Category: 4. Technology

  • New World Drops Second Anniversary Eve Update

    New World Drops Second Anniversary Eve Update

    Posted in: Games, Mobile Games, Netmarble | Tagged: Tower Of God: New World


    Tower of God: New World has a new update available as players can get in on some events leading up to its Second Anniversary



    Article Summary

    • The 2nd Anniversary Eve update for Tower of God: New World is now live with special in-game events.
    • Two new characters join the roster: SSR+ [Fairy Sword] Sharon and XSR+ [Regular] Khun Mascheny.
    • Participate in the Nonstop Revolution Draw and a rerun of the Heart-Hunting Vacation story event.
    • Earn generous rewards from limited-time content like Tower Fun Run, Lucky Wheel, and Event Boss Battle.

    Netmarble dropped a new update for Tower of God: New World this week, in which they celebrate 2nd Anniversary Eve. Yes, in true mobile game fashion, we can’t just wait to celebrate a proper anniversary event, we have to throw an event for the event to come, and we’re sure there will be an event celebrating how we celebrated the event after that one.  We have more details below as you’ll get two new characters added to the mix and the usual pairing of events, as this will run for the next few weeks.

    Tower of God: New World Drops Second Anniversary Eve Update
    Credit: Netmarble

    Tower of God: New World – 2nd Anniversary Eve

    Two new Teammates have been introduced as part of the update. SSR+ [Fairy Sword] Sharon (Yellow Element, Warrior, Fisherman) is a High Ranker from the Ari Family and the 1st Division Commander of Zahard’s 4th Army, known for her exceptional Needle combat skills and mastery of Shinsu control. Sharon excels at both protecting her allies and maximizing damage output. XSR+ [Regular] Khun Mascheny (Purple Element, Ranged, Spear Bearer), an IF (imaginary) version of Khun Mascheny, is based on the character during her time climbing the Tower as a Regular.  Tower of God: New World celebrates its 2nd Anniversary Eve with limited-time events, offering players the chance to earn generous rewards:

    • [2nd Anniversary] Nonstop Revolution Draw (July 2 – August 13): Players can earn currency by participating in various in-game events. This can be used for the Nonstop Draw to obtain Revolution resources.
    • [Rerun Story Event] Heart-Hunting Vacation (July 2- July 16): Experience the rerun of the story event ‘Heart-Hunting Vacation’ where players can discover the story of Yihwa Yeon and Endorsi while clearing event missions.

    Additional events and content, including Tower Fun Run, Lucky Wheel, Event Boss Battle, and Memorial Pocket are available through August 13 that provide players the opportunity to obtain various in-game rewards.


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  • Xbox Game Pass Is Damaging The Industry, According To Devs

    Xbox Game Pass Is Damaging The Industry, According To Devs

    At a time when almost every major company in the entertainment industry has its own subscription-based service, Microsoft has been particularly passionate about its own offerings. Over the past few years, Xbox has gone all in on Game Pass, being the only major gaming company to put its first-party releases on a subscription service from launch day at no extra cost. A risky strategy, but one that Xbox has stood by through thick and thin.

    However, it looks like third-party developers aren’t as enthusiastic about this business model. In the wake of Xbox’s latest round of devastating lay-offs, two industry figures have shared their opinion that Game Pass has had a detrimental effect on the industry and has a negative impact on game sales.

    Arkane Founder And Larian Publishing Head Hit Back At Xbox Game Pass

    This was kicked off by Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios, and current president of WolfEye Studios. Amidst the discussion about Xbox’s layoffs, Colantonio shared his thoughts on the matter, “Why is no-one talking about the elephant in the room? Cough cough (Gamepass)”

    In the replies, Colantonio is dismissive of the idea that AI is solely to blame, and expands on his concerns with Game Pass.

    “I think Gamepass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade,” Colantonio writes. “I don’t think GP can co-exist with other models, they’ll either kill everyone else, or give up.” In another response, he says that Xbox’s actions are “throwing a tsunami at the entire ecosystem of the industry.”

    Michael Douse, head of publishing at Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian, agrees with this sentiment. “‘What happens when all that money runs out?’ is the most vocal concern in my network, and one of the main economic reasons people I know haven’t shifted to its business model,” he says.

    Both also push back against Xbox’s insistence that putting a game on Game Pass won’t cannibalise its sales. Douse does say that there is some value in smaller games going on the platform, but otherwise, neither seem keen on the idea of putting their releases on Game Pass. Instead, they argue that the service ought to host Xbox’s back catalogue, similar to what we see with PlayStation Plus.

