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Microsoft's improved Windows 11 Xbox PC app will be available for Xbox Insiders Its Aggregated Game Library will allow users to access games on multiple storefronts in one appIt's going up against SteamOS and its game library setupMicrosoft's ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PCs are set for release later this summer, alongside a significant Xbox app upgrade – and it appears that our first taste of the handheld-friendly app is closer than ever.Announced on Xbox Wire, Microsoft's new Aggregated Game Library will be available for Xbox Insiders to preview, leading up to its full launch alongside the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. It will let users launch games across Steam, Battle.net, and multiple platforms like Epic Games, all on the Xbox app, essentially emulating Valve's SteamOS.It's set to act as a direct competitor to Valve's efforts at creating a handheld-friendly gaming experience; first with the Steam Deck, and now with the Legion Go S and other handhelds without an official SteamOS license. It's been a while since fans and I have pleaded with Microsoft for a portable Windows 11 mode, and I couldn't be happier to see it doing just that.However, I'd say it's evident that Microsoft has a lot of work ahead, attempting to improve Windows 11 and going up against SteamOS. We already know that gaming performance on SteamOS is better than Windows 11's – and yes, while we still need to see the Xbox app first, it may have some catching up to do.While Windows 11 has the advantage of running most multiplayer games using anti-cheat, there's a strong chance of this compatibility on Linux improving – and that's because SteamOS is making its way to other handhelds away from the Steam Deck. Not to mention, Splitgate 2 developers tweaked its anti-cheat to make the title playable on SteamOS, so others may follow suit.Analysis: I may not turn my back on SteamOS, but Microsoft's move is a welcome one(Image credit: Future)Let's get one thing straight: I'm absolutely all-in for the new Xbox app, and I'll more than likely be using it on my dual-booted Asus ROG Ally. However, I'm keeping my expectations low, and I don't think the new upgrade will convince me to move away from SteamOS completely.Now, you could say it's an unfair judgment as the upgrades aren't available yet – but fans have been asking Microsoft to consider a portable handheld mode for a long while now, so the onus isn't on the fans, but rather Microsoft itself.Valve's SteamOS has multiple years of work under its belt, with optimizations pushing for a smoother and more customizable handheld experience. Tools like Decky Loader (which isn't affiliated with Valve) are a massive part of that – and I hope that Microsoft can replicate a smooth and customizable experience within the Xbox app.The preview should arrive later this week, and you can be certain that I'll be testing it on my Asus ROG Ally...You might also like...Microsoft is digging its own grave with Windows 11, and it has to stopWindows 11 user has 30 years of 'irreplaceable photos and work' locked away in OneDrive - and Microsoft's silence is deafeningStill on Windows 11 23H2 because you’re worried 24H2 is a disaster for PC gaming? Microsoft’s latest update could persuade you to finally upgrade

Google Earth is celebrating is 20th birthday this monthIt's just added a new historical Street View feature for time-travelingPro users will also get AI-powered upgrades to help with urban planningGoogle Earth has just turned 20 years old and the digital globe has picked up a feature that could prove to be an addictive time-sink – historical Street View.Yes, we've been able to time-travel around our cities and previous homes for years now on Google Maps, but Google Earth feels like a natural home for the feature, given its more immersive 3D views and satellite imagery. And from today, Google Earth now offers Street View with that historical menu bar.That means you can visit famous buildings and landmarks (like the Vessel building in New York City below) and effectively watch their construction unfold. To do that, find a location in Google Earth, drag the pegman icon (bottom right) onto the street, click 'see more dates', and use the film strip menu to choose the year.Around major cities and landmarks, Street View images are updated so regularly now that their snapshots are often only months apart, but in most areas they're renewed every one to two years. That opens up some major nostalgia potential, particularly if the shots happen to have frozen someone you know in time.Bringing history to life(Image credit: Google)To celebrate Earth's birthday, Google has also made timelapses of its favorite historical aerial views, which stitch together satellite photos over several decades. This feature became available in the web and mobile versions of Earth last year – to find it, go the the layers icon and turn on the 'historical imagery' toggle.One fascinating example is the aerial view of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral (above), which Google made exclusively for us. It shows the gothic icon from 1943 through to its unfortunate fire in 2019, followed by its recent reconstruction.But other examples that Google has picked out include a view of Berlin, from its post-war devastation to the Berlin Wall and its modern incarnation, plus the stunning growth of Las Vegas and San Francisco over the decades.There's a high chance that Google Earth will, once again, send me down a hours-long rabbit hole with these Street View and historical imagery tricks. But it's also giving Pro users some new AI-driven features in "the coming weeks", with features like 'tree canopy coverage' and heatmaps showing land surface temperatures underlining Earth's potential for urban planning.That perhaps hints at the Gemini-powered treats to come for us non-professional users in the future. But for now, I have more than enough Earth-related treasure hunts to keep me occupied.You might also likeThis island is getting the world’s first AI government, but I’ve read this story before – and it doesn’t end wellSick of Google Maps? Try these apps insteadGoogle Hotels now lets you track prices, and I can't wait to use it for my next trip

