Oblivion Remastered shows players are happy to revisit the past
The post The Era Of Video Game Remakes Is Just Getting Started, New Report Finds appeared first on Kotaku.
Monthly Archives: September 2025
Software update shoves ads onto Samsung’s pricey fridges
Days after someone revealed the news on social media, Samsung confirmed today that it is showing advertisements on some US customers’ smart fridges. Samsung said the ads showing on some Family Hub-series fridges are part of a pilot program, but we suspect that they may become more permanent additions to Samsung fridges and/or other types of screen-equipped smart home appliances.
In a statement sent to Ars Technica, Samsung confirmed that it is “conducting a pilot program to offer promotions and curated advertisements on certain Samsung Family Hub refrigerator models in the US market.”
Samsung currently lists nine Family Hub refrigerators in the US, which have MSRPs ranging from $1,800 to $3,500. Family Hub fridges have 21.5- or 32-inch screens, which, until now, users have had autonomy over for displaying helpful or fun things, like photos and videos, memos, weather, timers, and a web browser. Some of those abilities require a Wi-Fi connection or a Samsung account.
Social Theme Park Sim Oktoberfest: The Official Game Leaves Early Access Today
Oktoberfest: The Official Game, a free-to-play social experience with fairground minigames and playable rides, enters full release today on Quest.
Developed by K5 Factory, Oktoberfest: The Official Game is licensed by the City of Munich and allows players to immerse themselves in the historic fun of the annual event in virtual reality. Announced today, the funfair simulator is leaving Early Access with version 2.0. Joining various amusement games like the shooting range, Ferris wheel, and bumper cars, K5 Factory is adding a new Gorilla Tag-like game mode set in a brewery called Barrel Hunt.
You can check out gameplay in the trailer below:
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As well as games and rides, Oktoberfest: The Official Game lets you customize your avatars with a selection of outfits and accessories that toe the line between modern and classic. Additionally, virtual Oktoberfest attendees can equip companions called Pets to nurture and bond with as they get stuck into the various game modes. And, in keeping with the communal atmosphere, this includes plenty of areas to socialize with friends.
Oktoberfest: The Official Game is available on Quest today.
I’m a Full-Time Creator, and Here’s the Gear That Made My Apartment Into a Video Studio on a Budget
I’ve worked out of my basement apartment as a content creator and videographer for several years now. As a result, I’ve had to find creative and unique ways to maximize space and find effective (yet inexpensive) gear to create my videos at the highest level possible.
Sometimes, that can seem pretty overwhelming, especially if you’re just getting started. But you really only need to focus on three things: audio, video, and lighting. Here’s some of how I built my home studio, what I use to make videos like the one you can watch right now in this story, and how you can do the same, even in a small living space.
Start with great audio
When I first started making videos, I really underestimated the value of quality sound. I thought I’d need some crazy-expensive microphone to get professional-sounding audio.
Fortunately, smartphone mics have improved drastically over the years. In a quiet room with limited background noise, your phone is more than capable of giving you decent audio. If you want to make your videos sound more professional, or you plan to record outside often, consider getting an external microphone.
For on-the-go recording, I use the Hollyland Lark M2. Lavalier and lapel mics are an absolute must-have for any content creator, especially if you hope to go out into the world to record. There are tons of versions to choose from, but my go-to has always been the Hollyland line of products. What makes these particularly special is how easily they integrate with both cameras and phones, and their noise-cancelling feature comes in clutch in areas with a lot of background noise.
I’ve used these on racetracks, here at home, and at several car conferences over the years, and have never had a problem with overpowering background noise. They also come in an AirPods-style charging case, which not only fits in your back pocket, but also ensures you never have to deal with a dead mic while you’re out filming.
If you’re looking to set up a more permanent place to record, I’ve always defaulted to the Audio-Technica AT2020. To use a condenser microphone like this, you’ll also need an audio interface with phantom power to connect it to your computer. I use the M-Audio M-Track to accomplish both of these requirements and have had mine for over four years now. While it doesn’t have as many features as some higher-priced options, the M-Audio M-Track is more than enough for what I need, and it’s usually less than $50.
Layer in quality video
Good audio is awesome, but it really doesn’t mean much if you don’t have some solid video to go along with it. Just like with audio tech, it’s easy to overcomplicate your setup and add extra work that you really don’t need as a solo creator.
Under most circumstances, the best tool to have on hand is your phone camera. If you have an iPhone or Android from the past 5-7 years, it’ll have an HD camera you can use to film high-quality video without breaking the bank.
