The MANGMI Air Y series will feature a 4.2-inch IPS touch display with a 1,280 x 960 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, and cover 110% of the sRGB color gamut.
Valve has released Windows drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to replace SteamOS with Windows for greater software flexibility. This transition requires a complete OS overhaul and may result in performance issues due to reliance on generic AMD graphics drivers, as Valve does not provide official support for Windows on the Steam Machine. Users have encountered a hardware issue known as the “Red Bar of Death,” which can often be resolved through power resets and ensuring proper ventilation. The upcoming Steam Frame VR headset is designed to operate independently of a PC, featuring standalone capabilities and enhanced SteamOS integration, but its success will depend on competitive pricing and developer support. The Steam Machine faces challenges such as high pricing, aging hardware, and limited official support, impacting its competitiveness in the gaming market.
MANGMI has announced the upcoming release of the Air Y and Air Y Pro vertical handhelds, designed in a Game Boy-style format and running on the Android operating system. The devices feature a 4:3 screen, side buttons, a scroll wheel for volume control, and MANGMI branding. The Pro model boasts dual analog sticks and the handhelds will be powered by a Snapdragon or Dragonwing chipset.
Android Auto is expanding its functionality for outdoor activities with a variety of apps designed for off-road navigation and exploration. These applications cater to different vehicle types, including RVs and ATVs, and many off-road vehicles now come with built-in Android Auto systems. Aftermarket multimedia units are also available for those without factory-installed screens.
Key apps include:
- onX Offroad/Hunt: Provides access to verified off-road trails, difficulty ratings, and land boundaries, with features for hunters including landowner information and offline maps.
- National Park Service: Offers interactive trail maps, self-guided tours, and downloadable park information, enhancing the experience of exploring U.S. national parks.
- RV Life: Assists RV owners in planning safe routes based on their vehicle's dimensions, avoiding low bridges and restricted roads, though it requires a subscription for Android Auto integration.
- Gaia GPS: A navigation tool for areas with limited cell service, featuring various map layers and the ability to track position and access downloaded maps on the vehicle's display.
- Spotify: Allows users to download music and podcasts for offline listening through Android Auto, requiring a premium subscription and a brief online connection every 30 days.
Google will soon notify Android users when an app they installed has lost developer support. Currently, users only receive alerts from Play Protect for significant security threats or potentially harmful apps. The only way to discover if an app has been delisted is through external sources or by trying to install it on a new device. Recent findings in the Play Store indicate that Google is preparing to inform users when apps have been removed from the Play Store and will no longer receive updates. Abandoned apps pose significant security risks, as they may contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors. Google's new notifications aim to encourage users to uninstall unsupported apps to protect their personal data.
Players can claim two free games from the Epic Games Store: "Songs of Conquest," a turn-based strategy game released by Lavapotion in 2024, and "Rogue Waters," a turn-based roguelite developed by Ice Code Games, also released in 2024. "Songs of Conquest" typically retails for .99 and features pixel art visuals, multiple biomes, and a 'Very Positive' rating of 85% on Steam. "Rogue Waters," which usually costs .99, involves procedural generation and has a 'Mostly Positive' rating of 76% on Steam, but has faced criticism for bugs. The offer is exclusive to PC users and expires at 4 PM BST on Thursday, June 11.
Windows has historically been the dominant operating system for PC gaming, with Linux being less appealing due to a lack of developer support and compatibility issues. The introduction of Valve's Proton in 2018 transformed the Linux gaming experience by allowing Windows games to run on Linux without requiring developers to create separate versions. CachyOS, a Linux distribution, has emerged as a strong competitor to Windows 11, often outperforming it in gaming performance due to its specialized schedulers. However, certain games with specific anti-cheat mechanisms remain inaccessible on Linux, keeping Windows as the preferred choice for many popular titles. Despite this, the growing popularity of Linux distributions like CachyOS may lead to increased demand for Linux-compatible games and potential solutions for anti-cheat issues in the future.
Google is allowing developers to offer premium games in Google Play that include access on both Android and Windows platforms through a "Buy once, play anywhere" program.
The Lenovo Legion Y9 (2025 model) combines high-end hardware, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB of RAM, with the Lenovo G9 controller to deliver a versatile Android-based handheld gaming experience.
Indie developer Patattie Games, in collaboration with publisher Curve Games, will launch the game Wax Heads on May 5, 2026, available on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Players will take on the role of a team member at Repeater Records, a vinyl shop, engaging with customers and making choices that affect their experience. A playable demo will be available during Steam Next Fest from February 23 to March 3. The game features over 80 in-game records, more than 60 hand-drawn characters, and over 30 original songs. Key features include a handcrafted musical world, an emotional narrative, puzzle designs, and a comic book art style. Patattie Games is co-founded by Murray Somerwolff and Rothio Tome, while Curve Games is an award-winning publisher based in London.
