price increase

AppWizard
February 12, 2026
Microsoft is considering merging its two Game Pass tiers, PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Premium, to create a more cohesive gaming experience. Currently, PC Game Pass offers access to Game Pass titles on PC, EA Play, and first-party games at .99 / £13.49 per month, while Xbox Game Pass Premium includes console, PC, and Cloud libraries but excludes EA Play, priced at .99 / £10.99 per month. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier has increased in price to .99 / £14.99 per month. Upcoming titles for Xbox Game Pass include High on Life 2. Microsoft may also explore a free version of its Xbox Cloud Gaming service.
AppWizard
February 11, 2026
Microsoft is planning to restructure its Xbox Game Pass tiers to simplify the subscription model. The current Game Pass structure includes the Essential tier at £6.99, the PC Game Pass at £13.49, the Xbox Game Pass Premium at £10.99, and the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at £22.99. Reports suggest a potential merger of the Premium and PC Game Pass tiers into a streamlined subscription. Microsoft is also focusing on enhancing the Ultimate experience by integrating third-party services like EA Play and Ubisoft+ Classics. Additionally, there are indications that the next-generation Xbox, expected in 2027, may operate on a Windows 11 hybrid environment, which could change the subscription model by eliminating the need for separate PC and console categories.
AppWizard
January 26, 2026
Apple services have expanded beyond their ecosystem, with Apple Music now available on Android, Windows, Google TV, and ChromeOS, as well as through a web app. Apple Music offers features like Dolby Atmos and lossless audio support, making it competitive against Spotify and YouTube Music. Spotify's recent price increase has made it more expensive than Apple Music and YouTube Music. YouTube Music, while bundled with YouTube Premium, struggles as a standalone service and has audio quality limitations. Apple Music provides high-resolution lossless audio, Dolby Atmos support, and a user-friendly experience on Android, priced at .99 per month. It allows users to import libraries from various services, enhancing its appeal across different platforms.
Winsage
December 31, 2025
In 2025, Microsoft faced challenges including a slow migration to Windows 11 after the end of Windows 10, with many users opting to stay on the older system due to free Extended Security Updates. The anticipated rush to Windows 11 did not occur, partly because many older PCs did not meet the new system requirements. Microsoft increased its focus on AI integration in Windows 11, but this initiative faced backlash from users concerned about unnecessary features and existing bugs. The annual upgrade brought only minor improvements, and persistent bugs continued to affect user experience, particularly for gamers, who faced disruptions amid rising competition from platforms like SteamOS. Additionally, a significant price increase for Xbox Game Pass led to subscriber cancellations, although revenue remained high. Xbox console sales dropped by 70% year-on-year, while the Surface hardware division did not achieve the same success as the previous year, with new devices failing to generate excitement.
AppWizard
December 20, 2025
The 256GB LCD model of the Steam Deck is set to be discontinued, with production officially ceased by Valve. Once sold out, the next available option, the OLED model, will see a price increase from £349 to £479. Some regions are already showing the LCD model as "Out of stock." The discontinuation may be due to rising RAM and storage costs.