Let’s use my iPhone 15 as an example. If you go up to the top-right corner of your camera app settings, you’ll usually see this little “HD” and “30”, which determines your resolution and frame rate for the video you’re recording. I film in either 4K 30fps or 4K 60fps so I can maximize every bit of my phone’s capabilities.
Normally, you won’t need more than HD (1080p) and 30fps to film good video. For more stunning visuals, you can go all the way up to 4K and 60fps, which is comparable to what you’d get from a DSLR or stationary camera. The downside is that the video files will be much larger and will take up more of your phone’s internal storage.
Needing adequate storage space is why one of your best friends in your content creation journey is a reliable external hard drive for your videos and audio. I highly recommend something like the Samsung T7 or the SanDisk Extreme Pro, both of which give you ample storage to create folders and organize any creative concepts you’re working on.
If you’re doing any streaming or stationary recording, I recommend the Logitech C920x HD. I’ve used this camera for everything from Instagram reels to Zoom calls, and with its included LogiTune software, you can dial in your color and framing settings before you shoot. As an all-around quality camera, it really doesn’t get much better than this, especially for less than $70.
If you want to level up even more and have a bit more budget to work with, take a look at the Osbot Tiny 2 Lite 4K Webcam. This one gives you more functionality, including 4K/60fps capability and gesture control, while also supporting horizontal, portrait, and even mirrored aspect ratios.
Logitech C920x HD Pro Webcam
$59.99
at Amazon
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$59.99
at Amazon
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Add lighting for balance and style
One of the most under-appreciated elements of content creation is good lighting. A good lighting setup can pay massive dividends on your visual quality and adds a whole lot to your video setup.
I’m personally a massive fan of the Govee line of products because of their many options and adjustment settings. I run all my lights off of Govee’s app from my iPad or phone, which allows me to change my lighting setup on the fly, even in the middle of a recording session.
The Govee Floor Lamp is one of the most flexible and dynamic options that you can add to your studio space. With more than 80 customizable presets and adjustable brightness from 2200K to 6500K, this light gives you more than enough options to change the entire vibe of your videos and living space. It also doubles as an effective key light for your main source of on-camera illumination.
This also pairs beautifully with one of my favorite lighting devices of all time, the Govee Glide Wall Lights. These are everywhere in my studio, and for good reason: Not only do they integrate perfectly with other Govee products, but they also make for amazing backlights in a video setup. You can dial them in as much or as little as you want, and Govee’s app gives you more than 64 presets to find your perfect balance.
Another great addition that I highly recommend is a cheap sun lamp to balance out your ambient lighting in low-light areas. Since I’m in a basement, there’s not much natural light to work with. So to combat that downside, a lamp helps replicate the natural ambience of a sunlit room and looks much better on camera. My personal favorite is the LASTAR Sun Lamp, as it gives you dynamic brightness and various color temperature options.
Get the gear, then start getting creative
No matter what you decide to use when creating your own home studio, always remember that your studio should be a reflection of the content you want to create. Look at content creators you like and see what they’re using to improve the quality of their videos.
As a motorsport and car nerd, all of my recording zones have elements of racing and car culture to emphasize the specialty that I bring to the table. Whether it’s LEGO, car models, or vintage signs, my goal was to create a space that would reinforce the topics I care about in a subtle yet effective manner. So have fun with it, and use these basics to transform your living, recording, or creating space into something you’re truly proud of.
Dying Light: The Beast Is One Of The Best Open-World Games Of 2025
Techland’s latest zombie-killin’ RPG is perhaps the studio’s best yet
The post <i>Dying Light: The Beast</i> Is One Of The Best Open-World Games Of 2025 appeared first on Kotaku.
Steam is ending support for Windows 32-bit next year
Steam is officially dropping Windows 32-bit support at the end of this year, the company announced today. The only 32-bit version of Windows that is currently supported by Steam is Windows 10 32-bit. The company says 0.01 percent of systems reported through the Steam Hardware Survey are using that version of Windows. On any given day, Steam sees just over 36 million daily users, so it’s safe to assume that this change will only affect a few thousand gamers.
While this doesn’t mean that your Steam client running on Windows 10 32-bit will self-destruct at midnight on January 1, it does mean that you will no longer receive updates or technical support. Microsoft is also sunsetting Windows 10 on October 14 of this year, which will similarly mean an end to security updates.
Valve will still support Steam on Windows 10 64-bit for the time being. Windows 11 doesn’t offer a 32-bit version, making it the first version not to offer 32-bit since the feature was introduced with Windows NT in 1993.
