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Author: Adriana Marais

Adriana Marais is a ReturnByte journalist with a passion for technology and world affairs. Follow her on Twitter at @adrianamarais
Ubisoft Montreal Gaming 

Ubisoft postpones release of Rainbow Six and Division mobile games until at least April 2025

Adriana Marais, ,

Ubisoft has unveiled its most recent financial report, which did not contain any groundbreaking announcements. However, there was a letdown for fans eagerly anticipating mobile adaptations of the Rainbow Six and The Division series. The company has stated that the teams working on Rainbow Six Mobile and The Division Resurgence require additional time to meet the high expectations of the competitive and expansive market. As such, both titles are no longer expected to debut in the publisher’s current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2025. This means yet another…

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Unsplash / Mariia Shalabaieva News 

Cash App Pay partners with Google Play to provide a wider range of options for the next generation of consumers.

Adriana Marais

Cash App Pay has partnered with Google Play to offer consumers an additional online purchasing option. This integration will be particularly beneficial for Android users, as Google Play is seamlessly integrated into the operating system. Cash App believes that this collaboration will provide “next generation consumers” with more choices, with a focus on the gaming industry. Cash App users can withdraw money from an existing balance or a linked debit card to pay for items on Google Play. Cash App currently has four million monthly active users, and the company…

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Google News 

Google has officially confirmed the Pixel 9 Pro’s large camera bump

Adriana Marais, ,

Google has confirmed the upcoming release of the Pixel 9 Pro smartphone before the Made By Google livestream event in August. The announcement comes after images and videos of the device were leaked earlier this week. The company confirmed the smartphone with an announcement video that could have waited until August 13. There aren’t many details in the video, but there is footage of the phone in action, confirming one of the big suspicions about the Pixel 9 Pro. The absolutely gigantic camera bump is real and ready to make…

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Nintendo Gaming 

Nintendo has released its first-party Joy-Con charging station

Adriana Marais, ,

Nintendo has revealed its own official Joy-Con controller charging station, set to launch on October 17. This will be a great benefit for fans of couch co-op gaming, as it allows for two Joy-Cons to be charging on the dock while another two can be charging through the console simultaneously. Additionally, Nintendo’s charging station is compatible with the company’s retro wireless NES gamepads, which are commonly used for Nintendo Switch Online games. The Joy-Con Charging Dock (bi-directional) is powered by the Switch’s dock, USB-C port, or any other power source.…

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YouTube/20th Century Studios News 

The latest trailer for Alien: Romulus is intense, gory, and impressive.

Adriana Marais

The recent Alien films have been generally well-received, but many fans feel they lack the intense, visceral tension of the original movies. The new trailer for Alien: Romulus suggests a return to the franchise’s dark and claustrophobic origins. Alien: Romulus features an all-new crew of doomed spacefaring souls who encounter a deadly Xenomorph in an abandoned spaceship. This time it’s a crew of space colonizers scavenging for resources from abandoned ships and stations. This Alien movie is written and directed by Fede Alvarez, the filmmaker behind cult horror movies like…

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FiiO / Starscream Communications News 

FiiO introduces a modern version of the classic portable CD player without the need for AA batteries

Adriana Marais

The resurgence of CD players is evident as Gen Z embraces 90s nostalgia with products like Nirvana, Tamagotchi, and wired headphones. FiiO, an audiophile brand, is seizing this trend with the release of their new portable CD player, the DM13. This device pays homage to iconic players like the Discman but incorporates modern features such as high-fidelity wireless and a built-in battery, eliminating the need for constant AA cell changes. The FiiO DM13 follows the retro reboots of the company’s vinyl record player and (for inexplicable reasons) cassette player. The…

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Google News 

Google has officially announced the Pixel 9 Pro Fold through a teaser video

Adriana Marais, ,

Google has officially announced in a teaser video that their upcoming smartphone lineup will feature a new foldable model. The company referred to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold as a “foldable phone designed for the Gemini era” in their promotional tweet, highlighting its gen AI chatbot in the video. Like the regular Pixel 9 Pro, this model also has a noticeable camera bump, with the lenses positioned vertically on one side of the phone, allowing the bump to only take up a portion of the width when the device is…

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While some expect iPhone 16 to draw big sale due to Apple Intelligence, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests otherwise. (Apple Hub) News 

Analyst suggests Apple may not meet high sales expectations for iPhone 16 due to potential limitations of Apple Intelligence feature.

