Category: 4. Technology

If you’re still on the hunt for a Switch 2 console, here’s an opportunity you might want to consider. AliExpress has the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Tour Console Bundle available for $498.95 after you apply a $100 off coupon code “AEUS100” in your shopping cart. This console ships free. At this price, you’re not paying any additional markup.

This is a genuine gaming console that has been imported from another country (usually Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, or Mexico). Region locking is determined by your account, not by console, so all of these systems will play in the US without any problems. You’ll also be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here. Although the console itself is region unlocked, the Mario Kart World Tour game voucher is region locked. In order to redeem the download voucher on a US-based Nintendo account, one of the reviews mentions a workaround:

AliExpress offers a return window but the length varies depending on the item. These consoles all ship locally from the United States and usually arrive within one week.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Tour Bundle for $499

On Monday, Bluesky announced three updates to enhance notifications, allowing users to personalize their experience while decluttering their notification center and reducing unnecessary alerts.

The updates include the ability to receive activity notifications for specific accounts, as well as options to adjust notification preferences to control which alerts you receive. For instance, users can choose to be notified only when certain accounts reply to them.

Bluesky users can now navigate to Settings and then Notifications to customize alerts for various interactions, including new followers, likes, replies, mentions, quotes, and reposts. There is also an “Everything Else” option, which covers general notifications, such as when someone joins through a Starter Pack or verification alerts.

Each option can be customized to apply only to accounts they follow or to everyone, and can also be disabled entirely. 

Additionally, users can now receive notifications when someone likes their repost or reposts content they’ve shared. This feature is especially useful for people who primarily reshare posts rather than create original content, helping them feel more engaged. 

Bluesky said the previous “priority notifications” feature has been replaced. That feature allowed users to filter notifications to receive updates only from accounts they follow. To achieve the same result, users must change reply, mention, and quote notifications to “people you follow only.”

The new activity notification feature resembles those found on platforms like X and Threads, allowing users to choose to be notified whenever an account posts something new or replies to a post. 

To enable this feature, visit a profile and tap the bell icon next to the follow button to receive notifications every time that account publishes a new post. There is also a separate option for reply notifications.

Users can manage their activity notifications in settings, removing accounts from their list if they no longer wish to receive updates. 

One caveat is that accounts can disable this feature entirely, meaning users may not be able to turn on activity notifications for every account they wish to follow. Account owners can also enable activity notifications for only the people they follow.

The iPhone’s new glassy look has been toned down with Monday’s release of the third developer beta of iOS 26. This follows user complaints that the update made parts of the user interface more difficult to read.

At WWDC 2025 in June, the tech giant introduced its new design language, known as Liquid Glass, which is inspired by the optical qualities of glass in the real world, including how it refracts light and its translucent nature.

But the early version in the first developer beta of iOS 26 and the accompanying updates for Apple’s other devices still left room for improvement in terms of usability, accessibility, and legibility.

Last month, Apple fixed some of the more prominent issues with Liquid Glass, like how it made the Control Center so transparent that the iPhone Home Screen icons and widgets shone through, creating visual clutter and confusion.

Monday’s update sees Apple taking yet another step to dial things back from an overly-glassy look in a number of key areas. While beta 2 addressed problems with the Control Center, beta 3 shifts its focus to other areas of the mobile operating system, like Notifications and navigation within Apple’s first-party apps, like Apple Music.

For instance, the navigation bar in Apple’s streaming music app no longer sees the background shining through a bit, opting for a more solid white.

Notifications are also less translucent, as the background behind the text is darkened, increasing contrast.

While the changes arguably make features easier to read, some users now complain that Apple has gone too far in the other direction with a return to more of a “frosted glass” aesthetic.

However, it’s worth remembering these are just developer betas — early versions of the mobile operating system that won’t be finalized until its public release this fall. The point of beta software is to allow Apple to collect feedback, find bugs, and address issues before the software rolls out more broadly.

That means Apple could continue to tweak the Liquid Glass look-and-feel over the coming releases to find the sweet spot for the new glassy look within every app and screen.

The Insta360 X5 may have just launched at $549, the popularity of last generation’s Insta360 X4 shows no signs of slowing down – and it’s more affordable than ever now.

This Prime Day, the X4 model has hit an all-time low through a $75 coupon that reduces the overall price to just $349, down from $499. This is the best deal that has ever been offered on the X4, and it is now the best choice for anyone who wants to record 360° video on a budget over the new model. Interestingly, this offer is open to all shoppers and not just Prime members.