AppWizard
December 18, 2025
The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is expected to have a price point higher than its predecessor, the 9800X3D, with leaks suggesting a price of .09, which is a [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Recent leaks concerning the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D price have stirred the pot among tech enthusiasts, revealing a price point that exceeds that of its predecessor, the 9800X3D. While the increase may not be drastic, it does dampen expectations for those hoping for a more affordable entry into AMD's latest offerings. Price Insights and Comparisons The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has established itself as the premier gaming CPU, thanks to its advanced Zen 5 architecture, eight-core design, and the innovative 3D V-Cache technology that significantly enhances gaming performance. The upcoming 9850X3D is anticipated to maintain these core features while offering a modest boost in clock speed, which is expected to yield slight improvements in gaming performance. However, the latest leaks suggest that consumers will need to pay an additional for this incremental upgrade. Two primary sources have emerged for these price leaks, both linked to the well-known tech leaker @momo_us on X. The first comes from SHI, a US-based IT infrastructure company, while the second is a Swiss retailer named Orderflow. According to Orderflow, the price in USD is projected to be 3.09, marking a .09 increase over the 9800X3D's launch MSRP of 9. The other source indicates a price of 473.55 Swiss francs, translating to an even steeper 6.34 USD. This price increase represents approximately a 15% rise based on the MSRP, which is significantly higher than the anticipated 5% improvement in clock speed associated with the new chip. Previous leaks suggest that the 9850X3D will achieve a peak clock speed of 5.6GHz, a step up from the 5.2GHz of its predecessor. For context, the AMD 9950X boasts a higher peak clock speed of 5.7GHz and features double the cores at 16. However, it lacks the additional 3D V-Cache chip that characterizes the X3D models, resulting in noticeably slower gaming performance compared to the 9800X3D. AMD is aware that a segment of gamers is willing to invest in the highest frame rates, making the 9850X3D an appealing option for this demographic. Despite the intriguing pricing leaks, it is essential to approach this information with caution. AMD has yet to provide any official confirmation, and there is a possibility that the prices mentioned are merely placeholders, not indicative of actual market values. Therefore, it may be wise to temper expectations for a sub-0 price tag. On a brighter note, the current pricing for the 9800X3D remains relatively stable, available for 5 in the US and £398.90 in the UK. While still a premium product, it stands out as one upgrade that has not been significantly impacted by the ongoing DRAM price fluctuations affecting other sectors of the industry." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].09 increase over the 9800X3D's launch MSRP of 9. This represents approximately a 15% rise based on the MSRP. The 9850X3D is anticipated to maintain the core features of the 9800X3D while offering a modest boost in clock speed to 5.6GHz, compared to the 5.2GHz of the 9800X3D. The current price for the 9800X3D is stable at 9 in the US and £398.90 in the UK.
AppWizard
December 4, 2025
AMD graphics card prices are expected to rise due to increasing RAM costs. Reports indicate that AMD has communicated a price increase for graphics cards with 8GB and 16GB VRAM configurations. The suggested price increase is approximately 10% for both types. AMD's business model involves selling GPUs and VRAM together, meaning any cost increases are passed on to consumers. Additionally, AMD has informed partners of a second price increase across its entire product line, though the timing is unclear. No new AMD products are expected to launch until 2027, suggesting a prolonged absence from the market.
AppWizard
December 3, 2025
Microsoft is set to release a variety of games on Xbox Game Pass in December 2025, with many transitioning from the Ultimate tier to the Premium tier. The games include: - December 2: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 3: Monster Train 2 (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 3: Spray Paint Simulator (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 4: 33 Immortals (Game Preview) (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 4: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 4: Routine (Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass) - December 9: A Game About Digging A Hole (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 9: Death Howl (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 9: Dome Keeper (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 10: Mortal Kombat 1 (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) - December 11: Bratz: Rhythm & Style (Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass) Routine is exclusively available to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The subscription pricing is as follows: - Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – .99/month - Xbox Game Pass Premium – .99/month - Xbox Game Pass Essential – .99/month - PC Game Pass – .49/month New games recently added include CloverPit, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Total Chaos, and Young Suns, with the latter being a Day One title on Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The Essential tier has also added Stellaris, World War Z: Aftermath, and Medieval Dynasty.
AppWizard
December 3, 2025
AMD is rumored to be planning a price increase for its Ryzen CPUs, with changes expected to take effect at midnight on December 1, 2025. This increase is said to be related to AMD's suppliers and may not immediately affect retail prices. The Ryzen 9000 series and some older AMD CPUs are expected to be impacted. Current prices for models like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D remain low, and consumers are advised to take advantage of existing deals before potential price hikes occur.
Tech Optimizer
December 2, 2025
Many consumers are concerned about online data safety during Cyber Monday shopping. Antivirus software is crucial for maintaining a virus-free environment, and a VPN service can enhance privacy. Surfshark is offering a Cyber Monday promotion that includes antivirus software, allowing customers to secure a two-year subscription to Surfshark One for a reduced price, along with three complimentary months. This package includes Surfshark VPN, Antivirus, Search, Alert, and Alternative ID products. An upgraded option, Surfshark One Plus, includes additional features like Incogni, a data removal service, also available at a discounted rate. CNET's Attila Tomaschek praised Surfshark for its speed, extensive server network, and user-friendly interface. Surfshark recently raised prices by 33% but has improved services, including faster speeds. The current promotion offers an 88% discount on the Surfshark One deal, making it significantly cheaper than the standard price for 27 months. This promotion allows consumers to secure premium privacy protection at a reduced price.
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