    Back in 2023, leaked memos gave us an idea of how much publishers are offered to have their titles put on Game Pass. In the memos, we saw that Xbox was willing to offer Larian just $5 million to get Baldur’s Gate 3 on the service, compared to $250 million for Mortal Kombat 1, and $300 million for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Xbox would likely offer Larian much more now, following Baldur’s Gate 3’s success, but the studio has already made it clear that it isn’t interested.

    Meanwhile, Xbox faces criticism throughout the gaming industry. This is in response to the layoffs, which saw around 9,000 employees laid off, and multiple games cancelled. This includes the Perfect Dark reboot, an unannounced game from Romero Studios, and an MMO from Zenimax Online.

    Number of Devices Concurrently

    Five, with Friends & Family (in limited countries)

    Number of Accounts

    1 Primary Account Holder


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  • 4 reasons I use NixOS in WSL instead of Ubuntu or Fedora

    4 reasons I use NixOS in WSL instead of Ubuntu or Fedora

    When it comes to WSL, most go for Ubuntu or Fedora and there’s a good reason for it. The learning curve is close to zero, whether you’re familiar with Linux or not. Plus there’s enough documentation and community support available to get you out of any mess. But I personally like to experiment with different Linux distros so I also tried NixOS in WSL. If you care more about a reproducible, declarative workspace than about sticking with a familiar apt or dnf workflow, I’d suggest you try it too.

    NixOS turns WSL into an environment you can rebuild, clone, and roll back with a single command, yet it still gives you the same GUI, GPU, and USB features that Ubuntu and Fedora get under modern WSL.

    Related

    How I used NixOS to make my home lab truly immutable

    Safety and security are NixOS’s calling cards

    4

    Declarative approach

    Plus cross-platform parity

    Everything about a NixOS installation is declared inside a single text file, usually configuration.nix (or a flake.nix that imports it). When you run nixos-rebuild switch, the operating system is built directly from that file’s contents. No part of the system is hidden in interactive history or half-remembered package commands.

    There are a lot of advantages to this approach. One is reproducibility. You can reinstall it on another PC or in CI and you get a byte-identical setup. Git history shows when a package was added, who added it, and why. And if you lose the VM image, you can keep the repo, recreate the system with one command and minutes of download time. The same flake can target WSL, a bare-metal server, a cloud VM or macOS via nix-darwin.

    Perhaps the most persuasive reason for me is how NixOS in WSL helps unify development environments across all platforms. You can run NixOS on a headless Linux server for deployments, and also use Nix through Home Manager and nix-darwin on a Mac. By using NixOS in WSL on your Windows machine, your Windows dev setup, Linux servers, and macOS laptop can all stay in sync with the exact same versions of software.

    3

    Atomic updates

    Go back if something is messed up

    Screenshot showing nixos console

    The upgrade process in NixOS makes life much easier. When you tweak your config and run nixos-rebuild switch, Nix builds the new system state in the background. It only switches over once everything is ready, so there are no partial updates that leave your setup in a broken state. If an upgrade introduces a bug, like a driver failure, you can simply reboot into a previous generation to fix it.

    Even in WSL, NixOS keeps a full history of your system states. Each rebuild is versioned, letting you roll back easily without debugging or reinstalling anything. This is something you don’t get natively with apt or dnf inside typical WSL distros.

    2

    Per-project dev shells with nix develop

    No containers needed

    Another killer feature is how NixOS and the Nix toolchain handle development environments. If you often work on multiple projects with conflicting dependencies, such as different Node versions or Python libraries, you don’t need to juggle Docker containers or clutter your base system. Instead, you can use Nix’s per-project development shells.

    The Nix shell tooling lets you spawn an environment with exactly the tools required for that project. Nothing persists once you exit. This is a major shift from how things usually work on Ubuntu or Fedora, where I would typically install and uninstall packages, or rely on tools like virtualenv and nvm to simulate isolation.

    1

    WSL integration is smooth

    You have everything you need

    Using the nixpkgs repository on NixOS

    There’s no point in using Linux on WSL if it doesn’t integrate well with Windows. NixOS in WSL works well with all the key features of WSL2. The latest NixOS-WSL release even includes native support for WSL’s built-in systemd, which means I can run background Linux services in WSL without any hacks.

    Previously, the lack of PID 1 and systemd in WSL was a major limitation. But now, my NixOS WSL instance boots with systemd just like a regular Linux system. This enables features like timers, socket-activated services, and more, all of which are now supported by Ubuntu and Fedora on WSL as well.

