Amazon Prime Day is just three weeks away, but LG’s C4 OLED TV has already hit a record low price, starting at $699.99 for the 42-inch model, saving $800. Larger sizes like the 77-inch are also significantly discounted at $1,799.99, a $1,899 saving. Despite being last-gen, the C4 offers top-tier OLED quality with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, an easy Magic Remote interface, and gamer-friendly features like 144Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports. Though the newer LG C5 OLED has slight improvements and a higher starting price of $1,295, the C4 remains the better-value option for excellent OLED performance at less than half the price. Additional tech discounts include the Motorola Razr Ultra flip phone, Ring Battery Doorbell, and Anker MagGo USB-C Adapter at Amazon with their best-ever prices.
Microsoft has announced a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon for its next-generation Xbox consoles, which will feature an advanced gaming experience not limited to a single store or device. Xbox president Sarah Bond revealed that this next-gen Xbox platform will be designed to work across various devices, including consoles, handhelds, PCs, and the cloud, with a strong collaboration with the Windows team to make Windows the premier gaming platform. The new Xbox consoles will maintain backward compatibility with existing Xbox games, ensuring players can enjoy their current libraries. This initiative follows Microsoft's recent partnership with Asus to launch Xbox Ally handheld devices running on Windows, enabling access to multiple game stores such as Steam. The partnership aims to deliver enhanced graphics, immersive gameplay powered by AI, and a unified gaming ecosystem across multiple devices.
Bungie has announced a delay for its upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, originally scheduled for release on September 23rd. The studio has not yet provided a new release date but expects to announce it this fall. The delay will allow Bungie to focus on enhancing the game by making AI encounters more challenging, improving combat to be more strategic, increasing visual fidelity, and adding more narrative and environmental storytelling. The game will also feature a darker tone aligned with the original trilogy and introduce enhanced social experiences such as proximity chat and better support for solo and duo players. This move comes after mixed reviews from earlier tests and aims to deliver a high-stakes, engaging experience for players, avoiding common pitfalls seen in live-service games.
Modern handheld gaming is fantastic and something I highly recommend. However, if you're thinking of buying your first handheld device today, you might want to hold off. Here are four reasons why: The top-tier handhelds, like the $450 Nintendo Switch 2, are completely sold out. The next best options, such as the $550 Steam Deck OLED, have recently increased in price. Lower-tier handheld devices come with significant compromises that might impact your gaming experience. Finally, the handheld gaming market is expected to improve soon, so waiting could be beneficial.
Sony is bringing its popular PlayStation concert series to the US this fall. Attendees will enjoy live performances of music from iconic franchises such as God of War, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon, Bloodborne, Astrobot, Journey, Uncharted, and Helldivers 2. Tickets pre-sale starts Wednesday, with full tour dates available on the PlayStation website. The concerts feature a live band accompanied by cutting-edge LED and projection technology creating an immersive visual experience. This trend of video game music concerts is growing, with similar tours by Square Enix for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Kojima Productions for Death Stranding 2.
Heatwaves, mold, and plastic pollution are emerging risks for businesses and insurance companies, according to a new report from reinsurer Swiss Re. These risks are exacerbated by fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases and are primary components in plastics. The report highlights how rising temperatures, driven by climate change, lead to longer heatwaves that increase wildfires, strain power grids, and raise health-related insurance claims. It also points to increased claims from toxic mold in warmer, damp environments, and the growing threat of plastic pollution. Plastic waste, likened to an ongoing oil spill, introduces new health risks through microplastic exposure, potentially leading to future litigation against companies. Swiss Re's report underscores the financial and legal challenges posed by these interconnected issues, emphasizing the need to address fossil fuels to mitigate the growing impact on society, the economy, and the insurance industry.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has announced that advancements in artificial intelligence will lead to a reduction in the company's corporate workforce over the next few years. In a recent memo, Jassy highlighted that AI's extensive use across Amazon is driving efficiency gains, which means fewer employees will be needed for some roles, while other roles may grow. Since 2022, Amazon has already laid off over 27,000 employees, including in its devices, services, and books divisions. Jassy emphasized that Amazon is developing over 1,000 AI services and applications, with many more planned. He encouraged employees to embrace AI, become proficient with it, and contribute to the company's AI innovations to remain valuable. This shift reflects a broader trend among companies, with Shopify and Duolingo also signaling workforce impacts from AI integration.
Some Nintendo Switch 2 owners have encountered error code 2134-4508, resulting in permanent bans from all online services. This ban targets consoles using Mig flash cartridges, microSD card-equipped devices that allow users to load game copies. Playing games on the Mig involves downloading dumped files or creating backups from physical cartridges, which Nintendo considers a violation of user agreements regardless of intent. The Mig cartridge manufacturer states the device is meant for personal backups with authentic game data to avoid warranty issues during online play. Nintendo's ban disables eShop access and online features on affected hardware, though accounts themselves remain intact. Factory resets on banned consoles render them unable to log into any Nintendo Account, effectively bricking the device. Nintendo has a long history of aggressively combating game piracy and the Switch 2's rapid sales have led to stringent enforcement to ensure compliance with its rules.
Protesters across the U.S. and beyond took to the streets during President Trump's military parade in Washington, DC, with around 2,000 events held opposing Trump's administration policies, including the dismantling of government services and aggressive ICE actions. Demonstrations dubbed "No Kings" occurred nationwide, alongside a "No Tyrants" event in the UK. These protests followed previous large-scale events and occurred amid heightened tensions, including the deployment of troops in DC and local political conflicts.
At the National Mall's Army festival, a striking sight was a child being taught to operate an M119A3 Howitzer, with parents photographing against the Washington Monument backdrop. The event, celebrating the US Army's 250th anniversary and aimed at recruitment, has sparked debate. Army officials claim the festival was planned over two years ago, with the parade added only recently and not linked to any political motives. However, the visible presence of MAGA supporters and children with assault rifles raised questions about the event's intent and messaging.