A â¬2.06 million EU grant gives the Grenoble deep-tech startup non-dilutive runway to industrialise a four-component technology platform, and moves it one step closer to its first commercial drilling campaign. Fourteen months after closing a â¬3.4 million seed round backed by Bill Gatesâ Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Kiko Ventures, Mantle8 has secured a second source […]
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The automaker has launched a pilot at its Leipzig plant using Hexagon Roboticsâ AEON humanoid. The move follows a successful 11-month run in the US with Figure AIâs robots, and arrives just as the production chief who championed the programme prepares to take the top job. A new colleague has arrived on the shop floor […]
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The Speculations Regarding The Upcoming Xbox Console Are Accurate, And It May Transform Gaming
It has been more than five years since we entered the “next generation” of gaming with the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Depending on your perspective, the downturn of the Xbox has been quite noticeable as the continuous growth of Xbox Game Pass and the accessibility of the console’s “exclusives” on PC — and very soon PlayStation as well — has only increased thanks to the company’s extensive strategy of backing various platforms. Nevertheless, it appears Xbox is not quite ready to abandon hardware. Instead, the upcoming Xbox console will pave the way, as Microsoft asserts it can run both PC and Xbox games.
While speculation has been circulating for months, we have finally received our first concrete insight into what to anticipate from Microsoft’s forthcoming Xbox. The newly appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed on X today that the new console, codenamed Project Helix, will “play your Xbox and PC games,” and that the gaming firm plans to disclose more about its features and expectations at GDC later this month.
And that’s the catch. We still possess limited information regarding the next generation of Xbox consoles. Sure, numerous speculations exist, but with the persistent chip shortage and soaring RAM costs — which have escalated to the point where future laptop configurations might entirely change — a more gaming console that potentially functions as a PC could aid consumers in rationalizing the purchase and provide Xbox a rationale for the pricing.
PC games are arriving on the next Xbox
Most of the rumors we’ve encountered in recent months originated in 2025, when Microsoft unveiled the initial details about its intention to launch an Xbox-branded variant of ASUS’s ROG Ally. The ROG Xbox Ally X presented an intriguing perspective on Xbox gaming, not only granting access to PC games but also allowing users to play Xbox games, provided they had a PC version. However, that’s where it stopped being an Xbox, as it lacked the ability to play Xbox-exclusive games natively.
Naturally, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X were merely components of the “This is an Xbox” initiative, where the company underscored all devices capable of playing Xbox games through the cloud. Moreover, with the Xbox ROG Ally achieving notable success by implementing the Xbox UI on a portable Windows device, it doesn’t seem far-fetched that the company will logically advance by making its next console more akin to a PC as well. In fact, we are already observing other companies creating living-room friendly PCs with the launch of the Steam Machine from Valve. Additionally, there’s Xbox’s ongoing collaboration with AMD. In a video commemorating the partnership, from June 2025, Sarah Bond, former President of Xbox, suggested that future Xbox consoles would not be restricted to a single storefront.
While the ROG Xbox Ally is unable to play native Xbox games, Bond reassured fans that this wouldn’t hold true for its upcoming consoles. If Microsoft fully embraces the notion of making everything an Xbox, then it will fundamentally alter our gaming experiences. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long for further details, as GDC begins on March 9, 2026.
Apple has launched the second iteration of iOS 26.4 beta 3 for developers, merely three days following the first release. This update, accessible as an over-the-air download, includes a new build version 23E5223k, which supersedes the previous build 23E5223f. Devices operating on the earlier build will receive this update, and public beta testers can also enjoy the new release.
iOS 26.4 is expected to bring forth a variety of new features and enhancements, such as updates to Apple Music driven by artificial intelligence. Other significant changes in this beta version encompass:
1. **End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging**: Apple is trialing support for this secure messaging standard, which aims to bolster user privacy.
2. **Enhanced Video Podcast Experience**: The Podcasts app is poised to undergo improvements that will enrich the video podcasting experience for users.
3. **Stolen Device Detection**: This feature will be turned on by default, offering an extra layer of security for iPhone owners.
4. **CarPlay Video Support**: Advancements are in progress on the integration of video support within CarPlay, broadening the capabilities for users who utilize this feature in their automobiles.
The iOS 26.4 beta 2 had previously rolled out some modifications and tweaks, setting the stage for these forthcoming changes. As Apple persistently hones its operating system, developers and public beta testers are invited to delve into these new features and share their feedback.
Roku users who struggle to figure out what they want to watch might have an answer in the form of “Roklue,” a new game coming to the streaming platform on March 7th. Announced on Thursday, Roklue is a pop culture trivia game that Roku says helps users discover new content and “tests players on the […]
high-end computer displays of its era.
Robin Williams didn’t merely possess a standard, readily available monitor that you could grab at any electronics shop. It was a professional-grade, ultra-wide giant that only the most passionate tech aficionados owned: the Sony Trinitron GDM-FW900.