“Core features in Steam rely on system drivers and other libraries that are not supported on 32-bit versions of Windows,” Steam explained in the announcement. Hopefully this change frees up enough bandwidth at Valve to get Half-Life 3 over the finish line.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/steam-is-ending-support-for-windows-32-bit-next-year-171057805.html?src=rss
FCC derided as “Federal Censorship Commission” after pushing Jimmy Kimmel off ABC
ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s show off the air yesterday, shortly after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr urged the Disney-owned company to take action against Kimmel or face consequences at the FCC over Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s killer.
Carr appeared on right-wing commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast yesterday and said, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” Carr urged Disney to suspend Kimmel and said broadcast stations that carry ABC content should refuse to carry Kimmel’s show.
After Carr’s comments and a statement by Nexstar that it would preempt Kimmel’s show on its ABC-affiliated stations, ABC confirmed in a statement that “Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be preempted indefinitely.” The decision was made by Disney CEO Robert Iger and TV division head Dana Walden, The New York Times reported. We contacted ABC today and will update this article if we get a response.
Amazon Violated Online Shopper Protection Law, Judge Rules Ahead of Prime Signup Trial
Amazon violated consumer protection law by gathering Prime subscribers’ billing information before disclosing the service’s terms, a judge ruled on Wednesday, handing the U.S. Federal Trade Commission a partial win. From a report: The ruling by U.S. District Judge John Chun in the case accusing Amazon of deceptive practices to generate Prime subscriptions puts the company at a disadvantage at trial.
The FTC is poised to argue that the online retailer signed up tens of millions of customers for Prime without their consent, and thwarted tens of millions of cancellation bids through complex cancellation methods. The agency says those actions violated the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA).
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Gemini in Chrome no longer requires a subscription
Back at I/O 2025, Google began integrating Gemini into Chrome. At the time, you needed an AI Pro or AI Ultra subscription to access the AI assistant in the browser. That’s changing today. Google has begun rolling out the tool to all Chrome desktop users on both Windows and Mac. Provided you have Chrome’s language set to English and live in the US, you’ll see a new sparkle icon at the top of the interface. Tapping it will allow you to start making requests of Gemini.
You can also use the tool on a smartphone. On Android, you can do so by holding your phone’s power button. On iOS, meanwhile, Google is working on bringing the assistant to the Chrome app.
Google
Since its introduction at I/O, Google has made some enhancements to how Gemini works inside of Chrome. To start, the tool can now work across multiple tabs, allowing it to compare and summarize information from different websites. At the same time, Gemini can access your browsing history thanks to a new recall feature. Google suggests this can be helpful in situations where you can’t quite remember where you saw something online. Instead of manually sifting through your browser history, you can write a prompt like “what was that blog I read on back to school shopping?” and Gemini will take care of the rest.
The new version of Gemini for Chrome also offers deeper integrations with other Google services, including Calendar, YouTube and Maps. For instance, you can ask the assistant to schedule meetings for you, and if you’re working through a long YouTube video, Gemini can generate timestamps you can use to jump around the video.
Google
At the start of May, Google began using Gemini Nano to upgrade Chrome’s Enhanced Protection suite. On Thursday, the company said Gemini Nano would also soon work to protect users against websites that use fake viruses or giveaways to trick them. Google has also added an algorithm that will learn your preferences for granting permissions. When it determines you’re unlikely to grant a website permission to access your computer’s camera or location, it will present those requests in a less intrusive way. Similarly, Google will add an AI designed to make it easier to update compromised credentials through Chrome’s built-in password manager. Starting with a handful of supported websites — including Coursera, Duolingo and Spotify — you’ll be able to change your passwords with a single click.
In the coming months, Google plans to bring agentic capabilities to Chrome, meaning Gemini will be able to complete tasks for you. For example, the company envisions people using this feature to do their weekly grocery shopping through Instacart. The company first previewed this capability with Project Mariner at the end of 2024. Over the last year, a few different companies have released their own takes on web-surfing agents with mixed results. For example, people have complained of OpenAI’s Operator failing to complete some tasks.
Google
“Our hope is that by the time this gets to users, we’ve done away with many of the potential snafus,” said Mike Torres, vice president of product for Chrome, during a media briefing Google held ahead of today’s announcement. “This is an experimental experience we’re continuing to improve. We’re not going to do something that comprises the user experience.”