    Hardware and UI integration is equally seamless. If you need GPU acceleration for Linux apps, NixOS WSL includes an option to use the Windows host’s OpenGL graphics driver, allowing Linux GUI apps to take advantage of the GPU.

    Also, if you want to access your NixOS files via a Windows application, simply point to the file path of:

    \wsl.localhostNixOS

    For example, I might want to use VS Code on the Windows side of my system. To point to the code living on my NixOS side, I’d point VS Code to:

    \wsl.localhostNixOShomeanuragGitmy-repo-name

    NixOS is fun to use

    NixOS is an exciting Linux distro that finally convinced me to give up on Windows. I dual-booted it alongside Windows for the longest time, but I recently started using it as my primary OS. It’s packed with features that are genuinely useful, and it’s one of the few operating systems that can help make your home lab truly immutable. While you’re exploring options, check out these four Linux distros you should consider using instead of upgrading to Windows 11.

    Related

    5 reasons I can’t go back to Windows after trying Linux

    As weird as it may sound, Linux has more game-changing QoL features than Windows

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  • AOOSTAR preps its new NEX395 Mini-PC powered by AMD's new Ryzen AI Max+ 395 'Strix Halo' APU – TweakTown

    1. AOOSTAR preps its new NEX395 Mini-PC powered by AMD’s new Ryzen AI Max+ 395 ‘Strix Halo’ APU  TweakTown
    2. China’s Abee launches high-powered mini PC with built-in AI engine  The Express Tribune
    3. Custom 7.5L fanless case built for AMD Strix Halo MAX+ 395 Framework system  VideoCardz.com
    4. Lilbits: Could AMD’s Strix Halo chips be used in handhelds and fanless desktops?  Liliputing
    5. The specs for a GPD handheld have leaked  Instant Gaming News

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  • Here’s How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

    Here’s How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

    Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year.

    As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:

    • iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display
    • iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch display

    Given the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and longer battery life. Nothing new.

    It has been rumored that the Pro Max model will go one step further this year, though.

    In March, it was rumored that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be approximately 5% thicker than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, likely in order to accommodate a larger battery. This would result in the iPhone 17 Pro Max having even longer battery life compared to the iPhone 17 Pro, which is not expected to be any thicker than the iPhone 16 Pro.

    It was recently rumored that the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s battery capacity will reach the 5,000 mAh mark, up from 4,676 mAh for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

    The thickness rumor originated from Ice Universe, an account with more than 1.5 million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The account has previously shared accurate information about future Apple products.

    In some years, the Pro Max gets some camera features before the Pro, but that is not expected to be the case this year. Both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are rumored to be equipped with a trio of 48-megapixel rear cameras, along with an upgraded 24-megapixel front camera. No camera differences have been rumored yet.

    It was initially rumored that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might have a smaller Dynamic Island compared to the iPhone 17 Pro and earlier models, but it was later reported that such a change might not be happening until next year. Even if it does happen this year, one source said the smaller Dynamic Island would be on all iPhone 17 models.

    All in all, the iPhone 17 Pro Max might be pretty similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, beyond its larger screen and even bigger lead in battery life.

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  • The iPad I recommend to most users is under $300 in every color at Amazon

    The iPad I recommend to most users is under $300 in every color at Amazon

    Maria Diaz/ZDNET

    An iPad can help with success in many areas like school, professional work, content creation, and way more. Plus, with Prime Day just days away, there’s no better time to scoop up savings on one of Apple’s most popular devices. 

    Also: Your iPad is getting 4 big upgrades for free. Here are the top features in iPadOS 26

    Now, you can get the 11th Gen iPad for $299 (save $50). The tablet normally retails for $350, so a great sale this soon in the launch schedule is good news for early adopters on a tight budget. Plus, this iPad is our pick for the best iPad of 2025 and is a great gift for the upcoming new school year. Every color is on sale at Amazon

    This year, iPads were upgraded in several ways, helping them become more capable devices. For one, the tablet is equipped with an A16 chip for better processing and the ability to edit 4K videos or use live text in photos or videos. It also boosts battery life, preventing you from worrying about charging it too often. Keep in mind that this iPad does not support Apple Intelligence.

    iPad 11th Generation (2025)

    A closer look at the iPad 11th Gen’s screen. 

    Maria Diaz/ZDNET

    The screen is an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, so the graphics quality is top tier for streaming your favorite content like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or whatever your heart desires. It also comes equipped with True Tone, which helps adjust the screen’s brightness to a comfortable level depending on the light temperature of your room. 

    Also: I skipped the pricey iPad Pro for the $299 base model and have no regrets. Here’s why

    ZDNET expert Maria Diaz tested out the iPad, and appreciated its hardware upgrades, but noted it may not be the best tablet for every audience. 

