Reincarnation! Coming in 2026, with a PS5 release confirmed too.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Another Xbox Games Studios project here, definitely Clockwork Revolution.

The game will be set in 1885, with plenty of steampunk weapons and big robots.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

It looks very RPG-like, with a character creator and customizable stats.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

(Image credit: Microsoft)

I also saw lots of weapon customization and it sounds like there will be some kind of time travel narrative.

That was a pretty lengthy trailer, but it didn't end with a release date unfortunately.

Matt Booty on screen now! Revealing a new game from Obsidian...

I'm getting Grounded vibes here. Some kind of sequel?

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Yep, this is almost definitely a Grounded follow-up. I'm seeing lots of miniature characters in a giant garden world, big scary ants, and so on.

It's official then: Grounded 2, coming to Game Preview on July 29!

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Okay, this is Cronos: The New Dawn! I interviewed the developers of this game some time back, so know quite a bit about it.

It's a survival horror game, with big Resident Evil vibes. Expect shooting, inventory management, and lots of weird moment when it arrives in late 2025.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The Elder Scrolls Online now! To me this looks like it's just a general trailer, trying to attract new players to the game rather than show off anything specific.

I really like The Elder Scrolls Online to be honest, it's one of my most played MMOs ever - so I'd definitely recommend checking it out. It's regularly on sale and fantastic value for money in my book.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

We've got a new game from Don't Nod up now! One of my favorite studios ever, so I'm locking in for this one.

It looks like a sci-fi action game, though knowing the studio I am willing to bet that the narrative will be important. It's called Aphelion!

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A stylish looking game here, with a catchy musical number. It seems to be a hotel renovation type game, with the protagonist inheriting a dilapidated hotel with a sinister twist...

(Image credit: Microsoft)

It's called There are No Ghosts at the Grand, releasing in 2026. It will be on Xbox Game Pass day one.

Another Xbox Game Studios title, and it's giving Age of Mythology.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Yep, that's a DLC for Age of Mythology Retold focusing on Japanese mythology! It's titled Heavenly Spear.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A third-person shooter game now, set in Korea by the looks of it. I'm seeing shooting, explosions, and super-powered bosses.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

It's Mudang Two Hearts, coming in 2026.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A world premiere now, published by Thunderful and coming in 2026.

It looks like a super pretty platformer, with a super familiar look. I'm thinking that it's got to be a sequel but I can't quite put my finger on the name of the original.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Planet of Lana 2 Children of the Leaf! It was just at the tip of my tongue. It's coming 2026, with a Nintendo Switch release confirmed too interestingly enough.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A Fallout 76 trailer now, showing off the upcoming fishing mechancs.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

We're back with another world premiere: Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive. It's an action-RPG with four play co-op, based on the webcomic and anime.

It will release later this year.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Another world premiere, with cute animals and characters. This looks like a gacha game to me, hopefully it will be something free-to-play.

It looks open-world to me, with the ability to capture creatures and take control of them in combat.

It's called Animo, coming 2026.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Now a new trailer for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, which is going to release on July 11 - so really not that long to go now.

As you might expect, this remastered collection looks pretty sweet!

There's a demo coming today! I'll be downloading that right after the show then...

(Image credit: Microsoft)

This game looks pretty good! It's coming from the team behind Spiritfarer, which was a fantastically, if not slightly emotionally devastating, game.

It looks like something of a metroidvania almost, with a focus on family secrets.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

(Image credit: Microsoft)

It's At Fate's End!

(Image credit: Microsoft)

We're getting some Gears of War: Reloaded goodness now, with confirmed cross-progression and 4K 120FPS visuals. We're also getting split screen co-op and Xbox Play Anywhere support.

It was previously announced that it will come out on August 26, 2025.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Yep, that sure looks like a Persona 4 remake!

It's called Persona 4 Revival, though sadly we haven't got a release date for now.

Still, I can't wait to see Adachi in all his glory one last time.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Sea of Thieves sure is getting an update, it seems. Players will be getting a new class and new loot to steal.