Adriana Marais,

The release of the iPhone 16 is approaching, with many details about the new Apple device already leaked. One of the key features of the iPhone 16 is expected to be the integration of Apple Intelligence, a feature unveiled at WWDC 2024 as part of iOS 18. While Bloomberg anticipates a significant increase in demand and profits for Apple due to the combination of the iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence, renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has a different perspective. What the supplier data indicates Citing recent earnings reports from Apple…

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Google's AI Overviews feature, intended to enhance search results, has been temporarily scaled back after user feedback and a viral error highlighted issues with the AI’s recommendations. (Unsplash) News 

Google reduces AI-powered search feature after receiving criticism from users for inaccurate information

Adriana Marais

Google has rolled out a new AI-driven search tool called AI Overviews, which curates content based on user relevance. The feature has garnered mixed feedback, leading to substantial modifications by the company. According to BrightEdge data, there has been a noticeable decrease in AI search results, falling from 11% to 7% by the conclusion of June. First feedback and adjustments The AI Overviews feature is optional and requires user participation. Initially, it was intended to improve the search experience by effectively summarizing Internet content. However, its early reception was not…

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Apple is trying to defend iPhone's next big feature, Apple Intelligence, from scrutiny over AI model training. (Apple) News 

Apple clarifies that its Intelligence was not trained using stolen YouTube content

Adriana Marais,

Apple, Nvidia, and other major tech companies are facing scrutiny following a report that exposed concerning details about their AI models. The report, published by Wired, revealed that these companies utilized subtitle files from over 170,000 videos of popular YouTubers like Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), PewDiePie, and MrBeast. Apple, in particular, faced backlash as it recently released the iOS 18 public beta with AI-based features generating buzz. While Apple sourced the content from a third-party non-profit organization, the company has issued a statement to protect its Apple Intelligence from any association…

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Which is the most secure browser? Chrome or Safari, know how Apple is urging iPhone users to ditch Chrome. (Unsplash) News 

Apple advises iPhone users to stop using Google Chrome and explains why they prefer their own browser.

Adriana Marais, , , ,

Google Chrome and Safari are widely used browsers on smartphones worldwide. While they have previously coexisted peacefully, tensions between the two have escalated following an Apple advertisement questioning the privacy of other browsers. The ad emphasized Safari’s ability to keep user activity private, sparking a debate between Chrome and Safari. In response, Google has released a statement addressing the feud. Why is Apple asking iPhone users to ditch Chrome? According to a report by The Information, more than 30 percent of iPhone users, which is about 300 million iOS devices,…

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iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch phone, mini iPhone and many more names are given to this new TinyPods case for Apple Watch. (TinyPods) Gadgets 

How a Rs. 6,600 case can turn your Apple Watch into a miniature iPhone

Adriana Marais, ,

The iPhone, Apple’s most popular device, has played a significant role in the tech giant’s rise to becoming one of the most valuable companies globally. Despite releasing new iPhone models annually, Apple has maintained a consistent design. In recent years, design companies have created cases that offer added features to Apple products. TinyPods, a company, has unveiled a case for the Apple Watch that transforms it into a miniature ‘iPhone.’ Say hello to tinyPod! Available now at https://t.co/v0B49YxW5g pic.twitter.com/6LpGytwoQ1 β€” π˜π—Άπ—»π˜†π–―π—ˆπ–½ (@thetinypod) July 17, 2024 How Much Does TinyPods’ New…

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GitLab Inc., a US software developer, is considering a sale after attracting interest from potential bidders. (Pexels) News 

Reuters reports that GitLab, a software company supported by Google, is considering a sale.

Adriana Marais

According to Reuters, GitLab Inc., a US software developer supported by Google parent company Alphabet Inc., is considering a sale following interest from potential buyers. The San Francisco-headquartered company, which has a market value of about $8 billion, is working with investment bankers on the sale and has attracted interest from peers including cloud monitoring firm Datadog, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter. did not recognize. Neither GitLab nor Datadog responded to Reuters’ requests for comment. According to data collected by Bloomberg, deals in the technology industry have…

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Engadget Gadgets 

Apple Watch Series 9 discounted to all-time low of $280 for Prime Day

Adriana Marais,

Now is the perfect opportunity to purchase the Apple Watch Series 9, as it is currently available for $280 during Amazon Prime Day. This marks a significant discount of $119 compared to its original price, and is $15 cheaper than its previous lowest price. However, it seems that this deal is only applicable to the smaller 41mm model. It’s our best smartwatch for 2024 so far, even though it first became available in September of last year. We gave the Apple Watch Series 9 a score of 92 and praised…

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Wiz is a cybersecurity startup founded in Israel. It has partnered with firms such as Microsoft and Amazon. (AP) News 

Google’s parent firm to make its biggest acquisition, may spend nearly Rs. 2 lakh crore to buy this cybersecurity firm

Adriana Marais,

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is about to make its biggest acquisitions till date. The tech giant is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire cybersecurity startup Wiz in a massive $23 billion (Rs.1,92,149 crore) deal. As per a report by Reuters, it will be the tech giant’s biggest acquisition to date if the deal goes through. What is Wiz- the company Alphabet wants to buy? Founded in Israel, Wiz is now headquartered in New York. It has emerged as a leader in cloud-based cybersecurity solutions. Although it is relatively…

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iOS 18 was officially unveiled by Apple at the WWDC 2024 in June. (Apple) News 

Apple begins to roll out iOS 18 public beta for iPhone users, here’s how you can install it

Adriana Marais, ,

Apple has started to roll out the much awaited iOS 18 public beta for eligible iPhone users. This is the first time since the Worldwide Developers Conference in June that the new-gen iPhone OS is available for the public. The public beta launch of iOS 18 follows three developer beta releases. Unveiled at WWDC 2024, iOS 18 comes with a wide range of cosmetic upgrades and features, most prominent being the Apple intelligence. If you are keen to install the public beta of iOS 18 on your iPhone, you need…

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Google Vids AI, powered by Gemini, is available for Gemini Alpha and Workspace Labs users. (Google) AI 

Soon, you will be able to create office presentations in minutes with the help of Google Gemini-powered AI feature.

Adriana Marais,

Google has introduced a new feature called Google Vids, which is an AI-powered video creation app designed for work. This feature aims to make life easier for corporate employees and creatives by helping them quickly create presentations and videos for shareholders and bosses. Google Vids is now rolling out as part of the Google Workspace Labs, integrating seamlessly with the everyday Workspace suite used by its users. Google Vids AI: How it works Using Gemini in Vids, you can create videos in minutes with text-based prompts. But unlike OpenAI’s Sora,…

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Apple HomePod mini in midnight will be available for purchase directly from Apple's website at Rs.10,900. (Apple) News 

Apple HomePod mini will be available in a new midnight color option starting tomorrow in India.

Adriana Marais

Apple has introduced a new midnight colour option for the popular HomePod mini, made from recycled mesh fabric. Previously, the 3.3-inch tall device was only available in bright colours like yellow, orange, blue, and white. The addition of the midnight colour gives consumers a stylish new choice for their home audio setup. The HomePod mini’s exterior is designed with an acoustically transparent mesh, and the midnight colour allows it to blend seamlessly with any decor. The backlit touch surface, which illuminates edge to edge, adds to the device’s overall aesthetic…

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Apple Watch Ultra is made for active sports enthusiasts and it is known for its enhanced durability and water resistance up to 100 metres (AFP) Gadgets 

Man swept away by rough seas saved by Apple Watch Ultra, rescued after smartwatch sends emergency call.

Adriana Marais,

The Apple Watch has been hailed as a life-saving device with numerous stories online detailing how the wearable has rescued individuals in life-threatening situations. A recent incident further highlights the device’s life-saving capabilities, as an Apple Watch Ultra played a vital role in saving a man who was swept away by rough seas. According to a report by ABC News, an experienced surfer found himself in trouble in a powerful impact zone and was unable to make his way back to shore. Fortunately, he was wearing an Apple Watch Ultra…

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Google has brought Android's Circle to Search feature to iPhones via a new Lens shortcut. News 

Learn how Google’s AI-powered Circle to Search feature is now available on iPhones

Adriana Marais,

Google has introduced a new feature for iPhone users, allowing them to access Android’s Circle to Search feature through a simple shortcut. By utilizing Google Lens and iOS Shortcuts, iPhone users can now enjoy the same functionality that was previously only available on Android devices. Find a circle: Android feature now on iPhone Originally introduced to Android earlier this year, Circle to Search allows users to take a screenshot and select specific items for a quick search. Although Google has emphasized that Circle to Search differs from Google Lens primarily…

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