Microsoft increases Xbox prices again in the U.S.
Microsoft has increased the prices of the Xbox consoles in the U.S., again. The basic Xbox Series S 512GB version now costs $399, which is $100 more expensive than its launch price 5 years ago. The Xbox Series X costs $649, up by $150 from its launch price of $499.99. Microsoft blamed changes in the macroeconomic environment for increasing the prices of its consoles. The price change only affects the consoles, there is no price increase for the controllers or other accessories.
Xbox fans have criticized Microsoft for increasing the prices astronomically, which could potentially place it out of most people’s budgets. Some stores in the U.S. have reportedly stopped stocking Xbox consoles due to the high prices and low demand from buyers, thanks to the second price hike within 5 months.
ROG Xbox Ally price starts at $599
The ROG Xbox Ally is finally available for pre-order. Microsoft and ASUS had announced the consoles in June 2025, and fans were eagerly anticipating the release of the handhelds after reviewers were impressed by the performance of the Xbox full-screen experience, which run without loading the desktop and Explorer, to allow more memory for games.
However, the prices of the handheld seem far from impressive. The ROG Xbox Ally prices start at $599.99, while the ROG Xbox Ally X price starts at $999.99. In comparison, the Nintendo Switch 2 costs $450. Microsoft says that the ROG Xbox Ally is available for pre-order in 38 Countries now, with more to follow next month. The console will start shipping on October 16th.
Forza Horizon 6 is coming to PC and Xbox in 2026
Staying with Xbox related news, Microsoft has officially announced Forza Horizon 6. The game is set in Japan, which was widely requested by fans of the franchise. Forza Horizon 6 will include the Horizon Festival, in which players will participate across various races. The game is being developed by Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios. Forza Horizon 6 has seasons just like the previous 2 games in the franchise.
The game is releasing for Xbox and PC in 2026, but no gameplay was shown. Microsoft says Forza Horizon 6 will be available for the Sony PlayStation 5 after its PC and Xbox debut.
Windows 11 will soon let you use a video wallpaper
Microsoft is testing a video wallpaper feature for Windows 11. This isn’t particularly a new feature for Windows, a live wallpaper was available in Windows Vista, it was called DreamScene. Microsoft’s latest implementation of will allow users to set any video as their desktop background from the Personalization settings.
Reports say that it will support the following video formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, or MKV. Interestingly, video wallpapers will only work on the desktop, and not on the lock screen. The feature is currently being tested in the Windows Insider Program.
Apple wants the Digital Markets Act to be scrapped
Apple has published its views on the Digital Markets Act. The Cupertino company is unhappy with the European Union’s law, and claims that it affects users negatively. Apple says the DMA causes unnecessary delays for features to be made available for users in Europe, and also burdens its engineers with additional work to comply with the regulations. It highlighted various examples including iPhone Mirroring, Live Translation for Air Pods, among those that are unavailable for users in the European Economic Area due to complicated rules.
The company argues that allowing third-party app stores was a mistake, which has given rise to gambling apps, pornography apps, which poses risks for children, while malicious apps could compromise the security of iPhones. It claimed that the DMA is causing unfair competition. Apple says the EU must scrap the Digital Markets Act to allow technological innovation to thrive.
Google appeals to US Supreme Court to delay Play Store policy changes
Apple wasn’t the only one unhappy with the law. Google has approached the United States Supreme Court to delay an injunction issued by a lower court in its antitrust case against Epic Games. The Mountain View company had lost its appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals last month, which meant it had to open the Play Store to third-party payment methods, and also allow third-party app marketplaces to be distributed on the Play Store.
Google claimed that the Android’s ecosystem will suffer irreparable harm if the policy changes were not delayed. Epic Games criticized the company for trying to stick to flawed security claims that have already been rejected by a jury and a court. Google is set to virtually kill sideloading on Android, by requiring devs who distributed their apps on third-party app stores to verify their identity.
Microsoft makes Windows 10 updates free for users in Europe
Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. The Redmond company has given users three options to get Extended Security Updates, they can buy an extension for a year, use 1000 points from Microsoft Rewards points, or turn on Windows Backup on their PCs to continue to receive security updates. But now, Microsoft has confirmed that this does not apply to users in the European Economic Area, they will get security updates for free.
It wasn’t a change of heart that led to this unusual decision. An organization called the Euroconsumers Group had challenged Microsoft for linking access to essential security updates to engagement with Microsoft’s own services. Euroconsumers had also pointed out that older versions of Windows had been supported for longer, and were only discontinued when their user base shrank. It said that Windows 10 runs on about 22% of laptops and desktop computers, which are fully functional, but do not meet the requirements to be upgraded to Windows 11.
Microsoft backed out of its plans and submitted to the demand of the organization. But there is a catch, users will still need to use a Microsoft account to continue receiving the updates on their Windows 10 machines.
While the change benefits users in Europe, there are millions of computers worldwide which cannot be upgraded to Windows 11, and won’t get security updates without using one of the 3 options. Will Microsoft extend the same courtesy globally?