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Fortnite is finally back in the US App Store

by admin May 21, 2025

Fortnite is back in the US App Store. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced that he intended to relaunch the game in late April, following a court order that demanded Apple stop collecting a 27 percent fee on app transactions that happen outside of its in-app purchase system. The company finally amending its rules to remove that additional commission is why Epic moved forward with the relaunch.

The origins of this conflict can be traced all the way back to 2020, when Epic added its own method for collecting payments for in-game items in Fortnite and encouraged players to circumvent Apple’s system. Fortnite was removed from the App Store (and the Google Play Store for that matter), Epic sued and the rest is history.

Epic didn’t win its entire case against Apple, but it did secure a permanent injunction allowing developers to include in-app text that makes users aware of payment options other than the App Store. According to the latest court order, Apple allowed that text, but was still demanding developers pay it a fee for those non-App Store transactions. That prompted the judge overseeing the companies’ case to demand Apple stop and remove even more obstacles from the payment process.

It was anticipated that Fortnite would return far earlier than it actually did. Companies like Spotify swiftly updated their apps to take advantage of Apple’s rule change, with approved applications showing up in early May. In fact, Spotify managed to get a second update focused on Audiobooks approved before Epic was able to get Fortnite in the App Store. Today’s news comes in the wake of a Judge ordering Apple on May 19 to either resolve the matter or have the “Apple official who is personally responsible” show up in court next week to explain why.

Fortnite has technically been available on Apple devices in other ways for a while now, whether its through the Epic Game Store in the European Union, or game streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now in the US. Returning to the App Store is a symbolic victory. The real prize are the court orders that came from Epic v. Apple.

Assuming they survive Apple’s appeal, they could dramatically reshape Apple’s business and the way apps work on the iPhone.

If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.

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May 21, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Black Ops 6 and Warzone trailer

by admin May 21, 2025

Season 4 is around the corner. Tomorrow we’ll likely get the full blog post on what’s coming as far as content in Season 4 for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, but for now, we’ll have to settle for a trailer. It’s pretty sick and has a lot to show, with guns like the LC10 making an appearance. We’ve seen a lot of rumors as to Fringe as well, a popular Black Ops map that’s perfect for competitive. Take a look at the trailer as you load up for an incoming double XP weekend.

Nefarious villain – Stitch – arrives in the Season 04 Battle Pass for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone.Check out the Season 04 Story Cinematic here and head to the Call of Duty blog for the return of Stitch Season 04 backstory.And make sure to check the blog tomorrow for the full Season 04 announcement and roadmap.

Stay tuned to GamingTrend for more Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 news and info!

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May 21, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

Google Launches SynthID Detector to Catch Cheaters in the Act

by admin May 21, 2025

In brief

Google’s SynthID embeds traceable marks in all of Google’s AI tools.
The tool flags AI-generated image content using invisible watermarks across media.
It also helps helps identify AI-made text, and video as concerns over cheating grows.

With deepfakes, misinformation, and AI-assisted cheating spreading online and in classrooms, Google DeepMind unveiled SynthID Detector on Tuesday. This new tool scans images, audio, video, and text for invisible watermarks embedded by Google’s growing suite of AI models.

Designed to work across multiple formats in one place, SynthID Detector aims to bring greater transparency by identifying AI-generated content created by Google’s AI, including the audio AIs NotebookLM, Lyria, and image generator Imagen, and highlighting the portions most likely to be watermarked.

“For text, SynthID looks at which words are going to be generated next, and changes the probability for suitable word choices that wouldn’t affect the overall text quality and utility,” Google said in a demo presentation.

“If a passage contains more instances of preferred word choices, SynthID will detect that it’s watermarked,” it added.

SynthID adjusts the probability scores of word choices during text generation, embedding an invisible watermark that doesn’t affect the meaning or readability of the output. This watermark can later be used to identify content produced by Google’s Gemini app or web tools.

Google first introduced SynthID watermarking in August 2023 as a tool to detect AI-generated images. With the launch of SynthID Detector, Google expanded this functionality to include audio, video, and text.

Currently, SynthID Detector is available in limited release and has a waitlist for journalists, educators, designers, and researchers to try out the program.

As generative AI tools become more widespread, educators are finding it increasingly difficult to determine whether a student’s work is original, even in assignments meant to reflect personal experiences.

Using AI to cheat

A recent report by New York Magazine highlighted this growing problem.