T-Mobile's satellite service, or simply called T-Satellite, with Starlink will be available across the US starting on July 23, even to customers of other carriers. The company said the service can cover 500,000 square miles of area that traditional carriers can't reach, which are mostly remote locations far from cell towers. T-Satellite will support texting for both Android and iOS devices at launch. Android owners will also be able to send MMS, images and short audio clips from the start, while support for iOS devices will follow. On October 1, T-Mobile will enable a data-based satellite service.

Starlink has already 657 direct-to-cell satellites in orbit that can provide coverage for T-Satellite customers. The carrier has been testing the service for a while now, enabling it for use during emergencies in the past, such as when Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida in 2024. In February, T-Mobile launched the beta version of the service's texting feature, which will continue to be free until July when the full service becomes available.

The carrier says the beta program has been "incredibly successful" and has 1.8 million users who've sent out over a million text messages from "areas unreachable by any terrestrial provider," including national parks. In addition, the number of messages received by users was three times the number of messages received, demonstrating that they were connected to the service even while they weren't really using it.

T-Satellite will work with select apps optimized for satellite data to start with, including AccuWeather, AllTrails, Google, WhatsApp, X and more. T-Mobile's Experience Beyond subscribers will be able to access the service for free. Everyone else, including AT&T and Verizon subscribers, can pay $10 a month for access. T-Satellite will also roll out free 911 texts even to non-subscribers and regardless of the carrier later this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/t-mobiles-starlink-satellite-service-launches-on-july-23-120050567.html?src=rss

The most annoying person you know has a four-figure Duolingo streak, but don’t let that cloud the fact that Duolingo is, without doubt, the world’s best language learning app.With just shy of 100 million monthly active users, Duolingo has democratized the experience of learning a language like no other platform before it. But if you’re serious about becoming fluent in a new tongue, two minutes of daily, peer-pressure-induced Duolingo learning just won’t cut it.Everybody knows that practicing with native speakers, watching foreign-language films, and taking in-person classes are all excellent supplements to using Duolingo, but if you’re the proud owner of one of the best iPhones, I urge you to start using your iPhone’s Action button, too.Two years into learning Spanish, and the Action button on my iPhone 16 Pro has become crucial to my language-learning routine. Apple integrated its much-maligned Translate app into the Action button back in iOS 17.2, and since then, I’ve found myself regularly using the feature while studying at home or bumbling my way through real, actual Spanish cities.With a single click of the Action button, I can trigger a translation session in the Dynamic Island (either from the Lock screen or Home screen), allowing me to quickly translate phrases into Spanish without needing to boot up the full-blown Translate app.(Image credit: Future)To do the same on your iPhone, head into Settings > Action button, then select Translate from the list of available Action button integrations.Next, open the Translate app and select your language(s) of choice. Helpfully, it doesn’t matter which language you select as the ‘translate from’ option – when using the Action button, your iPhone will identify the spoken language and automatically translate that phrase into the other chosen language.Lastly, if you head into Settings > Apps > Translate and download your languages of choice, you’ll be able to use this Action button shortcut offline, too (as long as your downloaded languages are selected as the two engaged options).Second best, but seamlessThe Action button is available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models (Image credit: Apple)People love to hate on Apple’s Translate app, and while I agree that Google Translate is the better platform, the integration between Translate and the Action button means you can get the answer you’re looking for much more quickly – especially important if you’ve only got a few seconds to ask a local, “Does this train go to the city center?”.Translating via the Action button can also be a little buggy – not the translations themselves, per se, but the process of your iPhone recognizing that you’ve uttered a phrase. In my experience, the shortcut works smoothly 80% of the time, which is a hit rate I’m willing to accept when the alternative is a multi-step journey through apps and browsers.To be clear: I use Translate via the Action button to remind me of single words or short phrases when the need arises. You certainly won’t become fluent in a language by speaking to locals through translation software, but having a little extra help in your pocket can boost your language-learning confidence.I’m also just glad to have found a use for the Action button, period. Many iPhone-using folks still aren’t convinced by the new hardware feature, which was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, so I hope this article encourages more people to give it a try (find your niche, and all that).As for the iPhone's translation capabilities more broadly, Apple announced a new Live Translation feature at WWDC 2025, which we're currently putting through its paces. It'll be baked into Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app in iOS 26, so you'll soon be able to communicate with foreign language speakers much more easily (though if you're learning the language in question, be brave and put your own skills to the test first!).You might also likeI added AI to my iPhone 16 Pro Max's Action button and now I get the hypeiOS 17.2 finally gives me a reason to use the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action buttonI just used the Action Button to take this photo and it’s a game-changer

