Fortune reported, citing Microsoft insiders, that the next Xbox console—reportedly codenamed Helix and due in 2028—has been internally projected to cost consumers between $1,200 and $1,800, unless Microsoft opts to subsidize the price. Former Xbox president Sarah Bond had previously described the upcoming hardware as the biggest technical leap of any console generation, while former Microsoft executive Mike Ybarra said he wouldn't release a console at that price point.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-22
Atari announced it will shut down the official software store for its 2021 VCS console-PC hybrid on February 1, 2027, with purchases allowed until January 31, 2027. The company plans to release an OS update letting owners migrate functionality to local storage, removing dependence on Atari's servers for authentication and software, and will roll out an Atari Homebrew App so users can keep building and installing games afterward.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-10-22
Fortune's profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reports Microsoft is pursuing a two-part hardware plan: a handheld device by late next year and a full console for holiday 2028. Internal company projections reportedly put that console's price between $1,200 and $1,800, though Microsoft could subsidize costs to lower the retail price.
games.slashdot.org
· 2026-10-21
A Fortune profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reveals new details on Project Helix, Microsoft's next-gen gaming hardware line. A handheld device is expected for holiday 2027, with a full console following in 2028, currently projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800 unless Microsoft subsidizes it. The report also mentions a possible shift to a la carte Game Pass pricing and more layoffs expected this month and in November.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-20
Microsoft is promoting a trade-in offer encouraging Xbox Series X owners to exchange their consoles, reportedly in the lead-up to a new device referred to as Project Helix. The push suggests the incentive is tied to generating interest or offsetting costs for the upcoming hardware.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-10-20
Mozilla has introduced Firefox Enterprise, a version of its browser aimed at companies and institutions that need compliance, governance and security controls hosted on their own infrastructure. The offering includes a self-hosted management console allowing administrators to set policies on data access, authentication and AI tool usage, and is being marketed specifically to European organizations. Mozilla says Firefox already has about 200 million monthly users and thousands of organizations deploying custom policies, and this new tier adds paid tools on top of the free, open-source browser.
techspot.com
· 2026-10-14
A hobbyist describes using a Matrix CoolRunner Rev D 'glitcher' modchip, bought in 2017, to exploit the Xbox 360's hardware boot process rather than its software. The console's 1BL bootloader is embedded directly in the CPU silicon and verifies Microsoft-signed code at each stage, making conventional software hacks largely ineffective. The author explains that after years of work, the weak point exploited was a fundamental hardware timing flaw rather than any cryptographic key.
kennedn.com
· 2026-10-13
A troubleshooting guide details why PlayStation 5 games sometimes show a padlock icon, blocking access, and outlines steps to resolve it. Causes include being signed into the wrong account, PSN outages, lapsed PlayStation Plus subscriptions, removed Plus titles, or gamesharing settings not being configured correctly. The guide walks through checking account status, transaction history, subscription status, and using the 'Restore License' option to regain access.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-11
Circana analyst Mat Piscatella reported that US retail sales of Xbox consoles fell 33% year-to-date through August 2026, marking an all-time low since the brand launched nearly 25 years ago. PlayStation 5 sales fell 25% over the same period, their weakest showing since 2013. Both Microsoft and Sony have raised console prices multiple times in the past two years amid chip shortages.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-10-11
Sony has informed distribution partners that supply constraints and high demand for the PS5 Pro will continue limiting retailer stock through at least 2027, according to German outlet Playfront. The console, originally priced at $699.99, now carries an MSRP roughly $200 higher, while resellers have listed units for as much as $1,539 at retailers like Best Buy.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-11
Sony has raised PlayStation 5 pricing in stages since its 2020 launch, when the Disc Edition cost $499 and the Digital Edition cost $399. After a 2023 Slim redesign, an August 2025 $50 increase, and a further $100 hike in April 2026, the consoles now retail at $650 and $600 respectively. The PS5 Pro has also climbed, from $700 at its 2024 launch to $900 after the same 2026 increases.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-11
GameStop is selling a used PlayStation 5 Pro for $1,399.99, roughly $500 above Sony's $899.99 list price, as a global shortage of the console continues. Sony has blamed AI-driven silicon demand for production constraints expected to persist into 2027, and other resellers are reportedly charging similarly inflated prices.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-10
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