Category: 4. Technology

  • Need a new laptop for the office? Save $400 on the Dell 16 Plus and improve your workflow

    Need a new laptop for the office? Save $400 on the Dell 16 Plus and improve your workflow

    Dell//ZDNET

    Dell is hosting a Black Friday in July sales event, during which many laptops, desktops, monitors, and other computing devices and accessories are available at significant discounts. One in particular caught my eye. For a limited time, the Dell 16 Plus is on sale for $900, a sizable $400 price drop. This version of the 16 Plus comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and a 16-inch 2.5K display.

    Also: Best Prime Day laptop deals 2025

    If you’re looking for an even less expensive device, there’s another configuration retailing for $750. It houses an Intel Core Ultra 7 2586, 16GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and a 16-inch 2.5K display. Other customization options are available, such as a 2TB SSD and a Full HD touchscreen. However, be aware that not all of the builds are discounted. Some are only available for purchase at full price.

    The Dell 16 Plus is essentially a bigger version of the Dell 14 Plus, a laptop I reviewed back in May and that also won a ZDNET Editors’ Choice award. So, although I’ve never used this device, my experience with the smaller model tells me that it is a great machine.

    Its hardware should deliver an impeccable performance, capable of handling heavy workloads and surfing the internet without slowdown. Those chiclet-shaped keys ensure a comfortable typing experience. Similar to its compact sibling, the Dell 16 Plus is made primarily of aluminum, allowing it to survive the rigors of the road.

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

    How I rated this deal

    As per ZDNET’s rating system, I give this deal a score of 4/5. You’re looking at a roughly 31% discount, so nearly a third off its original price. I suggest you jump at this opportunity before the sale ends. This is a great work laptop that will feel right at home in an office setting. It’s reliable, long-lasting, and performs well.

    Deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, 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 score savings 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 are 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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  • Xbox Game Pass ‘damaging’ the game industry, former Xbox dev says

    Xbox Game Pass ‘damaging’ the game industry, former Xbox dev says

    Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription is likely the best deal around: For a fraction of the price of a full game, you get access to hundreds of titles every month, some of which are brand new. But when video games cost millions to make, and news of studio layoffs are constant, you don’t need to look at an Xbox balance sheet to know the numbers aren’t adding up for a service where the introductory price is a mere dollar. This dissonance is at the heart of a recent discussion on social media site X, where Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios, has spent the last few days breaking down why the service is arguably doing more harm than good.

    “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,” Colantonio said in a reply to a post from a follower. “I don’t think GP can co-exist with other models, they’ll either kill everyone else, or give up.”

    According to a Bloomberg report in 2024, Microsoft spends a billion dollars a year to get third-party games on its subscription service. That’s in addition to the billions the console-maker has spent acquiring marquee studios like Bethesda Softworks and Activision Blizzard.

    For contrast, the most recent numbers for users set the tally at 35 million Game Pass subscriptions, some of which include the people who are only paying a dollar or otherwise bought the subscription through one of its periodic sales. The service went up in price a year ago, which means that up until somewhat recently, Game Pass was making even less money than it’s making now. At first blush, these numbers seem promising inasmuch as they suggest that the service is growing. In 2022, Game Pass had a reported 25 million subscribers. But it’s worth noting that in 2023, Microsoft shifted all existing Xbox Live Gold subscribers to a lower tier of Game Pass subscriptions. This would suggest that Game Pass has actually lost subscribers over the last few years, which coincides with an admission from Phil Spencer in 2022 that subscriptions are slowing down on console.

    Though it may appear nonsensical, this approach is a tried and true model in the world of tech. Services like Uber, for example, spend years operating at a loss until they capture the entire market. Once the competition is obliterated, the product in question can move freely in ways that might hurt the consumer. Prices can go up, the service could get worse, and so on — but at that point, users already rely on the service and there are no other viable options. Similarly, while other companies have attempted their own versions of subscription models, none of them have managed to amass the userbase Game Pass has thus far. What appears to be a good deal now may, in fact, be a ticking time bomb.

    Add in the fact that people are spending way less on games in 2025 than last year, and that Microsoft has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs that have shuttered entire studios and fired thousands of workers in the last year alone, and it starts to paint an ugly picture for an industry that’s already in crisis. It’s a worrying trend that might illuminate why publishers are greenlighting fewer games and taking fewer risks: A game can sell millions, and the studio still might be shut down. The mere existence of Game Pass cuts into those numbers, which could then motivate some studios to take deals with the service just to be safe. That’s guaranteed money and visibility over the murky uncertainty of releasing a game into the void.

