Netflix is removing over 20 indie games, including the popular roguelike Hades, from its mobile gaming service starting next month. Games like Braid, Katana Zero, and Death's Door will no longer be available on Netflix's Android/iOS platforms, with most titles leaving on July 14th and Hades on July 1st. Some developers, such as Devolver Digital, plan to release these games as premium titles on standard mobile storefronts soon. This shift reflects Netflix's strategic refocus towards games tied to its own shows, multiplayer party games, children’s games, and mainstream titles with large fanbases. Top games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Squid Game: Unleashed will remain on the platform, but fans of the departing indie titles are encouraged to enjoy them before they're removed.
Paramount Plus has announced a rebranding of its most expensive subscription tier, previously known as "Paramount Plus with Showtime." The tier will now be called "Paramount Plus Premium," maintaining its $12.99 per month or $119.99 per year pricing. This tier still includes Showtime's series and films but will no longer feature the Showtime name prominently. The rebranding reflects the integration of Showtime programming into the broader Paramount Plus service as the Essential plan now includes a selection of Showtime content. Despite the name change, Showtime content remains a significant part of Paramount Plus. This shift follows previous challenges during Showtime's merger into Paramount Plus, including layoffs, show cancellations, and price adjustments. The name change also appears to be a strategic move by Paramount in response to competitors like Warner Bros. Discovery's pivot back to HBO Max, opting for a clearer and more streamlined brand identity.
Apple heavily promoted the F1 movie starring Brad Pitt by sending an unexpected Apple Wallet notification to its users, offering a discount on movie tickets via Fandango with the code APPLEPAYTEN. Many users, including Verge staffers, found this intrusive, comparing it to Apple's controversial 2014 U2 album giveaway. The promotion has stirred frustration, as users see the notification as an aggressive ad rather than a helpful deal. Despite various views on the film and notifications, Apple's approach to advertising remains contentious in 2025. The Verge has contacted Apple for comments and will provide updates.
Ahead of Amazon Prime Day, discounts are already live on various tech products including TVs. iFFALCON, TCL’s subbrand, has slashed the price of its 55-inch QLED 4K Mural TV to $564.99 on Amazon after applying a coupon and promo code. Larger variants, 65-inch and 75-inch models, are also discounted. Known for its art mode and sleek design mimicking a picture frame with a slim profile and flush wall-mount, the Mural TV features a QLED display, 4K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Atmos support, and runs Google TV for streaming.
The Unihertz Titan 2 is a modern Android smartphone inspired by the BlackBerry Passport, featuring a physical QWERTY keyboard, 5G connectivity, and Android 15. It sports a 4.5-inch 1440x1440 resolution display, a secondary 2-inch screen on the back for notifications and widgets, and advanced camera capabilities with a 50MP main camera and an 8MP telephoto lens. Powered by a Dimensity 7300 processor with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage, the Titan 2 balances productivity and performance in a slim, lightweight design. It supports 33W fast charging, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, infrared, GPS, and includes an FM radio and fingerprint sensor. Available via Kickstarter starting at $269 for early backers, retail price estimated around $399, with shipping expected by October 2025.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the rollback of the 'Roadless Rule,' a landmark regulation from 2001 that prevented road construction and logging in undisturbed national forests. This change will open nearly 59 million acres, including 92% of Alaska's Tongass National Forest, to industrial-scale logging and development. The USDA argues the move will boost timber production and help manage wildfire risks. However, conservation groups criticize the decision, warning it threatens pristine forests and may increase wildfire hazards by promoting forest mismanagement. Critics emphasize that logging mature trees and building roads can actually elevate fire risks and harm the environment. The rollback reflects an ongoing tension between industry interests and forest conservation, especially as forests play a crucial role in storing carbon and combating climate change.
Build A Rocket Boy has confirmed that it is undergoing layoffs less than a month after the release of its first game, MindsEye. The company has initiated a formal consultation process that may result in redundancies, affecting around 100 employees out of approximately 500. MindsEye, a futuristic single-player narrative action game created by former Rockstar Games producer Leslie Benzies, faced a challenging launch due to poor reviews and technical issues. Despite plans for extensive content updates and multiplayer features, the layoffs underscore difficulties in meeting expectations amid strong competition from established games like Fortnite and Roblox. Build A Rocket Boy remains committed to its promises for MindsEye and aims to handle the transition transparently and respectfully.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Xlear, a health products company, promoted its saline nasal spray as a means to prevent virus entry into the nasal cavity, citing scientific studies. However, in 2021, the FTC sued Xlear over allegedly unsupported health claims and misleading representation of scientific research. Despite the Justice Department seeking to dismiss the case, Xlear is now suing the FTC to limit the agency's power to regulate health claims. This dispute emerges amid evolving governmental policies on scientific standards for health-related advertising.
Update, June 23rd: Best Buy has sold out of the Nintendo Switch 2 standalone console and the Mario Kart World bundle. Since its launch on June 5th, the Switch 2 has been hard to find due to high demand, but restocks are increasing. Available on Best Buy's site and app, the standalone system was priced at $449.99, and the bundle with Mario Kart World was $499.99, offering a $30 saving compared to buying separately. The Switch 2 became the fastest-selling console ever, with over 3.5 million units sold in four days. It is a hybrid handheld like the original Switch, which sold over 150 million units in eight years. The new console supports most Switch games with improved compatibility and enhanced performance for certain titles. Critics describe it as "the Switch, just better."
The House of Representatives has officially banned the use of WhatsApp on all government-managed devices, citing cybersecurity risks. According to an email from the House’s chief administrative officer (CAO), WhatsApp has been classified as a high-risk application due to concerns over data transparency, lack of stored data encryption, and other potential security vulnerabilities. Staff members are prohibited from downloading or using WhatsApp in any form on government devices and will be required to remove the app if found. Meta has contested this classification, highlighting that WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, offering strong security protections. The CAO recommended alternative communication apps like Microsoft Teams, Signal, iMessage, FaceTime, and Wickr. This move aligns with previous bans on apps like TikTok and restrictions on the free version of ChatGPT. CAO Catherine Szpindor emphasized the priority of safeguarding the data of House members and staff through continuous monitoring and assessment of cybersecurity threats.