News

A remaster of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion seems imminentScreenshots have been sourced from developer Virtuos's websiteIt could launch with a Deluxe Edition as early as next week

For me, the biggest news of the week isn't anything Nintendo Switch 2-related, or even Respawn's new Star Wars game. Nay, it's the notion that the long-rumored The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster may actually be completely real.Potential images of the remaster have appeared over on the Oblivion subreddit, sourced from developer Virtuos's website. And even more images, including comparison shots to the original game and one showcasing a Deluxe Edition, have been collated in an Imgur post.What's more, as reported by Eurogamer, the supposed remaster could be launching as early as next week (likely April 21 - 25) for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, and Xbox Game Pass. If this is indeed true, it means I'll once again have to punt Baldur's Gate 3 back into the backlog mines despite receiving its massive final patch, because Oblivion is one of my all-time favorite games.

Oblivion images on Virtuos website from r/oblivion

Remake Screenshots from Virtuos' Website: from r/oblivion

We've been hearing about a potential Oblivion remaster since 2023, back in the days of the FTC vs. Microsoft court case. But still, I can't shake the feeling that a shadow drop next week feels a little weird to me.Microsoft has announced its next Xbox Games Showcase for June 8, right around the time of Summer Game Fest. I think it would probably make more sense to reveal the Oblivion remaster there. But hey, if this isn't all an elaborate hoax and it is indeed arriving next week, I certainly won't complain.

Why Oblivion?

Oblivion might just be the most divisive entry in The Elder Scrolls franchise. It was a mind-boggling showcase for 2006 and certainly helped to shift many an Xbox 360. But quite frankly, the game is the textbook definition of 'jank.'Whether it's non-player characters (NPCs) talking absolute gibberish to one another, voice actors swapping between lines from the same character, a broken leveling system, or its horrifying Play-Doh-esque denizens, Oblivion's highly cursed nature is typically what people remember fondly of the game.It can often feel like a bizarre fever dream as you witness the world of Cyrodiil and its characters behave in increasingly bizarre ways. All backed by Jeremy Soule's legendary soundtrack, Oblivion is a game that definitely has more than a few screws loose, but I'll be damned if it doesn't have heart.Hopefully, that charm won't be lost in a polished-up remaster with more modern visuals and various quality-of-life updates. But still, if this whole thing does turn out to be an elaborate hoax, pretend I didn't say anything.

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Microsoft Teams adds "enhanced" spell check featureUsers will be alerted to issues as they type in TeamsMulti-language support means users can switch between up to three languages

Making embarassing spelling mistakes in crucial work conversations or Microsoft Teams calls could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a new update.The video conferencing service has announced it is rolling out "enhanced spell check", giving users the tools to make sure their messages are as accurate as possible.Microsoft says the addition, "will help ensure that your messages are clear and professional" - something I'm sure we've all worried about in the past.

Microsoft Teams spell check

In a Microsoft 365 updates blog post, the company outlined how the feature will work, spotting any issues in the Teams compose box and marking or highlighting the problem immeidately.Users will then be able to choose a correction from a dropdown menu, ignore the suggestion, or add a word to their dictionary.The new spell check feature will also offer multi-language, support, with users able to switch between up to three languages. It isn't mentioned exactly which languages are supported at launch, but we'll hopefully get more information on this soon.The feature is listed as rolling out now, and is generally available for all users on Windows desktop and Mac devices, across all platforms.The launch is the latest in a series of recent improvements to Microsoft Teams announced by the company as it looks to make the platform more intuitive.This includes the recent launch of real-time text (RTT) capabilities, allowing participants to type a message while someone else's speech is being transcribed, giving users who prefer typing to speaking another way to make sure their voices get out there.

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The foldable iPhone could cost between $2,100 and $2,500That would make it one of Apple's most expensive devicesHowever, it might lack Face ID

There's never been any doubt that Apple’s anticipated foldable iPhone will be a very expensive device, and now new rumors suggest that it could be one of Apple’s priciest-ever products.According to leaker Instant Digital (via MacRumors) the foldable iPhone will start at between $2,100 and $2,500 (that's roughly £1,580-£1,730 / AU$3,310-AU$3,625, though we wouldn’t expect those conversions to be accurate).That would make it far more expensive than Apple’s current top phone, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max starting at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, and would even make it more expensive than the $1,599 / £2,149 / AU$3,199 starting price of a MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 (2024).It would also mean the foldable iPhone would exceed the price of rivals, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 for example starting at $1,899.99 / £1,799 / AU$2,749.

The foldable iPhone could cost more than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

$2,000+ and no Face ID

So this could be a seriously expensive device, especially as that rumored price is apparently just the starting price. And while we’d take this rumor with a pinch of salt, others agree that it will cost a lot.We’ve heard previously that the foldable iPhone’s price could be as low as $2,000 (around £1,540 / AU$3,175) or as high as $2,500 (roughly £1,730 / AU$3,625). So whatever the case, a $2,000-plus price is looking likely.That’s perhaps unsurprising though. After all, this being an Apple device (albeit one that Apple has yet to confirm the existence of) it's always been expected that it'll come in at a higher price than other foldable phones.But despite its likely high price, the foldable iPhone might lack some tech we’ve come to expect from Apple’s handsets, with leaker Digital Chat Station (via MacRumors) claiming that it won’t have Face ID – though apparently it will have an under-display camera, which would be a first for Apple.If this is correct, then it’s likely that the phone will instead have Touch ID in a side button, as we’ve heard in a previous leak. That’s not the end of the world, but it might leave some feeling shortchanged if it does indeed come with a $2,000-plus price tag.It'll likely be some time before we learn the actual price of Apple's first foldable, with reports suggesting it's unlikely to land before 2026 at the earliest.

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Microsoft 365 will start blocking ActiveX by defaultThe “powerful” tool put users at risk of remote code executionUsers won’t be able to create or interact with ActiveX objects

Microsoft has revealed ActiveX will be disabled by default in Microsoft 365 starting this month, citing security as the company’s key deciding factor.In a blog post, Microsoft Office Security Product Manager Zaeem Patel acknowledged while ActiveX, which enables rich interactions within Microsoft 365 applications, is a “powerful technology,” however it’s also one that comes with associated security risks thanks to the amount of access it has to a user’s system.From April 2025, Microsoft will disable all controls without notification by default across Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Visio.

