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Helix, founded in 2025 by Alex Oberg, Anna Dorofiyenko, and Mike Hall, has raised $6 million led by Chicago Ventures to build voice-based identity verification technology. The system runs locally on a user's device and can determine whether a speaker is human and estimate their age, and Siri co-founder Dag Kittlaus has invested and joined as an advisor.
WIRED has published an updated roundup of early Black Friday and Cyber Monday mattress deals, highlighting discounts on brands it has previously tested, including Helix, Birch, Tempur-Pedic, Sleep Number, Restnature and Bedgear. Helix is offering 20 percent off sitewide with a promo code, plus steeper discounts on specific Luxe and Elite models, while Birch's Luxe Natural mattress is listed at 25 percent off.
WIRED reports early Black Friday discounts on mattress brands it has tested, including Helix and Birch. Helix is offering 20 percent off sitewide with a promo code, plus up to 25 percent off its Luxe line and 30 percent off its Elite line, while Birch has a 25 percent discount on its Luxe Natural mattress. The Helix codes are valid through November 29.
A commentary piece argues that Microsoft's forthcoming Xbox handheld device deserves more attention than the next-generation Xbox console, which could reportedly cost more than $1,200. The analysis frames the handheld as the more consequential product line for Xbox's future, even as the high price of the flagship console draws headlines.
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.
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.
Fortune reports that Microsoft's internal projections put the price of its 2028 holiday-season Project Helix console between $1,200 and $1,800, with a separate next-gen handheld planned by the end of next year. Fortune also reports internal disputes at Microsoft over whether the handheld should run a trimmed version of Windows or a custom operating system built by the Xbox team, with one executive reportedly threatening to cancel the device if forced to use Windows.
According to a Fortune profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, Microsoft's next-generation console, codenamed Helix, is now targeted for the 2028 holiday season rather than 2027, with internal pricing estimates ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 unless subsidized. A separate Xbox-branded handheld capable of running digital console games could still arrive in 2027. Sharma is also reportedly planning to restructure Game Pass into an à la carte model with optional add-ons.
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.
Microsoft is reportedly planning an Xbox handheld device for holiday 2027, followed by a next-generation console codenamed Project Helix in holiday 2028, according to Fortune. The console is said to be internally projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800 unless Microsoft subsidizes the hardware, and Fortune reports internal disagreement between Microsoft's Windows and Xbox teams over which software will run the system.
Microsoft has made its Disc to Digital tool available to all Xbox users after a month of Insider beta testing, letting players convert physical Xbox One and Series X game discs into digital licenses tied to their account rather than their console. The feature does not require an Xbox Game Pass subscription and is triggered manually by selecting 'Claim Digital License' from a game's menu rather than automatically on disc insertion.
Xbox has pointed to recent community projects, including jailbroken PlayStation 5 units and a browser port of Halo, as evidence of consumer interest in modding. The company suggests this trend could become a relevant use case for its Project Helix initiative, though specific product plans were not detailed.