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Supermassive’s well-regarded interactive survival horror series, the Dark Pictures Anthology, is ready for its second season. Directive 8020 will be its first entry and was available to play in demo form at SGF 2025, even if it was heavily weighted with cutscenes and context-setting preamble.

The demo kicked off with a meeting between Young and Stafford, marking the anniversary of Young’s father's death, who was also a long-time friend of Stafford's – the commander of the space mission that Young is also bound for.

The plot then leaps four years forward, placing us aboard the spaceship Cassiopeia. Oh and it’s somehow overrun by some fungal, sentient alien goop. Worse still, but also a horror staple, the goop is coalescing into almost-perfect copies of the human crew. Trust no-one!

When the hydroponics bay is overrun by an alien substance, two crewmates Cernan and Stafford, have to fight their ET doppelgangers. Finally, I got to play (but only for a few minutes), moving stealthily around the lower deck of the hydroponics bay while my alien copy (now fungal and angry) tried to hunt me down. Fortunately, you’re equipped with a scanner to mark where the aliens were last seen, and after triggering a nearby hydroponic pod to distract, I made my way up the ladder.

This was one of three ways to play this section, handily introducing a new mechanic for The Dark Pictures’ second run: Turning Points. Using this feature, you can rewind to these decision trees, allowing you to replay sections and explore different options or alter the outcome. This is an interesting change for the series. In previous games, while you could rewind to replay entire sections in macro, there was no way to change a single micro decision.

I discussed this with my colleague Jessica Conditt, and we’re both the kind of players to continue with our terrible decisions in games like Directive 8020, the Dark Pictures Anthology, Until Dawn and the rest. Fortunately, then, Directive 8020 will include a hard-boiled Survivor Mode – with no rewinds.

The demo shifted back to a more narrative focus and cutscenes, briefly interrupted by the possibility that one crew member (specifically, the CEO funding the whole operation) might be an alien. Did I pull the trigger? Nope. I’ll have to wait til the October launch to know if that was the right decision to make.

Directive 8020 launches on 2nd October, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/directive-8020-turning-points-explained-hands-on-170049793.html?src=rss

Every year, iOS is one of the star attractions of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote. It's our first official look at new features and other changes that are coming to iPhones in the fall. The 2025 WWDC keynote was no exception, and the most immediate change is to the iOS naming system.

As was recently reported, Apple operating systems will all be named after years to keep everything aligned. So instead of iOS 19, we're jumping up to iOS 26. The same goes for iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and so on. The versions will be named for the year after major annual OS updates (so iOS 26 for the version that arrives in fall 2025 etc), but it should still help mitigate some confusion as to which is the current version.

There's a lot more to this version of iOS than a change to the numbering system, so let's dig right in.

A major redesign

Beyond the naming system, the biggest change this year is a major visual overhaul across Apple's operating systems. These responsive, translucent user interfaces are inspired by the look of visionOS, the OS that powers Apple Vision Pro.

It was reported over the weekend that Apple's new user interface design language would be built around a concept called Liquid Glass, and that turned out to be dead on. There is a larger focus on factors like light and transparency here.

App icons and buttons have new looks, while toolbars and tab bars will have a see-through appearance. Apple is also making use of pop-out menus that'll offer quick access to certain options — that reminds me a bit of the "peek and pop" 3D Touch functions Apple introduced to the iPhone a decade ago). Widgets aren't going anywhere, though they're getting a new look to match the rest of the design updates.

It's been over a decade since the last major change to the look of user interfaces on Apple devices (not counting the new UI for the Apple Vision Pro). With iOS 7, which debuted in 2013, Apple jettisoned its skeuomorphic design language for a flatter, more simplified look.

This story is developing; refresh for updates...This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-reveals-comprehensive-redesign-for-ios-26-at-wwdc-2025-171650751.html?src=rss

It's safe to say Apple Intelligence hasn't landed in the way Apple likely hoped it would. However, that's not stopping the company from continuing to iterate on its suite of AI features. During its WWDC 2025 conference on Monday, Apple announced a collection of new features for Apple Intelligence, starting with the decision to bring its foundational models to developers.

Developing...

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-opens-its-foundational-ai-models-to-developers-171133003.html?src=rss

In addition to renaming its core operating systems, today at WWDC Apple announced a major update to visual designs of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and more. Inspired by some of the fancy graphics used in the Vision Pro, this UI overhaul not only features revamped icons and emphasis on translucent elements it also looks to bring a much more unified look to Apple's flagship software platforms.

Based on a design theme called liquid glass, Apple's new visual language will bring increased consistency accross the company's OSes. In iOS, the home screen has been totally revamped with new app icons, including new all-clear options. Wallpapers have been updated to dynamically scale to better accommodate both the subject of photos and on-screen text. Many buttons also have a new floating design that makes them easier to see without becoming distractions.

This story is still developing...This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apples-new-liquid-glass-design-is-its-biggest-visual-update-in-years-172158766.html?src=rss

As part of an overhaul to its operating systems, Apple is making one of the most significant changes ever to its OS branding, the company announced at its WWDC 25 developer's conference. Starting in 2026, it will shift from the current version numbers (macOS 15, iOS 18, iPadOS 18.5, etc.) to a year-based system across its entire OS lineup. As such, the names will change to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, MacOS 26, WatchOS 26, TVOS 26 and VisionOS 26 and follow that pattern going forward. Future Mac operating systems will still retain their California nature themes like Tahoe (the next version of macOS) and the current Sequoia.

The change is understandable — keeping track of Apple's latest updates was getting to be a chore for users given the number of unique operating systems. With the addition of the Vision Pro extended reality headset, the company now counts six OS families with four unique numbering schemes.