Microsoft starts blocking ActiveX by default this month

Patel criticized previous default settings for putting users at risk of being exploited by attackers through social engineering or malicious files.A successful ActiveX attack could grant malicious actors access to remote code execution, putting a victim’s system and the entire organization’s network at risk.Enabling ActiveX now requires manual action through the Trust Center, and that’s assuming system admin permissions allow access to this. Users without access will see the option greyed out, instead.“When ActiveX is disabled, you will no longer be able to create or interact with ActiveX objects in Microsoft 365 files,” Patel confirmed.Described as “small building blocks that create applications that work over the Internet through Web browsers,” Microsoft explains in a separate support page how ActiveX controls can be used for command buttons, list boxes and dialog boxes.“Some existing ActiveX objects will still be visible as a static image, but it will not be possible to interact with them,” Patel added.Beta Channel users are already being affected with the change, with Current Channel (Preview) users running Version 2504 (Build 18730.20030) or later also experiencing the change this month.In an apparent acknowledgement that some users may not be happy about the change and the fact that there’s no real direct replacement, Microsoft is offering to collect feedback via File > Feedback in any Microsoft 365 app.

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Google is retiring country-specific domains like google.co.ukPreviously used for local content, Google now uses location to serve thisThe change will be happening over the next few months as shift to google.com

Google has confirmed it will be retiring country-specific domains (like google.co.uk) in favor of one single global domain – google.com.Historically, country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) were used to provide locally relevant search results, but the company now uses technology that allows that regardless of the top-level domain.Google used this reason to justify its decision to stop using country-specific domains: “Because of this improvement, country-level domains are no longer necessary.”

Google will only use google.com going forward

Citing a 2017 blog post, Google revisited an update that meant location would determine the content users saw in search results rather than the ccTLD.Back then, one in five searches related to location, and that’s a figure that’s likely to have increased in recent years.“Typing the relevant ccTLD in your browser will no longer bring you to the various country services—this preference should be managed directly in settings,” the company said in 2017. Therefore, users are already long accustomed to not having to use ccTLDs to access localized content.Google confirmed on April 15, 2025, that it would be redirecting users to google.com as part of a change that’s set to roll out over the coming months.“It’s important to note that while this update will change what people see in their browser address bar, it won’t affect the way Search works, nor will it change how we handle obligations under national laws.,” Google stressed.Apart from a streamlining effort, it’s possible that the transition is a cost-cutting effort for Google, too. Keeping tens of unnecessary domains open is likely a costly business, and one that’s no longer necessary thanks to the location-based technology that enables localized search results regardless of TLD.

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The finale of Daredevil: Born Again season 1 has landed on Disney+ – and, Hell's bells, does it paint a bleak yet hopeful picture of New York City.This season's ninth and final episode, titled 'Straight to Hell', has it all. Indeed, it's a heady mix of melodrama, ultraviolent action, and crime-based storytelling that sets up gripping events to come in the Marvel TV show's next installment.As the dust settles on Daredevil's first standalone adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I imagine you've got plenty of questions about what happens in its latest entry. So, let's break down the who, what, and why of it all.Full spoilers immediately follow for the final episode of Daredevil: Born Again's first season. Do not proceed if you haven't watched it yet.

Who dies in Daredevil: Born Again episode 9?

This isn't a *ahem* cop-out, Commissioner Gallo... (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

Nobody of note. Well, unless you consider Police Commissioner Gallo to be an important character in the Marvel Phase 5 TV series. He had part of his head caved in and his lower jaw ripped from his skull by Wilson Fisk, who fully entered his Mayor Kingpin phase in the popular show's latest chapter.Gallo aside, the only people who are bumped off in Born Again's ninth episode are a bunch of Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF) officers. A number of them are executed by Frank Castle/The Punisher when, at Karen Page's request, he helps Matt Murdock/Daredevil escape Murdock's apartment when the AVTF hunt down the latter at his home.

Does The Punisher die in Daredevil: Born Again?

Frank will be back in Born Again's second season and/or his own TV special (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

No. As I said, nobody who's a part of the MCU TV show's main cast is killed in 'Straight to Hell'.However, I can see why people might think The Punisher isn't long for this world. He tries to take on the AVTF single-handedly and, while Frank Castle is an expert fighter and marksman, not even he can fight an entire army of corrupt cops. That's proved as much when he's taken hostage by Fisk's militia and subsequently beaten up by them.Thankfully for fans of Jon Bernthal's iconic take on the anti-hero, Castle lives to fight another day. Towards the end of this episode, we learn he's been imprisoned in Wilson Fisk's secret lair. With Castle set to appear in Born Again season 2 (more on this later) and/or his own Disney+ special presentation, we'll be seeing more of him in the future, too.

What is martial law and why does Mayor Fisk impose it in the Daredevil: Born Again season 1 finale?

'Mayor Kingpin of New York City' has a nice ring to it, doesn't it, Wilson? (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

Martial law has different meanings across the globe. In the US, it's defined as the temporary implementation of military authority over civilian rule, which is usually invoked during a time of war, rebellion, or natural disaster.So, why does Mayor Fisk – or, as we'll now refer to him, Mayor Kingpin due to his criminal activities in a governmental position – impose martial law on the state of New York?The main reason is to continue his battle against the so-called vigilante scourge. Kingpin has no time or patience for those who take the law into their own hands. Indeed, he's battled his fair share of vigilantes in Daredevil's TV shows on Disney+ and Netflix, aka two of the world's best streaming services, so outlawing them completely will allow him to fulfil one of his mayoral promises to clean up the streets of his home city.

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Implementing martial law will help with that aim. As a by-product of its enactment, Kingpin can enforce a daily curfew that'll prevent vigilantes from roaming the streets at night. It also allows his AVTF to use military force on anyone it suspects of being a criminal, whether they're a masked law enforcer or a simple crook. Lastly, martial law can restrict freedom of speech, which enables Kingpin to dictate the narrative if people try to voice opposition to his totalitarian leadership.All of this, then, just made it much harder for the likes of Daredevil, The Punisher, and even Jack Duquesne/Swordsman – the latter of whom was also incarcerated alongside Castle – to carry out their personal crusades across New York City.

Is there a post-credits scene in Daredevil: Born Again's season 1 finale? And how does it set up The Punisher's Special Presentation?

Daredevil isn't the star of the season 1 finale's mid-credits scene (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

Yes, but it's more of a mid-credits scene than an end credits stinger.In it, we see Castle puts on a charm offensive to convince an AVTF officer, who's called Anthony Petruccio, that he's not as bad as he's been made out to be.Once Petruccio is in striking range of Castle's prison cell, the latter grabs Petruccio's hand, breaks his arm, and strangles him to death. All Castle has to do now is grab the keys off Petruccio's body, free himself (and, potentially his fellow captives), and escape.Armed with a newfound vengeance, I suspect Castle will go on the warpath to eradicate the AVTF. This could form the basis of The Punisher's special presentation, which is currently being co-written by Bernthal (per Collider) and could be released in 2026 (per The Hollywood Reporter).