Last but not least, Google is adding an AI Mode mode shortcut directly to Chrome’s address bar. If you need a refresher, AI Mode is Google’s dedicated search chatbot. At I/O 2025, the company made it available to every Search user in the US. Now you can access it without navigating to Google first. When I asked Torres about the button, he was quick to note users don’t have to use the shortcut. “What we’re trying to do is maintain users’ existing behavior,” he added.
As with any major update from Google, it may take a few days for the new features to roll out to your installation of Chrome.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/gemini-in-chrome-no-longer-requires-a-subscription-170045611.html?src=rss
ZIX Review-In-Progress: Movement-Driven Mayhem In A Surreal Setting
ZIX from Hidden IO is the latest in a long line of first-person roguelike adventures to grace the VR ecosystem. Out now in early access for Quest 3 and Steam, ZIX arrives with a clear mission: to carve out space in a genre already bursting at the seams.
If you’re suffering from the dreaded ‘roguelike fatigue,’ I’ll give you the headline upfront, before you have a chance to roll your eyes and disappear – this one is worth a closer look. Despite having a few small issues, ZIX is built on a movement and combat system so engaging that once it clicks, it’s hard to put down.
The Facts
What is it?: An action roguelike with a strong focus on movement and fluid combat, supporting solo play and 3-player co-op with crossplay.
Platforms: Quest 3/3S, Steam (Reviewed on Quest 3)
Release Date: Out Now
Developer/Publisher: Hidden IO
Price: $19.99
Here We Go Again
Let’s begin with an open admission: my first impressions of ZIX weren’t glowing. The art direction didn’t click with me, the soundscape felt muted, and I wasn’t sold on the enemy designs. But an hour in, I began finding my rhythm. By the end of my second hour, I was completely hooked.
Like most roguelikes, ZIX doesn’t waste much time trying to tell you a story. There’s a wafer-thin premise handed out during the tutorial that provides just enough context to ground the action, but narrative isn’t the point here. This is about dropping you into a series of surreal areas, testing your reflexes, and letting you chase that flow state where combat, traversal, and quick-thinking blend together effortlessly.
Each run consists of a series of short missions, after which the player returns to the lobby to either spend their upgrade points or select from the next set of available challenges. Every ‘campaign’ is divided into these smaller sequences, usually culminating in either a wave-based arena or a mini-boss encounter. Progress far enough, however, and you’ll unlock tougher missions that see you facing off against greater enemies and some more challenging bosses.
Structurally, it’s familiar ground for roguelike veterans, operating in a similar vein as contemporaries like Hellsweeper or The Light Brigade. Personally, this staccato rhythm to the action would not be my preferred way to enjoy this, as it stops you from getting into a real flow and truly enjoying the mechanics that the game has to offer. Don’t get me wrong, the current format still works, but an approach more akin to the longer stretches of uninterrupted action found in the likes of In Death: Unchained would better utilize these fluid mechanics.
Becoming A Slingshot
The cornerstone of ZIX’s design is fast movement and dynamic combat. Jumping, dashing, climbing, and vaulting aren’t optional extras; they’re the heart of the experience. Every level is built with verticality in mind, encouraging you to bound across platforms, scale walls, and chain together maneuvers with an almost unnatural grace. While there is the standard artificial stick-based locomotion for basic movement, gesture-based movement is also present. These mechanics are more unique and I’ll admit, they took some getting used to. Let me explain…
Imagine if your movement was based on flinging an elastic band. For example, if you want to propel yourself forward, hold the grip button and pull back – imagine you’re stretching your elastic band here. Then when you let go, you shoot forwards at tremendous pace. Do the same but pull to the left, and you’ll sidestep to the right. Do the same with both hands to double your velocity.
Jumping, dashing, and performing ground slams – it all uses this technique. While it’s a heavy cognitive load to carry at first, once you internalize the system it adds a sense of kinetic energy few VR games manage to sustain.
Free-Form Fisticuffs
Combat builds on that foundation with five core weapon groups – bow, sidearm, shield, melee, and throwables, each weapon type being summoned via simple hand gestures. Like the movement system, once you get the hang of the gestures, switching between weapons on the fly is intuitive, creating room for fluid improvisation.
Leap off a ledge, summon your bow and fire mid-air, land with a ground smash, then swap to your dual pistols before dropping a bomb and dashing off to the next enemy. It’s great. You even get higher points the more you ‘juggle’ your enemies with consecutive blows, incentivizing you to string together outrageous combos.
