Category: 4. Technology

Samsung may now be a major player in the Wear OS smartwatch market, but it once ignored Google’s platform entirely. Early Galaxy Watches ran exclusively on Samsung’s own Tizen OS. After several generations on Wear OS and with Tizen devices aging out, Samsung is officially retiring Tizen starting next month.

Early last year, Samsung laid out its plan to retire Tizen OS, the software that debuted with the first Galaxy Watch back in 2018. The phase-out kicked off on September 30, 2024, when paid watch content vanished from the Galaxy Store, followed by the removal of free downloads on March 31, 2025.

Samsung’s Tizen shutdown wraps up on September 30, 2025. After that date, Galaxy Store downloads for Tizen watches, whether paid or free, will no longer be available (via SamMobile). Anything you’ve already bought will still show up under Galaxy Store → Menu → My Apps, but once you delete it, it’s permanently gone, with no way to re-download it after the cutoff.

Older Galaxy Watch models lose all service support

Samsung is also shutting down all remaining services tied to Tizen OS smartwatches, affecting every model released before the Galaxy Watch 4. That includes the original Galaxy Gear, Gear 2, Gear Live, Gear S lineup, Gear Sport, and the Galaxy Watch series up through the Watch 3. None of these devices will get further updates or support for their connected services.

Of course, your Tizen watch won’t stop working after September 30, 2025, but without store access or service support, it’ll lose a lot of its smartwatch features and feel more limited.

It’s never ideal when a device you still use stops getting support, but keep in mind the last Tizen watch, the Galaxy Watch 3, came out in 2020. If you’re still wearing one, an upgrade is probably overdue.

Samsung’s move looks like a push to get users onto its newer Wear OS lineup, especially with the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic now on store shelves.

Wine has released version 10.14 of its popular compatibility layer which makes it easy to run Windows applications on Linux. The update includes an upgraded vkd3d library, now at version 1.17, an updated Mono engine at version 10.2.0, IPv6 ping support, Gitlab CI running on Debian Trixie, and a set of bug fixes.

Wine takes its name from the recursive acronym “Wine Is Not an Emulator,” because although it may seem like it emulates Windows, it actually translates Windows system calls directly into Linux ones. This allows many Windows apps, including games and productivity software, to run almost as smoothly on a Linux OS as they would on Microsoft’s own operating system.

SEE ALSO: This updated Windows 11 clone is Linux underneath and makes your old PC run faster — get it now

The bundled vkd3d library upgrade is among the biggest of changes in this new release. vkd3d is the Direct3D to Vulkan translation library that plays a key role in making modern Windows graphics workloads run on Linux.

With the jump to version 1.17, it brings initial High-Level Shading Language support for thread group shared memory, experimental features for the Metal Shading Language target, and a range of bug fixes.

These additions should improve compatibility for apps and games that depend on more advanced graphics functions.

Wine fixes

The 10.14 release also resolves a range of issues, including crashes in VemsTune, ShowStopper, and Roblox Studio, missing or broken graphics in Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst and Death to Spies, installer failures in Trae and Fritz Chess Coach, as well as fixes for long path handling, gameinput.dll support, and improved stability for multiple Windows games.

Wine 10.14 arrives not long after version 10.13, which was released earlier in the month. That update added a Windows.Gaming.Input configuration tab in the Joystick Control Panel, expanded cryptographic algorithm support with ECDSA_P521 and ECDH_P521 in BCrypt, generated OpenGL WoW64 thunks, and broadened Windows Runtime metadata support in WIDL.

Both updates continue the steady stream of regular refinements that Wine is known.

For Linux users, Wine represents an important bridge. It can make older or Windows-exclusive applications accessible without extra hardware or dual-booting setups. Gamers in particular benefit from the ongoing work on vkd3d, since translation of Direct3D calls into Vulkan often determines how well Windows games perform.

Developers and businesses, on the other hand, often rely on Wine to keep legacy software running smoothly in mixed environments.

Wine 10.14 is available to download now at WineHQ.

What do you think about Wine’s latest update? Let us know in the comments.

On Windows 11, Microsoft makes monthly System updates mandatory to patch security vulnerabilities, improve system performance, and deliver new features. However, it’s not uncommon for updates to also cause unwanted problems.