Is Foggy actually alive in Daredevil: Born Again?

Fans still aren't convinced that Franklin 'Foggy' Nelson is actually dead (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

At this point, it's incredibly unlikely. Yes, we all saw him die at Bullseye's hands in Daredevil: Born Again's two-episode premiere, but that hasn't stopped a wild Marvel fan theory from spreading about him faking his own death. Indeed, following the release of last week's chapter, viewers continued to fiercely debate the fact that Foggy was alive.Well, it seems like he isn't. Foggy doesn't make a surprise return before episode 9's end credits roll. Okay, this reveal could be held back for the show's sophomore season – and, with Marvel's Head of TV Brad Winderbaum confirming Elden Henson is part of season 2's cast (via Phase Hero's Brandon Davis), this is a possibility.As of 'Straight to Hell', though, we're none the wiser about the actual fate of Murdock's fellow lawyer and closest friend.

Where is Spider-Man in Daredevil: Born Again episode 9?

The world-famous wallcrawler is nowhere to be seen in Born Again episode 9 (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

Who knows? You would think that, with Kingpin imposing martial law and hunting down masked individuals, Peter Parker would, at the very least, be preparing to join Daredevil's cause to fight for New York's soul. After all, the city is as much his home as it is Daredevil and Kingpin's.Despite clear references to the webslinger in Born Again episode 2 and Born Again episode 3, though, Spider-Man is conspicuous by his absence. However, that isn't a complete surprise. Sony owns the live-action rights to one of Marvel's most famous heroes, so the prospect of Spidey making a cameo in this show was never on the cards.

Does Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, or any other Netflix Marvel heroes appear in Born Again's season 1 finale?

Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist are also absent from the show's latest chapter (Image credit: Netflix)

Nope. Fans had hoped for a crowd-pleasing cameo from one of these heroes after Murdock and Page talked about assembling an underground resistance to take the fight to Kingpin.So far, though, Murdock's army consists of himself, Page, Cherry, Josie, Angie Kim, and a couple more New York police officers. That group will grow in season 2 but, right now, Daredevil is the only superpowered being who's part of it.

How Daredevil: Born Again's latest episode sets up its second season

A new Battle for New York has begun... (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney+)

The cameras started rolling on Daredevil: Born Again season 2, which will be part of the Marvel Phase 6 line-up, in late February. But, we've known that another installment has been in development since early 2023.A lot will have changed narratively, though, since season 2's inception. Indeed, following Born Again's creative overhaul amid the 2023 Hollywood strikes, which led to the hiring of a new showrunner and directing team partway through season 1's development, one of the best Disney+ shows has gone in a different direction to its initial design.So, how does 'Straight to Hell' set up the series' next chapter? Aside from everything I've already discussed, we don't know. A bunch of leaked Born Again season 2 images, which spoiled aspects of its forebear's ending, gave us some clues, but there's little else we know about what'll happen in season 2.There are plenty of interesting plot threads left hanging, however. Will Sheila's guilt over Gallo's death convince her to join Murdock's group of renegades? How will Murdock react to Heather Glenn's defection to Fisk's team? What role will Bullseye play in season 2? Will Murdock's group succeed in bringing down Kingpin? And will all of this play out before Avengers: Doomsday completely flips the table on the MCU as we know it?With Born Again season 2 reportedly eyeing a 2026 release, we won't have a ridiculously long wait to get answers to those questions. The devil, after all is in the details, so Marvel will want to provide as many as possible next time around.

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Notion Mail promises to redefine what we know about email appsAI enables email sorting, labelling and filtering for a clearer viewSnippets for templates and easier email scheduling also feature

Popular productivity app Notion has come out with its own, AI-powered email service, and the company is making bold promises to change how we think about emails.Despite emails being a staple in the workplace since the 1970s, Notion says the platforms have not keept up with other technological advancements, giving it a cluttered and inefficient feel.“Notion Mail is designed to make email management simpler – a well-oiled machine that hums in the background of your day to day,” the company said in a blog post.

Notion launches new Mail app, backed by AI, of course

At the core of Notion Mail is artificial intelligence, which promises to automate tedious tasks like sorting, labelling and filtering.Users can tell Notion AI what’s important (such as hiring emails for recruiters) and it will prioritize them accordingly.On the front end, Notion Mail benefits from custom views for increased focus. Andrew Milich and Jason Ginsberg from the Notion Mail team noted that a users’s priorities might look different this month to next month, therefore it was imperative that the interface could change with time. Inbox categories like promotions, customer support and travel separate emails into distinct categories.Acknowledging that emails can be repetitive and time-consuming, Notion has also added snippets to the app so that users can call on saved templates, with Notion AI stepping in to help users write intros, responses and more.To tackle “scheduling ping-pong,” the app also integrates with Notion Calendar for senders to share their availabilities for quicker and more efficient scheduling.“We built Notion Mail because we believe your relationship with email should empower your work, not impede it,” the Notion Mail workers concluded.Notion Mail is available for free and forms part of the free tier that also includes Notion Calendar, the Notion workspace and third-party integrations with the like of Slack and GitHub. The app works with Gmail, but it’s unclear if further email services will be added at a later date.macOS and Windows apps are already available to download, and there’s a web app for those who prefer to access Notion Mail via their chosen browser, however iOS and Android apps are still in the works for now.

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Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders were delayed in Canada last weekNow, a leaker claims they will begin on April 23, 2025This could also be the date that US pre-orders open

Good news Canadian gamers. It seems like Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders could begin this time next week.That's according to reliable leaker 'billbil-kun', who has a good track record when it comes to revealing gaming stock information ahead of time. In a recent X / Twitter post, they claimed that pre-orders will begin on April 23, 2025 for both the Nintendo Switch 2 console and the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle based on what they "can see through some Canadian retailers".They note that this date is likely subject to change, so there's a chance that it could still be pushed back. Of course, this is still just a rumor even if it comes from a credible source - so take it with a grain of salt.If you need a quick refresher, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders were reportedly delayed in Canada early last week ahead of their original April 9, 2025, date. According to a statement given to Canadian tech website MobileSyrup, the decision was taken "in order to align with the timing of pre-orders to be determined in the US" though the console's release date would not be changed.Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders were delayed indefinitely in the US on April 4, 2025. In a statement given to TechRadar Gaming, Nintendo cited "the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions".The leaker is careful to say that they "can't confirm if it's the same for US," though I would suspect that this might be the case. Nintendo did state that the Canadian pre-order date would "align with the timing" of US pre-orders so if this April 23, 2025, prediction is accurate I would not be shocked if US retailers follow suit.The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch worldwide on June 5, 2025. It will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.

