Category: 4. Technology

A built-in charger for a few extra port is a big plus, especially if you’re looking to declutter and charge several devices at once. Even better is that same charger being used with laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more. That’s exactly what the Anker Prime charger delivers, and right now it’s on all-time low during Amazon Prime Day. What makes this deal fantastic is that it’s open to everyone, not just Prime members, so there’s no subscription to pay to get the discount.

The Anker 100W 3-port Prime charger costs $49, down from its normal price of $69: This 29% price cut provides a fast and quality charging option at an affordable price if you need to charge multiple devices in a time-efficient way. With three ports (two USB-C and one USB-A), this charger can deliver up to 100W of total output, which makes it powerful enough to handle everything from a MacBook to the latest smartphones.

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100W 3-Port Block Charger

With this charger, you can fast charge multiple devices at the same time. Each USB-C port is capable of delivering a full 100W which means you can charge a 14-inch MacBook Pro from zero to 50% in just 30 minutes. This level of speed is a game-saver if you work from your laptop and need to top up quickly between meetings or flights. The third socket, a USB-A, provides you with even greater convenience so you can charge older devices or accessories that are still not on the USB-C bandwagon.

The thin design is also a huge plus: The charger is foldable prongs and it fits well into a bag or even a pocket and is perfect for travel or everyday use. Despite its tiny size, it’s built to last with thicker prongs for a better hold and a drop-proof design that can handle life on the go. The design is slim so it fits comfortably into the wall without shifting or falling out and you can count on it to keep on charging no matter where you leave it.

Anker Prime Charger is designed to work with a wide range of devices including MacBook Air and Pro, iPad Pro and Air, iPhone series, Galaxy S25 Series, Pixel phones, and even wearables like the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch. Whether you’re charging a laptop, a phone or a tablet, you’ll have the right port and enough power to get the job done.

If you want to charge all of your devices with a single powerful charger, this Prime Day deal is one not to miss.

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Meta is asking users to grant its AI access to their unpublished photo libraries as it tests a new feature on Facebook, as first reported by TechCrunch. The company, which also owns Instagram, has admitted to using photos and text from public posts since 2007 to train its generative AI models, raising concerns about how Meta might use expanded access to personal information.

Some Facebook app users are encountering pop-ups asking them to grant Meta AI access to their camera rolls for “cloud processing.” The apparently new feature uses AI to “restyle” photos, group images by themes, like “birthdays or graduations,” and make “personalized creative ideas, like travel highlights and collages.” The notification says that Meta will periodically “select media” from users’ camera rolls based on time, location, and theme. It will not be used for “ad targeting,” it says.

In a statement to Hyperallergic, the company denied that it is using data from users’ photo libraries to train its AI models. However, Meta’s AI Terms of Service, to which users must accept in order to access the service, reserves the right to use “personal information” to “improve AIs and related technology.”

“By tapping ‘Allow,’ you agree to Meta’s AI Terms,” the feature’s pop-up states when users attempt to upload a Story on the app. “Media and facial features can be analyzed by Meta AI. To create ideas, we’ll use info like date and presence of people or objects.”

Meta introduced the function with three visual examples at the top, including an apparently enhanced photo of the Eiffel Tower, a trio wearing saturated clothes, and a digital collage titled “weekend recap.”

“We’re exploring ways to make content sharing easier for people on Facebook by testing suggestions of ready-to-share and curated content from a person’s camera roll,” a Meta spokesperson told Hyperallergic in a statement. “These suggestions are opt-in only and only shown to you — unless you decide to share them — and can be turned off at any time. Camera roll media may be used to improve these suggestions, but are not used to improve AI models in this test.”

The spokesperson did not provide an on-the-record response to questions about whether the new feature would be rolled out on its other platforms, when it was introduced, or if it would use data collected from unpublished images to train AI in the future

In the United States, Meta was not required to notify users that it was using public posts to train their AI, according to the New York Times. There are no opt-out options for US users, either. In Europe, however, stricter laws allow those on Instagram and Facebook to opt out of Meta’s data scraping project.

Artists have long raised concerns over the practice of training AI on publicly available images on the internet more generally, which they say allows the artificial intelligence models to replicate their artistic style. Some argue that the generative technology’s learned ability to mimic styles of artists could be detrimental to artists’ livelihoods.

Developer Games Incubator announced that their pet pound simulator ‘Animal Shelter 2’ will launch on PC via Steam on the 23rd of July.

Welcome back to the heartwarming world of Animal Shelter 2! Provide a loving home for every four-legged friend in need – play with them, pet them, even dress them up! Get to know them and find them a loving family. Play with your friends and manage your shelter together in co-op!

Have a gander below for more details on Animal Shelter 2, including details on the last fundraiser the development team put together for animals in need.

Games Incubator has officially announced that Animal Shelter 2 will launch on PC via Steam on July 23. Time to visit the coziest shelter in town – and this time, you don’t have to handle the responsibility alone. Thanks to new online co-op mode, players can team up with friends to build a top-notch haven for their furry friends!