For instance, when the company made available the August 2025 Security Update (KB5063878), soon after the release, a significant number of users began reporting storage issues on Windows 11 version 24H2. In this particular case, users explained that writing a large amount of data would cause a Solid State Drive (SSD) or Hard Disk Drive (HDD) to disappear.

Call of Duty HQ, which serves as the launcher for the latest entries in the franchise, is known for its abysmally large file size. Regardless of the platform, the launcher can easily hog upwards of 100 GB in disk space even if you only have Warzone installed. To everyone’s surprise, Activision are all set to decrease that figure dramatically via a mysterious update.

Call of Duty’s unified launcher went live back in 2022 with the release of Modern Warfare II. It has since been the centralized hub for the franchise, being the access point for Modern Warfare (2019), Vanguard (2021), and 2024’s Black Ops 6, to name a few. CoD HQ by itself can be a real burden on hard drives, and once you stack on top the hefty sizes of individual games, the total disk consumption can easily amount to 150 GB.

Fans have been demanding a decrease in that figure for ages, with little to no avail. But based on details surrounding an upcoming PS5 update, it looks like Activision have finally learned the art of file compression.

Call of Duty HQ Slashes File Size, Bringing it Closer to Battlefield 6

As revealed by the ‘PlayStation Game Size’ account on X, the 01.080.000 update for the Call of Duty launcher will bring the game’s PS5 file size down to just 25.377 GB. The previous figure sat at 126.224 GB, marking a 100+ GB reduction, which is baffling, to say the least. Its last-gen version will also see a decrease, going from 81 GB to 62 GB on the PS4. How the game will weigh on Xbox machines is unconfirmed as of now, but there should be significant changes on Microsoft’s platform as well.

So what has brought about this change? Well, it’s impossible to say for sure. Just yesterday, widespread outages were reported across nearly every active Call of Duty title, causing plenty of confusion within the community. These issues have now been fixed, but perhaps the games were brought offline to implement this change? This is purely speculative, of course.

Another theory gaining traction online has to do with Battlefield 6. The upcoming title is confirmed to have a file size of around 60 GB, which is drastically better than Call of Duty HQ’s pre-update size. According to fans, this discrepancy is yet another feather in Battlefield’s hat, and could potentially divert players to EA’s shooter. So, in response, Activision have implemented a long overdue size reduction, and made things much more reasonable. Again, this is purely speculative as well.

With all that being said? Are you happy to finally see its file size go down? Be sure to let us know in the comments.

Aryan Singh

A massive gaming nerd who’s been writing stuff on the internet since 2021, Aryan covers single-player games, RPGs, and live-service titles such as Marvel Rivals and Call of Duty: Warzone. When he isn’t clacking away at his keyboard, you’ll find him firing up another playthrough of Fallout: New Vegas.

As August comes to an end, it’s that time again to take a closer look at the new features and changes that Microsoft has made available for Windows 11 during the second half of the month through the various channels of the Windows Insider Program.

Since my last compilation of improvements, the software giant has released at least nine new preview builds in the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels with changes that are not tied to any specific release of the operating system, and some others for version 25H2 and 24H2.

I recently moved to a new apartment, and unfortunately, the television didn’t make the cut during the amicable roommate split. While my studio isn’t as cramped as my previous living situations, fitting a bulky TV into the living area still felt impractical to me. 

In my search for a suitable alternative, a startup called Lumi Labs reached out about testing its new portable projector, the Lumi Max. From the moment I unboxed it, I was impressed by how far projectors have come since my college days, when I struggled with a dingy one passed down from a friend that projected grainy video onto my dorm wall.

One of the things I appreciate about the Lumi Max is its compact design. It stands vertically, making it perfect for small spaces; it can easily rest on a shelf or be tucked away when not in use. Weighing in at just over 4 pounds, it’s noticeably lighter than many other projectors on the market. The founders are avid camping enthusiasts, so it’s designed to fit snugly in backpacks, making it convenient to travel and set up in outdoor settings. Plus, it comes with a carrying case. 

The standout feature of the Lumi Max, which became available earlier this month, is its partnership with Google. The projector runs on Google TV by default, providing access to over 10,000 apps, more than 700,000 movies and TV shows, and over 800 free live TV channels out of the box. Setting it up is simple if you already have a Google account, and it includes a remote for easy navigation. 