    “If you’re looking for a tablet to do light work on the go, edit some short videos, stream content, or play games, the iPad base model won’t disappoint. Suppose you’re more of a power user and intend to use heavier apps like Final Cut Pro for iPad, for example, to edit longer videos. In that case, I’d recommend a higher-end model,” she said.

    If you do not like Face ID integrated with your device, this iPad may be great for you, as it only offers Touch ID. This way, you still have a biometric barrier between your data and the outside world.

    The 11th Gen iPad is also equipped with Wi-Fi 6, which delivers a more powerful connection than ever. This iPad could be an excellent fit for small businesses, artists, professionals, or students.

    Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends

    How I rated this deal 

    This iPad, released just a few months back, is a great tablet for anyone wanting to get their hands on the latest tech. That’s why I gave this offer a 4/5 Editor’s deal rating. Plus, it’s the best price we’ve seen yet for this model. Buying a new iPad at this price is a great deal, and this device is great for many users. 

    Deals are subject to sell out or expire anytime, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We’re sorry if you’ve missed out on this deal, but don’t fret — we’re constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com. 

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    We aim to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best of tech. 

    In 2025, we refined our approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor’s deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision.

    At the core of this approach is a percentage-off-based system to classify savings offered on top-tech products, combined with a sliding-scale system based on our team members’ expertise and several factors like frequency, brand or product recognition, and more. The result? Hand-crafted deals chosen specifically for ZDNET readers like you, fully backed by our experts. 

    Also: How we rate deals at ZDNET in 2025

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  • How to get the Yotei Mask in Death Stranding 2? | Esports News

    How to get the Yotei Mask in Death Stranding 2? | Esports News

    The Yotei Mask isn’t just an Easter egg; it’s a full-on wearable tribute that fans of both Ghost of Tsushima and Death Stranding will love. Hidden deep in the narrative layers of DS2: On the Beach, this sleek collectible doesn’t come easy. But if you’re the kind who rescues, delivers, and never backs down, here’s how to get your hands on it.

    When Can You Unlock the Yotei Mask in Death Stranding 2?

    You’ll need to be well into the main storyline—specifically around Episode 8—before the Yotei Mask becomes obtainable. Don’t go searching in the early chapters. It simply won’t show up. Focus on progressing the story and keep an eye out for a prepper named The Adventurer—he’s the key to this unlock.

    Death Stranding 2: Ghost of Yōtei Mask Unlock Guide – How to Get The Adventurer SSS Crossover Cargo

    Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the Yotei Mask in Death Stranding 2

    Follow these steps if you want to unlock the Yotei mask in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach:

    Step 1: Reach Episode 8

    By now, you’ve made it through the Australian terrain and unlocked a bunch of characters. Around this point, you’ll get Order 36, which sends you into the mountains with a meteorite delivery.

    Step 2: Meet the Adventurer’s Son

    When you deliver the meteorite to The Adventurer’s shelter, you’ll find only his son there. Surprise: dad’s missing again. You’ll now get Order 37, tasking you with yet another tough rescue mission.

    How to Find and Rescue the Adventurer (Order 37) | Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

    Step 3: Complete Order 37

    This mountain rescue is no joke—expect extreme weather, hostile terrain, and some solid BT action. But once you complete it, you’re on track. The Adventurer is grateful, and the wheels are now in motion.

    Step 4: Wait for the SSS Notification

    Once Order 37 is complete and you enter Episode 9, you’ll receive a message via the SSS (Shared Service System). The Adventurer sends you a cryptic note with an image of a masked figure and says he wants to reward you.

    Step 5: Bring Him Any Cargo

    Yep, literally any cargo. Doesn’t matter if it’s a lost package or a side order—just bring it to The Adventurer’s shelter. Once you do, he’ll reward you with the Yotei Mask.While there’s no official timer, many players believe delaying the delivery might reset the interaction or cause the Adventurer to leave. Best advice? Once you get the SSS message, grab any cargo and deliver it immediately.

    How To Get Yotei Mask – Death Stranding 2 PS5 Pro

    How to Equip the Yotei Mask in Death Stranding 2?

    Hold Left on the D-Pad, go to the Face Equipment section (same place as sunglasses or harmonica), and scroll until you find the Yotei Mask. Equip it and flex your connection to Sucker Punch’s samurai legacy.The Yotei Mask is more than just flair—it’s a nod to Sony’s interconnected universe and a reward for the most dedicated porters. Stay sharp, keep delivering, and wear that mask with pride.