It's a new season, called Smuggler's Tide dropping this August.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A new game from Skybound Games here, based on the Invisible series. I'm not a huge fan of the source material, but I can at least say the art style here is pretty nice and seems very faithful to the show's look.

It's a fighting game, called Invisible VS with 3v3 tag team combat!

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A Final Fantasy announcement now! I'm thinking we're about to get Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade for Xbox!

(Image credit: Microsoft)

And that's confirmed now! Plus we're getting Final Fantasy 16 on Xbox - nice!

(Image credit: Microsoft)

A Double Fine game now!

With you playing as what looks like a sentient lighthouse, spider type thing. It's a little weird, but I'm really digging it.

It's called Keeper, and it's coming sooner than you might think: October 17 this year.

One more thing...

The show is almost over, but we're getting to see one more reveal... Let's see what it is.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

It's some kind of sci-fi game, with a futuristic robots and a very sinister undertone.

Oh hang on, that's a Call of Duty game! A new Black Ops game - Call of Duty Black Ops 7 to be precise!

I'm pretty glad the franchise is going back to the future, it's about time we got a new entry with lots of fancy gadgets to play around with.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

So, that's the Xbox Games Showcase finished. What did you think? I quite enjoyed it, especially compared to the relatively bland Summer Game Fest main show.

Didn't catch the announcements live? Here's a list of everything that was shown in the order that it happened.

  • The Outer Worlds 2, October 29
  • High on Life 2, Winter 2025
  • Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy
  • Xbox Asus ROG Ally and Asus Rog X
  • The Blood of Dawnwalker, 2025
  • Super Meat Boy 3D, 2026
  • Ninja Gaiden 4, October 21, 2025
  • Indy: The Order of Giants, September 4, 2025
  • Beast of Reincarnation, 2026
  • Clockwork Revolution, Coming in due time
  • Grounded 2, July 29 (Game Preview)
  • Cronos The New Dawn, late 2025
  • Aphelion, 2026
  • There are no Ghosts at the Grand, 2026
  • Age of Mythology Retold - Heavenly Spear, Fall 2025
  • Mudang Two Hearts, 2026
  • Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf, 2026
  • Fallout 76: Gone Fission
  • Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive, 2025
  • Aniimo, 2026
  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, July 11
  • At Fate's End, 2026
  • Gears of War Reloaded, August 26
  • Persona 4 Revival
  • Sea of Thieves Smuggler's Tide update, August 2025
  • Invincible VS, 2026
  • Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 16 coming to Xbox
  • Keeper, October 17, 2025
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, 2025

The Xbox Games Showcase has now transitioned into The Outer Worlds 2 Direct. I'll be leaving things here for now, but you can catch that below.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 officially announced and it stars that one Gilmore Girls actor - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 14:32
  • Activision has officially announced Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
  • The game is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, but there's no release date yet
  • The game will be set 40 years after Black Ops 6 in the year 2035

Activision has officially announced Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

To close out the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, Activision revealed its next Call of Duty game with a cinematic trailer, starring Gilmore Girls actor Milo Ventimiglia, as David Mason.

Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, it's confirmed that Black Ops 7 will return to a futuristic setting and be set in 2035, which is 10 years after the events of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.

In this next entry, players will be able to play with friends or play solo in a co-op campaign, a multiplayer mode featuring brand-new maps, and experience the next chapter of the round-based Zombies mode.

"The year is 2035 and the world is on the brink of chaos, ravaged by violent conflict and psychological warfare following the events of Black Ops 2 and Black Ops 6," the official description reads.

"Wielding cutting-edge technology, the Black Ops team led by David Mason must fight back against a manipulative enemy who weaponizes fear above all else."

Activision has confirmed that it will share the next look at Black Ops 7 later this summer.

"The team is looking to build on the incredible community enthusiasm and excitement we’ve seen within the Black Ops universe," said Tyler Bahl, Head of Activision Publishing Marketing, in a blog post.

"This is the first time we’re staying within the Black Ops series with back-to-back releases, so we’re excited to give players a bit more time to enjoy all the live seasons and provide players more of what they want across Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone before we turn the page to Black Ops 7."