That’s not to say the system is flawless. Gestures can get muddy, and there are plenty of moments where I’d find myself summoning the wrong weapon by mistake. Also, throwing feels a little wonky and that makes using the explosives less reliable than I would hope. Still, with practice and a bit of discipline, you can mitigate most of these issues. As the game progresses through Early Access, I hope these areas receive more work.
Levelling Up!
Progression follows the tried-and-true roguelike formula. Within each run, you’ll find perks and temporary weapon upgrades that enhance your current loadout. Outside of runs, acolyte points provide permanent stat boosts, ensuring there’s always a sense of forward momentum even after failure. Difficulty escalates as you progress, with new enemy types, perk combinations, and modifiers added over time, helping each run to feel distinct from the last. Modifiers like low gravity, enhanced knockback, and other twists stack throughout the game and can completely alter your approach mid-run.
If there’s a weak point in this system, it’s the internal economy. Chaos – the currency used to unlock weapons during runs – feels relatively stingy. Weapon costs are high, drop rates are conservative, and without a save-run option, losing progress can sting, a fact compounded by battery limitations on standalone devices. I lost two excellent runs, complete with powerful unlocks, simply because real life called and I had to take the headset off. It’s a frustrating omission, and one that could be smoothed out with quality-of-life improvements during Early Access.
Comfort
Players with a sensitivity to VR motion sickness be warned – despite some comfort settings around vignettes, ZIX is a game built on the principle of fast-paced, free-flowing movement. Don’t expect teleporting or other more intrusive comfort options to be available.
If Looks Could Kill
Visually, ZIX may divide players. Technically, it’s crisp and easy to parse. Enemies are easy to distinguish, environments are clear, and the art direction creates a tangible sense of scale that complements the game’s vertical elements. There are moments where bounding through the environment feels fantastic simply because of the way space is framed.
The biomes are distinct – the red hellscape of lava and ghosts, the green zone of insects and fungi, and the watery blue biome with its floaty, surreal atmosphere. But stylistically, it won’t be for everyone. Personally, I feel the art direction (particularly the enemy design) gives the game a slightly childish feel that’s at odds with the frantic action administered by the outstanding gameplay mechanics.
It is worth noting that the visual styling of ZIX plays very well to the standalone headset. This review is conducted primarily on Quest 3; however, I did also play the Steam version for comparison. As you would expect, the Steam version is visually superior, but the Quest version loses absolutely nothing for the slight drop in visual fidelity.
The Sounds… Of Silence
If there’s one area where ZIX stumbles hard, it’s sound design. From the first moment, the audio feels sparse and underwhelming, to the point of feeling almost oppressive in its absence.
The soundtrack is oddly subdued, lacking the punch you want in an action-centered game and failing to match the pace of the combat. At times, the soundscape makes the headset feel uncomfortably quiet rather than immersive, draining momentum instead of fueling it.
It doesn’t ruin the experience, but the gap between the energy of the gameplay and the flatness of the audio is stark. With stronger, more dynamic sound design, ZIX could easily elevate from good to great. Hopefully, Early Access gives Hidden IO time to address this, because the rest of the package deserves better.
ZIX – Current Verdict
ZIX may not win everyone over on presentation, though it does offer one of the most engaging combat systems I’ve played in a long time. The combination of vertical movement and gesture-based weapon switching creates fluid combat encounters with kinetic rhythm that feels unique in a crowded genre.
It’s not perfect, but the core experience is strong enough to recommend, even in Early Access. If you’re a fan of free-flowing combat and don’t mind a few rough edges, ZIX is absolutely worth your time.
UploadVR uses a 5-Star rating system for our game reviews – you can read a breakdown of each star rating in our review guidelines. As a review-in-progress, this is currently unscored, and we’ll revisit this review at full release.
Nvidia will invest $5 billion in Intel, co-develop new server and PC chips
In a major collaboration that would have been hard to imagine just a few years ago, Nvidia announced today that it was buying a total of $5 billion in Intel stock, giving Intel’s competitor ownership of roughly 4 percent of the company. In addition to the investment, the two companies said that they would be co-developing “multiple generations of custom data center and PC products.”
“The companies will focus on seamlessly connecting NVIDIA and Intel architectures using NVIDIA NVLink,” reads Nvidia’s press release, “integrating the strengths of NVIDIA’s AI and accelerated computing with Intel’s leading CPU technologies and x86 ecosystem to deliver cutting-edge solutions for customers.”
Rather than combining the two companies’ technologies, the data center chips will apparently be custom x86 chips that Intel builds to Nvidia’s specifications. Nvidia will “integrate [the CPUs] into its AI infrastructure platforms and offer [them] to the market.”