Beyond the built-in Google TV, other features caught my attention, like the autofocus and obstacle avoidance features. The Lumi Max can recognize objects on the wall — such as picture frames, plants, or shelves — and automatically adjust the image placement. Since I haven’t put any art on my walls yet, I had a blank canvas to work with. However, it did alert me when my chair was in the way, allowing me to easily reposition it for the best viewing experience. 

The display size is also impressive: 40 to 120 inches, and it’s coupled with 1080p full HD resolution and 4K UHD compatibility.

Another pleasant surprise was the sound quality. The Lumi Max features two 5W speakers (delivering a total audio output of 10W), and there’s also Dolby Audio support, so you can hook it up to an external sound system for enhanced audio performance.

The price tag comes in around $400, which is quite reasonable considering the array of features it provides, especially when compared to what I would normally spend on a decent-quality television. 

Lumi Labs also sells adjustable projector stands for $30 and 100-inch projector screens for $20 on its website. The company is also set to launch a “Lumi IQ” mobile app that features an AI assistant, allowing users to control the projector with their voice. 

There’s a pleasing rhythm to cozy life sims. The virtual days pass, filled with chores of tending crops or running a business, punctuated by strange mysteries or evolving relationships. At their best, these games merge busywork with exploration and storytelling, in a way that makes them hard to step away from. Discounty, from developer Crinkle Cut Games, applies this idea to running a small-town supermarket. And while in many ways it can still be considered “cozy” like its contemporaries, it also comes with a bit of bite.

Instead of starting up your own business from scratch, Discounty has you taking over a grocery franchise from your cranky aunt in a small town that has seen better days. It’s a strange place; the most famous resident is the inventor of the keyring, and parts of the surrounding woods have been closed off for safety reasons. But it’s still friendly and comforting in the way small towns are, with a handful of residents who you’re really able to get to know over the course of the game. There’s also plenty of drama.

Actually running the store is your main job. From open to close, you are the only employee, so you have to deal with everything from managing the cash register — which involves, gasp, doing math — and keeping the shelves stocked so no one complains there’s no coffee or shampoo. But you also handle all the behind-the-scenes work: ordering new products, organizing the storage area, throwing out the trash, even negotiating with local vendors for fresh fish and produce. This part of the game is satisfying because it requires you to focus on what’s immediately in front of you (a bunch of picky customers) while also planning and strategizing for the future.

As you progress, your shop will expand both in terms of what you can sell and its physical size, which in turn makes the core gameplay loop more complex and challenging. In order to move things forward, though, you’ll have to get involved with the townsfolk. Working with local vendors usually means doing them some kind of favor, whether it’s finding some lost sheep or stocking gross Christmas-themed fish sticks. This can pull you down all kinds of narrative rabbit holes.

What’s most interesting about Discounty’s story is how it explores a number of real-world issues in its otherwise cozy and silly world. For starters, not everyone is happy about a big chain moving into town. When I finally expanded my shop’s footprint, usually a moment to celebrate in these kinds of games, everyone was mad because I did it by taking over an adjacent tea shop. The cafe had been shut down for years, but everyone still viewed it as an important part of the fabric of the community, and I was dismantling that.

Sometimes succeeding in the game isn’t actually good for the town itself. And while these threads often hide their darker edge behind humor — in order to get a construction permit, I had to help a city clerk dispose of environmental impact reports — Discounty is surprisingly sharp with its commentary, even if it never goes especially hard at any of its targets.

That mixture of satisfying gameplay and a story that’s both relatable and genuinely funny is what makes Discounty work so well. It’s not an escape to an idyllic farm or mountain getaway. It’s you doing a job that’s hard and not always pretty, while trying to make the best of things. Most of us know just what that’s like.

_{Discounty is available now on the Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.}

Fall is just around the corner, which means we’re in the midst of flagship phone season. Most recently, Google debuted its new Pixel lineup, offering multiple models where AI features take center stage. We’ve already put those devices through their paces, in addition to the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy and a Sony camera. Read on to catch up on the reviews you might’ve missed over the last few weeks.

Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL

If you’ve never really felt like your “smartphone” was all that “smart,” senior reviews writer Sam Rutherford argued that Google has finally achieved the feat. Arguably, the best aspects of the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL come down to their AI features, especially Google’s Magic Cue. “Now that we can look back at 10 generations of devices, Google’s overarching strategy is more convincing than ever,” he said. “For the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL, the company has combined iterative hardware upgrades with a solid (and attractive) design while its software and AI continues to outpace its rivals.”

Google Pixel 10

If the Pixel 10 Pro duo is finally putting the “smart” in “smartphone,” UK bureau chief Mat Smith concluded that the Pixel 10 has redefined base-level flagship phones. A more capable camera, more power and Qi2 support mean you might not be as tempted by those pricer models. “The Pixel 10 is a substantial upgrade from the Pixel 9, although given it has the Tensor G5 chip, it’s a shame that software features like Zoom Enhance from last year’s Pixels didn’t make the cut,” he said. “Unless you’re a die-hard smartphone gamer, there isn’t a more capable smartphone at this price.”

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen)

The second-generation of Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds aren’t a complete overhaul, but they didn’t necessarily need to be. The company strengthened its already outstanding active noise cancellation while enhancing call clarity and making several other adjustments. “Simply put, the QC Ultra Earbuds remain the best option for wireless noise-cancelling earbuds, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon,” I said.

Sony RX1R III

Sometimes the wait for a new model can be excruciating. That anticipation turns to disappointment when the long-awaited update doesn’t impress. That’s how senior reporter Igor Bonifacic felt when he finally got his hands on the RX1R III. “It’s missing a handful of features the company really should have included for it to hold its own against other high-end compact cameras,” he said. “I love the RX1R III, but I wish it was easier to recommend.”

If you look through the camera roll on your phone, what kind of photos do you find? I see images of my friends, my pets, the odd receipt for a work expense and snapshots of coffee — hey, I was a barista for 11 years! Not every photo is meant to rival an Ansel Adams masterpiece. (Though I’m sure if he had a smartphone, he’d also take a pic of his parking space to remember where he parked his car.)

If you want to take better photos with your phone, Google has added a new tool to the Pixel 10 cameras that could help boost your skills. Camera Coach is powered by Gemini AI and serves up step-by-step instructions for different techniques: how to improve your framing, select the right lens and even hold the phone. Gemini doesn’t alter any of the images but merely acts as a guide, making you do all the work. 

What’s great is that you learn in the process. At a time when AI is everywhere, it’s nice to see Google use Gemini as a teaching tool. 

I haven’t seen a feature like Camera Coach on any other phone. To test whether this was another AI gimmick or something I’d use more than once, I took it around the streets of San Francisco. And I came away with a lot of great images that I’d say are keepers.

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How to use Camera Coach

Camera Coach works on these phones:

• Pixel 10
• Pixel 10 Pro
• Pixel 10 Pro XL
• Pixel 10 Pro Fold

In the Camera app, frame your subject and, before you tap the shutter button, press the Camera Coach button at the top right (a camera icon with the plus sign). Next, an overlay pops up as your scene is scanned and analyzed. Gemini offers thematic suggestions specific to your composition. You choose one and then have distinct directions on what to do. Finally, you work your way through each step until you get to take the photo.

I was at a coffee shop and wanted to take a photo of an iced latte. After tapping the Camera Coach button, I got a “finding some options” message. Next, I could choose among several themes like “Iced Coffee Up Close” and “Coffee Drink and Table.” There was even a Rescan button in case I didn’t like the choices. I tapped Get Inspired, which offered artistic themes like “wooden table texture with drink” and “wide view of coffee shop interior.”

After opting for the wooden table and drink theme, I got a message that Gemini was “preparing how-to steps.” 

I did my best to follow each step. The first one asked me to switch to Portrait mode. A blue oval around the Portrait button showed me where to tap. Once I did, I pressed the arrow to see the next step. A few steps later, I was finally greeted with a “Take the photo” command. Once I was done, I tapped the X button to close Camera Coach.

The interface after taking a photo is a little convoluted. The preview of the photo you just took is on top of the viewfinder. To exit Camera Coach, there’s an X where the thumbnail for the last photo you took usually is. Since the process for using Camera Coach is considerably slow, this isn’t meant for photographing fast-moving subjects like sports.