The third Unpacked of 2025 (following installments in January and May) will be on July 9 at 10AM ET, kicking off in Brooklyn, New York. The company usually debuts its latest foldables in the summer, so we’re expecting to see the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 here. However, there’s an extra wrinkle (don’t say wrinkle with foldables!): It’s looking like the premium Galaxy Z Fold Ultra is joining the family.

What exactly can you expect? We've written all about it. When it comes to foldables, one recent leak suggested Gemini Live will be a core part of the foldables’ presentation — which would make sense with this form factor. You’d be able to chat with the foldables without having to unfurl them. Leaked renders suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will have a slimmer profile than the prior model and even a navy blue option. Escape from the grey! If the renders are accurate, the cover display and inner display will be bigger too. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 will also get a bigger screen, apparently.

Samsung

Then there’s the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra. There are no specs teased yet, but the company insists this will have “industry-leading hardware, cutting-edge performance and seamless AI integration optimized for the foldable format.” This doesn’t appear to be the tri-fold design we’ve heard and seen in various places, however. Maybe that’s a Fold 8 situation.

Typically, Samsung will take the opportunity to update its accessories too, so there’s a good chance we’ll see the Galaxy Watch 8 and/or the Galaxy Buds. Roll on July 9 to see what appears.

— Mat Smith

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Tesla’s quiet robotaxi launch runs into a few bumps

One Tesla briefly drove on the wrong side of the road.

Tesla quietly launched its robotaxi service over the weekend for a small group of very vocal test passengers. The Sunday rollout included only a small number of cars and heavy human supervision. The company’s cautious rollout ultimately seems for the best — at least one robotaxi attempted to drive on the wrong side of the road. The ride video shared by Rob Maurer showed the Tesla’s wheel start jerking back and forth, and the car briefly crosses to the wrong side of the road. (The in-car supervisor didn’t appear to do anything.) Other early riders have shared multiple instances of robotaxis going over the speed limit.

Continue reading.

Apple read your mean tweets about Liquid Glass and Finder

Liquid Glass gets a little liquid.

Apple

Apple has already walked back some of the proposed design revisions it announced during WWDC 2025. 9to5Mac noticed the most recent developer betas included a darker, blurrier level of transparency, making parts of iOS et al easier to read and less of a carcrash, visually.

The other change reversed was the Finder app in macOS Tahoe. The previous developer beta flipped the colors in the icon, putting blue on the right and white on the left. Yeah, that’s it. Aren’t there many, many more things to complain and be worried about in June 2025?

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Xbox’s VR headset with Meta could be released sooner than we thought

A blacked-out, Xbox-branded Meta Quest 3S headset?

According to an image leaked on X and Game Sandwich, Xbox is reportedly teaming up with Meta to release an Xbox-branded Quest 3S headset in the coming days. The rumored specs show a very similar build to the base model Quest 3S with 128GB of storage but will reportedly be bundled with an Xbox wireless controller, a Meta Quest Elite strap and three months of Xbox Game Pass. Specs-wise, it seems largely the same VR headset, just with a moodier paint job. Given we’ve just seen the ASUS handheld collaboration, Xbox is having a busy hardware quarter.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-121518786.html?src=rss

The UK might introduce new regulations for Google. The country's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed designating the company's search services with "strategic market status" (SMS). In doing so, the regulatory body could direct Google to create fairer business rankings on search, for instance.