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I compared a new cheap mini-LED TV to a mid-range model, and here’s why upgrading is more than worth a small price increase - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 15:00

Some TV manufacturers are now offering more models within their full TV lineup, with smaller gaps between them when it comes to features and price, and this can make things confusing for potential TV buyers. Naturally, if an entry-level TV has a similar feature list to a step-up model, it’s the better deal, right? Well, that’s not always the case.

I recently tested two 2025 UK mini-LED TVs from TCL, makers of some of the best TVs. The models are the entry-level C6K and the mid-range C7K, which earned 4 out of 5 stars in my TCL C7K review. When I first saw the 2025 C-series mini-LEDs, the C7K looked to be the sweet spot in terms of value, delivering the best picture quality and features for the price.

As I had both these TVs available, I decided to compare them side-by-side just to see whether the extra cost of the C7K was worth it.

For a price reference, the 55-inch C6K costs £599, and the 55-inch C7K costs £849. I compared the 55-inch C6K with the 65-inch C7K for my testing, however. If you’re in the US, the closest direct models are the TCL QM6K vs the TCL QM7K.

Brightness and color

The C7K (right) exhibited significantly bolder and more vibrant colors than the C6K (left), as shown here on the Wizard & I scene from Wicked (Image credit: Future)

Both of these TVs use mini-LED backlights, meaning you’re getting higher brightness than with a standard LED TV. But, crucially, there are often brightness differences between entry-level and mid-range mini-LED models.

When I measured the peak brightness of both TVs (on a 10% white HDR window in Filmmaker Mode), the C6K hit 705 nits, while the C7K hit 1,790 nits – a significant difference. But how did this translate into real-world viewing?

The first area of note was color, where the best mini-LED TVs often excel. Watching a 4K Blu-ray of Wicked, with both TVs set to Dolby Vision Dark (which I found to be a more accurate picture preset than Dolby Vision IQ), the benefit of the C7K’s extra brightness hit was apparent.

In the Wizard & I scene, the green of Elphaba’s skin, pink flowers, blue wall inlays and even the beige walls looked much punchier and more vibrant on the C7K. The C6K didn’t look bad, but it also didn’t have the same level of definition I expect to see in a movie like Wicked, with the C7K adding more color depth.

Even in the climax of the scene where Elphaba runs across a wheat field, the yellow of the field and the sun were more impactful on the C7K. This showed that peak brightness, which is typically higher in more premium mini-LED TVs compared to entry-level models, is a crucial factor for delivering more vivid colors.

Contrast and black levels

Both the TCL C6K (left) and TCL C7K (right) displayed surprisingly deep black levels, but the C7K's higher brightness allowed for better contrast (Image credit: Future)

TVs with a backlight, such as mini-LED models, use local dimming to enhance the contrast between light and dark areas on screen. The more local dimming zones a TV has, the more precisely it can dim and brighten sections of the screen based on what’s being shown.

The 55-inch C6K has 180 local dimming zones compared to the 65-inch C7K’s 1,008 local dimming zones. Screen size does have an impact on the number of local dimming zones in a TV, but the C7K’s 55-inch model still has 720 zones, so there can be a significant difference even in same-sized models.

Watching a 4K Blu-ray of Nosferatu, again in Dolby Vision Dark, scenes with extreme contrast, such as a blackened room lit only by a torch, fireplace, or the Moon, looked richer and more accurate on the C7K. Light areas were brighter and the black tones were deeper, creating a much more dynamic and textured image.

With Nosferatu (2024), both TVs did a good job with black levels, although the C6K (left) was subject to black crush in places (Image credit: Future)

The same was true in The Batman, with the flashbulbs of cameras and wall-lamps better contrasting with the dark surroundings on the C7K. Even smaller details, such as light reflected off Batman’s cape, showed stronger contrast, with a greater difference between the light and dark tones.

The C7K's higher number of local dimming zones also allowed it to show better shadow detail. In Nosferatu, as Hutler walks towards the carriage to Count Orlock’s at night, the C7K showed more of his face in the darkness, whereas the C6K crushed that level of detail.

