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Grounded 2 and These Other Games Are Coming to Xbox Game Pass Soon

The award-winning, quirky survival game Grounded is like the game version of the classic '80s comedy film, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. And on July 29, Xbox Game Pass subscribers can get early access to that game's sequel, Grounded 2. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a CNET Editors' Choice award pick, offers hundreds of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC or mobile device for $20 a month. A subscription gives you access to a large library of games, with new titles, inc

Topics: game games july pass play

MP Materials stock rips 24% higher after $500 million Apple deal for rare earth magnets

People look at iPhones at the Apple Fifth Avenue store in New York City on May 23, 2025. Apple and miner MP Materials announced a $500 million deal Tuesday for rare earth magnets and the development of a recycling facility that will reinforce the iPhone maker's U.S. supply chain. MP Materials stock climbed 24%. Shares of Apple were marginally higher. As part of the agreement, Apple will buy rare earth magnets created at the company's facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Both companies will combine

Apple @ Work Podcast: webAI puts LLM power in the hands of your IT team

Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with

AirPods Pro 3 are rumored to borrow a new feature from Beats

AirPods Pro 3 are one of Apple’s most highly anticipated new products. Even though launch timing for the new AirPods is still uncertain, rumors around features have been a little more solid, including a new feature that’s expected to be borrowed directly from Beats: heart rate monitoring. Heart rate monitoring coming to AirPods Pro 3, following Powerbeats Pro 2 Apple has long offered AirPods integration with health-related software features. For example, the iPhone’s Health app can show you da

NotebookLM now lets you chat with expert guides from top publishers, and Shakespeare - here's how

Google / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Google announced Monday that it is expanding the repertoire of NotebookLM, its AI-powered note-taking and research platform, to include the works of some prominent publishing names. Also: NotebookLM now lets you share your notebooks with anyone with a single link. Here's how The company is collaborating with a cohort of scientists, nonprofits, authors, and news publishers to deliver a series of featured notebooks for NotebookLM users. These notebooks cove

This handy AI voice recorder has changed the way I work (and it's easy to use)

ZDNET's key takeaways Plaud Note is available now on Amazon.com for $159 This device and app combo lifts your note-taking to a new level of efficiency and effectiveness The Plaud Note device does require a paid subscription for the AI features. $159 at Amazon In the world of voice recording apps and devices, it's mostly the same old thing: Click or tap Record, start speaking, stop speaking, and click Save. Some voice recording apps will do basic transcripts (the Pixel Recording app does an im

Ask HN: What's Your Useful Local LLM Stack?

What I’m asking HN: What does your actually useful local LLM stack look like? I’m looking for something that provides you with real value — not just a sexy demo. --- After a recent internet outage, I realized I need a local LLM setup as a backup — not just for experimentation and fun. My daily (remote) LLM stack: - Claude Max ($100/mo): My go-to for pair programming. Heavy user of both the Claude web and desktop clients. - Windsurf Pro ($15/mo): Love the multi-line autocomplete and how it

Roblox creators can now make their own Stranger Things and Twilight games

is a news editor covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme. Roblox is launching a new licensing platform that will make it easier for companies to offer their intellectual property (IP) to creators so they can build approved experiences. The platform includes a license manager that “equips rights holders with new self-serve IP management tools” and a licenses catalog that creators can browse and use to apply for “licensed use of IP,” a

Deals: MacBook Air $180 off, M4/Pro MacBook Pro $300+ off, Beats Solo Buds $50, more

Today’s best deals are kicking off with as much as $180 in savings on select M4 MacBook Air configurations joined by ongoing $150 price drops on the rest starting from $849. We also spotted some M4/Pro MacBook deals with 1TB 14-inch configs at $200 off and some of the higher-end models at over $310 off. Circling back around to some return Prime Day deals, we also have Twelve South’s wonderful 15W HiRise 3-in-1 Deluxe MagSafe stand back at the $75 all-time low as well as a nearly 40% price drop o

Apple commits $500 million over several years to buy US-made rare earth magnets

Apple just announced a commitment of $500 million over several years to buy rare earth magnets from the US-based company MP Materials. These rare earth magnets are used in a number of products, including iPhones, MacBooks and the Apple Pencil stylus. The American-made magnets will be shipped throughout the world, to help "meet increasing global demand for the material." MP Materials is the only fully integrated rare earth producer in the country. The two companies have also pledged to work toge

I replaced my Apple Watch with these heart-rate-monitoring earbuds from Beats (and they did some things better)

ZDNET's key takeaways The Powerbeats Pro 2 retail for $250 in vibrant Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, and Electric Orange colorways. The earbuds can replace your smartwatch or fitness tracker, offering exercise and activity data via companion apps. The sound isn't very robust, delivering weak bass and hollow mids. View now at Apple I've tested dozens of earbuds over the past year, and even new releases can feel monotonous after a while. Most brands make product upgrades in small strides, kee

Can Apple Actually Make a Foldable iPhone With a ‘Crease-Free’ Display?