Hit Longer Rallies In Ping Pong Club On Apple Vision Pro With A PSVR 2 Controller
Ping Pong Club on Apple Vision Pro is among the first games to fully support the PlayStation VR2 controllers.
I say controllers because I first tried the app with both controllers. It works fine – you still can’t toss the ball with the off hand yet. When it’s your serve, the ball simply floats above your open palm far enough away to swat it like a leisurely game of ping pong. Ultimately, Ping Pong Club is better with one controller because it more closely resembles the actual game to have a free hand during volleys.
I turned on haptics in the menu system and, yes, the controller shakes when hit with a ball, but the effect is nothing like the precision haptics I’ve experienced even with the PSVR 2 controllers on PS5. It’s like the ball hitting the controller in Ping Pong Club is a sudden jolt rather than a slight tap.
visionOS 26 Out Now: PS VR2 Controllers, Photorealistic Personas, Spatial Scenes & More
visionOS 26 is out now, bringing PS VR2 controllers support, far more realistic Personas, spatial Widgets, volumetric Spatial Scenes, local SharePlay, and much more.
UploadVRDavid Heaney
Eleven VR is still the best table tennis simulation we’ve experienced in consumer VR and nothing I’m writing here comes close to changing that, available on the Quest 3S starting at just $300. Playing that game right now requires using two charged controllers paired to a headset per person, and anytime you want to access the menu you have to hit a specific button on the right controller. Other apps on Quest will default to hand tracking when the controllers go down and Meta offers an option to swap which controller the menu buttons default. One day, Eleven will support hand tracking in some way too.
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Ping Pong Club against a bot with a PlayStation VR2 controller in visionOS 26, physical environment depicted as black. Capture by Ian Hamilton.
At launch, Ping Pong Club on Apple Vision Pro made for an entertaining volley between two headsets with hand tracking only. Now with a tracked controller and a bot opponent, the volleys seem to go on for much longer with the player exercising more control over where shots are placed and more precision over how to angle the paddle. I’ll need to get into two player matches with others and see how they feel.
The developer mentioned to UploadVR over email they do plan to implement SharePlay, but it’s currently a low priority.
If you’re building a visionOS app and support the PlayStation VR2 controllers, we want to hear from you. You can use the Contact Us page or email me ian@uploadvr.com.
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Notepad’s AI writing features will soon run locally on Copilot+ PCs
CoPilot+ PC owners have a new perk in the pipeline. Your AI PC will soon perform Notepad’s AI writing features on-device — no subscription required. The app’s summarize, write and rewrite options were introduced earlier this year.
Up to this point, you’ve needed a CoPilot Pro or Microsoft 365 subscription to use Notepad’s AI writing tools. So, if you’ve splurged on an AI PC, this could save you a few bucks each month. And if you have both a subscription and a CoPilot+ PC, it lets you choose between local and cloud generation.
Microsoft is rolling out the new local AI feature now for its Windows Insider beta testers. It’s available in English only, at least for now.
Microsoft
Paint is also getting some love in the latest Insider builds. You can now save projects, Adobe-style. If you’re in the middle of an edit, you can choose File > Save as project. You can then select a location to save the .paint file and pick up later where you left off.
On top of that, Paint is also adding an opacity slider to the pencil and brush tools. Nobody in their right mind will describe MS Paint as a Photoshop rival. But at least the simple drawing and editing app is growing slightly more advanced. It’s gotten a renewed focus from the company after adding AI image generation chops last year.
Last but… definitely least is an update to Snipping Tool. Insiders will see a new quick markup option in the screenshot app. After snipping something onscreen, you’ll find the feature in the capture toolbar. You can then scribble away before saving.
All the Windows updates are available in the Canary and Dev Insider channels. Anyone with a Microsoft account can sign up for free. The company does occasionally cancel beta features before they’re released to Windows proper. But that’s more the exception than the rule.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/notepads-ai-writing-features-will-soon-run-locally-on-copilot-pcs-163518223.html?src=rss
New attack on ChatGPT research agent pilfers secrets from Gmail inboxes
The face-palm-worthy prompt injections against AI assistants continue. Today’s installment hits OpenAI’s Deep Research agent. Researchers recently devised an attack that plucked confidential information out of a user’s Gmail inbox and sent it to an attacker-controlled web server, with no interaction required on the part of the victim and no sign of exfiltration.