Black and white – and shades of gray

Although the C7K (right) has the better contrast and overall picture quality, the C6K's screen uniformity was better with black and white pictures such as this one from Oppenheimer. (Image credit: Future)

Things got even more interesting when viewing black and white movies. Watching the black and white scenes from Oppenheimer, the C7K still showed greater contrast between deep blacks and white highlights, and had a wider range of gray tones in between.

However, I noted that the C6K had better screen uniformity (the ability to evenly display the same color across larger areas of the screen) compared to the C7K. This was an issue I’d noted as an issue in my C7K review, and it made me prefer the C6K when watching black and white content.

Conclusion

The C6K (left) is a good TV for its price, but the jump in picture quality provided by the C7K (right) justifies paying more (Image credit: Future)

To sum up, comparing these two TVs side-by-side proved that it does pay to pay more. Yes, the C6K may have had the upper hand with black and white images, but the C7K outmatched it in color, contrast, black levels and also detail, with the C6K taking on a softer look in a side-by-side test.

That’s not to say the C6K is a bad TV. For its price, it did a solid job with every movie I threw at it, and it was a perfectly fine TV for casual viewing. But this is one example where, given the small £250 gap in price of the respective 55-inch models, it’s worth investing in the more premium option.

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Beige is beautiful: Retro 1980s PC hides a GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and even has fake 5.25-inch bay covers, because why not - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 16:19
  • SilverStone’s FLP01 case brings old-school charm, complete with fake floppy drives and retro lights
  • arkhive Business Limited comes with RTX 5060 Ti and offers real creative power
  • Noctua cooling keeps the retro shell silent while the modern internals do all the heavy lifting

Arc has unveiled a curious blend of nostalgia and modern performance with its desktop system, the "arkhive Business Limited," now available via PC Shop Ark.

The Japanese device is housed in SilverStone’s FLP01 case, designed after the classic 1980s PC-9801, and features distinctive styling, including a fake 5.25-inch bay cover and mock indicator lights.

The vintage aesthetic may evoke beige memories of dial-up tones and DOS prompts, but its internals suggest something far more capable, perhaps even worthy of use as a video editing or workstation PC, if judged solely on specs.

Nostalgia meets modern power

The base models come in two CPU versions: Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265 and AMD’s Ryzen 7 9700X. Both models are paired with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB NVMe SSD, and are cooled using a Noctua air cooler, a name respected for silence and efficiency rather than flair.

Graphics are handled by the new GeForce RTX 5060 Ti, whose 16GB of VRAM places it squarely in the mid-range performance bracket.

While that might not win over hardcore gamers, it should be more than sufficient for creative professionals and could make the system a viable business PC for those needing GPU acceleration in Adobe apps or 3D workloads.

Physically, the PC measures 440 x 362 x 170 mm, a footprint that’s not particularly compact by modern standards.

It comes with Windows 11 Home preinstalled and includes an 80PLUS GOLD 850W power supply.

However, with a price tag of 299,800 yen (about $2,081) and lacking even a standard optical drive (unless added via a limited-time campaign), some may question whether the retro shell justifies the cost.

PC Shop Ark is now accepting orders with full BTO (build-to-order) options, allowing for further customization.

The company appears to be banking on a blend of nostalgia and performance to attract buyers, but the arkhive Business Limited may appeal more to the heart than the head.

Via PCWatch

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NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, June 9 (game #463) - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 17:15
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, June 8 (game #462).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #463) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… What you see isn't what you get

NYT Strands today (game #463) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

  • DANCE
  • CARD
  • NOSE
  • CONE
  • FOAM
  • SKIDS
NYT Strands today (game #463) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #463) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 3rd column

Last side: bottom, 3rd column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #463) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #463, are…

  • MASK
  • CAMOUFLAGE
  • DISGUISE
  • CLOAK
  • COVER
  • FACADE
  • SPANGRAM: FALSE FRONT
  • My rating: Moderate
  • My score: 1 hint

Fittingly, today’s search words were well hidden and I needed a hint to get started. The word MASK confirmed what we were looking for – so I immediately started looking for CAMOUFLAGE and DISGUISE.

The spangram was not a term I was familiar with, but is one that I have seen in action in London. Here, there is a beautiful old theater I watched turn from thriving to derelict that has been under development for years to become apartments.