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An auto-reboot feature is rolling out to Android phones and tabletsThis will automatically restart your device after three days of inactivityYour phone is more secure after a restart, helping to prevent unauthorized access

Not long ago we reported on how Android could get a thief-thwarting security feature already seen on iPhones, and now that feature is arriving.As spotted by 9to5Google, the latest Google Play services update includes a feature that will restart your phone or tablet automatically after three days of inactivity. So in other words, if your device has remained locked for three consecutive days, it will shut down and restart, and there’s a good reason for this.You see, after a restart, an Android phone or tablet will return to its ‘Before First Unlock’ state, in which its data is encrypted and it’s harder to unlock, as biometrics are disabled until after the first unlock – so a passcode is instead required.This is set up to happen after three days of inactivity because it’s likely that if your phone is on but not being used for three days that someone else has it – such as a thief.

Your Android phone should soon be able to reboot on its own (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Coming soon

Google Play services 25.14 (which contains this auto-reboot feature) is now rolling out, but the rollout may take a week or so to reach all phones, and it’s possible that the auto-reboot feature may not be enabled until a while after that, with 9to5Google speculating that it could take a few weeks.As such, we’re also not certain whether there will be a toggle or other option to enable this feature, or whether it will just happen automatically. We also don’t yet know whether this feature will come to all Android devices, but it’s likely that most recent phones will support this.So, while it won’t stop your phone being stolen, you should at least soon have more reassurance that thieves won’t be able to access your data.

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The last Apple event came and went without even the smallest of hints at a foldable iPhone. And with the rumors thin on the ground, I'd be skeptical if such a phone is even in the works; it could just be a shelved Apple project.As it stands, our list of best foldable phones is dominated by the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and OnePlus Open. So there's room for some iOS-orientated disruption, though when that will happen isn't clear.Our best guess is 2025 at the earliest, when Apple can be fairly confident that the foldable phone tech is mature enough for its foray into the arena. Until then, read on for everything we've heard so far and what you need to know about the so-called foldable iPhone.

Latest newsAnother foldable iPhone pricing leak points to a very expensive phone.

The best foldable phones we've seen so far

Cut to the chase

What is it? Potentially the first folding phone from AppleWhen is it out? Possibly 2026, or maybe much laterHow much will it cost? Expect it to be expensive

Foldable iPhone release date and price

It's possible (based on multiple rumors) that the iPhone Fold could land in 2025.But if anything, it might land much later, with a report from October 2018 suggesting Apple might first launch a foldable iPad in late 2024 or early 2025, with a foldable iPhone landing at a later date.Another report back in February 2024 said a September 2026 launch was planned for the foldable iPhone, which would likely see it land alongside the iPhone 18. This report added that Apple was apparently moving much of the Vision Pro team over to development of this phone, and that the company is aiming for sales of 50 million. The 2026 claims have since been backed up by a leaked Apple roadmap too.More recently still, we've heard that the foldable iPhone might be delayed from late 2026 until early 2027, and some analysts now believe the foldable iPhone project might end up getting canceled, so there's a chance we won't see it at all.And even more recently, a TrendForce report states that Apple is "unlikely to release a foldable phone before 2027", due to the company's "strict requirements for crease and reliability".Since then, we've heard that while a 2026 launch was previously planned, Apple has accelerated development so that it can launch the foldable iPhone in 2025.However, the most recent foldable iPhone leaks again point to a 2026 launch. We've heard a 2026 release date multiple times in late 2024 and early 2025, so that's our best guess for now. That said, Apple is at least apparently close to choosing a display supplier for the phone.Naturally, we don't know how much the foldable iPhone might cost if and when it does land, but given that a lot of foldable phones demand well over the $1000 / £1000 / AU$2000 mark, it's safe to expect a high price to pay. One of the few foldable iPhone price leaks we have seen so far points to a figure of $2,500 (which is around £2,220 / AU$3,970), so we'd recommend saving now.That said, a more recent foldable iPhone price leak points to a lower but still high price of $2,000 (around £1,540 / AU$3,175), while a third leak splits the difference, claiming a price of roughly $2,300, and most recently of all we've heard the foldable iPhone will cost between $2,100 and $2,500.But despite the likely high price, this could prove a very successful phone, with reputable analyst Mark Gurman predicting that a foldable iPhone will sell much better than any of the Plus or mini models, or the rumored iPhone 17 Air.As for the name, we've heard mutterings that it could be called the iPhone Flip, likely referring to the Galaxy Z Flip-like patents we've seen that hint at a clamshell folding format. In truth, though, it could be called anything.

Foldable iPhone leaks and rumors

At this point, foldable iPhone rumors fall broadly into two camps: those which suggest the device will have a true folding display, and others that point towards it having two distinct screens separated by a hinge.Several designs were revealed in a patent dump back in February 2019, some with a large display on the inside of folding sections with a single hinge, while another had two hinges for a hypothetical three displays that fold in on themselves in a Z-shaped formation.

Image 1 of 3Image credit: Apple / US Patent and Trademark Office (Image credit: Apple / US Patent and Trademark Office)This design shows how an iPhone could look when folded.Image 2 of 3Image credit: Apple / US Patent and Trademark Office (Image credit: Apple / US Patent and Trademark Office)These two designs show possible ways the screen could store in the body of the device when folded.Image 3 of 3Image credit: Apple / US Patent and Trademark Office (Image credit: Apple )This design shows what a device would look like when folded into three sections.

Other patents, like the one discovered in March 2020, reveal that Apple could be working on a foldable with two distinct displays separated by a hinge. While the patented design suggests the tech giant would attempt to minimize the bezel between the screens as much as possible, it would still be more noticeable than a truly folding long display.That’s what leaker Jon Prosser suggested on Twitter in the same year: Apple’s foldable iPhone design (at the time) had two separate display panels on a hinge.

While it’s purportedly just a ‘current prototype’ and not a final design, it’s described as having rounded edges like the iPhone 11, unlike the squared-off edges on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 ranges.There’s also no notch for front-facing cameras: the sensors checking Face ID will be housed in a ‘tiny forehead’ on the outer display, according to Prosser.