Deep Research is a ChatGPT-integrated AI agent that OpenAI introduced earlier this year. As its name is meant to convey, Deep Research performs complex, multi-step research on the Internet by tapping into a large array of resources, including a user’s email inbox, documents, and other resources. It can also autonomously browse websites and click on links.
A user can prompt the agent to search through the past month’s emails, cross-reference them with information found on the web, and use them to compile a detailed report on a given topic. OpenAI says that it “accomplishes in tens of minutes what would take a human many hours.”
Dell Tower PC Desktop Is Cheaper Than Ever, Probably to Clear Shelves Before Amazon Prime Big Deal Days
Save 33% on the Dell Vostro 3030 PC tower for a limited time at Amazon.
The post Dell Tower PC Desktop Is Cheaper Than Ever, Probably to Clear Shelves Before Amazon Prime Big Deal Days appeared first on Kotaku.
$599 MacBook With iPhone Chip Expected To Enter Production This Year
An anonymous reader shares a report: Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today reiterated that a more affordable MacBook powered by an iPhone processor is slated to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2025, which points towards a late 2025 or early 2026 launch.
Kuo was first to reveal that Apple is allegedly planning a more affordable MacBook. In late June, he said the laptop would have around a 13-inch display, and an A18 Pro chip. Kuo said potential color options include silver, blue, pink, and yellow, so the laptop could come in bright colors, like 2021-and-newer models of the 24-inch iMac.
This time around, he only mentioned the MacBook will have an unspecific iPhone processor. Apple recently introduced the A19 Pro chip, which has 12GB of RAM, so it will be interesting to see if the lower-cost MacBook uses that chip instead. The entire Mac lineup has started with at least 16GB of RAM since last year, with the only option with 8GB being the MacBook with an M1 chip, which is sold exclusively by Walmart for $599.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Dungeons Of Eternity Feels Better Than Ever On PC VR
Dungeons of Eternity remains one of the best co-op action games in VR, and that’s only grown with its recent Steam release.
Nearly two years have passed since its initial launch on Quest, and Dungeons of Eternity quickly made an impact. Earning our highest review score, Othergate crafted a highly polished fantasy dungeon crawler that I praised for its well-considered progression and excellent combat. News of an enhanced Steam edition immediately got my attention, and I’m pleased to say this port doesn’t disappoint.
Core gameplay remains the same, though I’ll summarize for the unfamiliar. With a threadbare narrative setting this up, you’re tasked with going through procedurally generated dungeons to take down threats and find treasure. Solo play is available and while the initial release only supported three-person parties, that’s since expanded to four players with cross-platform multiplayer.
You’ve got three main modes to choose from across four different biomes that keep this interesting. ‘Dungeon Raid’ is your traditional “dungeon crawler” option, which has received a welcome expansion that expands on previously included ‘Hazards’ for more challenging runs, like no healing items or higher damage. ‘Soul Harvest’ is more like a horde mode, while ‘Crystal Hunt’ requires powering ancient machines as you also stop enemy waves.
Dungeons of Eternity still nails hack-and-slash combat throughout. You’ve got a great range of weaponry from bows with unlimited arrows to more typical melee items like swords and axes. Even now, it’s still so damn satisfying to throw your axe at enemies, recall it with the magnetic grab, and hit them again on the return.
Staffs don’t give me that same satisfaction but for melee weapons, you often feel powerful. That feeling only grows as you unlock additional weapons. Just be careful with explosive barrels; the area of effect damage can knock you out almost instantly and feels slightly too large.
My launch review covers the wider details, though what’s here remains a wonderful fantasy action RPG that’s great on its own and with friends. It’s better than ever thanks to the last two years of post-launch content updates, such as more chambers and new monsters for better variety and a level cap increase. I can’t forget arachnophobia mode turning spiders into hilarious gelatinous blobs, either.
That’s only grown further with the new ‘Mythic Promotion‘ update, which accompanies the Steam release and makes some notable changes beyond Hazards. Two new vendors for cosmetics and weapons can now be found in a new section of the outpost, LIV Creator Kit support is now live, and there are another 30 new chambers in the mix that might appear during each run. Though I’ve not unlocked these yet, new endgame ‘Mythic Weapons’ are also here.
Dungeons of Eternity already looks great on Quest, which makes it even more pleasing that the Steam release goes the extra mile for its presentation. New visual upgrades like real-time lighting, volumetric effects, and ambient occlusion make the PC VR edition shine; it looks fantastic in motion. Performance has been perfectly smooth for my high-end desktop, though Othergate advises disabling Synchronous Spacewarp (SSW) on Virtual Desktop for now.
