A majority of respondents in a reader poll feel that performance deficits in Google's Pixel devices are not enough to deter them from buying one. Many value the "Pixel experience" and cohesive software over raw horsepower. Some users prioritize better power efficiency and less overheating over raw performance. However, a third of readers are deterred by Google's inability to match the competition at flagship price points, fearing for the device's longevity and performance in the future.
Surfshark One+ with Incogni is a comprehensive online privacy solution that combines a VPN, antivirus protection, and personal data removal services. The two-year plan is currently priced at .99, reduced from its regular price of 9.40. The Surfshark component includes a VPN, real-time antivirus protection, and Surfshark Alert for data breach notifications, while Incogni handles the removal of personal information from over 420 data brokers. Incogni has processed over 245 million removal requests, verified by Deloitte, and offers identity theft coverage of up to million. The service supports up to five devices and is compatible with various operating systems.
Fortnite has launched three new Star Wars-themed islands, allowing creators and UEFN studios access to pre-licensed assets. This initiative marks a shift in gaming, encouraging unpredictability and creativity. UEFN, a simplified version of Unreal Engine, enables developers to create and publish projects within Fortnite. The three islands include:
1. Galactic Siege: A conquest-style island where teams battle for capture points, featuring hero leveling and NPC interactions, though it suffers from netcode issues.
2. Escape Vader: A four-player co-op mission where players infiltrate a Star Destroyer to retrieve an artifact while avoiding Stormtroopers and Darth Vader, creating a thrilling experience.
3. Droid Tycoon: An idle management simulation where players build a droid army, featuring a gameplay loop of collecting cash and purchasing droids.
Epic Games and Disney's strategy integrates Star Wars assets into Fortnite, allowing for creative remixes, but raises concerns about the identity of iconic characters in the Fortnite universe.
GOG is offering three classic PC games from the 1990s for free until May 8. These titles, exclusive to GOG, are not available on platforms like Steam or the Epic Games Store. The games include:
1. The Adventures of Robbo - A puzzle game that debuted in Poland in 1989 and in the U.S. in 1993, where players guide a robot through levels collecting bolts.
2. Heartlight - A puzzle game released in Poland in 1990 and in the U.S. in 1994, where players help an elf named Percival collect hearts while navigating levels.
3. Electro Man - An MS-DOS exclusive platformer recognized as the first professional-level PC game developed in Poland, featuring a cyborg named Jacek seeking vengeance after an alien attack.
Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to have its third trailer released soon, likely coinciding with the start of pre-orders, as the game is set to launch in November. Take-Two's CEO has indicated that marketing efforts will ramp up ahead of the company's investor call on May 21. Rockstar Games has resumed social media engagement with fans, hinting at upcoming announcements. Meanwhile, a free open-world RPG called Neverness to Everness, referred to as ‘Anime GTA VI’ by fans, is available for players. This game allows players to explore a city, engage in criminal activities, and features a consequence system for getting caught. It is available on PC and PS5, but not on Steam for PC users. The PlayStation Store shows that 75% of players rated it five out of five.
Publisher Dotemu will release Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes on PC on May 11, 2026. The game is developed by Alt Shift and features players as fleet commanders in a post-apocalyptic setting following the fall of the Twelve Colonies. Gameplay includes survival-focused elements, fleet management, tactical decision-making, resource gathering, and defense against Cylon attacks. The game will be available for purchase on Steam and GOG.
The new Steam Controller lacks native Windows drivers, making it dependent on the Steam application for functionality. This means it cannot be used effectively with games from other platforms like the Epic Games Store or Xbox Game Pass, as it cannot interface with locked files on Windows 11. Gamers wanting to play titles like Forza Horizon 6 via Game Pass must purchase them directly from Steam to use the controller. While Valve could release standard Windows drivers to address this issue, there is skepticism about their willingness to do so. The gaming community previously developed a tool called GlosSI to enable the original Steam Controller to work with non-Steam applications, and a similar solution may emerge for the new model.
Guild Wars Reforged is launching on iOS and Android devices this summer, offering optimized UI and controls for mobile gameplay. The game will be available for free with the original Prophecies campaign included, and additional expansion content can be purchased for a fee. Players who already own the game can sync their progress to the ad-free version at no extra cost.
Signal is experiencing a crisis of trust due to security breaches, including successful infiltrations by Russian hackers in Germany and the Netherlands. Senior EU officials have disbanded a Signal group due to hacking fears. Accessing Signal chat content on the dark web can cost between ,000 to ,000, while WhatsApp data is cheaper, ranging from ,000 to ,000. Personal information, such as travel histories, can be bought for 0 to 0, especially for individuals who have traveled to countries known for data leaks. Investigations revealed that Russian diplomats' medical records, banking information, and dating site usernames are available on the black market. Location tracking can be precise when certain applications are downloaded. A Kazakh refugee in Brussels faced high-definition surveillance, and local laws challenge private detectives' effectiveness. State actors have used Israeli spyware like Pegasus to target journalists and adversaries. The prospect of secure communication is diminishing, with online exchanges increasingly seen as vulnerable.
