The ARMSX3 PS3 emulator update brings major improvements, including support for PS3 themes as library backgrounds, fixes for issues with several games, support for SIXAXIS motion on motion-enabled controllers, and touch-control features.
Gravhounds is a co-op wave shooter currently in early access on Steam, available for free during its open playtest. The game features polished gameplay, allowing players to team up against waves of enemies. It includes unique movement mechanics, enabling players to glide across buildable cables, and introduces light resource mining and tower defense elements using a gravity gun. The characters are designed as dogs with human bodies, adding a whimsical touch, and players respawn with a humorous cone of shame. Gravhounds distinguishes itself from traditional military-themed shooters through its creative design and engaging mechanics.
86Box is an emulator that meticulously reconstructs vintage PCs, allowing users to boot operating systems like MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows XP. The latest version, 6.0, was released on May 31, 2026, featuring a native Windows ARM64 build and discontinuing support for macOS 10.13 High Sierra. It has approximately 2,400 monthly searches in the U.S., indicating a demand for setup guides among enthusiasts. Unlike DOSBox, which creates a generic DOS environment, 86Box emulates specific hardware components for authentic execution of various operating systems. Originally a fork of PCem, 86Box has expanded its supported motherboards and developed a community of contributors. Version 6.0 has established it as the preferred choice for retro-PC builders in 2026.
Before installation, users need a minimum of a 64-bit Intel Core 2, AMD Athlon 64, or ARMv8 CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and a compatible host operating system. The installation process involves downloading the appropriate build, sourcing a legal ROM set, and configuring the virtual machine using the 86Box Manager. Users can select specific graphics cards and sound hardware to replicate the original systems accurately. The setup requires installation media for the guest operating system, which must be sourced legally.
Common pitfalls during setup include ensuring the BIOS ROM is available, matching CPU speed to software era, and installing the correct drivers. A properly configured virtual machine should display a BIOS POST screen and boot the selected operating system. Troubleshooting common issues often involves checking for missing ROMs, uninstalled drivers, or performance settings. 86Box is open-source and legal to use, but users must ensure they have legitimate licenses for any software used within the emulator.
In August 2026, Google Play announced new performance requirements for memory management that will be enforced starting February 2027. These requirements include metrics for dynamic memory usage, bitmap memory, and DEX code optimization. Applications that exceed these thresholds may face reduced visibility and publishing capabilities on the platform. Dynamic memory usage is defined as the sum of anonymous RSS and swap, excluding file-backed data. Google is focused on whether applications retain non-visible bitmaps and requires at least 25% coverage in DEX optimization. Memory issues can be difficult to reproduce, and developers are encouraged to use Android Studio’s Memory Profiler to investigate memory growth. A thorough investigation involves monitoring memory changes, taking heap dumps, and understanding reference paths. Bitmap memory should be carefully managed, as the runtime cost of images can exceed their file size. Google will provide real-world memory metrics through the Play Console, and teams are advised to establish memory budgets and perform pre-release checks to identify potential issues before they lead to out-of-memory (OOM) crashes.
The author initially favored Google Gboard but began exploring alternatives due to declining typing accuracy and clipboard management issues. They found Microsoft SwiftKey's stable version effective for swiping, predictive text, and multi-language support, but were disappointed with its voice input feature. Transitioning to SwiftKey Beta improved voice typing significantly, though it still lacks support for some niche languages and font scaling options. FUTO Keyboard is noted for its privacy and offline functionality but has limited language support and clipboard management. Samsung Keyboard, now the author's primary choice on their Galaxy Tab, offers deep integration with One UI and improved text prediction, though voice input still needs work. Gboard remains competent, especially in voice typing, but the author feels it is becoming less appealing due to data harvesting concerns and limited customization. Currently, the author plans to continue using Microsoft SwiftKey Beta, which meets most of their typing needs.
- Beast of Reincarnation: Release Date: August 3; Availability: Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S.
- Kynseed: Release Date: August 4; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S.
- Detective Holmes: Hidden Objects: Release Date: August 3; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere.
- Space Tail: Definitive Edition: Release Date: August 3; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S.
- Fading Clouds: Release Date: August 4; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S.
- Five Hearts Under One Roof: Release Date: August 5; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere.
- Mate'Morphosis: Release Date: August 5; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere.
- Aery – Surreal World: Release Date: August 6; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S.
- Herd Dispatch: Release Date: August 6; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S.
- Montabi: Release Date: August 6; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere.
- Sokogem: Release Date: August 6; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S.