Apple's iPhones will retain the current numbering system, however. Recall that Samsung switched to a year-based Galaxy S phone naming system in 2020 after the Galaxy S10, with the current model being the Galaxy S25. That doesn't seem to be in the cards yet for Apple.

Developing...

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/ios-26-is-official-apple-changes-from-version-numbers-to-years-for-its-os-names-172129166.html?src=rss

The WWDC 2025 keynote gave Apple device owners a peek into what they can expect their iPhones, iPads and Macs to look like later this year. The company focused on design and productivity upgrades to all of its major operating systems this time around, and of course, some new AI features as well. When the latest OSes become available to all this fall, interfaces will look noticeably different than they did before, with a refreshed design language, updated widgets, a few overhauled apps and more. Here's everything Apple announced at WWDC 2025 this year.

Apple Intelligence

Apple kicked off the keynote by talking about Apple Intelligence, reviewing features that iPhone users already have access. The biggest piece of news this time around is that all apps, including those made by third-party developers, will be able to access Apple Intelligence. That means non-native apps will able to tap into Apple Intelligence to use AI to enhance their own features.

Liquid Glass design and new software names

Apple

As was expected, Apple revealed a new visual design language coming to all of its operating systems dubbed Liquid Glass. It called this new system its "broadest" design update yet, and it features semi-transparent design features like redesigned widgets, notifications and more. Apple is billing it as more dynamic than the previous design language, and it will bring even more consistency across all operating systems including iOS, iPadOS and macOS.

In addition to the new design language, Apple is revamping the names of all of its operating systems. Instead of iOS 19, for example, we’ll have iOS 26 coming out this fall. iPadOS 26, watchOS 26 and others will follow suit, marking the first time Apple has given its software updates year identifiers instead of arbitrary generation numbers.

Developing...This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/wwdc-2025-everything-apple-announced-including-ios-26-liquid-glass-design-and-more-171718030.html?src=rss

Google's AI summaries caused confusion for many usersNew Chrome tool removes AI overviews and helps clean up search resultsUsers can bypass AI content and regain control of their search experienceGoogle recently expanded its AI Overviews to more regions and queries, but these summaries, which often appear above traditional results, can be misleading or even just plain incorrect – a seriously annoying addition for users who rely on Google Search for accurate information.Avram Piltch, editor-in-chief at Tom's Hardware, has created a new Chrome browser extension to help users take back control of their Google searches.The Bye, Bye Google AI extension removes the divisive AI Overviews from search results and offers options to clean up other cluttered parts of the search page.(Image credit: Future)Any compatible browserInstead of offering direct paths to useful links, AI Overviews often keep users on Google’s site longer. This shift has raised concerns about how it impacts web publishers, whose content is often the source of Google's answers but who may now receive less traffic.In response, Piltch built Bye, Bye Google AI during a weekend and made it available for free. The extension supports Chrome, Edge, and any browser compatible with Chrome extensions.It allows users to not only hide AI Overviews, but also sections like videos, text ads, and “People Also Ask.” It supports 19 languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic.Users who want to bypass AI entirely without an extension can add “&udm=14” to search URLs to access the cleaner “web” tab.On desktop, this can be set as a default search method through Chrome’s settings. For mobile users, a site called tenbluelinks.org helps configure a custom search engine that skips AI elements, although this method doesn't work in Safari.While Google continues to push AI content into its results, tools like Bye, Bye Google AI show that there’s still room for users to shape how they search and explore the web.You might also likeGoogle search engine monopoly could expand using AI, DOJ warnsGoogle says the UK needs to do more to adopt AI, then it can reap the benefitsRussia's largest tech company just released a free AI tool

Apple is rolling out a new, dedicated gaming app, called Games, that will come pre-installed on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV devices. It's basically a spit-shined, updated version of Game Center, a service that Apple has let languish since its rollout roughly 15 years ago. The new app will behave more like a modern gaming hub, a la Xbox or GOG Galaxy. It'll include a space for leaderboards, matchmaking, recommendations and launching games — plus a direct pipeline to Apple Arcade, of course. You can see what your friends are playing and challenge them to specific feats in certain games.

Apple's gaming push in recent years includes mobile and Mac support for AAA experiences like Resident Evil Village, the Resident Evil 2 and 4 remakes, Death Stranding and Assassin's Creed Mirage. At Summer Game Fest 2025 over the weekend, IO Interactive announced that its Hitman trilogy, Hitman World of Assassination, is heading to iPhone, iPad and Mac this summer.

Also on the video game front, Apple is still battling Epic Games in court over claims of anti-competitive behavior, but they're mainly just closing out appeals now that Fortnite is live on the App Store and third-party payments are enabled on Apple's storefront. Xbox recently threw its support behind Epic Games, filing an amicus brief accusing Apple of unfairly blocking the Xbox mobile store in late May.

Also also in game land, last month Apple acquired its first video game studio, the two-person team RAC7, which makes Sneaky Sasquatch.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-unveils-a-dedicated-games-app-at-wwdc-2025-174028901.html?src=rss

Apple had a lot to say about iOS 26 at WWDC 2025. Translation will be a hallmark of the new Apple Intelligence features coming to the iPhone operating system next year. During this year's annual showcase at Cupertino, the team revealed that it is adding live translation of calls and texts, with integration into the Messages, Phone and FaceTime apps.

The translations are spoken aloud and also appear written out in the original language. Leslie Ikemoto noted that live translations will also be available even when communicating with a non-Apple smartphone.

Apple added some translation features to Siri all the way back in iOS 11, then launched its own dedicated Translate app as part of iOS 14. Those capabilities will now be more thoroughly baked into the iPhones' operating system as part of the Apple Intelligence suite.

This story is developing, please refresh for updates.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-introduces-ai-powered-live-translation-tools-at-wwdc-2025-173605234.html?src=rss