As is the case in many cities, the back of the building was demolished – leaving just the FACADE. However, along the way something structurally most have gone wrong as the propped-up facade was then completely replaced by a new facade, copying the art deco style of the original. So now, not one brick of the original building remains, which maybe was the plan all along. Either way, not once but twice, a FALSE FRONT.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, June 8, game #462)
  • CAST
  • SCORE
  • LIGHTS
  • SINGING
  • DANCING
  • COSTUMES
  • SPANGRAM: ITS SHOWTIME
What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, June 9 (game #729) - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 17:15
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, June 8 (game #728).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #729) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

  • PRINT
  • GENUS
  • RING
  • BOOK
  • FAMILY
  • SLID
  • ORDER
  • SAVE
  • RESERVE
  • PASTE
  • GOO
  • CREW
  • MAZING
  • REQUEST
  • SYNDICATE
  • QUIT
NYT Connections today (game #729) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: PC actions
  • GREEN: Pre purchase
  • BLUE: The Sopranos is one
  • PURPLE: NYT game Levels 

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #729) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: KEYBOARD SHORTCUT COMMANDS
  • GREEN: SECURE IN ADVANCE
  • BLUE: CRIME ORGANIZATION
  • PURPLE: SPELLING BEE RANKS MINUS A LETTER 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #729) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #729, are…

  • YELLOW: KEYBOARD SHORTCUT COMMANDS PASTE, PRINT, QUIT, SAVE
  • GREEN: SECURE IN ADVANCE BOOK, ORDER, REQUEST, RESERVE
  • BLUE: CRIME ORGANIZATION CREW, FAMILY, RING, SYNDICATE
  • PURPLE: SPELLING BEE RANKS MINUS A LETTER GENUS, GOO, MAZING, SLID
  • My rating: Moderate
  • My score: 1 mistake

I really enjoy it when Connections goes meta and references another New York Times game. For those of us hooked on Spelling Bee, today’s purple group must have felt strangely satisfying.

Not being a regular Spelling Bee player – and certainly never hitting genius level when I do play it – I got the hardest group correct not because I knew it was SPELLING BEE RANKS MINUS A LETTER but because they all looked like words with letters missing. Not quite as satisfying.

I did, however, know that the green group was SECURE IN ADVANCE – but this was still where my error came, as in my original quartet I had SAVE instead or ORDER.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, June 8, game #728)
  • YELLOW: PERSIST HOLD, LAST, STAND, STAY
  • GREEN: ANIMAL METAPHORS IN ECONOMICS BEAR, BULL, DOVE, HAWK
  • BLUE: SIDEBAR INFO ON A PERSON'S WIKIPEDIA PAGE BORN, EDUCATION, OCCUPATION, SPOUSE
  • PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF SLANG FOR MONEY BRED, CACHE, DOE, LUTE
What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Quordle hints and answers for Monday, June 9 (game #1232) - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 17:15
Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, June 8 (game #1231).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1232) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1232) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1232) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1232) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1232) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• L

• W

• H

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1232) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1232, are…

  • DERBY
  • LEMON
  • WRITE
  • HOVEL

I was roaring through today’s Quordle when I suffered a bad case of brain freeze on the final word.

For some reason I got obsessed with thinking the word must have a double-E and managed to overlook the letter D that I had in wrong a position. Thankfully my incorrect guess pathed the way for the correct one.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1232) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1232, are…