    Colantonio’s post has unsurprisingly lit a fuse on social media, where developers and gamers alike are chiming in. Some creatives in the industry agree with Colantonio’s assessment. “The infinite money thing never made any sense,” responded Larian Studios director of publishing Michael Douse.

    But for the people on the other side of the equation — gamers — the Game Pass critique has gone down poorly. Some of the replies to Colantonio’s post have gotten ugly, but rather than presenting an actual argument, the exchange has devolved into potshots. Some point out that Colantonio has worked on titles that are available on Game Pass. It certainly doesn’t help that text-based social media strips away tone and makes it easy to dehumanize the person on the other side of the exchange.

    Still, Colantonio has spent time trying to reason with people who are misreading his post as an attack on people who subscribe to the service. “I understand gamers like it: it’s a great deal, but the maths don’t work for GP, it only works because MS injects billions into it to make it a good deal for the players… for now,” he wrote in one thread.

    “I understand, you can look at it just from your standpoint, but when a deal is too good, there is a reason that might reveal itself later and will hurt everyone including you,” he wrote in another. “At the moment you have access to a fair amount of good games for a fraction of the actual cost.”

    Image: Xbox

    Part of what complicates this conversation is the knowledge that for all of its shortcomings, Game Pass has been a boon to some studios that might have otherwise had trouble finding funding or garnering an audience. Becoming available on the service puts you in front of millions of eyeballs, and guarantees mention on articles that detail what’s new and noteworthy on the service. Other times, being on Game Pass gives titles another shot at finding an audience. Games like Sea of Thieves and No Man’s Sky saw an influx of players after hitting Game Pass, for example, despite already being available beforehand and largely offering the same experience once there. I know that I’m more likely to give an indie game a try if it hits Game Pass.

    Despite the trolls, there are definitely people who understand Colantonio is saying. But when games are starting to cost $79.99, the price of accessories is going up, and with no shortage of microtransactions to consider, it’s no wonder people feel so strongly about the value of Game Pass.

    “I’m sure it isn’t good for devs but if my wage isn’t going up but my rent is and so are gas prices and groceries then I’ll look for the best deal,” one user said. “And if it stops being a good deal then I’ll find an alternative.” Colantonio’s response? The underlined 100 emoji.

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  • Samsung Galaxy S26 leak reveals potential camera upgrades

    Samsung Galaxy S26 leak reveals potential camera upgrades

    Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series isn’t slated for release until early next year, but that hasn’t stopped the steady drip of leaks revealing what’s on the horizon.

    SEE ALSO:

    Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 leak reveals specs, bands, and prices

    The latest scoop, as spotted by Android Authority, comes from reliable mobile tech leaker Ice Universe, who shared details on Weibo about upgrades coming to the S26 Ultra — specifically its camera hardware. For comparison, the current S25 Ultra features a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, a 200MP main shooter, and a 10MP telephoto lens. According to Ice, that formula is sticking around for the S26 Ultra — almost. The 3x telephoto lens will reportedly get a modest bump from 10MP to 12MP.

    Mashable Light Speed

    A small win for portrait enthusiasts. As for the rest of the hardware, the S26 Ultra is expected to keep its 5,000mAh battery. What is changing, however, is the form factor. Ice claims the new model will slim down to somewhere in the 7.xmm range, trimming down from the S25 Ultra’s 8.2mm profile.

    It’s said that the S26 Ultra will end up lighter than the soon-to-be-announced iPhone 17 Pro Max.

    Best Curated Amazon Prime Day Deals

    Products available for purchase here through affiliate links are selected by our merchandising team. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

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  • Intel 'Diamond Rapids' Server Chips Could Have 192 Cores, 500W TDP – extremetech.com

    1. Intel ‘Diamond Rapids’ Server Chips Could Have 192 Cores, 500W TDP  extremetech.com
    2. Intel “Diamond Rapids” Xeon CPU to Feature up to 192 P-Cores and 500 W TDP  TechPowerUp
    3. Intel confirms Arc Battlemage GPUs will expand into Edge/AI market in Q4  VideoCardz.com
    4. Intel jumps to HBM4 with Jaguar Shores, 2nd Gen MRDIMMs with Diamond Rapids  Tom’s Hardware

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  • Google Store now prominently highlighting ‘Fi Wireless’

    Google Store now prominently highlighting ‘Fi Wireless’

    The Google Store in the US is now getting a prominent promotion for “Fi Wireless” alongside Pixel phones.