See at Amazon

8K Resolution

The Insta360 camera records immersive 360° footage at a stunning 8K resolution which is an upgrade for any user who wants to record every angle with incredible detail. It also records at 5.7K60fps for action sequences that are even smoother and the Active HDR mode ensures your video is colorful and color-accurate even in challenging light or high-speed situations.

Don’t stress about attempting to frame your shots perfectly in the moment: just shoot, then reframe your video later using the AI-powered Insta360 app. Having this freedom means you can concentrate on enjoying your experience knowing that you can achieve the perfect shot later. The signature Invisible Selfie Stick effect is another standout feature, and proivides your videos with a distinctive third-person viewpoint that appears to be shot using a drone or a pro crew.

The X4 isn’t limited to 360° video: It can double as a wide-angle action camera, shooting 4K at 60fps or ultra-wide 170° 4K30fps video. That makes it ideal for everything from action sports to travel vlogging. Thanks to FlowState Stabilization and 360° Horizon Lock, your video is smooth and level even in the middle of intense motion or rough handling.

The rugged build is designed to survive bumps, drops and harsh environments with newly enhanced removable lens guards that are easy to install and remove. The camera is waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters) without a dive case and can function in temperatures as low as -4ºF (-20ºC) so it’s ready for any adventure. And for the ultimate thrill seekers, the X4 is capable of going as deep as 164 feet (60 meters) with the Invisible Dive Case.

Battery life is remarkable with the new 2290mAh battery lasting up to 135 minutes of recording on a single charge which is a 67% increase from the previous X3 model. With fast charging support, you’ll spend less time waiting and more time recording. The incredibly bright 2.5-inch Gorilla Glass touchscreen is both rugged and simple to use, and gives you full control of your settings and playback,.

If you’re looking for the best 360° camera deal this Prime Day, the Insta360 X4 at $349 is simply unbeatable.

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In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, survival is about more than just connecting the world; it’s about defending yourself across brutal terrain, haunting BT zones, and chaotic enemy ambushes. Whether you’re fighting monsters, machines, or humans, the right weapon can mean the difference between a smooth delivery and a game over. Here’s a breakdown of the 10 best weapons you’ll want in your loadout.

1. Anti-BT Handgun

This blood-powered sidearm is your best friend in early BT encounters. It’s compact, quick to draw, and effective when things get too close for comfort. Don’t underestimate its power, especially when upgraded with hematic rounds.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQmeU8NpS2c

2. Blood Grenade v2

More damage, tighter radius, and less waste. These grenades are crafted from Sam’s blood, and version 2 delivers serious punishment to BTs. If you hear the eerie whispers of a BT nearby—pull the pin and aim fast.

3. Bola Gun Mk III

It started as a non-lethal tool, but the third-gen Bola Gun is a beast. It now delivers an EMP shock to immobilize mechs, while still binding human enemies. In close-combat stealth missions, nothing works better.

4. Strand Blade

A spectral melee weapon made for silent takedowns. The Strand Blade lets you dispatch BTs with a single, stealthy slash—and it also works on humans if things get personal. It’s sleek, deadly, and practically silent.

5. LW Shotgun [Multi-Purpose] Lv2

Think of this as your panic button. Whether you’re storming a mule camp or a mech shows up uninvited, this shotgun is raw destruction. Paired with a grenade launcher, it wipes out anything stupid enough to get too close.

6. SL-LW Assault Rifle [Silenced] Lv2

Versatile, silent, and devastating—this is your go-to for everything. It’s got multi-mode fire, a suppressor, and even a grenade launcher. It handles both stealth kills and firefights with equal finesse.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SJZTtQN2Ng

7. Tranq Sniper Rifle [SL Model]

If you like playing the long game, this is your tool. Take out helmets, guards, or scouts from afar without triggering alarms. Perfect for clearing enemy camps quietly before slipping in to loot.

8. Ghost Bombs

A mysterious new addition in DS2, Ghost Bombs temporarily trap BTs in a voidspace. It’s not about damage—it’s about time. Buy yourself a few seconds, reposition, or make a clean getaway.

9. Sticky Gun v2

Originally used for cargo recovery, this upgraded version works wonders in combat. Yank guns out of enemy hands or even pull shields off mechs. Tactical, fun, and wildly underrated.

10. Blood Boomerang

It’s flashy, effective, and insanely satisfying. Infused with your own blood, this returning weapon does double duty: stealth kills for BTs and staggering impact against humans. Style points included.No single weapon will save you in Death Stranding 2. Always carry a mix based on the mission and enemy type. And keep your blood bags full—trust us, you’ll need them.