- Vengeance of Mr. Peppermint: Release Date: August 6; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery.
- Yellowcreek Stories – The Cabin Watcher: Release Date: August 6; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere.
- INK ENIGMA 2: Hidden Object Challenges: Release Date: August 7; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere.
- John Fox: Release Date: August 7; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere.
- Limbot: Release Date: August 7; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere.
- The Relic: First Guardian: Release Date: August 7; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S.
- Tailbreak: Release Date: August 7; Availability: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere.
Next week, several games are set to launch for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC:
- Beast of Reincarnation: Releases on August 3, available on Game Pass and optimized for Xbox Series X|S. Players explore a post-apocalyptic Japan as Emma and her dog Koo, with customization options and exclusive pre-order rewards.
- Kynseed: Releases on August 4, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. A life simulation sandbox RPG from the creators of Fable, focusing on farming, family, and community interactions.
- Detective Holmes: Hidden Objects: Releases on August 3, optimized for Xbox Series X|S, featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in a hidden object game with various gameplay modes.
- Space Tail: Definitive Edition: Releases on August 3, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. Players follow Bea, a dog in space, engaging in observation-based gameplay.
- Fading Clouds: Releases on August 4, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. A puzzle adventure game with 30 levels set in the skies, focusing on creative problem-solving.
- Five Hearts Under One Roof: Releases on August 5, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Play Anywhere. An interactive FMV romance game centered on complex relationships.
- Mate’Morphosis: Releases on August 5, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Play Anywhere. A chess-inspired puzzle game where players become the pieces they capture.
- Aery – Surreal World: Releases on August 6, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. A flight exploration game through dreamlike landscapes.
- Herd Dispatch: Releases on August 6, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. A puzzle game where players guide sheep home through strategic planning.
- Montabi: Releases on August 6, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Play Anywhere. A creature-collector roguelike deckbuilding game.
- Sokogem: Releases on August 6, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. A minimalist puzzle game focused on logical movement.
- Vengeance of Mr. Peppermint: Releases on August 6, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. A side-scrolling beat-’em-up game featuring a detective seeking vengeance.
- Yellowcreek Stories – The Cabin Watcher: Releases on August 6, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Play Anywhere. A first-person stealth slasher game.
- INK ENIGMA 2: Hidden Object Challenges: Releases on August 7, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Play Anywhere. A hidden object game with upgraded gameplay.
- John Fox: Releases on August 7, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Play Anywhere. An action-adventure game featuring an elite warrior.
- Limbot: Releases on August 7, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Play Anywhere. A multiplayer game with a cardboard robot navigating a destructible city.
- The Relic: First Guardian: Releases on August 7, optimized for Xbox Series X|S. An action RPG set in a devastated world with fast-paced combat.
- Tailbreak: Releases on August 7, optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Play Anywhere. An arcade shooter featuring dinosaurs and a voiced story mode.
The demand for faster typing on smartphones has increased, particularly for professionals, students, and interns. Swipe typing, also known as Glide Typing on Gboard, allows users to glide their finger across the keyboard without lifting it for each letter, significantly enhancing typing speed. To use this method on a Google Pixel 8 with Android 16 and Gboard, users should tap on a text box, slide their finger across the keyboard, and lift it only when finishing a word. For Samsung Keyboard users, Swype mode must be enabled in the settings. Gboard's swipe typing feature becomes more intelligent with use, providing word suggestions and allowing users to teach it new words. This feature is effective in multiple languages, including Urdu, and can also be used on Wear OS smartwatches. Although there may be an initial learning curve, swipe typing can greatly improve typing efficiency and is often met with curiosity from others.
In Palworld, Nightstar Sand is a mid-game crafting ingredient required for various tech tree recipes starting at level 56. It can be primarily found in the Dessicated Dunes, particularly at night, where players can glide from the Searing Dunes Watchtower to locate glowing sand nodes. Feybreak Island beaches have a higher abundance of Nightstar Sand but are more challenging for lower-level players. The Dessicated Dunes also contain sparse deposits around the Tower of the PIDF. Nightstar Sand is used in crafting items such as the Advanced Bow, Beam Sword, Metal Detector, and Double Air Dash Boots, with specific quantities required for each recipe.
The sulfur cube is a new passive mob found in the sulfur caves of Minecraft. Players can feed sulfur cubes blocks, which allows them to absorb these blocks and undergo transformations that affect their movements. The interactions can result in the sulfur cube bouncing, sinking, or sliding, depending on the type of block used. Players are encouraged to experiment with various blocks, including TNT and magma, to discover different effects.