Other than that, it’s incredibly intuitive to use. I like how each step explains the “why” behind it. If it asked me to zoom in, it also explained how it would make my subject more prominent in my photo. 

If you don’t like the themes Gemini suggests, you can always rescan your viewfinder. The Get Inspired option offers more artistic approaches, like this tight close-up image I took of someone wearing sunglasses with a sculpture reflected in the lenses.

Camera Coach results

I’m pleased with most of the photos I took under Camera Coach’s guidance. Some are slightly different approaches than I’d normally take, and others are perspectives that were new to me. In terms of identifying subjects and the scene in my viewfinder, Gemini did a decent job. Though once in a while, it would interpret things completely wrong, like when it said a basket of ginger root was a basket of peaches.

Sometimes the steps you go through to take a photo seem at odds. When I was taking a photo of a white building with palm trees, it wanted me to reframe the photo so that a parked car wasn’t in the foreground. But then the next step had me zooming out to show more of the white building, which put the car back into the shot. It felt like I was trying to make a lasagna, and the directions I was following were from two different recipes. Fortunately, this only happened some of the time.

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Things to know about Camera Coach

After using the Pixel 10 Pro’s Camera Coach for 10 days, I learned that it has some strong preferences and dislikes. 

Camera Coach hates shadows

If you have a strong shadow in your image, it will suggest that you reframe the photo to remove it. This is great for those moments where your own shadow might enter your frame on a sunny day, but it did feel aggressive on occasion. For example, in the photo below of a service truck, Camera Coach wanted me to compose my shot so that the truck’s shadow didn’t appear. But the only way to do so would have been to stand in traffic on the other side of the vehicle. No dice.

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Camera Coach doesn’t like parked cars

I live in San Francisco, and there are many cars parked on the street. More often than not, I was told to “remove the car” that was in the frame. I get it, Camera Coach wants you to block out as many distractions as possible. And most of the time, I was able to move a few feet and re-angle the phone so the car was out of the frame. But sometimes, there’s not enough sidewalk space to get into a position and change the composition.

Camera Coach isn’t fast

You should not use this to grab a photo of your kids or pets unless they’re sleeping. Camera Coach takes a couple of seconds, sometimes longer, to scan your composition and offer recommendations. Part of this seems affected by how strong your internet connection is.

After you choose the style you want from the recommendations, it can take another 5-10 seconds to complete the steps. Sometimes, it’d take me close to a minute before I got the “Take the photo” prompt. So Camera Coach isn’t designed for those times when you want to grab a quick shot with a dog hanging out the window of a passing car. 

But that slowness can be nice. It allowed me to pay attention to composition and really contemplate how I wanted to take a photo.

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Camera Coach doesn’t have access to all cameras or modes

It’s neat to see that Camera Coach can be used on all of the rear cameras and even with Pro Res Zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro/10 Pro XL. But it doesn’t work with the selfie camera.

I like that it recommends changing modes, and a handful of times it had me switch to Portrait mode, for example. But it can’t access all of them. When I was taking a shot of San Francisco’s skyline, it walked me through the steps of taking a panorama photo, but it wouldn’t let me use Panorama mode. What’s the difference? Before phones and software like Photoshop, a panorama was an image that had a wide field of view and aspect ratio. Panorama mode on the Pixel can create gorgeous panoramic images by “stitching” together a series of images and blending them together. 

When the Camera Coach wanted me to take a panorama photo, I naturally went to select that mode but was unable to. My guess is that the two interactive interfaces don’t play well together. Disregarding Camera Coach, I grabbed this photo with the phone’s Panorama mode and was elated with the results.

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Pixel 10 Camera Coach final thoughts

Google has done an incredible job making Camera Coach an easy-to-use tool. The primary audience isn’t professional photographers or hobbyists but folks who enjoy taking photos and want to learn more about technique. I can see amateurs becoming photography enthusiasts after using Camera Coach for some time.

As someone who got my first camera at age 6 and worked as a professional photographer in my adult years, I found Camera Coach to be a nice reminder of the basics. It forced me to be more thoughtful and deliberate about the images I take. 

I won’t become the next Ansel Adams with Camera Coach, but it made me appreciate his work and the techniques he used to create beautiful images before the age of AI — and always with film, large-format cameras and plenty of lenses and tripods. 

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