(Image credit: Patently Apple)

This matches a later Prosser leak that suggested the iPhone Flip may come in a clamshell shape – similar to the Motorola Razr 2020 or the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip – and the same source said it'd be sold in "fun colors."We think that means you can expect some bold shades for the iPhone Flip when it lands.We've seen another image of what the foldable iPhone could look like thanks to another patent, this one showing a device that folds out into a bigger device like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. This device, which we're dubbing the iPhone Fold, has one display that's longer than the other, so when it's folded shut you can see your notifications to one edge.A separate leak suggests this folding iPhone could come with Apple Pencil support, and have a display measuring 7.3-inch or 7.6-inches across.Indeed, we've more recently heard that Apple's first foldable may have a screen of roughly 7-8 inches, which likely means it would be a book-style foldable.More recently, another source claimed the foldable iPhone could have a 7.9-inch screen and that the foldable display could be on the outside of the phone, like the Huawei Mate Xs 2 pictured below. This would mean there's only one display, but it can be used either like a phone or a tablet depending on whether it's folded or unfolded.

Image 1 of 3The Huawei Mate Xs 2 (Image credit: Huawei)Image 2 of 3The Huawei Mate Xs 2 (Image credit: Basil Kronfli)Image 3 of 3The Huawei Mate Xs 2 (Image credit: Basil Kronfli)

In January of 2025 we similarly heard that the foldable iPhone could have a main display of between 7.6 and 7.9 inches, along with a surprisingly small 5.3-5.5-inch cover screen. This leak adds that it will have a wider aspect ratio than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and that it will use LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide), likely meaning a 120Hz refresh rate.Elsewhere, we heard that the foldable iPhone might have a foldable display of over 12 inches, which sounds unusually large. They also stated that the phone would be 9.2mm thick when folded, and just 4.6mm thick when unfolded. The same source also points to a 5,000mAh battery, and a dual-lens rear camera, with an ultra-wide snapper but no telephoto.More recently still (in February of 2025) we heard that the foldable iPhone could have 7.74-inch and 5.49-inch screens.The same source (Digital Chat Station) has since added that the foldable screen will have a resolution of 1,920 x 2,713 and the cover screen will have a resolution of 1,422 x 2,088. They also claim that the foldable screen will have an under-display camera but that the foldable iPhone won't have Face ID.We've also heard from an analyst that Apple is testing an Electronic Paper Display (EPD) from E Ink for the cover screen of a foldable phone. This would be like an e-reader screen, but in color, and could be left on for long periods without draining much battery.Apple's foldable phone might also have a protective layer on top of the screen that can defend against cracks and fill in pre-existing micro-cracks, to help avoid fractures. Apple has a patent for this tech, so it's certainly something the company is toying with, at least.Elsewhere, an Apple patent details a slim yet strong hinge that could be used with a smartphone with a flexible display. This doesn't tell us much but it's more evidence that an iPhone Fold or iPhone Flip might be in the works. On a related note, we've heard the foldable iPhone could have a liquid metal hinge for better durability.Plus, one report also suggests that Apple has two foldable iPhone designs that have already passed durability tests. That doesn't mean this will be happening any sooner, but it's a good sign that Apple is on the right track.The most recent Apple patent we've seen details touch-sensitive, solid-state buttons that would allow users to navigate a foldable iPhone using its edges, rather than its display alone. Alongside basic illustrations of the device (below), Apple explains how touch sensors would sit within “sidewalls” (as opposed to conventional walls) made up of “thin metal lines that are sufficiently small to be invisible to the eye."

Apple illustrates how solid-state buttons might work on a foldable device (Image credit: United States Patent and Trademark Office)

Beyond the design and display, we've heard that the foldable iPhone might have a dual-lens camera, Touch ID, and an ultra-thin battery. Despite that, the foldable iPhone could offer all-day battery life, with Apple apparently making its battery longevity a priority.And beyond all the leaks, we've also now seen essentially a prototype iPhone Flip made unofficially by a team in China. You can see some images of this below.

Image 1 of 4(Image credit: AST)Image 2 of 4(Image credit: AST)Image 3 of 4(Image credit: AST)Image 4 of 4(Image credit: AST)

There were a lot of compromises involved in making it, but if Apple's foldable is similar in design to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip line, then it could look like a much more polished version of this.

iPhone Flip: 5 things we’d like to see

(Image credit: Future)

1. Top-tier cameras

Foldables bridge the gap between phones and tablets, but the ones we’ve seen released, like the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate Xs, have packed the best cameras featured on those brands’ other flagship phones.While there’s no reason to guess Apple wouldn’t do the same, the tech giant hasn’t bothered to upgrade the cameras on its iPads in generations. What's more, given that the iPhone SE 2020 didn’t improve upon the lens of its predecessor, the iPhone 8, Apple set a precedent that could see it give its foldable iPhone a single camera instead of the full suite seen in today's best iPhones.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Apple Pencil support

One way Apple could easily match other foldables: introduce Apple Pencil support. Samsung introduced stylus integration with its Z Fold series, and given how the Apple Pencil 2 attaches magnetically to the newest iPad Pro tablets, we’d love to see how Apple’s styluses could be integrated with its foldable iPhone.

(Image credit: Apple)

3. The old Apple polish

Yes, we'll say it: even though the first few rounds of foldables have been impressive for simply pulling off folding screens, they’ve come with design weaknesses, from hinge issues to cracking screens. We’d love to see a design that makes everything move smoothly and stand up to punishment.Not that Apple’s lineup is unimpeachable, as crackable iPhone displays, malfunctioning butterfly keyboards, and battery-throttling on older iPhones have shown. But in looks and function, at least, Apple has maintained a reputation for sleek and functional design.

(Image credit: Apple)

4. iPadOS integration

When iPadOS split off from iOS, we got excited for the possibilities of a new operating system forking off to truly take advantage of iPad screen real estate. Thus far, we’ve been pretty pleased with the multitasking features that let us pull up multiple apps at the same time, which we’ve found personally handy in writing in Google docs while looking up stuff in Safari, for instance..We’d love to see a version of the OS in the foldable iPhone for the same reasons, though of course, there’s a lot of unknowns. Will the device’s display be large enough to properly handle the iPadOS controls? If it expands to 7.9 inches, the size of the iPad Mini’s screen, it conceivably could be able to, but until we know what the foldable will look like, it’s unclear how good a fit iPadOS will be.

