Category: 4. Technology

Call of Duty players have a welcome surprise today after Activision handed out a whopping 20 free battle pass tier skips to Warzone and Black Ops 6 players.

In a social media post, below, Activision said the free handout was “in celebration” of the Black Ops 7 reveal. But Call of Duty fans are entirely more sceptical, based on the replies to the social media announcement.

Comments include everything from the typical “dead game” accusations having sparked the generous offer to convince lapsed players to return to the game, to pressure from Battlefield 6 forcing Activision into more pro-consumer behavior.

There’s also a degree of frustration from some who had just spent money to unlock tier skips before this announcement. And there are of course plenty of fans who are just happy to get free stuff.

Has the player retention been THAT bad this season 😭🙏

— Reality (@realityuk) September 2, 2025

In truth, Activision has handed out free tier skips and XP tokens before. Indeed, around this time last year it gave 10 tier skips and 20 XP tokens to players who downloaded last year’s Season 5 Reloaded update.

Whatever the case, this year’s Season 05 Reloaded launches on September 4. It adds a new Multiplayer map, new and returning modes, new armaments, events, Reckoning Directed Mode in Zombies, and more.

In a blog post, Activision warned that the Season 5 Reloaded download will be larger on some platforms, and blamed it on “reorganizing” Call of Duty content to prepare for the Black Ops 7 beta on October 2. Does that mean Call of Duty’s infamous file size will shrink for this year’s game?

As a “thank you” for downloading the update (how big is it going to be?!), Activision is gifting players a pack of 2XP Tokens across all platforms. Players who complete the download and log into Call of Duty from 10am PT on September 4 until October 1 will receive:

• Five 1-Hour Double Player XP Tokens (5 hours total)
• Five 1-Hour Double Weapon XP Tokens (5 hours total)
• Five 1-Hour Double Battle Pass XP Tokens (5 hours total)

There’s a lot happening in the world of Call of Duty. We just got the announcement of a Call of Duty live-action movie from Paramount, and last month a U-turn on goofy skins for Black Ops 7’s launch, which won’t see a carry forward option for cosmetics.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Savant Chat, a top-tier AI agent for smart contracts audits, announced a groundbreaking achievement that signals a paradigm shift in Web3 security. It has secured 6th place in a public Sherlock contest, competing directly against dozens of expert human auditors. This landmark event marks the first time an AI has publicly demonstrated performance on par with expert human auditors in a fiercely competitive environment, fundamentally reshaping the future of decentralized finance security.

Breaking through human-optimized barriers

The achievement is particularly notable given that audit contests are inherently designed for human participants. According to professional auditors, the most challenging aspect of these competitions isn’t finding bugs – it’s proving they’re true positives during the judging phase. Human auditors compete intensely, with success heavily reliant on describing findings in a manner that withstands rigorous judging. A true positive finding, if presented with inaccuracies or insufficient detail by either an AI or a human, is highly likely to be rejected during the judging phase. Despite these significant challenges, Savant Chat (Pro plan, an early glimpse of June 2025 technology) excelled.

Adding to the significance, the Symbiotic contract contest, on which Savant Chat was tested, featured no critical or high-severity vulnerabilities – a domain where Savant is primarily optimized to excel. Medium-severity findings are typically identified by AI agents sometimes and by residual principle. Yet, the AI’s ability to secure a top position in a contest focused on less severe issues speaks volumes about its sophisticated analytical capabilities and adaptability.

Savant’s operational methodology involved deep analysis, generating threat vectors, and forming complex vulnerability hypotheses. For the crucial final step – writing Proof-of-Concept (PoC) code to validate findings and eliminate noise – Savant Chat’s team strategically delegated this task to a best-in-class open-source SWE agent. This approach ensured maximum signal from Savant’s core insights, while efficiently validating the findings.

Revolutionizing the economics of security auditing

The economic implications are profound. In traditional audit contests, hypothesis generation consumes approximately 85% of resources, while verification requires only 5%. While AI generates marginally more noise than average human auditors—measured in multiples rather than orders of magnitude – the cost of AI-powered hypothesis generation is orders of magnitude lower. “We’re seeing clear evidence that AI-powered hypothesis generation combined with human verification represents an effective and economically viable business model,” the team explained. “This isn’t about cutting costs – it’s about enabling more comprehensive security coverage across the entire Web3 ecosystem.”

The future: cyborg auditors, not replacement

It’s essential to acknowledge that AI, although powerful, still has limitations and performs less effectively than humans in identifying specific types of errors. However, SavantChat’s AI offers a distinct and invaluable advantage: its point of view on bugs differs significantly from that of human auditors. This unique perspective enables AI to identify vulnerabilities that human experts might inadvertently overlook.

It has been revealed that 80% of zero-day exploits submitted to the Savant team were successfully identified and mitigated by SavantChat. This highlights a critical, complementary capability, demonstrating that had these vulnerabilities been run through SavantChat, the vast majority of associated hacks could have been prevented. This positions AI not as a replacement, but as an essential enhancement to existing security measures.

The future of Web3 security is not just arriving; it’s accelerating faster than ever before.