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  • Xbox’s sci-fi looter-shooter Blackbird was scrapped even after leaving execs ‘blown away’

    Xbox’s sci-fi looter-shooter Blackbird was scrapped even after leaving execs ‘blown away’

    Xbox was well on its way to delivering a sci-fi stylized game with plenty of exciting movement mechanics before an abrupt change of heart. The upcoming third-person shooter RPG codenamed Blackbird from ZeniMax Online Studios, which developed The Elder Scrolls Online, has been “shelved indefinitely,” according to an exclusive report from Bloomberg. The report added that Xbox execs were “blown away” by the game and had “nothing but complimentary words,” according to Bloomberg‘s sources.

    The exciting new IP was expected to rival the Destiny franchise with its looter-shooter gameplay in an alien noir-themed world. The Bloomberg report revealed that a sci-fi setting would be paired with movement-based abilities like “double-jumping, air-dashing, a grappling hook and wall climbing.” The project was reportedly gaining momentum recently and was set to be released in 2028, after the studio expanded its team to 300 people.

    Microsoft didn’t provide comments to Bloomberg or any explicit reasoning why the Blackbird project was dropped. Not much was known about the game, but TrueAchievements uncovered a plot that revolves around players uncovering a notorious murder in a capital city called Exodus. Along with Blackbird, Microsoft canceled Everwild, a fantasy game from Rare that’s been in development since 2014, and a reboot of the Perfect Dark first-person shooter.

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  • Elon Musk wants to shut down the International Space Station for which Donald Trump just sanctioned $1.25 – Times of India

    Elon Musk wants to shut down the International Space Station for which Donald Trump just sanctioned $1.25 – Times of India

    1. Elon Musk wants to shut down the International Space Station for which Donald Trump just sanctioned $1.25  Times of India
    2. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk makes BIG claim, ‘It’s time to retire…’  DNA India
    3. Elon Musk doubles down on Mars mission update as he calls for ISS to be scrapped  UNILAD Tech
    4. ‘Time to move on from the ISS to Mars’— Musk: SpaceX CEO reignites space race as he calls to retire ISS and…  Bhaskar English
    5. Elon Musk wants International Space Station retired after Donald Trump’s Tax Bill allocates $1.25 billion, says: ‘It’s time to focus on Mars’  MSN

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  • When is the point of no return in Death Stranding 2? | Esports News

    When is the point of no return in Death Stranding 2? | Esports News

    (Image via Kojima Productions)

    Wondering when Death Stranding 2 locks you in for good? If you’re the type who likes to tie up every side quest, deliver every lost package, and soak in every weirdly brilliant Kojima moment before things get intense, this guide is for you. While Death Stranding 2 is forgiving in many ways, there’s still a moment where the game subtly says: no going back now.

    What Is the Point of No Return in Death Stranding 2?

    In most games, the “point of no return” is a crystal-clear warning—big boss fight ahead, are you sure you’re ready? In Death Stranding 2, it’s more… Kojima-esque. There’s no flashing message or “last chance to explore” banner. Instead, the game quietly shifts into a more linear mode, narrowing your freedom and steering you hard into the endgame.

    What Changes After That Point?

    Once you cross the invisible threshold, here’s what actually changes in gameplay terms:

    • You lose access to fast travel temporarily
    • Some side missions and optional deliveries become unavailable
    • You’ll be locked into a long sequence of main missions, about 5+ hours of continuous story
    • You can’t go back to earlier regions until the credits roll

    It’s not a full shutdown of the open world, but it does limit what you can do and where you can go until the main plot wraps.

    Death Stranding 2 PS5 Pro | Order 43 Destruction of Chiral Jammers & Threat Removal

    The Mission You Should Pause At

    If you want to continue exploring, upgrading gear, or doing deliveries before the final sprint, do not start Main Order 43.Once you accept that mission:

    • Fast travel gets locked
    • You’ll be locked into several hours of uninterrupted story missions
    • Backtracking is off the table until the game is over

    Essentially, Order 43 marks the moment where the game says, “Alright, no more distractions — let’s finish this.”

    Can You Go Back After the Ending?

    Yes. 100%.Once the credits roll, you return to the world with everything unlocked again. Fast travel returns, and all side missions remain available. So don’t worry about missing out — Kojima’s world welcomes you back.Still, if you like a clean slate before the final arc, avoid Main Order 43 until you’re truly ready.Finish everything you care about before Main Order 43. Then strap in and let Kojima take the wheel. This isn’t a game that punishes curiosity. But it does reward timing. Know when to pause, and when to plunge headfirst into the story’s final stretch.


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