    “Fi Wireless” appears between “Phones” and “Earbuds” in the Google Store top bar (on desktop) or hamburger menu (on mobile). The actual “Pixel and Google Fi Wireless make a great pair” page has been around for some time.  

    Get ultra-reliable 5G coverage and industry-leading security backed by Google, plus perks like full connectivity for your Pixel Watch and automatic encrypted calls between Pixel phones on the network.

    End-to-end encryption for calling was introduced in 2021 for Android phones on Google Fi, with a lock icon appearing on the call screen. There’s also a “unique ringing tone before being connected.” Google explains how the “audio is encoded, and can only be decoded with a shared secret key,” and “each device has a private key and a public key, which aren’t saved.”

    Google Store Fi Wireless

    Google is promoting all four plans: Unlimited Premium, Unlimited Standard (introduced in April), Unlimited Essentials, and Flexible. The page also highlights the 7-day free trial and eSIM availability to “Switch instantly from home.”

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    This has been slowly rolling out in recent weeks, with wide availability when logged out of your Google Account (Incognito). It also appears in the main “Popular on the Google Store” carousel just after the phones and Pixel Watch.

    Google Store Fi Wireless

    More on Google Store:

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  • Disappointing, Yet Again: Apple Logo on iPhone 17 Pro Max Won’t Be Centered Anymore – extremetech.com

    1. Disappointing, Yet Again: Apple Logo on iPhone 17 Pro Max Won’t Be Centered Anymore  extremetech.com
    2. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: New Leak Confirms Major Design Upgrade  Forbes
    3. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Top 6 Leaks That Change EVERYTHINGS  Geeky Gadgets
    4. iPhone 17 Models Rumored to Feature Redesigned Dynamic Island  MacRumors
    5. iPhone 17 Pro models could feature redesigned camera bar and repositioned Apple logo: Leak  Mint

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  • How to track down Golden Chiral creatures in Death Stranding 2? | Esports News

    How to track down Golden Chiral creatures in Death Stranding 2? | Esports News

    (Image via Kojima Productions)

    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, early players traversing through the haunting landscapes have to face rare encounters with spectral entities. The game introduces players to Golden Chiral Creatures, too. These are shimmering and minuscule phantoms that offer some significant rewards, but they do demand players’ keen observation and patience when locating them. To unlock their secrets requires some specific knowledge of when and where to look for them. Here is what dedicated porters have discovered about how to find Golden Chiral creatures.

    Best locations for Golden Chiral creatures

    To find Golden Chiral creatures, or golden ghosts, is not random. Players have reported some consistent successes near the key shelters later in their journey. A prime location here is on the Animal Shelter’s east, amidst rocky ridges. Make sure to move cautiously here. Also, scan the terrain for a telltale golden glint low to the ground.

    Easy Golden Chiral Creature Location and Chiral Crystals Death Stranding 2 On the Beach

    Another reliable zone where these creatures appear is after connecting with the Architect, on their shelter’s southeast (complete Sub-Order 105—pizza delivery mission), near peculiar tar pools that have been marked by some rising black streams. The use of a compass here proves to be quite invaluable for navigation.While their sightings have other points nearby, such as the F1 and Smoke Hill mines, it is possible that rocky ridges and tar pool vicinities do provide high encounter Golden Chiral creatures rates. Their camouflage and small size make them easier to miss, especially during some hectic moments. To have focused exploration within these areas can dramatically increase the odds of spotting Golden Chiral creatures’ distinctive and ethereal glow.

    Mastering encounter and timing

    To recognize Golden Chiral creatures is the first step. These creatures are tiny and floating Pac-Man ghosts that cast metallic gold. They hover silently just below the surface. To engage with them needs precision. Any startled creature would vanish swiftly. The optimal strategy here must include ranged and stealth weaponry. Do crouch for some stability, and carefully aim an assault rifle/similar firearm to take the shot. One well-placed and single hit usually secures the prize.To eliminate a creature, you must approach with ranged weapons like Blood Boomerang or Assault Rifle. Once you find it, just aim and fire for a quick takedown.Timing here significantly influences sightings. Many players have reported that Golden Chiral creatures are active much more during pre-dawn hours and all throughout the night. While daytime encounters are not completely impossible, they are rare. So, if you are searching near some known hotspots and it proves fruitless, rest till nightfall and then try again. It is one of the best tips for spotting Golden Chiral creatures.