Samsung has set the bar high for foldables with its latest Galaxy Z Fold 7. The book-style foldable really is jaw-dropping. Apple’s answer to it with a foldable iPhone needs to be even better. But how? Apple supply chain snoop Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone could come with a “crease-free display”… made by Samsung. Yes, really. You see, as thin, light, and sleek as the Z Fold 7 is, the crease running down the 8-inch folding screen is still visible. Samsung says the display

Best MP3 Players for 2025

CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. While most people just use their phone to listen to music, there are many situations where that's not ideal. For one, streaming music uses a lot of data, and sometimes you're in an area where there's no cell service anyway. Or maybe you just want to skip streaming altogether and actually own your music again. No matter the reason

Topics: like mp3 music player r4

Apple Reportedly Taps Samsung Display for First Foldable iPhone Screens

As we saw earlier this year, Samsung Display knows folds. And apparently that innovation has led them to a major win -- producing crease-free displays for the iPhone's first foldable cellphone in 2026. Samsung Display (SDC), which is an entirely separate company from Samsung itself that produces screens for many other companies, will reportedly begin mass production of its flexible folding screens later this year in time for Apple's foldable iPhone launch in summer 2026, as reported by Korea Jo

Can NAD Plus Supplements Really Reverse Aging? We Talked to Doctors Learn More About These Trendy Supplements

NAD plus supplements are gaining attention on social media thanks to a claim that they "reverse" the aging process. NAD plus is a compound that naturally exists in your body and is responsible for keeping your skin looking youthful. However, as you age, its levels decrease, so it stands to reason that a supplement could help counteract that. Many people have taken to Reddit to inquire about the potential skin care effects of this supplement, particularly for more mature skin. But will taking a N

MP Materials stock rips 23% higher after $500 million Apple deal for rare earth magnets

People look at iPhones at the Apple Fifth Avenue store in New York City on May 23, 2025. Apple and miner MP Materials announced a $500 million deal Tuesday for rare earth magnets and the development of a recycling facility that will reinforce the iPhone maker's U.S. supply chain. MP Materials stock climbed 23%. Shares of Apple were marginally higher. As part of the agreement, Apple will buy rare earth magnets created at the company's facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Both companies will combine

iPhone 17: Titanium is coming to just one model, and it’s a surprising choice

Two years ago, Apple launched the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max with a big emphasis on a new, titanium design. Titanium remained a differentiator for iPhone 16 Pro, too. But reporting indicates the company will ship only one iPhone 17 model with a titanium design this year, and it’s a surprising choice. iPhone 17 Air will be the only new model with titanium Last fall, as rumors about the iPhone 17 line started ramping up, one of the more curious reports had to do with design materials. The Inform

Rivian adds Google Maps features to its navigation app

Rivian, the American EV manufacturer, is integrating Google Maps into its navigation app. The update should provide Rivian owners with more detailed information about their route, disruptions and places they're passing. These new features include updated traffic data and reroutes if another option turns out to be quicker along your journey. Drivers will also have access to real-time road disruption reports from the Google Maps community. Plus, places of interest should now be available right on

As a millennial, I love this digital photo frame to display memories

Allison Murray/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways The Nixplay smart frame retails for $199 and comes in black, white, or wood. It's easy to set up, and you can invite family and friends to add photos to your frame (even if they don't own a Nixplay). The frame is expensive, especially given that horizontal photos show up pixelated and cut off. Remember digital photo frames? They were all the rage in the late 1990s/early 2000s -- when parents and grandparents alike had to own one. They seemed to dec

Why I prefer this Lenovo tablet over the iPad for multimedia consumption

ZDNET's key takeaways The Lenovo Tab Plus retails for $330, but is frequently on sale. Contrary to its small size, the model houses a booming eight-speaker system and a long-lasting battery. The MediaTek Helio chipset and dim display won't be winning any awards. View now at Amazon If you're in the market for a new tablet that won't break the bank, may I recommend the Lenovo Tab Plus? This is one of Lenovo's most portable tablets, capable of doubling as a mini-home theater. It has everything y