About

Savant.chat is an AI-powered smart-contract security platform that automatically audits Solidity code—finding vulnerabilities, integrating with CI/CD for continuous checks and real-time monitoring for developers, audit firms, and enterprises.

Tested on hundreds of real-world exploits. Savant Chat is game-changing platform instantly detects advanced threats like broken cryptography and economic flaws, delivering fast, transparent, and efficient auditing. Savant Chat is securing blockchain projects with AI that never sleeps.

Media contact
Alexandra Gulamova
Co-founder
alexandra@savant.chat

Disclaimer: This content is provided by Savant Chat. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e4e42c3b-4f90-4ba1-9654-806c9516fd5d

Long-running game studio Crystal Dynamics, a division of Embracer Group AB, was forced to cut staff and fully abandon the game Perfect Dark last week after failing to find a new funding partner following the game’s cancellation in July.

Embracer had come close to striking a deal in which the video-game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. would purchase the game from Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox, which owned the rights. Take-Two would then fund and publish the game. But the deal collapsed at least in part because the companies involved were unable to come to terms over long-term ownership of the Perfect Dark franchise, said the people, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about sensitive negotiations.

Infinix launched the GT 30 last month after introducing the GT 30 Pro in May, and the company is now gearing up for a global rollout. According to sources, the Vanilla GT 30 will make its worldwide debut on September 11.

The global edition will carry the same hardware as the version launched in August, but with a fresh twist. In addition to Blade White, Cyber Blue, and Pulse Green, Infinix will introduce a new Shadow Ash color option for international buyers.

Built for gaming, the GT 30 has already earned high-frame-rate certifications across ten popular titles, including PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

It runs on MediaTek’s Dimensity 7400 chip, paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. Out of the box, it boots Android 15 with XOS 15. The smartphone features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 1,224p resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate. A 5,500 mAh battery with 45W wired charging powers the device.

The camera setup includes a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 13MP selfie camera. The GT 30 also features customizable LEDs on the rear panel and programmable shoulder triggers for gaming.

Other highlights include dual speakers with Hi-Res Audio, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance.

Contrary to expectations, Apple is rolling out a new wave of developer betas ahead of next week’s “Awe Dropping” event. Here’s what to expect.

As with past releases, macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta 8 brought mostly under-the-hood improvements last week, which is also expected from today’s release.

The build number for today’s macOS Tahoe 26 beta 9 release is 25A5351b. We’re taking a closer look to spot any user-facing tweaks, and will report back with anything noteworthy.

What’s new on macOS Tahoe 26?

As announced at WWDC25, macOS Tahoe 26 introduces the Liquid Glass UI overhaul, alongside features like Live Activities on the Mac, a much improved Spotlight with clipboard history and Shortcuts integration, plus a dedicated Phone app and Live Translation for Messages, FaceTime and phone calls.

The system is also getting the new Games app, as well as the long-awaited Journal app.

Here’s how to install the macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta 9:

1. Backup your Mac
2. Open System Settings
3. Go to General ⇾ Software Update
4. Click the ‘i’ icon next to Beta Updates
5. From the dropdown menu in the top-right, select the macOS Developer Tahoe Beta
6. Hit ‘Done’

Update: Following the developer beta releases, Apple is now also rolling out the public betas. The build number for macOS Tahoe 26 Beta 6 is 25A5351b, which is the same as developer beta 9.

Did you spot any changes in today’s betas? Let us know in the comments.

Accessory deals on Amazon

Turns out iOS 26 development isn’t quite over yet. After only shipping eight beta versions of major iOS releases over the last several years, Apple has released the ninth developer beta version of iOS 26. We expect the redesigned version of the iPhone software to officially launch in about two weeks.

iOS 26 developer beta 9 has arrived

Apple describes the upcoming iPhone software update by saying that iOS 26 “delivers a stunning new design, powerful Apple Intelligence capabilities, new ways to stay connected in the Phone and Messages apps, and exciting updates to CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet.”

In iOS 26 beta 2, we saw design tweaks including legibility improvements for Control Center, better menu organization in Safari, and stronger accessibility options with borders added to High Contrast Mode.

iOS 26 beta 3 most notably added opaqueness to some of the more transparent tab bars alongside new wallpaper colors. Beta 4 reverted the opaqueness tweaks. Meanwhile, Notification Center still uses absolute transparency when pulled down until fully open. That seems ripe for changing.

iOS 26 beta 4 also reintroduced notification summaries for news and entertainment apps. Apple previously paused the Apple Intelligence feature after complaints that text summaries could change the meaning of headlines.

iOS 26 beta 5 addressed a lot of user feedback by bringing back the Select button in Mail, adding a toggle to revert back to the classic Camera mode swipe direction, and more.

iOS 26 beta 6 removed that Camera swipe direction toggle, added faster animations, new ringtones, and more. 

iOS 26 beta 7 added a new “drafts” section in Messages.

Later today, we’ll probably see this developer beta build also be the same release as a future iOS 26 public beta 6.