    Claim rewards by defeating the Golden Chiral creature

    Successful elimination of Golden Chiral creatures will yield you an immediate double payoff. For it, you will unlock the Conqueror of the Golden CC trophy. It marks your achievement. Then, the creatures also drop a substantial cache of the valuable Chiral Crystals rewards, which are essential currency to craft and to upgrade.While a crystal haul is quite generous, reliable farming of the creatures is impractical due to their inherent rarity and specific spawning conditions. But eliminating one will offer you a significant resource boost right alongside the trophy rewards in Death Stranding 2. All that’s needed from your end is a bit of effort, and the shimmering rewards would make it well worth your patience for the dedicated Bridges operatives.


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  • Xbox Series S Is More Powerful Than Switch 2, But 60FPS Games Should 'Easily' Port Across – Pure Xbox

    1. Xbox Series S Is More Powerful Than Switch 2, But 60FPS Games Should ‘Easily’ Port Across  Pure Xbox
    2. Nintendo Switch 2 Q&A with Virtuos: ‘I Think We Will See It Surpass The Predecessor’  Wccftech
    3. Nintendo Switch 2 is more powerful than expected says Metal Gear Solid Delta dev  Metro.co.uk
    4. Virtuos believes any 60fps Xbox Series S game can be ported to Nintendo Switch 2  My Nintendo News
    5. Nintendo Switch port studio weighs in on how powerful Switch 2 is  Nintendo Everything

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  • Nvidia Releases DLSS 4 Plugin for Unreal Engine 5, Adding Features Like Frame Generation, Reflex Low Latency, and More

    Nvidia Releases DLSS 4 Plugin for Unreal Engine 5, Adding Features Like Frame Generation, Reflex Low Latency, and More

    Nvidia has officially launched the DLSS 4 plugin for Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, one of the most widely used software tools for game development and more.

    In addition, Nvidia’s DLSS Super Resolution is now available for Unity 2021.2 beta versions.

    RTX 50 Series Cards Gain Ground in Steam’s June 2025 Hardware Survey

    Nvidia’s latest RTX 50 series GPUs have made their way into the latest Steam Hardware Survey. The June 2025 data shows steady growth for several models.

    The RTX 5070 Ti saw a 0.27% increase in user share, followed by a 0.20% rise for the RTX 5060 Ti. Other RTX 50 series GPUs like the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 also recorded gains of 0.37% and 0.19%, respectively, compared to the previous three-month period.

    Meanwhile, AMD’s latest 9000 series graphics cards have yet to appear in the survey.

    Got any news tips, or want to discuss a possible story? Email us at ign_india@ign.com (to reach out with confidential tips, click here). For the latest on gaming, entertainment, pop culture, anime/manga, follow IGN India on Instagram, X, Facebook, and WhatsApp. For the latest videos, subscribe to us on YouTube.


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  • DJI releases new update for its drone flying app

    DJI releases new update for its drone flying app

    DJI’s Fly app, the essential companion for most consumer drones made by the tech giant, has received a quiet but important refresh. The latest version 1.17.4 is now rolling out globally.

    While the current release log only mentions that “certain issues [were] fixed and overall app quality optimized,” recent Fly app updates have quietly introduced some pretty big perks, especially for DJI Flip users.

    If you own a DJI Flip, you’ve probably already played around with Smart Snaps, the palm-controlled auto-shot modes that help you grab dynamic clips with no flying skills needed. But one of the biggest additions in recent Fly app and firmware updates is the Dolly Zoom feature — a cinematic camera trick that warps the background while keeping your subject centered.

    Once reserved for big-budget films, Dolly Zoom was added to the Flip in late May through a firmware update. The Fly app also gives you smooth access to this effect directly from Smart Snaps, letting creators grab Hollywood-style shots on the go.

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    Another helpful recent addition is the ability to manually update the Home Point during a flight when the One-Tap Return-to-Home pop-up appears. This gives DJI drone pilots more control, especially when launching from mobile setups like boats or moving vehicles. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in real-world use.

    More: Get drone-like footage anywhere with this 8K camera, now 16% off

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