Razer has increased the price of its Blade 18 laptop from the initial $3,199.99 to $3,499.99 for the base model featuring an RTX 5070 Ti GPU. The higher-end RTX 5090 model saw a $400 price rise to $4,899.99, and a new RTX 5080 option is priced at $4,099.99. Razer has not provided a reason for the price hikes. The laptop was briefly unavailable during tariff announcements affecting tech components from China and Taiwan. Orders for the Blade 18, including a fully equipped variant with 4TB storage and 64GB RAM for $5,199.99, are now open with deliveries starting June 2nd.
Tesla's sales in Europe have dropped dramatically by 49% year-over-year in April, despite an overall increase in battery-electric vehicle sales in the region. The company registered only 7,261 new vehicles, signaling a challenging period for the brand amid rising competition and political controversies surrounding CEO Elon Musk. Despite launching the refreshed Model Y, expected to boost sales, Tesla is struggling to maintain its market position. Musk's political involvement, particularly in support of Germany's far-right party and continued ties with the Trump administration, appears to be affecting Tesla's reputation negatively. Recent surveys and polls indicate a decline in public favorability towards Musk and Tesla, posing a significant challenge for the company's recovery. While Musk remains focused on innovation in AI and robotics, Tesla's immediate sales rebound remains uncertain.
Apple is set to unveil a new video gaming app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV at its Worldwide Developer Conference next week, reports Bloomberg. This app will serve as a central hub for launching installed games, tracking achievements, and viewing leaderboards. Scheduled to launch alongside iOS's next version this September, the app will replace the existing Game Center, offer editorial content, and provide access to games available on the App Store. A Mac version will enable users to access games downloaded outside the App Store. This announcement comes shortly after Apple acquired RAC7, the studio behind Sneaky Sasquatch on Apple Arcade, which will continue operating independently.
Owners of the earliest Amazon Fire TV devices have received emails from Netflix informing them that support for Netflix on these first-generation devices will end soon, with the cutoff date for US users set for June 3rd. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that Netflix will no longer be supported on the original Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote, models that are over 10 years old. Eligible users may receive discounts on newer Fire TV Sticks through customer service. To check if your device is affected, check the 'About' section under Settings > My Fire TV. Netflix's decision is believed to be due to the devices' inability to receive necessary updates or support new features, indicated by error codes R4, R12, and R25-1. Netflix has not provided additional comments.
Nintendo is evolving beyond just video games into a broader entertainment company. Senior managing executive officer Shinya Takahashi and design legend Shigeru Miyamoto emphasize Nintendo's focus on entertainment. The company is venturing into theme parks and Hollywood films while continuing its gaming legacy with the upcoming Switch 2, a successor to its highly successful Switch console. Nintendo's strategy is ambitious yet cautious, expanding its reach with minimal risk.
Nick Clegg, former UK deputy prime minister and ex-Meta executive, warned that requiring artists' consent for using their work to train AI models would 'basically kill' the AI industry in the UK. Speaking at an event for his new book, Clegg acknowledged the creative community's right to opt out but argued it is impractical to seek permission before AI training due to the vast amounts of data involved. This comes amid UK parliamentary debates on legislation to increase transparency around the use of copyrighted works in AI training. An amendment requiring disclosure of copyrighted content used in AI training, supported by notable artists including Paul McCartney and Dua Lipa, was recently rejected by MPs. Proponents argue such transparency would help enforce copyright laws and prevent unauthorized use of creative work, with ongoing discussions expected as the Data (Use and Access) Bill returns to the House of Lords.
Last month, Donald Trump announced a contest where participants who held the highest amount of the $TRUMP meme coin for a month would win a private dinner with the President at Trump National Golf Course. While many attendees spent nearly $394 million buying $TRUMP, analysis showed over half of the winners lost money on the contest wallets. However, some savvy traders used a strategy to profit: they bought $TRUMP coins to qualify but simultaneously shorted $TRUMP perpetual futures on separate wallets, enabling them to earn money if the coin's value dropped. This approach, akin to 'The Big Short,' was reportedly used by around 10% of the dinner participants. Read the full story at The Verge.
Converting paper documents into digital copies allows you to keep backups and reduce physical clutter significantly. With modern smartphones like the iPhone, you no longer need bulky scanners. You can scan receipts, business cards, bills, and other printed materials right from the built-in Notes or Files apps. To scan in Notes, open or create a note, tap the paperclip icon, then select Scan Documents. In Files, tap the three dots and choose Scan Documents. The scanning interface uses auto mode to take pictures automatically when your document is aligned in the viewfinder. If you need more features, third-party scanning apps are also available.
The Last of Us recently concluded its second season with a finale that introduces a significant shift in perspective, paralleling the narrative approach seen in the original games. The season closes on Ellie's intense quest for revenge against Abby, who killed Joel, reflecting the darker themes of the series. Despite numerous obstacles, including a warzone and personal challenges, Ellie remains determined to confront Abby, highlighting the complex emotional landscape of the show. This new direction promises to alter how viewers engage with the story moving forward.
Apple’s latest iPad Mini is available at its all-time low price of $399 for a limited time. Memorial Day weekend brings not only outdoor fun but also some of the season's best tech discounts. Retailers have launched early promotions, and now there are deals on a wide range of tech products including LG’s C4 OLED TV, Garmin’s Forerunner 265, video doorbells, location trackers, discounted MacBooks, and more. Highlights include speaker deals like the Sonos Roam at $134 and Anker’s Soundcore Select 4 Go for $22.49, earbud and headphone discounts including Sony WH-1000XM5 at $298 and Bose QuietComfort at $229, plus TV and streaming device offers such as the Amazon Fire TV Cube for $99.99. Smart home gadgets, smartwatches like Garmin Venu 3S at $349.99, travel essentials including LifeStraw Peak Series Straw, and other miscellaneous finds make this an opportunity not to miss. Whether shopping for yourself or for gifts, these deals cover a variety of interests and budgets.