PC Specs Used
My desktop uses an Intel i9 16-Core Processor i9-12900 (Up to 5.1GHz), 32GB RAM – Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 5200MHz, and a 16GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super. This hands-on was conducted with a Meta Quest 3 via the Virtual Desktop app.
This was tested on the highest performance settings. You can find the minimum specs on the Steam page to learn more, though recommended specs aren’t currently listed.
Still, there are some usually minor issues worth noting here. Aliasing is noticeable when you get close to light sources and that didn’t change when adjusting the various brightness or graphical settings. A toggle grip for weapons would be a welcome addition instead of needing to constantly grip them. Official support for PS VR2 hardware on PC is also being addressed in the next hotfix.
For anyone who put tons of hours into the Quest version, you’ll likely be relieved to know that cross saves are supported. This involves getting a save transfer code from the Quest version’s options menu and then inputting that on Steam within 10 minutes, which isn’t especially convenient. At least it’s a one-time deal, and the game automatically syncs progress across both platforms.
I’ve come away with a renewed appreciation for Dungeons of Eternity, and Othergate has done a fine job bringing this over to a new platform. Between the welcome visual enhancements, enjoyable content update, and solid combat, it’s great to see one of my favorite co-op experiences in VR getting enhanced. For anyone with a capable gaming PC, this is the definitive way to play.
Dungeons of Eternity is available now on Quest and Steam.
Dungeons Of Eternity Review: One Of Co-Op’s Best On Quest
Dungeons of Eternity offers one of the best VR co-op adventures yet on Meta Quest headsets. Here is our full review.
UploadVRHenry Stockdale
How to Schedule a Demo for Meta’s New Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses
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Yesterday, at its 2025 Meta Connect conference, Meta finally unveiled its first Ray-Ban smart glasses that actually have a screen inside them. I have yet to try them for myself, but according to my colleagues over at CNET, seeing is believing. If you want to book a demo to try out the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, you’re in luck: They’re popping up in select stores across the country, and you can already schedule your visit. In fact, you’ll need to if you actually want to take a pair home.
What are the Meta Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses?
Meta’s Ray-Ban Display smart glasses are similar to the smart glasses the two companies have already been releasing since 2021, but if the name didn’t give it away already, now they have a screen inside them. This isn’t AR, so you don’t get head tracking or a large virtual display situated in your environment, but you do get a little heads-up 600×600 screen over your right eye that you can use to, say, check on texts or watch an Instagram Reel. It’s also private, according to my colleagues over at CNET, with some clever manufacturing keeping people from seeing what’s on your display through the transparent lens.
And it comes with a special “neural wristband” for actually navigating content, which can pick up thumb movements, pinches, and the like and translate them into swipes and taps.
It all sounds fancy— dare I say “innovative”?—even if it comes with a $799 price tag (the last generation of Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses was $379). But if you’re going to be dropping that much on such an unproven product, I don’t blame you for wanting to go hands-on with it before buying. And it seems, neither does Meta.
How to try out the Meta Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses
Even though Meta’s Ray-Ban Display Smart Glasses technically start shipping on Sept. 30, you can’t buy them online. Instead, you’ll have to do an in-store demo before you can actually get a pair. These demos are available at Ray-Ban stores, but also partners including LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, and Best Buy. You can book demos straight through a specific store’s site if you have a favorite, as seen on this Best Buy link, but the best way to see all the demos available near you is through Meta’s own site.
Just navigate to this scheduler page on the Meta site and enter your address to see participating stores near you and the dates when they have demos available. Then hit “Schedule a Demo” on a store of your choosing to be taken to that store’s site to finish booking.
While Meta’s site showed me appointments starting today, none of the stores I clicked through to had availability until October, so don’t be surprised if the scheduler’s data is a little behind.
What do you need for your Ray-Ban Display Demo?
Generally, you can just head to your Ray-Ban Display Demo and be golden. But if you wear prescription lenses, you’ll either need to wear contacts or know your lens details. Meta’s demo kits can accommodate a range of -4.00 to +4.00 prescriptions, so plan accordingly.
Then, it’s just a matter of trying the glasses on. When you’re done, you can either buy your pair, or hold off. If you wait, you’ll be sent an email with details from your appointment.
Meta says it’s limiting purchases to people who have tried a demo right now to ensure fit and satisfaction, but that more buying options will come “over time.” That’s great news for folks who live outside of the U.S., as demos are currently limited to Meta’s home country. However, the company says demos will expand to Canada, France, Italy, and the U.K. in early 2026.
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