The CMA launched an antitrust investigation into Google Search in January — its first probe under the UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act. Concerns include search advertising costing more than in a competitive market, minimal transparency on ranking search results and Google's vast access to websites and historical searches. There's also the issue of publishers getting fair terms and control over their content's use in search and AI-generated summaries.

"Google search has delivered tremendous benefits — but our investigation so far suggests there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative." Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said in a statement. A final decision on Google's SMS designation will come by October 13.

It would also apply to AI-based search features, but not Gemini AI Assistant — though the CMA states this is subject to change.

If the labeling goes ahead then the CMA will likely enact "early priorities" like the following:

Requiring choice screens for users to access different search providers

Ensuring fair ranking principles for businesses appearing on Google search

More transparency and control for publishers whose content appears in search results

Portability of consumer search data to support innovation in new products and services

These points stand as a roadmap for how CMA plans to handle any initial designation period for an SMS. "These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google’s search services — as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy," Cardell stated. The CMA aims to provide additional actions to tackle more complex issues beginning in early 2026.

The SMS designation doesn't imply Google has engaged in anti-competitive actions. Parties interested in Google's status can provide their views on the proposal directly to the CMA. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/uk-proposes-greater-regulation-for-googles-search-practices-122825066.html?src=rss

We now know that the 2025 edition of Amazon's blockbuster Prime Day sales event will start on July 8, and it's set to be bigger than ever as it will run for four days. But you don't need to wait until then for tasty deals. There will be plenty in the lead up to the event, including this one for the Levoit Core 400S air purifier. At $183, the device is $37 off. It's not quite the lowest price we've seen for this model. However, it's not too far off that mark of $176.

The Levoit Core 400S is our current pick for the best air purifier overall. Sure, it might not have the prettiest design of all the options we have tested and the companion app might have a little too much going on. But the Core 400S does its job and does it well.

This smart air purifier is slated to clean the atmosphere in spaces of up to 1,733 square feet in as little as one hour. The Core 400S has a cylindrical shape with vents at the top and a touch display that shows air quality readings. You'll be able to get a sense of the current air quality in your space at a glance with a color-changing ring that will light up in blue, green, orange or red. The 360-degree filtration system is said to be capable of capturing over 99.9 percent of pollutants as small as 0.3 microns, such as dust, pet dander and pollen.

There is an auto mode that should suffice for maintaining air quality, but the Core 400S is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls too. The fan isn't too loud, even when it's operating at maximum speed — the volume topped out at 62dB in our testing. Meanwhile, at $50 each, the air filter replacements aren't too expensive compared with those from many of Levoit's competitors.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/early-prime-day-deals-include-37-off-our-favorite-air-purifier-143224492.html?src=rss

New diving dogs AI-generated video follows the cat Olympics crazeYou can try Hailuo 02 yourself for freeAre dogs better at 'diving' than cats? You decideHot on the heels (or should that be paws?) of the AI-generated ‘cats doing Olympic diving’ video that broke the Internet a few days ago comes the natural follow-up.Yes, it’s dogs doing Olympic diving, which opens up the possibility of a debate on who does it better - cats or dogs? @stanislav_laurier ♬ оригинальный звук - stanislav_laurier Created by TikTok and Hailuo 02 user Stanislav Laurier, the video features the same impressive physics and realistic depictions of dogs that made the cat video so successful in the first place. The way the dogs bounce on the diving board before launching themselves into a spin makes this a truly impressive piece of AI work.And of course, the dogs look just as realistic as the cats as they walk along the diving board. It’s only when you see them doing impossible spins that you realize that this must be AI.Like the cat video, this was created in a new Veo 3 and Sora rival called Hailuo 02, and effortlessly demonstrates how far AI video has come.On the podiumAfter a few impressive dives, the video ends with a winners' podium showing off which dogs got third, second, and first place. Here, AI lets itself down slightly, as it says "1nd" and "2st" on the podium. It's amazing that it can get all the complicated physics of spinning dogs correct, but can't get some simple text right.The video was posted on TikTok, and received quite a few comments, especially from Laura Smith who perhaps hadn’t quite caught on that the video was made with AI: “Wowww!!!! This is so amazing that these clever dogs can do this!”Other users seem to have worked it out, though, like Kaia : 3, who said, “I’m crying, I thought this was real until the Pomeranian started spinning.”Try it yourselfHailuo 02 is created by Chinese AI video developer MiniMax and it debuted earlier this summer.You’ll need to create an account to use Hailuo 02 (it let me log in with my Google account), but after that, you can give Hailuo a go yourself for free. I asked it to create “A cat throwing a shot put in the Kitty Olympics 2026”As a “non member” (subscriptions are available, starting at $95.99 – about £70/AU$147 – a year) I got 500 free points that were valid for the next 3 days, and I had to wait in a four minute queue, which was more than acceptable, after which it started to generate the video. After a couple of minutes, my video was ready, and it had only used up 25 of my points.I’ll admit that it doesn’t look great, but that was my first attempt. More time invested in refining the very simple prompt I used would produce much better results.So, who do you think takes the prize for best Olympic diving? Dogs or cats? Comment with your opinion below, and let’s not pretend that this isn’t exactly what AI was created for.You might also like5 things AI does in movies and TV I'm still waiting onFrom the AI Pin to Microsoft Tay: 5 AI products that ended in disaster, and why they failedI tried Google’s new Search Live feature and ended up debating an AI about books

