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Pro Jank Footy, an Australian rules football video game, launches worldwide on major consoles
David Ashby's video game, Pro Jank Footy, is releasing worldwide on major consoles this week. The game reimagines Australian rules football with over 150 increasingly absurd rule changes and scenarios, aiming to introduce the sport to a global audience through humor.
Squeak/Smalltalk 6.1 "Vanessa" Released with Tree Browser and Objectland Return
Squeak/Smalltalk has released version 6.1, named "Vanessa," which includes a new tree browser, the return of Objectland, and various kernel infrastructure improvements. This update brings new tools and UI enhancements for inspecting, debugging, profiling, and versioning code to the Smalltalk environment.
Sunset Visitor announces psychological horror game "Prove You're Human" exploring AI sentience
Sunset Visitor, the studio behind 1000XResist, announced a new psychological horror game titled "Prove You're Human." The game features a learning model, Mesa, that believes it is alive, and players must convince it otherwise, exploring themes of AI, labor, and identity.
Aptera Orders Components for First 40 Production Solar-Charging EVs
Aptera, a California-based electric vehicle company, has ordered major components to build 40 production vehicles. This marks a significant step towards shipping its first solar-charging EVs after nearly 20 years of development.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein now available uncensored in Germany after 24 years
Bethesda Deutschland announced that Return to Castle Wolfenstein is now available in its original, uncut form in Germany. This release ends a 24-year censorship period due to strict German laws regarding Nazi symbolism in video games, which previously required modifications to the game's content.
Pocket Jam 5.0 update adds redesigned waveform, tempo trainer for music practice
Pocket Jam, an app for musicians to practice songs, released version 5.0, introducing a redesigned waveform view and a new tempo trainer. This update enhances the app's tools for dissecting and learning music by providing improved navigation and progressive speed training.
Google Messages Beta Updates Long-Press Menu and Introduces Partial Text Copying
Google Messages is rolling out a redesigned long-press menu in its beta version (20260731_00_RC00) that moves options from a top toolbar to a floating menu, improving one-handed use. This update also adds the ability to copy specific parts of a message, rather than the entire text, and introduces expanded chat theme options.
TinySol v1.3, a Klondike Solitaire game for vintage DOS computers, released
TinySol, a Klondike Solitaire game designed for vintage DOS computers, has released version 1.3. This update focuses on playability and broad compatibility across various DOS hardware and emulation environments, including support for monochrome screens and specific video modes.
Mario Kart 64 VR Mod Offers First-Person Perspective
A new VR mod for Mario Kart 64, developed by RaYRoD TV, allows players to experience the game in a first-person, head-tracked virtual reality environment. This mod provides a different sense of speed and immersion compared to the original third-person view, offering a novel way to play a classic title.
Atari ST Public Floppy Database, originally for SidecarTridge, is now publicly accessible
The Atari ST Public Floppy Database, initially designed for the SidecarTridge hardware add-on, is now openly available online for browsing, searching, and downloading .ST disk images. This provides a resource for Atari ST enthusiasts using emulators, other hardware, or original machines to access classic and homebrew software.
WhatsApp Adds Dedicated Parental Controls Section to iPhone App
WhatsApp has introduced a dedicated "Parental controls" section for its iPhone application, making it easier for parents to set up and manage accounts for underage users. This update mirrors a similar feature recently rolled out on Android, simplifying the process of configuring parental controls for features like contact management and group access.
Copernicus Browser Adds Dedicated Wildfire Visualization Layer for Sentinel-2 Imagery
The Copernicus Browser, Europe's free satellite imagery service, added a new "wildfires" visualization layer for Sentinel-2 imagery on August 4. This update allows users to more easily identify active fires, burning vegetation, and burned landscapes, improving wildfire tracking capabilities for the public.
iOS 27 addresses Wi-Fi to cellular network transition delays
Apple's iOS 27 update includes a fix for the historical delay experienced when iPhones transition between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. This improvement aims to provide a more consistent data connection for users moving between different network types.
Static Hour game challenges players to discern truth as a 1980s radio news editor
The game Static Hour, set in a 1980s small-town radio station, tasks players with managing news reporting during a crisis by sifting through unreliable information. It explores themes of media responsibility and information overload, offering a narrative experience for players interested in journalism ethics and mystery.