  • SKULL
  • MANGA
  • ABYSS
  • NURSE
Quordle answers: The past 20
  • Quordle #1231, Sunday, 8 June: REBAR, ALERT, PAYEE, FLUME
  • Quordle #1230, Saturday, 7 June: FLUNK, ESTER, SPITE, CHEAP
  • Quordle #1229, Friday, 6 June: ELUDE, KHAKI, VISTA, SMOKY
  • Quordle #1228, Thursday, 5 June: CHIDE, RABBI, GUSTY, LANCE
  • Quordle #1227, Wednesday, 4 June: BANAL, STOUT, SEDAN, HIPPO
  • Quordle #1226, Tuesday, 3 June: FUGUE, SYRUP, FLACK, WORST
  • Quordle #1225, Monday, 2 June: THINK, BELLE, CRONE, BOULE
  • Quordle #1224, Sunday, 1 June: POINT, MERIT, WHOOP, APHID
  • Quordle #1223, Saturday, 31 May: CRUMB, ELFIN, DRIER, QUITE
  • Quordle #1222, Friday, 30 May: RAJAH, CAUSE, BLACK, ETUDE
  • Quordle #1221, Thursday, 29 May: CRIER, DRAPE, STRUT, NEIGH
  • Quordle #1220, Wednesday, 28 May: HELLO, BEADY, VIGIL, PURER
  • Quordle #1219, Tuesday, 27 May: TWEET, RANGE, POPPY, RADAR
  • Quordle #1218, Monday, 26 May: BLEAT, HOWDY, ASIDE, SCOOP
  • Quordle #1217, Sunday, 25 May: OCEAN, AMBER, PIPER, GLEAN
  • Quordle #1216, Saturday, 24 May: HUSKY, HEIST, FOGGY, POLAR
  • Quordle #1215, Friday, 23 May: SHIRE, GIANT, AWAIT, CAPER
  • Quordle #1214, Thursday, 22 May: LOSE, GLOVE, STINT, EXCEL
  • Quordle #1213, Wednesday, 21 May: NOVEL, CHOSE, DIRTY, DONUT
  • Quordle #1212, Tuesday, 20 May: DECOY, SHAKE, MAPLE, PURER
I Played With the ROG Xbox Ally, the Upcoming Xbox Handheld - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 19:24
The new handheld console was revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase, and I got to spend some time with my hands on it.
Xbox ROG Ally, the Xbox Handheld is Real and I Played It video - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 21:39
The ROG Xbox Ally was revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase and we just went hands on with the new handheld gaming device.
Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, June 9 - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 23:33
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 9.
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 9, #259 - Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 23:40
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 259, for June 9.
Refinance Rates Tick Higher: Mortgage Refinance Rates for June 9, 2025 - Monday, June 9, 2025 - 04:00
Several key refinance rates were higher this week, so it might be worth waiting.
Rates Decline for Prospective Buyers: Mortgage Interest Rates for June 9, 2025 - Monday, June 9, 2025 - 04:05
A couple of important mortgage rates moved down. Will rates continue to trend downward in 2025?
The future of consumer tech buying: low cost, high reward - Monday, June 9, 2025 - 02:44

When it comes to new technology, cost is very often the biggest source of anxiety for today’s consumer. In an era of economic volatility and uncertainty, the ability to purchase new tech, like a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, can depend heavily on external factors such as inflation and supply chain reliability, which play a major role in cost and consumer spending power.

According to Assurant data, 44% of tech users surveyed expressed concern over the cost of new technology, while 27% say the cost of newly announced devices or upgrades is a major obstacle to purchase. Further, nearly half (49%) of tech users said they are interested in upgrades but hesitate or refrain due to cost. Overall, cost is consistently the most negatively perceived factor in the adoption of new technology.

Despite these sentiments, smartphone and related technology are an increasingly essential component of business, academic, and personal day-to-day life. For most, access to connected technology is nonnegotiable, and with the rise of AI-enabled features creating more intuitive user experiences, the ability to leverage the most up-to-date technology is only becoming more critical.

Caught between cost pressures and the desire to upgrade, many consumers have turned to the secondary device market as an alternative when budgets are stretched. To meet that demand, carriers and retailers have made considerable strides to enhance and streamline trade-in and upgrade programs that provide access to reliable, advanced, and affordable pre-owned devices.

These programs are growing in scale and importance, not just for cost-conscious consumers, but also for the carriers themselves, who leverage them to foster stronger, long-term relationships with their customers while recovering value from these assets.

The Secondary Device Market

When purchasing devices on the secondary market, consumers can save hundreds of dollars on smartphones that look and feel brand new, have the most popular features, have been securely wiped of data, and completely refurbished.