What is it about a CRT monitor from a bygone tech era that makes it so distinctive? To begin with, the Sony Trinitron GDM-FW900 was among the few 24-inch CRT monitors designed with a 16:10 widescreen aspect ratio, featuring an exceptionally high maximum resolution of up to 2304×1440.
Sony’s FD Trinitron technology boasted impressive attributes that were uncommon in its time, leading to a more vibrant and clearer image. At its native resolution, it could operate at 80Hz, but at lower resolutions, it could reach as high as 160Hz, akin to the refresh rates of contemporary gaming displays.
The Sony Trinitron GDM-FW900 has specifications that are deemed unique in a CRT monitor, establishing it as one of the most coveted CRT monitors of its period. Naturally, there are significantly
If you’re looking to purchase the new Google Pixel 10a, you have two choices: you can either get the phone unlocked through a conventional retailer like Amazon or Best Buy, or you can seek a fantastic offer through your wireless provider.
Those who are T-Mobile customers may prefer the latter choice, as the major provider is presently offering a promotion that provides you with a free Google Pixel 10a AND a set of Pixel Buds 2a earbuds when you add a line with a qualifying data plan.
Unlike some wireless promotions — which necessitate trading in an old phone or enrolling in the highest-priced data plan to achieve maximum savings — T-Mobile’s offer stands out for its straightforwardness. According to the provider, “most plans” will qualify for the complimentary devices, which implies that even T-Mo’s basic Essentials and Better Value plans are applicable.
Set to be among the top budget Android phones launched in 2026, the Google Pixel 10a features a remarkable 6.3-inch pOLED screen with enhanced Gorilla Glass durability and a flat panel design. Inside, it comes equipped with the same camera technology and a larger battery compared to the pricier Pixel 10, plus seven years of OS and security updates assured.
Aside from those minor enhancements, the Pixel 10a remains largely similar to last year’s impressive Google Pixel 9a. The new version also includes the same Tensor G4 chipset and 8GB of RAM, which may disappoint those seeking flagship-level performance. The positive aspect is that, unlike some brands, Google did not increase the prices of its latest phone, making the Pixel 10a a natural upgrade for any pleased 9a owner.
However, this deal may not suit everyone. If you prioritize flexibility when acquiring a new device, you might be better off purchasing the phone unlocked. Best Buy, for instance, still offers a $100 gift card when you buy the Pixel 10a through its website.
But if you’re already a T-Mobile subscriber (or you’re willing to make the switch), this promotion is undoubtedly one of the best Google Pixel 10a deals available online. You just need to be okay with a bit of fine print.
**ByteDance Apps Restricted in US App Stores: Consequences and Observations**
As reported by Wired, Apple has initiated a ban on US users from downloading or updating a number of apps owned by ByteDance, which include well-known applications like Capcut, Lemon8, Lark, and Hypic. This ban extends to users with legitimate Chinese App Store accounts, representing a major change in access to these applications.
### Timing Aligns with TikTok’s US Divestment
The timing of this event is significant, coinciding with the TikTok USDS Joint Venture’s acquisition and the divestiture of TikTok’s US operations. This may imply a connection between the divestment agreement and the recent limitations imposed on ByteDance’s apps. Users trying to download these applications now face a notification saying, “This app is unavailable in the country or region you’re in,” which clearly signifies a hurdle to access.
Wired’s research uncovered that numerous users have flagged this problem, underscoring a rising concern regarding app accessibility in the US market. Despite efforts to reach out to both Apple and ByteDance for clarification on this decision, neither entity has responded, leaving users and industry experts pondering the possible motivations.
### Apple’s Support Document
An archived support article from Apple indicated that beginning January 19, 2025, a list of 11 ByteDance-owned applications would be rendered unavailable in the United States. This document specified that US residents who already have these apps installed will be able to continue using them as usual, but they will not be able to re-download them if removed. Moreover, those visiting the US will find that these applications stay accessible in other countries and regions, with full functionality restored once they exit the US.
### Conclusion
The restriction of ByteDance-owned apps in the US App Store prompts inquiries about the future availability of these applications for American users. As the scenario unfolds, it remains uncertain how this will influence ByteDance’s operations and user interaction in the US, especially given the continuing examination of TikTok and its ownership framework. For more information, readers can consult Wired’s comprehensive report.
The next-generation Xbox console will play both Xbox and PC games, and its codename is “Project Helix,” according to Asha Sharma, who took over as Microsoft’s gaming CEO last month. “Great start to the morning with Team Xbox, where we talked about our commitment to the return of Xbox including Project Helix, the code name […]
Pokémon Pokopia features, of all things, a 3D printer. I wasn’t sure why this surprised me so much, given all the other high-tech gear in pretty much every Pokémon game. But I was not expecting to find, inside the once-crumbling Pokémon Center I’d just worked hard to restore, a kind of machine I’d never seen […]