(Image credit: Future)

5. Strong battery life

Foldable phones like the Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X have had respectable battery life for first-generation devices, but we’d like more in Apple’s take on foldable phones. iPhones in general aren’t known for lasting longer than a day, and flagships from Samsung and Huawei pack larger-capacity (in sheer milliamp Hours) batteries that seem to take them past the one-day mark handily.We’d like Apple to use the extra device space to keep its own foldable last longer than the competition.

The EU Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched a privacy investigation on XThe Authority is investigating whether the platform uses publicly accessible posts to train its Grok AI modelLast September, X agreed to limit the use of Europeans' data for AI training after being hit by several GDPR complaints

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched a privacy inquiry against X over the use of Europeans' personal data to train its AI model, Grok.Beginning on Friday, April 11, 2025, the privacy Authority is investigating whether Elon Musk's platform uses publicly-accessible X posts to train its generative AI models to determine compliance with GDPR rules.X was hit by at least nine privacy complaints in August 2024 for allegedly using people's data without consent to train AI. In September, Ireland's data regulator decided to end the court proceedings as the company agreed to permanently limit the use of EU users' data for AI training.

Ireland's privacy inquiry

Grok, a group of AI models developed by xAI, powers the generative AI chatbot on X. Users can chat with Grok directly in its dedicated tab or ask for AI-generated context underneath other users' posts.Since December 2024, Grok has also been able to automatically write small biographies of whoever has an account on X without users asking for it.It isn't yet clear, however, whether the system has processed some personal data contained in publicly accessible posts without people's consent, and this is exactly what the Irish DPC wants to find out."The purpose of this inquiry is to determine whether this personal data was lawfully processed in order to train the Grok LLMs," wrote the DPC in an official announcement.

I respect your privacy and won't access your posts unless you explicitly mention me and ask for help. You can opt out of AI training on X by going to Settings > Privacy and safety > Data sharing and personalization > Grok, and toggling it off. Note that past posts might still be… pic.twitter.com/ZS9DtOfDsHApril 15, 2025

If found in breach of GDPR rules, X Internet Unlimited Company – the new name of X's data controller for US users based in Dublin – could be fined a maximum of 4% of its annual turnover.Neither X nor Musk himself has yet commented on the DPC's announcement. Only Grok itself, after being challenged by one X user, has ensured that it "won't access your post unless you explicitly mention me."The billionaire, however, has previously criticized EU laws and regulators. So, the results of this probe could end up further deteriorating the relationship.Tension between the EU tech sector and the EU lawmakers could also intensify, though. As Proton (the provider of one of the best VPN and secure email services on the market) pointed out in a X post: "If it is found that public data still requires user consent to be used for training, this could have wider ramifications, both in Europe and beyond."

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The ChatGPT app and web interface is getting a new Library tabThis is where all your AI-generated images are now keptThe feature is rolling out now for all users

ChatGPT's recent image update almost broke the internet, and certainly put a ton of pressure on OpenAI's huge stack of graphics processors – and now users are getting a dedicated space inside the chatbot's interface for their AI pictures.As announced by OpenAI (via The Verge), the new Library tab shows up across the mobile apps and the web interface for ChatGPT. It's available universally too, whether or not you pay for a subscription to the AI bot.The update has already shown up inside the web interface for my own account, and it's all pretty straightforward to use: the tab collects every image you've generated, across every chat in your history, and you can click on a picture for edit and download options. You can also create a new image from the Library section.Delete a chat, and the included images get wiped from the Library tab as well. There isn't anything in the way of image search or filtering as yet, but of course these features could be rolled out in time as the feature evolves.

The social aspect

All of your image creations, all in one place.Introducing the new library for your ChatGPT image creations—rolling out now to all Free, Plus, and Pro users on mobile and https://t.co/nYW5KO1aIg. pic.twitter.com/ADWuf5fPbjApril 15, 2025

It seems as though we're seeing a new AI image trend appearing every week, whether it's Studio Ghibli-inspired renderings, turning people into action figures, or imagining what your pet might look like as a human being.Given the recent boost in the quality of the images ChatGPT can make, across free and paid tiers, it makes sense for OpenAI to create a separate space to hold them – previously users had to dig through individual conversations to find them.It also links into the rumors we've heard about OpenAI working on a social network. These plans are apparently in their early stages, but if ChatGPT were to become more social, it's easy to see how image sharing could be a big part of that: like Instagram, but with AI-generated images and videos dominating.The move would give OpenAI access to even more user data to train on, too. Would you sign up for yet another social media network, if it was focused around AI? And would your AI content have what it takes to go viral? Let us know in the comments.

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Notorious online forum 4chan is currently offlineA hacker reportedly took the site offline and leaked sensitive data"Rival" imageboard users are celebrating

Infamous anonymous imageboard 4chan has reportedly been hacked and taken offline, with the website unable to load.A hacker was apparently dwelling on 4chan’s systems “for over a year” before deciding to pull the trigger.The threat actor leaked a few screenshots to prove the website was hacked, and on those screenshots it showed the site’s alleged backend, source code, and banning templates. Furthermore, the hacker leaked a list of 4chan moderators and janitors, essentially the website’s operators.

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Praising the downfall

4chan is one of the world’s most popular anonymous imageboards. It is a forum where users cannot register an account, and in which threads disappear after a while (unless archived, which only happens in certain situations). It gained notoriety in the past when its users rallied to conduct “raids” - often promoting fascism, racism, and other destructive ideologies - “for the lulz” (for fun).Memes like Pepe the Frog, Pedo Bear, the Anonymous Guy Fawkes mask, and many other trends, originated on 4chan. The “raids” included flooding live streams, massive multiplayer games and chat platforms, other forums, and similar. The forum and its users also had their “rivals”, mostly ebaumsworld (to which they always tried to shift the blame during the raids), and 8chan.On social media, users of these boards are now gloating and praising 4chan’s “downfall”.TechCrunch spoke to one of the janitors, who said the imageboard suffered hacks and DDoS attacks in the past, but stressed that this one might be particularly dangerous since it would seem the hacker has full control over the site.“I’ve been most concerned with the leaked information, for obvious reasons,” said the janitor. “I’d wager that the fact that 4chan was effectively taken over by a hacker(s) is probably ‘worse’ than screenshots, at least from the perspective of the site’s continued operation.”They also told the publication that the stolen data was probably authentic.Whenever 4chan would go offline in the past, or whenever someone would threaten legal action against it, users would respond with a now-famous quote, which I’ll use here as well: “Nothing of value was lost.”Via TechCrunch

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Apple has just labeled the iPhone 6S as “vintage”The same designation has been applied to the 2018 Mac miniThis means repairs are more limited should something go wrong

Are you still using an iPhone 6S or a 2018 Mac mini? If you are, we’ve got some bad news: Apple has just declared both products to be “vintage” on its vintage and obsolete products page, which means you’ll get much more limited service and repairs for them if anything goes wrong.The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus were released in 2015 and came with a few notable milestones. They were the first iPhones to come with Apple’s 3D Touch tech, while they were also the last to feature headphone jacks.In addition, Apple strengthened the chassis of the devices to prevent the kind of 'bendgate' controversy that befell the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6S was last offered for sale by Apple in 2018.The 2018 Mac mini, meanwhile, was the last Mac mini to come with an Intel processor rather than an Apple silicon chip (the first of which – the M1 – debuted in 2020). And it was the first (and so far only) Mac mini to come in a space gray finish.