Netflix's games arm is struggling. The streamer is removing over 20 games from its library, including popular titles like Hades and all three Monument Valley games. It follows the closure of Netflix's AAA gaming studio in October.

The games will leave Netflix in July, so there's not much time left to play them. Here are all the titles dropping off of the streamer:

Battleship

Braid, Anniversary Edition

Carmen Sandiego

CoComelon: Play with JJ

Death’s Door

Diner Out: Merge Cafe

Dumb Ways to Die

Ghost Detective

Hades (Note: Only available on iOS devices)

Katana ZERO

LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed

Ludo King

Monument Valley

Monument Valley 2

Monument Valley 3

Rainbow Six: SMOL

Raji: An Ancient Epic

SpongeBob: Bubble Pop F.U.N.

TED Tumblewords

The Case of the Golden Idol

The Rise of the Golden Idol

Vineyard Valley

While they all leave in July, the last day to play each game varies. For instance, Hades bows out on July 1, while Death's Door is available through the 14th. You can see when your favorite game will depart the streamer on Netflix's mobile app.

Netflix has also scaled back on its interactive content. The streamer cut its offerings from 24 to four at the end of last year. Black Mirror's Emmy award winning Bandersnatch was one of the few survivors but left the platform on May 12. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/netflix-is-removing-over-20-games-including-hades-and-monument-valley-123023128.html?src=rss

Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3 has been delayed and won't release on June 26CD Projekt Red said that it needs more time to "make sure we're happy with it"The studio revealed that the patch will be the same scope as Update 2.2CD Projekt Red has delayed Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3 indefinitely, days ahead of its planned release date.The announcement comes from an X / Twitter post where the studio confirmed that the game's next major update will no longer arrive on June 26 as it originally intended, because it needs more time to be worked on.A new release date hasn't been confirmed yet, but CD Projekt Red has revealed that Update 2.3 will be around the same size as Update 2.2."We initially hoped to put Update 2.3 in your hands on June 26. However, we'll need some more time to make sure we're happy with it - we're aiming for a scope similar to Update 2.2. We'll update you further as soon as we can! We appreciate your patience!" CD Projekt Red wrote.Hey chooms,We initially hoped to put Update 2.3 in your hands on June 26. However, we'll need some more time to make sure we're happy with it — we're aiming for a scope similar to Update 2.2. We'll update you further as soon as we can!We appreciate your patience! pic.twitter.com/Hx5fEF8wj7June 23, 2025Update 2.2 was released in December 2024 and was a significant patch that added 100 new customization options to the character creator, the TwinTone function, which lets players scan other cars in Night City to add their color scheme database, and new photo mode options.The developer also added the CrystalCoat system, which allows players to edit the paint job of their vehicles in the game, among other small details that players could uncover while exploring Night City.The contents of Update 2.3 haven't been revealed yet, but now that we know that it will be the same scope as 2.2, we can likely expect more than some quality-of-life improvements.When the update does arrive, it will also be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game, which launched earlier this month alongside the new console.Best RPGs 2025 - top role-playing games for PC and consolesThe Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s least ambitious console to date, but its improvements are astronomicalThe first Nintendo Switch 2 post-launch update has been released and it couldn't be more underwhelming - here's what's new