VisionF is best known for building cool and colorful catamarans for casual cruising, but the Turkish shipyard appears to be capable of creating outrageous speed machines, too.

The latest addition to the VisionF fleet is a 46-foot speedboat capable of reaching a staggering 80 knots (92 mph) at full tilt. Aptly christened the Superfast 46, the newcomer showcases a sleek, aerodynamic profile that sets it apart from the existing cats in the VisionF fleet. The svelte speedster is the antithesis of a hulking multihull, marking a clear departure from the VisionF design DNA.

The hull of the Superfast 46 was built using advanced composite construction techniques, including infusion and vacuum bagging with multi-axial carbon fiber materials, to ensure it is both lightweight and strong. This means the vessel can cut through the water with ease, achieving what VisionX says is “unmatched handling at high speeds.”

The boat is equipped with a pair of Mercury Racing Sportsmaster engines rated at 450 hp and 600-liter fuel tanks that together enable roughly two hours of adrenaline-fueled cruising, according to the yard. Seafarers can also choose between precision hydraulic steering or a Mercury Joystick Piloting (JPO) system to control the speed machine. Other sporty touches include a carbon-fiber spoiler, a high-gloss paint job, and pop-up Perko navigation lights.

“It’s powerful, provocative, and purpose-built for enthusiasts who crave speed without compromise,” the yard said in a statement. “This is VisionF like nobody has seen before.”

With a beam of 12 feet, the Superfast 46 offers a generous interior. The specially designed shock-absorbing seats are covered in high-quality upholstery, while the custom carbon dashboard shows a 19-inch Garmin display and a Silva 85E compass. To top it off, a marine-grade Fusion Apollo sound system comprising four speakers, a subwoofer, and an MS-RA770 stereo means you can blast your favorite tunes at sea. You’ll also have a dedicated storage area for fenders, a cooler, and batteries.

VisionF currently has eight different models in production, including two fully-electric catamarans measuring 62 and 80 feet, four aluminum cats ranging from 80 to 120 feet, one 155-foot multihull, and, of course, the Superfast 46. The first Superfast 46 is nearing completion, with the debut scheduled for the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival. You can check out the speedboat at the festival from September 9 to 14.

Bluesky has updated its notification settings so that users have more control over when and why the social media app sends them a ping. Besides more granular controls over which things will trigger a notification, you can now receive alerts for any activity from a chosen account.

As a fledgling app, Bluesky has lacked the in-depth notification toggles you might find in something like Instagram, which has had over a decade to figure out when people want to be contacted. With this update, the situation on Bluesky has improved significantly. Now you can choose between receiving notifications from everyone, just the people you follow or no one. And those options can be applied to nearly every interaction in the app now, including when someone reposts something you repost or likes something you repost.

You can now also turn on Activity Notifications for any account you choose, if you want to receive notifications about what they’re doing in the app. Bluesky imagines it being useful if you follow news organizations who post about breaking news, but if you want to be the first person to like a friend’s new post, now you have an easier way to keep tabs on their account.

Bluesky’s new notification options join other recent updates to the X and Threads competitor, like the company’s new verification program for “authentic and notable accounts” and an experimental live streaming feature that will let you know when select accounts you follow are live on Twitch or YouTube.

Three things are certain when July comes along: backyard barbecues, fireworks past midnight, and Samsung Unpacked. 

Just last month, Samsung confirmed that the next Unpacked event will take place on Wednesday, July 9, in Brooklyn, New York. This follows the host cities of Paris, France, and Seoul, South Korea, over the past two years — with the company suggesting that it’s chosen Brooklyn for its “bold ideas, creativity, and culture.”

Also: The best Samsung phones to buy in 2025

While the ZDNET team will report on all the announcements live from the event floor, we’ve also gathered the essential information you need to know before the Wednesday keynote. Here’s what we’re expecting to see at the upcoming Samsung Unpacked, including products that may make surprise appearances.

What’s expected at the Samsung Unpacked July event? 

Foldable phones have been the trend for Samsung, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 slated for release.

Key improvements we’re expecting include lighter and thinner designs (partly inspired by the Galaxy S25 Edge), camera upgrades such as a 200MP Ultra-level sensor, and displays that match the quality of the well-tested S25 series. 

Considering how much focus Samsung has invested in making its phone displays more durable and brighter than ever, prepare for news on improved glass materials and hinge designs across the board. That’s in line with the company’s continued commitment to seven years of operating system and security updates, allowing the new foldable phones to stay feature-relevant until at least 2032.