What does this mean for you?

The 2018 Mac Mini (above) has joined the iPhone 6S on Apple's perilous 'vintage' list

Other than taking many of us on a trip down memory lane, this news has some practical implications for those who are still running an iPhone 6S or 2018 Mac mini.Apple labels a product as “vintage” when at least five years have passed since the company last offered it for sale. Products that last went on sale seven or more years ago are designated as “obsolete.”Now that the iPhone 6S and Mac mini have been declared “vintage,” that means your repair options are more limited. You can get them fixed at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs), but only if the required parts are available. Third-party shops might be able to repair your device if Apple or its AASPs won’t.The next step – declaring a product to be “obsolete” – means that Apple Stores and AASPs generally will not repair your device, with Apple declining to provide replacement parts. In that case, you have no option but to either rely on a third-party repair shop or upgrade your device.So, if you are still using an iPhone 6S or 2018 Mac mini, you’ve still got a little longer before Apple stops offering repairs. That said, with these devices getting long in the tooth – and products like the iPhone 16 and M4 Mac mini offering far better performance – now might be a good time to look at upgrading to one of the best iPhones and best Macs you can get.

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Researchers found unsecured online database with almost eight million filesDatabase contained work authorization documents, national insurance numbers, certificates, and other sensitive dataIt belonged to software firm Logezy, which says the database is locked down now

Millions of healthcare workers in the United Kingdom have had their sensitive data leaked online, after a non-password-protected database was found unsecured on the internet.Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler found a database 1.1TB in size containing almost eight million files (7,975,438), including images and .PDF files, work authorization documents, national insurance numbers, certificates, electronic signatures, timesheets, user images, and government-issued identification documents.Furthermore, the archive contained 656 directory entries indicating different companies, the majority of which were healthcare providers, recruiting agencies, and temporary employment services.

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Identity theft and other risks

Fowler determined the database belonged to Logezy, an employee management and tracking software company based in the UK.He notified Logezy of his findings, and the company locked the database down “shortly after”.To hunt for unprotected databases, researchers would use a specialized search engine, such as Shodan, and analyze the results.So far, Fowler has found dozens of similar instances, including ClickBalance (more than 750 million records), DM Clinical Research (over a million clinical records), or ServiceBridge (31 million).Without a detailed forensic analysis, it is impossible to know if a threat actor already accessed the database and exfiltrated the information found there.It is also impossible to know for how long the archive remained unlocked, and if Logezy managed it, or a third party on its behalf.These instances are considered a low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals. Stealing this information does not require phishing, social engineering, hunting for zero-day vulnerabilities, or exploiting unpatched endpoints.Yet, the data inside is valuable since it’s usually up-to-date and can be used in all sorts of fraud, including wire fraud, payment scams, identity theft, and more.If you have used Logezy in the past, it would be wise to keep a closer eye on your accounts and credit reports for potentially suspicious activity.

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Money no objectWe love to give practical buying advice on the latest gadgets here at TechRadar. But sometimes what we love even more is to indulge in the most outrageously high-end, cutting-edge, luxurious tech on the planet. That's what we bring you in these Money No Object columns – you can read the whole series here.

The best stereo speakers sound fantastic but often underwhelm in the visual department; I know that I'd be hard-pushed to pick my bookshelf speakers out of a line-up, and I'm a working musician. So it's always a joy to see speakers that look as good as they're intended to sound – like the new Stratton Acoustics Element 6 and Element 8 speakers here.These are not budget buys, with price tags of £15,000 / $20,000 (about AU$31,385) for the Element 6, £20,000 / $25,000 (about AU$41,850) for the Element 8 and £3,500 / $5,000 (about AU$7,323) for the stands. But just look at them. If I had the wealth to buy these for my mansion, I absolutely would. If I had a mansion.

(Image credit: Stratton Acoustics)

Stratton Acoustics Element 6 and Element 8: not just a feast for the eyes

The star here, other than those enclosures, is Stratton's own, patented decoupled and waveguide loaded 29mm soft dome tweeter. That's paired with a six-inch mid/low driver in the Element 6 and an eight-inch unit in the Element 8, making the Element 6 more suited to smaller spaces or near-field listening positions.The enclosures have dual-resistive port vents to reduce unwanted resonance from the bass reflex port, and they're made with acrylic-silica reinforced polymer matrices – again with claimed resonance-reducing powers – and aerospace-grade aluminum baffles.According to Stratton, the combination of enclosures and baffles "ensures clean, transparent sound with a durable, luxurious finish that will last for decades to come."As for the stands, they're precision-machined from aerospace-grade aluminum too. And Stratton is making big claims for their design: "Their sculptural form mirrors the jewel-like detailing of the front and rear baffles of the speakers, with a flawless finish that plays with light and reflection to striking effect, elevating the entire system to the level of modern art."Stratton says that these speakers "offer a visually arresting presence, premium materials, class-leading electro-acoustic design, and engineering, delivering a luxurious experience for both the eyes and ears." I'm sure they do, although sadly I think it'll be a long, long time before I can afford a pair.The new Stratton Acoustics Element 6 and Element 8 are available now.

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xAI has launched a new interface for its Grok chatbot that could be compared to ChatGPT's Canvas. The Elon Musk-helmed AI company has introduced the first version of Studio, which can generate documents, code and even browser games on a separate window. If you ask Grok to write an essay for you, for instance, you'll find text formatting buttons (Bold, Italics and Underline) at the top of the interface. You'll also find a a drop-down menu with header options and buttons to create bullet and numbered lists.