Animal Shelter 2 isn’t just a bigger version of the original – it’s packed with a range of new features. The sequel brings visual upgrades for both animals and the surroundings, and now your shelter is also fully customizable! Give it a name (visible in-game), resize rooms, repaint walls, or add decorations – some of which will directly improve the comfort of your animals, your staff, and visitors, increasing the chances for adoption!

You’ll also be able to adopt a pet yourself, as well as support donations or other forms of aid available on the map – in addition to the main area, there will be interventions in three types of procedurally generated locations, making each new spot even more unique!

But that’s just the beginning! Here’s what else awaits future caretakers in Animal Shelter 2:

🤝New Mode – Co-op: Taking care of animals is serious business – but it’s a lot easier (and way more fun) with friends. In online co-op mode, you and your dream-team can manage the same shelter together – share the workload or wipe each other’s tears, the choice is yours.

🦸Staff & Volunteers System: Hire NPCs in special uniforms and welcome volunteers to your team. Build a perfect crew dedicated to giving animals the care they deserve.

💊Advanced Medical System: Sometimes a quick help may not be enough – chronic conditions require you to monitor medicine doses closely, and in complicated cases, your furry patient may need external testing. Once the health issues are under control, you ‘just’ need to tackle those tricky behavioral issues!

🍂Day/Night & Seasonal Cycles: Tired after the night shift? Well, that’s part of the job! Keep your shelter cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Don’t forget to shovel snow, patch up leaky roofs, and keep your animals dry and cosy – when wet or cold, pets are more likely to get seriously sick.

Thanks to the enthusiastic player support, the team is also continuing the community-nominated shelter fundraisers, which have previously helped deliver over $30,000 to animals in need. Submissions for this new round will open soon via Steam and a dedicated form. Learn more about the last fundraiser HERE.

Animal Shelter 2 launches July 23, 2025, on PC via Steam. Add it to your wishlist today, and don’t miss a single bark! For more details, check out the official Steam page.

Last Friday, publisher HoYoverse announced that their free-to-play urban fantasy action title ‘Zenless Zone Zero’ will see its next update, Version 2.1, land across all platforms on the 16th of July. Dubbed “The Impending Crash of Waves”, summer-themed update introduces Season 2 Chapter 2 and introduces the Spook Shack faction alongside two new regions. Free outfits, two new agents and a Miyabi rerun, events, and more await players in ZZZ’s latest version update.

Have a gander below for more details on Zenless Zone Zero’s 2.1 update. The game is available on PC via HoYoPlay, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, iOS, and Android via Google Play—with Xbox Game Pass members seeing monthly bonus drops like those found in ‘Genshin Impact’.

In Version 2.1, Proxies can explore two exciting new additions: Sailume Bay and Fantasy Resort. Nestled beneath the cliffs of Failume Heights, Sailume Bay will become the central stage for Chapter 2’s story. Here, Porcelumex will launch a comprehensive safety investigation to resolve conflicts stemming from the chaos caused by the Exaltists.

The high-profile investigation team includes Alice Thymefield, descendant of the esteemed Thymefield family, who will later join the Spook Shack. Meanwhile, the summer story unfolds at Fantasy Resort, featuring sandy beaches, coconut trees swaying in the breeze, and a vibrant holiday atmosphere perfect for summer activities and mysterious stories.

Two remarkable allies from the Spook Shack will join the roster. Ukinami Yuzuha is a shrewd S-Rank Physical Support Agent who deploys her tanuki companion Kama to throw candy bombs at enemies, empowering on-field attackers to accumulate Anomaly Buildup more easily. Her signature Sweet Scare ability adapts to the active agent’s attribute via Flavor Match, significantly boosting the Anomaly Buildup efficiency while simultaneously triggering Aftershock attacks.

Alice Thymefield, the newest member of Spook Shack, is an S-Rank Physical Anomaly Agent. As a noble heiress, she utilizes her refined swordsmanship techniques to maneuver on the battlefield and accumulate Blade Etiquette. By consuming Blade Etiquette, Alice can unleash powerful strikes, amplifying Assault and Disorder damage. Meanwhile, Miss Esme, a graceful S-Rank Bangboo, soars alongside agents while generating beneficial effects that replenish Energy or HP. Additionally, the Void Hunter Miyabi (S-Rank Frost Anomaly) and Yanagi (S-Rank Electric Anomaly) will rerun on the Version 2.1 banners.

The once-pristine Fantasy Resort now stands as a fading paradise awaiting restoration, and Proxies will partner with the Spook Shack to revive the resort through a series of aquatic activities and attractions. Proxies can enjoy the thrills of surfing by navigating obstacles with power-ups, or board yachts and embark on exciting sea shooting challenges amidst scenic island tours.

New fishing spots await our experienced anglers, featuring fresh new species and optimized interactions with reduced grinding for a more relaxed yet diverse gameplay. Besides the summer activities, stylish outfits that fit the summer vibes will be available for Yuzuha, Alice, and the protagonists. In addition, a new Bangboo Auto Battler event, “En-Nah” Chess Legend, will be introduced with a PVP mode, and the Simulated Battle Trial will be refreshed with a new scoring system that rewards combat technique mastery for challenging combat enthusiasts.

Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.1 “The Impending Crash of Waves” launches on July 16 with optimizations to provide a smoother summer adventure. To show our appreciation for your continued support, Proxies can claim 1,600 Polychromes before Version 2.1 ends. Rated Teen by ESRB and PEGI 12, the game is available on PlayStation®5 Pro, PlayStation®5, Xbox, PC, iOS, and Android. For more information, visit https://zenless.hoyoverse.com/ or follow @ZZZ_EN on X.

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William D’Angelo
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The founder and former president of Arkane Studios Raphaël Colantonio, who left in 2019, took to social media weighing on the huge Microsoft and Xbox layoffs.

“Why is no-one talking about the elephant in the room? Cough cough (Gamepass),” said Colantonio (spotted by VideoGamesChronicle).

He added, “I think Gamepass is an unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidized by MS’s ‘infinite money’, but at some point reality has to hit. I don’t think GP can co-exist with other models, they’ll either kill everyone else, or give up.”

A user stated that Game Pass wasn’t designed to be profitable in the short or medium term and Colantonio agrees.

“But it’s a long game that involves throwing a tsunami at the entire ecosystem of the industry,” he stated. “Only the gamers like it because the offer is too good to be true, but eventually even gamers will hate it when they realize the effects on the games.”

The layoffs at Xbox have seen Perfect Dark, Everwild, and the ZeniMax Online Studios MMORPG cancelled, as well as The Initiative shutdown. Candy Crush developer King is laying off about 200 employees and as many as 100 people at Blizzard working on Warcraft Rumble have been let go. Many other studios at Xbox also saw at least a handful of people let go.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D’Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can follow the author on Bluesky.

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As previous leaks suggested, the Osmo 360 will be capable of shooting 360-degree videos in up to 8K at 30 FPS or 4K and 120 FPS to create slow-motion videos with a 170-degree field of view (FoV). Alternatively, the action camera can drop its resolution to 5K for while upping its frame rate to 60 Hz. According to Ellens, the camera will also leverage a 1-inch CMOS sensor with a 120 MP native output and 2.4 µm wide pixels to surpass the camera found in last year’s Osmo Action 5 Pro.

Moreover, the Osmo 360 will feature software like HorizonSteady 360-degree software to maximise image stability, Apple Watch and Garmin integrations and gesture/voice controls for hands-free usage. Apparently, DJI’s first 360-degree action camera will deliver 100-minute runtimes when shooting 8K and 30 FPS footage too, or up to 180 minutes when paired with DJI’s Battery Extension Bar, pictured below. Incidentally, this accessory also adds a 1/4-inch threaded magnetic quick-release accessory mount with magnetic charging for the Osmo 360 itself. Ellens has posed a new release date alongside the Mic 3 as well, full details of which we have provided separately.

As reported by TheJournal.ie (via VGC), Doom designer John Romero and Wizardry 8 developer Brenda Romero’s studio, Romero Games, has fully closed following the withdrawal of publisher funding for its in-development FPS. Former employees have stated that the publisher in question was Microsoft, making Romero Games another casualty of the tech giant’s most recent round of cuts and mass layoffs.

We previously reported on Romero Games’ statement on the loss of funding, but TheJournal.ie confirmed the closure and shed more light on the circumstances surrounding it. A former employee told TheJournal.ie that Romero Games “had meetings with the publisher the day before this happened, there was no mention of it.”

A petition to preserve video game access recently achieved an important milestone of one million signatures, but it has two more challenges to overcome before reaching the final level. The “Stop Killing Games” movement reached a million votes earlier this month, meaning the European Union will have to consider adopting legislation addressing this issue. However, the petition first has to deal with the threat of potentially fake signatures and the resistance from major game studios and publishers.

The Stop Killing Games initiative, created by Ross Scott, aims to pass new laws to ensure that video games still run even when developer support ends. The petition was a direct response to when Ubisoft delisted The Crew from online stores, shut down the game’s servers in 2024, and revoked licenses from players who bought the game. Scott and other critics felt Ubisoft’s actions set a dangerous precedent for gamers who may lose access to their purchased games at a developer’s whim.

Even though there are enough signatures to move to the next step, Scott explained in a YouTube video that many of these may have been incorrectly filled out, while others could have been falsely submitted. The movement’s founder said, “This is not a change.org petition, this is a government process,” adding that “spoofing signatures on it is a crime.” To ensure enough legitimate signatures are collected, Scott said that there needs to be at least 10 percent more to cover the potentially invalid ones. As of July 6, the petition has earned more than 1.2 million signatures.

Beyond the signatures, a European advocacy group that includes major gaming studios and publishers like Electronic Arts, Microsoft and Nintendo released a statement opposing the movement.

“Private servers are not always a viable alternative option for players as the protections we put in place to secure players’ data, remove illegal content, and combat unsafe community content would not exist and would leave rights holders liable,” the statement read. “In addition, many titles are designed from the ground-up to be online-only; in effect, these proposals would curtail developer choice by making these video games prohibitively expensive to create.”

In a longer report, the Video Games Europe group said that this initiative would “raise the costs and risks of developing such games,” create a “chilling effect on game design” and “act as a disincentive to making such games available in Europe.”