Apple commits $500M to U.S.-based rare earth recycling firm MP Materials

Apple is investing $500 million in MP Materials, the only fully integrated rare earth mining company currently operating in the United States, as part of a broader effort to strengthen the domestic rare earth supply chain. The tech giant announced on Tuesday that with this deal, it’s committed to buying American-made rare earth magnets developed at MP Materials’ flagship facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The factory will develop a series of neodymium magnet manufacturing lines specifically designe

Apple makes $500 million deal with miner MP Materials for rare earths magnets

People look at iPhones at the Apple Fifth Avenue store in New York City on May 23, 2025. Apple and miner MP Materials announced a $500 million deal Tuesday for rare earths magnets and the development of a recycling facility that will reinforce the iPhone maker's U.S. supply chain. MP Materials stock climbed 10%. Shares of Apple were marginally higher. As part of the agreement, Apple will buy rare earth magnets created at the company's facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Both companies will combine

Cyberpunk 2077 launching on Mac this week

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is officially coming to the Mac this week. CD PROJEKT RED has announced that the game will be available on Thursday, July 17 for Macs powered by Apple Silicon through the Mac App Store, GOG.com, Steam, and Epic Games Store. The launch of Cyberpunk 2077 on the Mac follows the debut of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Mac earlier this year. Apple touted that Cyberpunk 2077 would be available on the Mac sometime in 2025 when it announced the new M4 MacBook Pro line

Could smart goggles bridge the gap between Vision Pro and Apple Glasses?

It’s widely acknowledged that while Apple is happy for any Vision Pro sales it can get, the primary purpose of the existing headset is to let the company take a first step in the journey towards an Apple Glasses product. But while a cheaper Apple Vision still seems to be a couple of years away, along with the company’s equivalent of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, we are now seeing the potential emergence of smart goggles as an interim device – with TikTok entering the fray … Vision Pro is just a

Five EU countries to test age-check app under new child safety rules

France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are preparing to test a new age verification system as part of the EU’s push to regulate how children access online content. Here are the details. The pilot program, announced by the European Commission on Monday (via Reuters), is built on the same technical standards as the upcoming European Digital Identity Wallet, which is set to launch across the EU next year. The move comes alongside new EU guidelines aimed at helping platforms comply with the Dig

Apple Weather app is returning after total outage

Apple’s Weather app went down for many users, showing no data. The issue applied on all platforms, suggesting a server issue. However, it now seems to be slowly returning … In what appears to be a relatively brief complete outage, many users reported that the app was showing no weather for any location. We were able to confirm that the issue applied across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The outage lasted around 15-20 minutes. While the underlying issue appears to have been resolved, it seems to be ta

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition comes to the Mac on July 17

Mac owners will soon be able to play one of the biggest games of the last five years or so. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will be available in the Mac App Store as well as Steam, GOG.com and the Epic Games Store on Thursday, July 17. As the name implies, it includes both the base game as well as the Phantom Liberty expansion from 2023. The port was announced last fall and was originally planned to arrive "early" this year, but it took a little longer to get everything squared away. Unsurpris

Reddit begins age verification checks for UK users

Redditors in the UK will now have to verify their ages before they can view mature content. Just like Bluesky, which announced a few days ago that it was rolling out age verification features, Reddit had to enforce the new rule to comply with the UK Online Safety Act. The UK's new requirements are meant to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate posts. Reddit will use a third-party company called Persona to verify a user's age. Users will either have to upload a photo of their governme

Finally, a battery floodlight camera that's perfect for my dark yard

ZDNET's key takeaways The Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is a practical, battery-powered solution for darker areas around your house that lack wiring and outlets. The AA batteries allow the floodlights to beam at 700 nits of brightness, which is not the most powerful on the market but good enough to see your surroundings. The Blink app is feature-rich, with plenty of camera settings to customize for the best surveillance, but you'll need a paid subscription to unlock the best features. View

The Moving Assembly Line Turns 100 (2013)

This month marks the official celebration of the world’s first moving assembly line. On Oct. 7, 1913, 140 assemblers stationed along a 150-foot chassis line at a Ford Motor Co. plant just north of Detroit stood in place as the work came to them. With the aid of three-wheeled dollies, chassis were pushed by hand along parallel rails embedded in the floor of the Highland Park plant. Six months earlier, Ford engineers had experimented with a movable line for assembling flywheel magnetos, a key com