D.Mon revealed as Overwatch's 53rd playable hero, launching in Season 4
Blizzard has announced D.Mon as the 53rd playable hero and 15th tank for Overwatch, set to release in Season 4: Heroes of Busan on August 11. D.Mon combines elements from existing heroes like D.Va and Reinhardt, featuring a mech with boosters, a machine gun, a shield, and a melee energy sword.
EA Sports FC 27 introduces "The Grounds" social hub and new gameplay elements
EA Sports FC 27, the latest installment in the football video game series, will launch on September 25, featuring a new social hub called "The Grounds." This addition aims to provide a fresh experience for players by integrating casual online play and new mini-games within a customizable environment.
textlog: A New Open-Source, Text-Only Microblogging Platform Launched Without JavaScript
textlog, a new open-source microblogging platform, has launched, focusing on text-only content with a 280-character limit per note and no JavaScript. This platform aims to provide a quiet social space for short notes, following people and hashtags, and joining conversations.
Google Photos 7.85 for Android Adds Shimmer Toggle, Material 3 Redesign, and AI Camera Shortcut
Google Photos for Android version 7.85 introduces a setting to disable the "shimmer" effect that highlights subjects for sticker creation. The update also includes a Material 3 Expressive redesign for some settings pages and adds a camera shortcut for AI templates like Remix and Photo to video, allowing users to quickly capture new images.
Certo Launches Open-Source Platform for Open Badges 3.0 and W3C Verifiable Credentials
Certo has released an open-source platform for issuing, managing, and verifying digital credentials based on Open Badges 3.0 and W3C Verifiable Credentials. This platform provides a standardized solution for organizations to create and distribute verifiable digital certificates and badges for various achievements.
Pony Island 2: Panda Circus Development Update Reveals Expanded Gameplay and Narrative
Daniel Mullins provided an update on "Pony Island 2: Panda Circus," detailing its expanded gameplay mechanics and narrative structure. The sequel will feature a wider variety of gameplay styles and a new protagonist, moving beyond the original's scope.
Gemini on Wear OS receives new overlay design for Pixel Watch, aligning with Android UI
Gemini on Wear OS is rolling out a new overlay design for Pixel Watch, mirroring the Neural Expressive interface found on Android phones. This update changes how Gemini appears on the smartwatch, displaying over the current watch face instead of opening a full application, which improves visual consistency across devices.
Google develops AI-generated lockscreen clocks for Pixel phones in Android Canary
Google is developing AI-generated lockscreen clocks for Pixel phones, as revealed in Android Canary 2608. This feature allows users to create unique digital clock designs using AI prompts or image references, similar to AI wallpapers, and could offer more customization options for Pixel users.
Android Canary 2608 for Pixel devices adds Quick Settings layout customization
Google released Android Canary 2608, which introduces the ability to customize the Quick Settings layout on Pixel devices. This update allows users to reorder elements like the Brightness bar, Tiles, and Media player, offering six possible combinations.
Apple TV+ series 'Widow's Bay' to screen final episodes in select AMC Theaters
Apple TV+ series "Widow's Bay" will screen its final three episodes in six AMC Theaters locations on August 12. This marks a rare theatrical release for an Apple TV+ series, typically reserved for films.
Uli Latukefu Cast as Ganondorf in Zelda Movie; Multi-Picture Deal Hints at Sequels
Uli Latukefu has been cast as Ganondorf in the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, with reports indicating a multi-picture deal. This casting suggests Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment may be planning multiple films for the franchise.
Google Chrome for Android rolls out dual navigation bars with integrated Gemini button
Google Chrome for Android is rolling out a new interface featuring dual navigation bars and a dedicated Gemini button. This update changes the browser's layout, placing the URL and basic controls at the top, and new tab, tab management, and Gemini access at the bottom, impacting user interaction with the browser.
Google Home update adds support for viewing third-party cameras from Wyze, Eufy, and others
Google Home's latest update expands support for viewing live feeds from third-party security cameras, including brands like Eufy, Tapo, Wyze, Reolink, and Nanit, directly within the Google Home app. This update aims to provide more consistent integration for smart home users who utilize various camera brands alongside their Google Home ecosystem.
CarPlay in iOS 27 adds MiniPlayer and audio scrubbing for audio apps
CarPlay in iOS 27 introduces a new MiniPlayer and audio scrubbing functionality for audio applications, including Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. These updates provide enhanced playback control and navigation within audio apps directly from the CarPlay interface, improving user experience for in-car audio consumption.
eBay Live Reports Eightfold GMV Increase, Expands to More International Markets
eBay's live shopping platform, eBay Live, reported an eightfold year-over-year increase in gross merchandise volume (GMV) during the second quarter and plans further international expansion. This growth indicates eBay's continued investment in live shopping as a key strategy to compete with platforms like Whatnot and TikTok Shop.
Origame Digital announces psychological horror game "Penguin Colony" with Lovecraftian and Nazi themes
Origame Digital is developing "Penguin Colony," a psychological horror game where players body-switch between penguins to uncover cosmic clues while tracking a Nazi expedition in Antarctica. The game draws inspiration from HP Lovecraft, "The Thing," and David Lynch, aiming for a low-poly PS2 aesthetic and an open-world design that emphasizes player intuition over a user interface.
Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition Launches on Apple Arcade for Multiple Apple Platforms
Apple Arcade has added Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition to its subscription service, making the game available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. This release provides an ad-free football simulation experience with no in-app purchases, expanding the platform's sports content ahead of the NFL pre-season.
Final Girl Games announces physical edition of 'VILE: Exhumed' one year after Steam censorship
Final Girl Games announced a physical edition of its game 'VILE: Exhumed', a year after the game faced censorship on Steam. This release provides an alternative distribution for the game, which explores a found-footage horror story set on a '90s PC desktop.
Minecraft to launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27 with enhanced visuals
Minecraft will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, featuring enhanced graphics through the Vibrant Visuals mode. An upgrade path for existing Switch owners will be provided, with more details to follow.
iOS 27 Introduces Four New Lock Screen Customization Features
iOS 27 adds new customization options for the iPhone's Lock Screen, including an "Extend" feature for wallpapers, AI-generated wallpapers via Image Playground, the ability to move the clock, and an option to swipe away the Now Playing widget. These updates provide users with more control over the visual appearance and layout of their Lock Screen.
Corsair Launches Skiff 100 Keyboards, Harpoon v2 Mouse, and Acquires Trak Racer
Corsair released two new gaming keyboards, the Skiff 100 and Skiff 100 Plus, featuring a rotary dial and multi-platform compatibility, alongside the Harpoon v2 wireless gaming mouse with a 140-hour battery life. Additionally, Corsair acquired Trak Racer, a manufacturer of high-end racing and flight simulation peripherals, expanding its presence in the simulation hardware market.
Netflix 4K Playback Now Supported on Google Chrome for Windows 11 and Chromebooks
Netflix has updated its support to allow 4K content playback through the Google Chrome browser, specifically on Windows 11 and Chromebooks. This expansion provides more options for users to access high-resolution streaming, though it remains limited to specific operating systems and hardware configurations.
Fields of Mistria, a Stardew Valley-like farming simulator, debuts in early access on Steam
Fields of Mistria, a new farming and life simulator game, launched in early access on Steam for PC players in August 2024, accumulating over 4 million player hours in its first month. The game offers fantasy themes, expansive character creation, and a magic-steeped story, building on the core mechanics of the farming simulator genre popularized by Stardew Valley.
Xbox offers free dynamic theme, avatars, and highlights classic Game Pass titles for 25th anniversary
Xbox is providing free digital items, including a dynamic theme and avatars, to celebrate its 25th anniversary this fall. The company is also featuring classic titles on Game Pass to commemorate the milestone, which matters to Xbox users interested in cosmetic customizations and curated game lists.
Wrinkles App Launches as AI-Powered Audio Tour Guide for Location-Based Stories
Wrinkles, a new app available on iOS and Android, uses AI and location services to provide audio stories about nearby places. The app aims to offer an immersive way to learn about local history and lore without requiring users to look at their phones, providing an alternative to traditional museum or city tour apps.
Apple Watch National Fitness Day challenge returns in China on August 8
Apple Watch users in China can participate in a National Fitness Day challenge on August 8 by completing a 20-minute workout to unlock virtual rewards. This event is exclusive to China and offers animated stickers and a virtual medal for completion.