For multi-user families or avid tech users purchasing multiple devices, the compound savings of leveraging secondhand tech can be substantial, amounting to hundreds of dollars per device. In 2024, the average U.S. value of trading in an iPhone was $204, while the average U.S. value of trading in an Android was $105, according to Assurant data.

For consumers facing rising costs for basic goods, leveraging trade-in programs to earn money from used devices can take a $700 device to a $500 one, creating surplus that can be distributed to cover groceries, student loans, or other bills. In 2024 alone, more than $4.5 billion was returned to consumers through trade-in and buyback programs, as indicated by Assurant data.

With the uncertainty of today’s economic climate, it’s not surprising that the secondary device market continues to grow. GSMA projects that by 2027 the market will reach $150 billion globally, and it will only continue to expand as consumer costs rise and device and trade-in programs become increasingly sophisticated.

Sustainability Incentives

Beyond cost concerns, these programs also appeal to the growing number of consumers concerned about reusing resources, seeking to maximize value while minding their environmental impact. According to GSMA, 70% of global consumers surveyed would be willing to spend more for environmentally conscious devices.

Today’s tech users can trade in their used devices knowing that it will make a positive environmental impact, with the assurance that there is no risk to their personal data or security. Current trade-in programs accept an increasingly wide range of devices, even of older generations, to be either refurbished and resold or responsibly recycled if repair is not feasible. In the case of the latter, parts and materials are leveraged throughout the recycling process to be repurposed in other devices wherever possible.

Complementing environmental sustainability, social sustainability also plays a role in the secondary device market. Both globally and domestically, the secondary market ensures these devices become far more accessible and affordable for individuals around the world who may otherwise be priced out of adopting newer technologies – expanding connectivity on a global scale.

Looking Ahead

While a majority of consumers understand that trading in their devices can lead to sustainability benefits, the biggest barriers to broader adoption of secondhand devices today are centered around a lack of awareness about the quality and array of technology available, the ease and financial benefits trading in old devices, and how easy and secure the process can really be.

As technology continues to become more deeply entrenched in our daily lives and the cost of new devices continues to increase, we will see continued growth in the secondary market. Cost will always play a key role in consumers’ purchasing decisions, but as the success and growing size of secondary device programs proves, consumers are also swayed by compelling, mission-driven options – especially those that align with a lower price tag.

We've compiled a list of the best business monitors.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

WWDC 2025 live: all of the last-minute iOS 26 and Apple rumors, plus how to watch - Monday, June 9, 2025 - 02:46

WWDC 2025 is kicking off in a matter of hours – and we'll soon be live from Apple Park to bring you all of the big news across iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and more.

Apple's developer conference is all about software and gives us our first look at the next big updates for everything from iPhones to Macs. This year's show is expected to be a significant one, marking the introduction of rebranded platforms like iOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe – or so the rumors say.

What else can we expect from WWDC 2025? We're here to bring you all of the last-minute rumors and news, before the conference kicks off at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST today.

The WWDC livestream is below so you can watch along with us, or set a reminder for when it goes live. But in the hours before we see Tim Cook standing precariously on the Apple Park roof, it's time to look ahead at what's coming – and give you our expert verdict on all of the last-minute speculation...

The latest WWDC 2025 news
  • Apple could reveal a new 'Liquid Glass' software interface at WWDC
  • The redesign will apparently roll out across iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and more
  • The show could also bring big news for AirPods, iPads and the Apple Watch
Running this liveblogWelcome to our WWDC 2025 liveblog

(Image credit: Apple)

Good mooorning! As Tim Cook would say. I'm Mark Wilson (TechRadar's Managing Editor, News) and I'll be taking you through the build-up to WWDC 2025 – which feels like one of the most significant Apple software shows for years.

It's a big one because I can't remember Apple being on the back foot before a WWDC event as much as it is today. From its bodged Apple Intelligence rollout to the recent barrage of wrist-slaps from regulators, Apple has had a rough twelve months since WWDC 2024 – so it's going to be fascinating to see how it responds.

I'm almost as interested in how it plans to Houdini itself from some awkward situations (next-gen Siri?) as I am in the software announcements themselves. Whatever we get, it's going to be essential viewing for Apple fans...

Rewind: what happened at WWDC 2024?

