A public jailbreak called Relapse enables PlayStation 5 consoles on firmware up to version 13.60 to play PS2 discs, but applying it blocks future firmware updates and there is no way to downgrade. Sony has reportedly begun blocking PlayStation Network sign-ins for consoles running firmware older than 14.10, meaning jailbroken PS5s lose access to online multiplayer, the PlayStation Store and new games requiring newer firmware.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-27
Android Auto users can install games from Google Play's Android Auto category or a curated collection, then access them via the dashboard launcher when connected by USB or wirelessly. Titles confirmed to work include Angry Birds 2, Candy Crush Soda Saga, My Talking Tom Friends, BB Racing 2, and the built-in GameSnacks service. Games are meant to be played only while the car is parked.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-26
Developer malebuffy has released Android Auto Maker, an open-source utility that modifies APK or XAPK files so they register in Android Auto's 'parked apps and games' category, letting users run games, video players and other apps on a car's infotainment screen while parked. An advanced version reportedly extends this to navigation apps usable while driving, provided Shizuku stays active and the phone screen remains unlocked.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-26
A teardown of Android Auto version 18.1.164344-release.daily by Android Authority uncovered new strings indicating a 'Remember this choice' feature for contacts with multiple saved numbers. The strings also show a message confirming when a default number has been set, which users could reportedly change by selecting the contact again. Google has not confirmed the feature publicly, and it is not yet available to users.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-26
Using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto can drain phone batteries and cause overheating because the device simultaneously runs normal phone functions and powers a tablet-like dashboard display, including a constantly updating map. The guidance recommends using a wired connection when possible, while cautioning that constant charging can itself generate heat, and suggests setting charge limits in phone settings or keeping the device in a cool, shaded spot in the car.
wired.com
· 2026-10-25
Gaming hardware has gotten notably pricier, with the PlayStation 5 Pro's price climbing from $700 at its 2024 launch to $900 today, and resellers like GameStop listing it above $1,400. Despite these increases, budget-friendly new consoles remain on the market for players willing to accept lower graphical performance or less conventional designs, though niche devices like the Playdate or Analogue 3D and generic Android gaming handhelds are excluded from consideration.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-25
The Verge's Installer newsletter issue No. 149 covers a search for a new web browser alongside other tech releases, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Amazon's Blink Mini 4K camera. The newsletter notes the new Call of Duty title focuses on refining existing gameplay rather than reinvention, with an improved campaign mode, while the Blink Mini 4K offers a $80 4K camera with two-way audio and smart security features.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-24
Sony is selling refurbished PS5 consoles at $100 off, with digital and disc editions priced at $499 and $549 respectively, each carrying a one-year warranty. Buyers can add a refurbished DualSense controller for $40 off its normal price, bringing a white controller's added cost to $18 and pricier colors like sterling silver to $23. The refurbished consoles also come with a 1TB SSD, more storage than the 825GB built into new digital edition consoles sold at retail.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-22
Google is rolling out Gemini integration in Google Maps for Apple CarPlay, letting drivers ask multi-step questions, request route changes like avoiding tolls, and report traffic incidents by voice while navigating. The feature is accessed via a Gemini icon that appears during turn-by-turn navigation. It's live now in the US with a global rollout underway.
9to5google.com
· 2026-10-21
Google has started rolling out Gemini in navigation to the iOS version of Google Maps used through Apple CarPlay. A new Gemini icon now appears in the Maps interface, letting drivers ask conversational questions to find stops, report traffic issues, or get place information. The rollout began today for US and global CarPlay users, though Google notes it may take a few days to reach all devices.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-21
Microsoft has set introductory pricing for its new pay-as-you-go Xbox Cloud Gaming option, letting players buy cloud hours without an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Xbox Insiders can now purchase bundles of 10 hours for $3.99, 25 hours for $7.99, or 50 hours for $11.99, with unused hours carrying over indefinitely. The feature rolls out more broadly next month and includes ad-free streaming and faster load times.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-21
LayerFS is a filesystem designed for AI coding agents that automatically creates a checkpoint at every step an agent takes. Each file operation is recorded as a commit, and each Bash command commits once it finishes executing. Calls that make no changes do not generate a commit, avoiding unnecessary history noise.
layerfs.ai
· 2026-10-21
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