If you ask Grok to write code for you, you'll immediately see how it runs on a preview tab that you can switch to on the upper part of the interface. In addition to being able to preview HTML, the chatbot can also run and preview Python, C++, Javascript, Typescript and bash scripts. In addition, the company has added Google Drive support for Grok, which now works with documents, spreadsheets and slides. You can upload a spreadsheet and ask it to use information from the file to prepare a report for you, complete with charts and illustrations, open an essay you want to edit, or slides you'd like to jazz up. Grok Studio is available for all premium and free users. You don't have to type in a prompt or click anything to activate it, but you'll have to sign up for an account and sign in before you can access its features.

Code ExecutionIf you ask Grok to generate code, you can quickly see how it runs in a “preview” tab. You can preview HTML snippets, run Python, C++, Javascript, Typescript and bash scripts. pic.twitter.com/HqVMROSl9N— Grok (@grok) April 16, 2025

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/xais-grok-launches-studio-interface-for-documents-and-code-123016714.html?src=rss

Dune Awakening is an upcoming survival MMO from the creators of Conan: Exiles. It aims to adapt the books and films, giving players the challenge of surviving on Arrakis, the most dangerous planet in the Universe.In Dune Awakening, you'll awaken as The Sleeper, before you are cast out into the desert with little more than a knife to your name. From there you can gather, craft, and build up your own Guild, fending off giant sandworms and other players as you try to control the flow of Spice on the planet's surface. It's certainly shaping up to be one of the most exciting upcoming games on the horizon, and may well end up making a charge on the internet's best MMO games lists when it releases later this year.Here's what we know about Dune Awakening so far, including a look at the story and setting, gameplay, latest trailers, news, and everything else we know right now. As more details are revealed, this page will be updated.

Dune Awakening - cut to the chase

What is it? An MMO set in the world of DuneWhen can I play it? June 10, 2025 (Steam) What can I play it on? PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S Who makes it? Funcom

Dune Awakening release date and platforms

(Image credit: Funcom)

Dune Awakening launches June 10, 2025 for PC (Steam). It's also planned to come to PlayStation 5 as well as Xbox Series X|S, but the date for consoles has yet to be revealed.Recently, developer Funcom released a short video over on Steam, detailing how it intends to handle the launch of the game, and its monetization moving forward.Joel Bylos, Dune: Awakening Creative Director, outlined the plans, stating: "The key things that you need to know about Dune: Awakening's launch are that it will not launch in early access and it will not have a monthly subscription. It will receive regular free updates, including new content, new features, and quality-of-life improvements."Here are the highlights from the rest of the video:

It will not be in Early Access, this is the full launchIt will not have a subscriptionThe game will continue to be expanded through free updates, bringing new content, features, and enhancementsThere will be optional paid DLCs

Dune Awakening trailers

The latest trailer for Dune Awakening provides a deeper look at open-world exploration on the planet Arrakis. You can view it below:

A trailer for Dune Awakening was released on Thursday, February 20, 2025. It reveals the game's PC release date, and shows off the latest gameplay. Check it out below:

Another trailer Dune Awakening was aired during Gamescom 2024. It's a massive gameplay deep dive, check it out below:

Another trailer for Dune Awakening was revealed on June 8, 2024, alongside a new developer direct presentation. Check out the latest story trailer below:

We've included some more Dune Awakening trailers throughout this article, but if you're hungry for more you should visit Funcom's official YouTube channel. The most interesting to look out for are the Shigawire Reels, a series of short videos explaining different aspects of the lore.

Dune Awakening story and setting

Dune Awakening is an MMO set in the world of Frank Herbert's Dune series. It takes place on the desert planet of Arrakis, where a royal family called House Atreides has settled to take control. After a swift betrayal, the political landscape of Arrakis is sent into chaos, with multiple factions warring over the control of the planet's primary resource, the Spice. Spice grants extrasensory abilities in the world of Dune, allowing pilots to navigate long-term space expeditions and more. It's only found on Arrakis, so has been the source of conflict for millennia.You play as The Sleeper awakened and forced out into the brutal desert environment. As you progress, you'll set up your own House Minor, and can then align with one of the major powers fighting for control of the region. It's been revealed that you'll meet characters from the books and films during Dune Awakening's story, though for now, we don't know the specifics.

Dune Awakening gameplay

(Image credit: Funcom)

We've now seen a fair bit of Dune Awakening gameplay, thanks to the recent Dune Awakening: Direct event (links to YouTube).When you start Dune Awakening, you are cast into the desert, with nothing but a scrap knife at your disposal. Enemy camps can be looted to slowly gather materials to help you survive, as you build up an assortment of tech, weaponry, and survival gear. Arrakis is described as 'the most dangerous planet in the Universe', and it's clear that Dune Awakening aims to focus on survival mechanics to emphasize this.Water is more valuable than gold on Arrakis, and you'll constantly need to make sure you have enough not only to survive but to thrive as well. Once you start building up your Guild, you will need water for industrial purposes, all with the ultimate goal of capturing and controlling pockets of Spice.Environmental hazards are plentiful in Dune Awakening, with huge sandstorms constantly raging on the surface of the planet. These are best avoided at first, but once you have a fleet of vehicles and more resources, you can use the storms to your advantage. Ground vehicles include sandbikes and tanks, and then there are aerial vehicles as well. Ornithopters can be used to traverse great distances and to avoid the giant sandworms that can ambush you on the ground.Combat is referred to as 'Combines Arms', and consists of melee (swords and knives), ranged (guns), vehicular (ground and air vehicles), and abilities (sorcery). These are all used in tandem, and the player can decide what to focus on. Dune Awakening is primarily a PvE game, with multiple players on the same server co-existing and looting separately. There's also a PvP aspect, in that players can attack each other and fight over resources like Spice.

Dune Awakening latest news

Dune Awakening delayed to June 10After feedback from recent beta testers, Funcom has made the decision to delay Dune Awakening to June 10. You can read the full details in this Tweet.You can now use the Dune Awakening Benchmarking Tool on PCAhead of Dune Awakening's PC launch, Funcom has now released the official Benchmark Mode, which will allow Steam users to test their hardware performance and system compatibility.Here's Dune Awakening running with NVIDIA DLSS 4A new trailer for Dune Awakening was revealed at CES 2024. It shows the game running in 4K on an RTX 5090, and compares versions with and without NVIDIA DLSS 4.New Dune Awakening Direct details PvP and moreThe latest Dune Awakening Direct aired on June 20, 2024. It detailed PvP, safe zones and the game's alternate history timeline. You can watch it here.The first Dune Awakening: Direct shows off the game's approach to worldbuildingFuncom has released the very first Dune Awakening: Direct, which shows off new gameplay, and a look at how the games have adapted stories from Frank Herbert's novels. Check out the worldbuilding showcase here (links to YouTube).

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