(Image credit: Apple)

A year ago, Apple Intelligence didn’t exist. And twelve months on… well, it kind of still doesn’t, at least not to the extent that Apple promised at WWDC 2024. There’s no doubt that AI is going to be the elephant in the room at this year’s event – and Apple needs to make sure it’s a cute, Genmoji-style Dumbo rather than a shadow that hovers over the whole event.

Still, WWDC 2024 wasn’t all about Apple Intelligence. The Apple Vision Pro got a worldwide launch, iPadOS got a calculator app (gasp), AirPods Pro 2 owners got a handy Voice Isolation feature, and Apple TVs got a modest equivalent of Amazon’s X-Ray feature.

If, as has been rumored, there’s little in the way of concrete Apple Intelligence news at WWDC 2025, I’m hoping Apple serves up a bigger platter of software upgrades than the slightly meager selection of luke-warm canapés we got last year…

WWDC 2025 – our predictions

(Image credit: Future / Apple)

Here at TechRadar, we have experts in every Apple field, from AirPods to Apple Watches. So if you want a quick catchup on everything that our editors expect (and hope) to see at WWDC 2025, I’ve included some handy links below.

The overall vibe is cautious optimism – yes, Apple's recent software upgrades have been underwhelming by its standards, but the added competition and pressure from Google (fresh from an impressive Google IO 2025) and OpenAI could force it to step up its game.

What’s the big theme of WWDC 2025?

iOS 26 could also simplify the iPhone's camera app as part of the 'Liquid Glass' redesign, according to rumors we saw back in May from the YouTube channel Front Page Tech. (Image credit: Front Page Tech)

The two words for your WWDC 2025 bingo card are ‘Liquid Glass’.

That’s according to Apple soothsayer Mark Gurman, who’s just followed up his prediction that we’ll see a switch to year-based software names (iOS 26, macOS 26 and, hilariously, visionOS 26) with some specific details about the rumored software facelift.

This new interface will apparently be the biggest visual change since iOS 7, which swapped a literal form of skeuomorphism for a then-modern ‘flat’ look. iOS 26 has apparently also been designed to set the stage for a 20th anniversary iPhone that will launch in 2027 with curved glass sides, no cutout section, and “extraordinarily slim bezels”.

For me, the rumored redesign sounds a bit like a ‘look over here’ distraction from Apple’s lack of progress on AI features. But it’s also something Apple is typically very good at pulling off without royally screwing it up – in theory, at least.

How convenient: Apple pops the AI hype bubble

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

As spotted by the ChatGPT subreddit, an interesting new paper about AI has just emerged on the eve of WWDC 2025 from Apple’s Machine Learning Research division, called “The Illusion of Thinking”.

It appears to cast doubt on the logic and puzzle-solving abilities of today’s LRMs (large reasoning models) and their ability to get close to the AGI heights promised in some quarters.

I haven’t read the full paper yet, but its raising of “crucial questions” about the “true reasoning capabilities” of some AI models does feel conveniently timed, given Apple’s struggles (so far) to deliver on the lofty Apple Intelligence promises of WWDC 2024.

Seeing how it addresses those is going to be one of the most interesting parts of WWDC.

London Tech Week 2025 day one live - Jensen Huang, Keir Starmer, and much more as it happens - Monday, June 9, 2025 - 03:35

TechRadar Pro is live at London Tech Week 2025!

We're here in London to see all the latest talks, panels and news announcements as they happen.

Day one promises to be a bit of a blockbuster, with some very special guests, so stay tuned for all the updates as we see them!

Good morning and welcome to our coverage of London Tech Week 2025!

We're live on the ground and ready for the event, which kicks off today at London's Olympia with a welcome from the Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

That's followed by no less than the CEO of Nvidia himself - Jensen Huang will be on stage soon. It's bound to be a busy talk, so we're hoping we can get in and seated soon...

We've made it inside Olympia, but the queues for this morning's opening sessions are going to be major...wish us luck!

(Image credit: Future / Ellen Jennings-Trace)

The stairway to (London Tech Week) heaven...

(Image credit: Future / Ellen Jennings-Trace)

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