Also: I changed 7 Samsung phone settings to instantly improve the battery life

With these upgrades in mind — and the unpredictable economic climate — it wouldn’t be surprising to see both the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 cost more this year. Samsung previously alleviated its price hikes with storage upgrades, doubling the base memory of select Galaxy phones from 128GB to 256GB. 

Whether the company plans to repeat that strategy remains up in the air. Just don’t expect these phones to cost any less in 2025.

If we’re lucky, we’ll also see a set of wearables and accessories to accommodate the handsets on Wednesday. Maybe a new Galaxy Watch Ultra? Galaxy Buds? Galaxy Ring? Regardless, the upcoming Samsung event will kick off the second half of the year for consumer hardware launches after a busy stretch of software-focused developer conferences.

Also: Did Samsung’s fitness coach just outpace Apple’s Workout Buddy?

What’s certain is that Samsung will continue to focus on interconnected health and fitness features with its next wave of wearables, with OneUI 8 introducing helpful AI tools like Running Coach, Bedtime Guidance, and more.

What about the tri-foldable phone?

It’s been long rumored that Samsung has been working on a foldable phone that bends in two ways. While the company wouldn’t be the first to do it — the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate gets that honor — it could be the first in the broader international market, including the US.

We don’t expect Samsung to fully launch a tri-foldable phone at Unpacked this week, but there’s a fair chance that the device will be teased to some capacity; perhaps through a sizzle reel at the end of the keynote. That’s become the company’s launch strategy for its most anticipated products in recent years, including the Galaxy Ring in 2024 and the Galaxy S25 Edge in 2025.

Reservation offer

Ahead of Unpacked, Samsung is opening up a reservation offer to folks who are interested in the upcoming devices. By placing a reservation to preorder — not to be mistaken with committing to buy — on Samsung’s website, you’ll get $50 worth of Samsung store credit (with the opportunity to save up to $1,150 off with a trade-in later) for free, applicable toward accessories and other products.

Also: I changed 10 Samsung phone settings for an instant performance boost

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PS Plus Premium recently added the obscure first-person shooter Battle Engine Aquila to the PlayStation Classics library. However, a recent interview with the game’s studio might hint at more retro classic games being brought to PS5.

PS Plus Could Get More Retro Classic Games

In a July 7 interview with PushSquare, Ziggurat Games explained how their 2003 mech-shooter Battle Engine Aquila recently landed on PS Plus Premium. According to Ziggurat producer Alex Lotz, they had to actually pitch PlayStation about adding the classic title to their subscription service.

“Ziggurat approached Sony about bringing the game to the PlayStation Classics catalogue. The in-house emulation team at PlayStation handled the core development, while Ziggurat had review and approval on the builds, publishing materials, and network features like Trophies.” Lotz also revealed that it was PlayStation that came up with the game’s Trophies list.

What makes all this interesting is that Battle Engine Aquila isn’t exactly a major title. So if a rare 2003 first-person shooter can end up in PlayStation Classics, then why not other mainstay games? I’m personally holding out hope for a Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, or something obscure like Bust a Groove 2. I know, I’m one of a few that loves the Square Enix–published rhythm game.

Which Games Are Missing from PlayStation Classics?

Currently, there are hundreds of games included in the PlayStation Classic catalog. Of course, not all of them are retro classic titles, as the library includes more contemporary titles such as The Last of Us or Uncharted.

It would also be impossible to list every retro game that is missing. However, we have a few classic retro games that we think should be included on PS Plus Premium. Here are some of the bigger titles still missing from PlayStation Classics:

• Chrono Trigger
• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
• Metal Gear Solid
• Tekken 3
• Tomb Raider 2
• Final Fantasy 7, 8, 9
• Cool Boarders 2
• Mega Man X4
• Mega Man Legends
• PaRappa the Rapper
• Unjammer Lammy
• Silent Hill
• Spyro The Dragon
• Rayman 2
• Brave Fencer Musashi
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

Now, the elephant in the room is the fact that most of the big games missing from PlayStation Classics are third-party developers. This means many of these games are likely being made into remasters or remakes. For example, we got the incredible Silent Hill 2 remake by Bloober Team in 2024. And the studio recently announced that they are making a Silent Hill remake as well. So many of these games likely won’t be added because the studio that owns them wants to re-release them. But still, with Battle Engine Aquila recently making the cut, anything is possible, right?