Is your iPhone ready for iOS 26? The next major software update runs on iPhone SE (2nd generation) as well as iPhone 11 and up. iOS 18 is the last version that will run on iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max. You’ll need to upgrade your iPhone if you want the latest features and newest design, but older iPhones will continue to receive software updates for security for a while. Features that use Apple Intelligence require iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 family model.

We’ll collect and list every change to iOS 26 beta and more on 9to5Mac so stay tuned (and join the fun with tips@9to5mac.com)!

Physical therapy and rehabilitation tailored specifically for cats can make a significant difference in the wellbeing of these felines. Cats recovering from surgery, as well as those who have osteoarthritis, are overweight, or are healing from non-surgical injuries may see improved mobility, faster recovery, and an overall improved quality of life, according to Michael H. Jaffe, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS, an associate professor of small animal surgery at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, who led a Fetch dvm360 Conference lecture on the topic this past weekend in Kansas City, Missouri.¹

“I always say that with surgery, we put the pieces together, but physical therapy and rehab gets the parts moving again. And I think there’s a lot of truth to that,” said Jaffe during his presentation.¹

Massage therapy

Pet owners and practice owners who may not have specialized rehabilitation equipment can perform massage therapy on cats, explained Jaffe. This type of therapy promotes blood flow to the muscles, improves connective tissue strength and tendon elasticity, reduces some muscle spasms, and lowers stress and anxiety. According to Jaffe, massage therapy is also beneficial for breaking down adhesions.

“As far as lymphatic flow, that’s important, because any edema that may form in the tissue, or certainly distal to the tissue, can be mobilized pretty quickly in terms of promoting that blood flow and improving the lymphatics to help drain some of that edema that’s forming in the interstitial space,” he added.

In patients that have undergone surgery, Jaffe explained this therapy should be started within the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Some patients may even receive massage therapy prior to undergoing more intensive rehabilitation protocols, noted Jaffe. Additionally, clients can be taught to perform massage therapy on their pets at home.

When it comes to the massage technique, Jaffe said he likes to isolate one joint at a time rather than doing a bicycle movement or the “accordion movement where you grab the foot and you pull the leg forward and back and forward and back.

“I really don’t like to work on more than one joint at a time because with activities like the bicycle motion or the accordion motion, you are working all of the joints at one time, and not every joint is going to be capable of the same mobility as others,” Jaffe emphasized. “To try to prevent injuries, I really think it’s best to work each individual joint by itself: hold the stretch for just a second or 2 and then…release it so that we don’t injure the patient.”

Heat therapy

As Jaffe explained, hot compresses cause vasodilation, promoting blood flow to tissues and increasing their metabolic rate. Heat therapy also increases the release of histamines, bradykinins, and prostaglandins, which may help lower inflammation in the tissue that is being warmed.

“This does also have the benefit of improving flexibility of fibrous tissue and so [for] joint capsule that may be a little bit contracted, it’s going to loosen things up a little bit,” said Jaffe.

Patients with chronic diseases, such as osteoarthritis or back pain will benefit from this form of therapy. According to Jaffe, heat therapy also improves lymphatic flow and can help decrease swelling and edema in tissue. Jaffe suggests doing a warm compress beginning at approximately 24 or 48 to 72 hours after a surgical procedure.

“Initially, we’re going to use our cold compresses to try to reduce some of the pain and inflammation at the surgery site following surgery. We’ll certainly do cold compresses on our incision, but [for] the muscles that we’ve manipulated and have moved around and that have developed injuries, we’re going to want to do warm compresses on those to try to improve that blood flow and promote healing,” explained Jaffe.

“I often use [heat therapy] as part of our warm up prior to any massage or passive range of motion or other exercises,” said Jaffe. “I like to use it to help decrease some of the muscle tightness prior to when we do our stretches and help decrease any muscle spasms as we work our muscles and take them through range of motion.”

Jaffe warns against using heat therapy for tumors because the blood flow to the tissue could promote metastasis. Other contraindications include open wounds, patients with severe cardiac insufficiency, and acute inflammation—for which cold compresses should be used in the first 48 to 72 hours post surgery. Additionally, veterinary professionals and pet parents at home should be careful when using hot compresses in areas with decreased or absent sensation, as well as with making sure the temperature is not too hot that it can burn the pet.

Cold therapy

Unlike heat therapy, cold therapy causes vasoconstriction, decreasing edema formation and helping to lower inflammation and hematomas that may form from an acute injury, said Jaffe.

“A lot of times when we’re putting a pet through a fairly vigorous workout with our rehab protocols, we’re going to ice them down afterwards,” explained Jaffe. “We’re going to use our cold compresses to decrease any pain or muscle spasms or muscle injury that may have occurred during our rehab session.”

Ice packs can be used for cold therapy, but caution should be taken not to put the packs directly on the cat’s skin. Instead, the ice packs should be wrapped in a towel to prevent cold shock or injury to the patient’s skin. Each session, Jaffe explained, should last no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. However, sessions can be repeated approximately every 4 hours as needed.

References

1. Jaffe MH. Feline physical therapy and rehabilitation. Presented at: Fetch dvm360 Conference; August 25-26, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri.