Technology - Kalakshar US

Apple just dropped a security update for all its platforms

With iOS 26 coming within the next month or so, Apple doesn’t have many reasons left to update iOS 18. But this is one of them. The company pushed a security update for its platforms on Wednesday. iOS 18.6.2 patches a vulnerability related to image processing.

Apple’s security notes say the update plugs a hole related to Image I/O. (That’s a development framework for reading and writing image data.) “Processing a malicious image file may result in memory corruption,” the company wrote. Apple said the vulnerability may have been exploited in “an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.”

The ecosystem-wide update encompasses iOS 18.6.2, iPadOS 18.6.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.6.1. There are also equivalent updates for iPads and Macs stuck on older firmware versions.

It can’t hurt to update your device as soon as you get the chance. Head to Settings > General > Software Update, and fire away.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-just-dropped-a-security-update-for-all-its-platforms-194528494.html?src=rss

The Rogue Prince of Persia is officially out for PC and consoles

Ubisoft and Evil Empire’s long-awaited The Rogue Prince of Persia is finally out and available for purchase. It’s been in early access on Steam for over a year and the developers have made plenty of changes during that time to get the game ready for a general launch.

It’s available for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X/S and PS5. It’s also playable in the cloud by using the Xbox Cloud service, Ubisoft+ and Amazon Luna. Nintendo fans will have to wait a bit longer. The game’s coming to the Switch and Switch 2, but not until later this year.

For the uninitiated, The Rogue Prince of Persia is a sidescrolling roguelike with plenty of fast-paced action and a graceful move set inspired by other games in the franchise. Co-developer Evil Empire is the company behind the iconic Dead Cells, which is also a sidescrolling roguelike.

Since launching in early access, developers have added more biomes and a new story, in addition to refining the gameplay and character designs. If you’ve been hankering for a new roguelike with some light Metroidvania elements (just like Dead Cells), this could be the game you’ve been waiting for. It costs $30.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-rogue-prince-of-persia-is-officially-out-for-pc-and-consoles-184621675.html?src=rss

Microsoft is working on a fix for PC shader stutter

Microsoft is creating a new “advanced shader delivery” feature for the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally handhelds that might make loading games faster and more stutter-free. The company teased the upcoming feature alongside the announcement of the launch date for the first Xbox-branded handhelds and the company’s new compatibility system for figuring out if games will run well on handhelds.

Shader stutter is a widespread issue in PC gaming that doesn’t occur on consoles because of their uniform hardware. You have to download shaders for a PC game to make sure that they run correctly on your specific hardware. Typically, a game downloads shaders when they’re first launched, which can add to the wait before you can actually start playing, and lead to things like framerate drops as shaders are compiled in the background. Microsoft’s system “preloads game shaders during download” which the company says will allow games to launch up to 10 times faster, “run smoother, and use less battery on first play.”

It sounds like this new shader delivery system will require some amount of buy-in from developers, which means it likely won’t impact every game at launch. It’s just one of the ways Microsoft is trying to address the complexity and inefficiency Windows 11 can add to gaming. Besides including easier access to features like the Game Bar and ASUS’ Armoury Crate software, the company also says that its handheld version of Windows will “minimize background activity and defer non-essential tasks” to devote more resources to playing games.

Microsoft wants theses handhelds to be a success, so it makes sense to put in the work. But in a world where Xbox home consoles look even more like Windows PCs, the company might also be making improvements now that it can take advantage of later.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-is-working-on-a-fix-for-pc-shader-stutter-193616440.html?src=rss

Get up to a $300 Amazon gift card when you pre-order a Google Pixel 10 phone

Google just revealed a spate of new devices, including a line of Pixel 10 smartphones. Amazon has joined the hype train early, as it now offers gift cards when pre-ordering one of these handsets. The gift cards range in value from $100 to $300, depending on what device is purchased.

Perhaps the most notable is a $200 gift card when pre-ordering the Pixel 10 Pro with 128GB of storage. This model costs $1,000, so that basically drops the price down to $800. The Pixel 10 Pro offers wireless charging, an improved camera system, a brighter display and a bigger battery than last year’s model. It ships on August 28.

Pre-ordering the bigger and beefier Pixel 10 Pro XL with 256GB of storage provides a $200 Amazon gift card. This one costs $1,200 and ships on August 28. The base Pixel 10 smartphone with 128GB of storage also hits stores on that date and comes with a $100 gift card. The price for the entry-level handset is $800.

Finally, there’s the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The 512GB version of this foldable comes with a $300 gift card, which is enough to really do some damage on Amazon. There are some caveats. This one costs $1,900 and doesn’t ship until October 9.

All of this gift card madness ends on September 4. In other words, scoop up a pre-order in the near future to get one.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-up-to-a-300-amazon-gift-card-when-you-pre-order-a-google-pixel-10-phone-174504117.html?src=rss

Resident Evil Requiem feels very familiar, but it’s so well made that I respect the hell out of it

For nearly 30 years, developer Capcom has been redefining its particular brand of survival horror for the Resident Evil series. Despite its tone shifting between action-horror games and more pure horror entries, where players face down grotesque moments with scant resources, the series still manages to place players in tense encounters that define the series’ against-all-odds approach to horror. And with the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem — or RE9 — appears to continue the series’ current momentum in delivering compelling horror experiences.

Just ahead of Gamescom 2025, I got to experience the opening of Resident Evil Requiem, focusing on new protagonist Grace Ashcroft (daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak) and her desperate attempt at fleeing a horrifying clinic within a strange mansion. Capcom’s return to traditional survival horror was one of the best games showcased at Summer Game Fest 2025, and spending more time with it recently made me appreciate the series’ renewed vision — even if it’s a bit familiar.

Much like recent core entries in the Resident Evil series — VII and Village — Resident Evil Requiem places a keen focus on immersion, truly capturing that sense of dread as you walk down the halls of an unnerving facility. The larger story of Requiem seems to be pointing towards a homecoming of sorts for the series’ most pivotal event — the destruction of Raccoon City in Resident Evil 2 and 3. While Requiem‘s story will expand into a more ambitious scope, the demo I played focused on Grace’s harrowing attempt to escape her abductors.

In this sequence, Grace frees herself from an inverted hospital gurney and finds herself trapped in a ruined clinic filled with the bodies of dead doctors. In keeping with the brand of horror from the Resident Evil 2 remake and Resident Evil Village, I was being stalked by an imposing, grotesque monster hiding in the ceilings. Without weapons and with only empty bottles for distractions and sources of light to keep the beast at bay, the sequence felt very much like a stealth puzzle sequence, where I had to examine the movements of the beast and figure out a way to maneuver around it.

I had previously seen this particular sequence during Summer Game Fest 2025. While I was impressed with its presentation — which features some of the most impressive lighting and character rendering I’ve seen from Capcom’s RE Engine — I found the premise and scenario to be somewhat too familiar than I would have liked. Since Resident Evil VII, the series has leaned heavily into putting players in the series’ most vulnerable moments, which often entail being stalked by imposing foes without any means to defend oneself.

Capcom

That sense of vulnerability can often feel played out, especially within the current horror game space, where running away from things is its sub-genre. However, getting to play Resident Evil Requiem properly made me appreciate Capcom’s attempt to maintain the momentum from Resident Evil VII. And a lot of that had to do with the fact that Requiem now stars a more fully defined protagonist. Ethan Winters from VII and Village was a faceless protagonist with somewhat generic motivations, but he gradually became more well-rounded by the end of his story in Village. Now, with Grace, we’re thrust into an unfamiliar situation, as she’s more of an active participant in the story — talking to herself throughout the demo — and I felt a stronger connection to her sense of vulnerability as a protagonist.

One of my favorite moments from the preview came shortly after I encountered the monster for the first time. After evading it, I went to the clinic’s waystation to find a tool to open a fuse box. As I was wheeling a cart over to an elevated toolbox, the creature came into the room. As I tried hiding behind the cart, the monster spotted me and smashed the cart into me, which sent Grace hurling back to the wall. The beast then grabbed Grace and took a giant bite out of her shoulder. I used up my only health item and fled the room, returning to the well-lit safe that started the preview. Once the monster was gone, I snuck back into the waystation to retrieve the item — but more carefully this time around. It was a scary moment, but still totally exciting, and it had me on edge for the rest of the preview.

Capcom

Much like Resident Evil VII and Village, Requiem is by default a first-person game, which certainly creates a palpable sense of dread and uneasiness when exploring with a limited perspective. However, Requiem also adds the option to switch to third-person, which was introduced post-launch for Resident Evil Village and its DLC, Shadows of Rose. Having played the demo from both perspectives, I was impressed with how well the presentation feels tuned for both styles. The third-person perspective captures that sense of dread and adds in the expanded visibility, which gave me a clear and distressing view of the monster stalking me from behind as I ran towards the safe room.

In the final stretch of my preview, I had all the tools I needed to make my exit. However, the storm outside the building blew out the lights in the area, allowing the monster to give chase. This sprint to the finish was tense and riveting. Even having seen the demo hands-off months prior, playing the sequence on my own made for a captivating experience. Once Grace made her exit, she had one last confrontation with the monster before the demo came to an abrupt end.

Capcom

So far, Resident Evil Requiem feels like a souped-up version of the immersive survival horror found in recent entries of the series — and it does very well based on this preview. I appreciated just how atmospheric this one, fairly limited, area of the preview was — seeing the long stretch of the hallway, with only my lighter and a dim red light illuminating in the distance, made for a striking visual — especially with the silhouette of the monster looming in the distance.

That said, as well made as these sequences were, I’m already looking forward to seeing what sort of other tricks and events Requiem has in store. While I was a bit mixed on Village‘s Resident Evil amusement park-style structure, I’m hoping Requiem will still take some big swings with its new twist on the series’ survival horror. I have plenty of questions about Resident Evil Requiem, but I’m intrigued about what’s to come for this series’ next big move ahead.

Resident Evil Requiem will be released on February 27, 2026 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/resident-evil-requiem-feels-very-familiar-but-its-so-well-made-that-i-respect-the-hell-out-of-it-180022141.html?src=rss

Gemini is coming to Google Home in October with both free and paid versions

Gemini is launching in early access on smart displays and speakers in October, Google announced in a new blog post. Gemini for Home will replace Google Assistant on the company’s smart home devices, and will apparently be available in both free and paid versions, implying Google is interested in expanding its subscription business, not unlike Amazon is with Alexa+.

Google originally demoed Gemini for Home back at CES 2025. At the time, the company was primarily promising that generative AI would make conversations with smart devices more natural by removing the need for wooden voice commands. You can speak to Gemini like you would a human being and get the results you’d expect, whether its an answer to a trivia question or an adjustment to your thermostat. The real promise of Gemini integration is how the AI assistant’s multimodal features could use inputs from other Nest devices — a video feed from a security camera, for example — to answer more complex questions about what’s happening in your home.

For Google’s October early access rollout release, the company seems to be guaranteeing all of those same improvements, on top of offering access to Gemini Live for even more personalized conversations. What Google’s blog post doesn’t cover is how much all this costs and what Gemini features will be locked behind a subscription. Back at CES, the company said that Nest Aware subscribers — who pay $10 per month — would get early access to Gemini in Google Home later this year. The paid version of the AI assistant could just be rolled into Google’s existing subscription, but the company might also offer it as a separate add-on.

Gemini for Home launches in early access in October. Google says it will “share more details soon” about the rollout. Maybe that news will be paired with the release of a new Nest speakers and smart displays. The last Nest Hub was released in 2021, which suggests the lineup is more than due for a refresh.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/gemini-is-coming-to-google-home-in-october-with-both-free-and-paid-versions-182334081.html?src=rss

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: How the newest foldable phones stack up

The latest and greatest of the foldable phone world. (Google, Sam Rutherford/Engadget)

Last month, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was released and immediately became the de facto king of the foldable phone hill. But today a new challenger has arrived: The Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Initial details are now available, and Google is having a splashy launch event to introduce it (and the full new Pixel 10 line) to the world. These two smartphones are vying for the title of best foldable — both with very similar designs, but each bringing something unique to the table.

Samsung launched its first foldable phone in 2019, so it’s had quite a bit of time to refine the Galaxy Fold over the years. Google on the other hand just released its first Pixel Fold a couple years ago — but has already largely evened the match. And, of course, with enhanced Gemini AI software integration front and center, you’ll have access to Google’s impressive artificial intelligence features at nearly every turn.

We’ll break down how the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 7 stack up to one another. You can also check out our comparison of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Fold 6 to see how much has changed in a year. For more, see everything else that was announced at the Made by Google Pixel event today, including the Pixel Watch 4.

Price

First things first, how much will one of these high-tech folding phones cost you? That is the make-or-break question, after all. The newest Pixel foldable is still less expensive than this year’s Z Fold: it starts at $1,799 while the Galaxy smartphone starts at $2,000.

You don’t have any other real choices for “book-style” foldables in the US market. The OnePlus Open can be had for $1,499, but it’s almost two years old. And Apple’s most expensive phone is currently the $1,599 1TB iPhone 16 Pro Max — but as a non-foldable model with just a single screen, it’s hardly a straight comparison. If the rumor mill is to be believed, Apple may finally bow a foldable iPhone in 2026.

Dimensions and display

It’s a race for the largest display and Samsung won this time — but not by much. The Galaxy Z Fold is just a hair bigger than the Pixel Pro Fold. Both phones’ inner displays are 8 inches across when fully opened, while Samsung comes out ahead on the outer display with 6.5 inches (the Pixel is 6.4 inches).

As for height, the new foldable Pixel phone is 6.1 inches and the Galaxy Z is 6.2 inches — not a huge difference there. When unfolded, the Samsung wins on size efficiency, packing the identically sized 8-inch internal display into an area that’s 0.3 inches smaller — 5.6 inches versus the Pixel’s 5.9.

This year, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s displays have been upgraded to a Super Actua Flex OLED display with ultra-thin glass. Both the front screen and back cover come equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

As for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it has a Dynamic AMOLED display (inner and outer) and comes with the Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front and the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the backside. The glass is ultra-thin, yet it’s 50 percent thicker than before.

While slightly bigger, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is still lighter than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The Samsung model weighs only 7.6 ounces — down nearly an ounce from its 2024 model — while its Google competition comes in at 9.1 ounces (the same as last year’s model).

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (left) compared to the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold (right). (Sam Rutherford/Engadget)

Processor, RAM, storage and battery

The Pixel 10 Fold Pro runs the Tensor G5 chip — Google says its CPU features 34 percent better performance compared to the Tensor G4 chip.

The Z Fold 7 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. “Everything feels fast and snappy,” Engadget’s Sam Rutherford said of the Snapdragon 8 Elite performance on the Z Fold 7. (Sam also has first impressions of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but speed tests will happen a bit later.)

Both phones offer the choice of 256GB, 512GB or 1TB storage. On the RAM front, the Pixel Fold delivers 16GB across the line, while the Samsung model reserves that level for the top 1TB storage tier; the small models get 12GB instead. The Galaxy phone will cost you $2,419 if you decide you need the maximum amount of storage, whereas the Pixel Fold tops out at $2,149.

When it comes to battery life, Samsung’s foldable lasts up to 24 hours with a 4,400mAh battery. The Pixel lasts up to 30 hours thanks to a more capacious 5,015mAh battery rating. Furthermore, the Pixel Fold is certified for Qi2 wireless charging, which Google is branding as “Pixelsnap” across its 2025 Pixel line for the first time..

Color options

If you like having multiple colors to choose from, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is winning in this category. It comes in Mint, Jetblack, Blue Shadow and Silver Shadow. Mint is only available if you buy your phone online — you won’t be seeing that one in stores.

As for the Pixel 10 Fold Pro, your options are Moonstone and Jade.

Full specs comparison

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Starting price

$1,799

$2,000

Dimensions

Folded: 6.1 x 3.0 x 0.4 inches (155.2 x 76.3 x 10.8mm)
Unfolded: 6.1 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches (155.2 x 150.4 x 5.2mm)

Folded: 6.2 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches (158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9mm)
Unfolded: 6.2 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches (158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2mm)

Weight

9.1 oz (258g)

7.6 oz (215g)

Processor

Tensor G5

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm)

Display

Inner: 8-inch Super Actua
Outer: 6.4-inch Actua

Inner: 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED
Outer: 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED

Storage

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

RAM

16GB

12GB (for 256GB, 512GB configs) | 16GB (for 1TB config)

Battery

5,015mAh | “Up to 30 hours”

4,400mAh | “Up to 24 hours”

Camera

Main: 48 MP wide | 5x telephoto lens with Super Res Zoom up to 20x
Front: 10 (ƒ/2.2)
Inner: 10 MP (ƒ/2.2)

Main: 200 MP Wide (F1.7) | 12 MP Ultrawide (F2.2) | 10 MP (F2.4) / Telephoto (F2.4) w/3x zoom
Front: 10 (F2.2)
Inner: 10 MP (F2.2)

Stylus support

Colors

Moonstone, Jade

Mint (online only), Jetblack, Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-pixel-10-pro-fold-vs-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-how-the-newest-foldable-phones-stack-up-165018793.html?src=rss

How to pre-order Google’s new Pixel 10 phones, Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a

Google unveiled a swarm of new Pixel devices on Wednesday, including four Pixel 10 phones, the Pixel Watch 4 and a set of wireless earbuds called the Pixel Buds 2a. We’ve gone hands-on with some of the hardware already, and we’ll have full reviews in the days ahead, so most people should hold off before making any purchases. If history is any indication, it shouldn’t be too long before we see discounts for the new phones either. But if you’re interested in taking the plunge early, we’ve quickly broken down what’s new and where you can pre-order each device below.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-pre-order-googles-new-pixel-10-phones-pixel-watch-4-and-pixel-buds-2a-160046941.html?src=rss

Pixelsnap is Google’s Qi2-powered answer to MagSafe for the Pixel 10 series

Google just revealed something called Pixelsnap at today’s Made by Google event. This is the company’s answer to Apple’s MagSafe technology, so it’s a magnetic attachment system that can integrate with Qi2 wireless chargers.

All of the new Pixel 10 phones have been outfitted with the tech, which lets users “effortlessly snap wireless chargers, stands, grips and thousands of other accessories,” including the just-announced official Pixelsnap charger. That Qi2 wireless charger reaches speeds up to 25W and there’s a version with a stand to dock a phone while charging.

Google

Google also announced the Pixelsnap Ring Stand, which is for hands-free viewing, and a range of Pixelsnap phone cases. There are plenty of accessories coming from third-party companies, including car mounts, wallets, grips and more. The tech should also integrate with most pre-existing magnetic accessories.

The Pixelsnap wireless charger costs $40, while the one with a stand costs $70. The Pixelsnap Ring Stand starts at $30 and dedicated smartphone cases start at $50. The phones will still be able to attach magnetically and wirelessly charge with one of these cases.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/pixelsnap-is-googles-qi2-powered-answer-to-magsafe-for-the-pixel-10-series-160048306.html?src=rss

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers improved dust resistance and Qi2 wireless charging

Google just announced the Pixel 10 Pro Fold smartphone at the Made by Google event. This latest foldable offers some novel features, especially when compared to rival handsets like the recently-released Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This is pretty significant for dust, as the Z Fold 7 has just an IP48 rating. IP68 is a good rating and essentially means that the unit will be completely dustproof and can withstand being submerged in water deeper than one meter for around 30 minutes. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold offered an IPX8 rating, which is the same metric for water but a much poorer rating for dust.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold also includes Qi2 wireless charging, and it’s the first foldable to offer this feature. That’ll pair nicely with Google’s just-announced PixelSnap platform, which is the company’s answer to Apple’s MagSafe.

Google

The general specs are solid here. It ships with a 6.4-inch external OLED display and an 8-inch internal display when unfolded. The hinge is made from high-grade aluminum alloy and the external display features a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover.

The battery lasts for around 24 hours, but Google’s Extreme Battery Saver software can extend that all the way up to 84 hours. We’ll have to test that when we run the handset through its paces. It can also charge up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

There’s a triple rear camera system, including a 48MP wide lens, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens with macro focus and a 10.8MP telephoto lens. It ships with a Google Tensor G5 chip, 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB in storage.

The bad news? The Pixel 10 Pro Fold won’t be available until October 9, while the other Pixel phones drop on August 29. Like most foldables, this handset is on the expensive side. Prices start at $1,799.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-pixel-10-pro-fold-offers-improved-dust-resistance-and-qi2-wireless-charging-160052381.html?src=rss