A technology ethics professor at Santa Clara University assigned a personal reflection essay, only to find that one student had used ChatGPT to complete it.

At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, another professor discovered students relying on AI to write their course introduction essays and class goals.

Despite an increase in students using its AI model to cheat in class, OpenAI shut down its AI detection software in 2023, citing a low rate of accuracy.

“We recognize that identifying AI-written text has been an important point of discussion among educators, and equally important is recognizing the limits and impacts of AI-generated text classifiers in the classroom,” OpenAI said at the time.

Compounding the issue of AI cheating are new tools like Cluely, an application designed to bypass AI detection software. Developed by former Columbia University student Roy Lee, Cluely circumvents AI detection on the desktop level.

Promoted as a way to cheat on exams and interviews, Lee raised $5.3 million to build out the application.

“It blew up after I posted a video of myself using it during an Amazon interview,” Lee previously told Decrypt. “While using it, I realized the user experience was really interesting—no one had explored this idea of a translucent screen overlay that sees your screen, hears your audio, and acts like a player two for your computer.”

Despite the promise of tools like SynthID, many current AI detection methods remain unreliable.

In October, a test of the leading AI detectors by Decrypt found that only two of the four leading AI detectors, Grammarly, Quillbot, GPTZero, and ZeroGPT, could determine if humans or AI wrote the U.S. Declaration of Independence, respectively.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

Generally Intelligent Newsletter

A weekly AI journey narrated by Gen, a generative AI model.

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May 21, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Dead Island 2, the co-op zombie shooter that’s better than it has any right to be, is free to own right now

by admin May 21, 2025

Though it may no longer get the coverage it used to, the Epic Games Store’s weekly freebies on PC continue. Every week, the store is refreshed with one or two games, available for anyone to claim and own forever.

You’d need a free account for that, of course, but if you’ve ever played Fortnite – or claimed any such freebie in the past – you already have one. Every once in a while, however, the freebie in question is a game worth highlighting. This is one such week.

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From now until Thursday, May 22, you can claim a free copy of Dead Island 2, as well as Happy Game. Dead Island 2 is, of course, the higher profile title in this line-up, and it’s really one of those instances where it’s hard to believe a game of such quality is being given away for free.

Dead Island 2 is not a very old game, either, it only came out in April 2023 – so it’s just a little over two-years-old. Some of you reading this likely bought it on a deep discount intending to play it shortly afterwards, but never did.

Given its extensive history of false starts, delays, reboots and all manner of development shenanigans, it’s a miracle that a game called Dead Island 2 exists at all. The fact that it’s actually a solid, fully-fledged zombie action game – and a fun co-op romp to boot – is what took everyone by surprise two years ago.

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In her four-star review, our very own Kelsey Raynor said it is “every bit the head-stomping blast that it promised to be,” and pointed out how much it all comes together in co-op. Considering Dead Island 2 is currently free, finding people to play with shouldn’t be a problem.

Even if you don’t particularly care about zombie games, you should at least download it to experience the the dismemberment and flesh/bone tech under the hood. It’s more detailed than you might realise, and makes for very satisfying (and often brutal) zombie-slaying.

You can grab Dead Island 2 on the Epic Games Store right now. Just add it to your cart, check out and you’re done. Various bits of DLC are also on sale, in case you want to expand what’s already there.

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May 21, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

With 5,500 Five-Star Reviews, This 25,000mAh 100W USB-C Power Bank Is Now at Its Lowest Price Ever

by admin May 21, 2025

If you’ve been looking for the most reliable portable charger to charge everything from your phone to your laptop, the INIU 25,000mAh 100W USB-C power bank available on Amazon is the deal you will not want to miss.

Right now, you can get it on sale for just $53 (down from $59) but with an additional 10% coupon, you can lower the price even further to an unbelievable $48.50. This is the cheapest price ever for this model, and if you compare any offer or comparison website, you simply won’t find a better deal anywhere.

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Massive 25,000mAh Capacity

INIU is already a well-known brand in smartphone charging with over 40 million users across the globe relying on it for quality. But this power bank is different: With a colossal 25,000mAh capacity, it’s not just intended for phones and tablets but laptops too. With its huge 100W output, you can charge power-hungry devices like MacBooks, high-end Windows laptops and even gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck at full velocity when you’re away.

What’s great with the INIU 100W power bank is that the dual USB-C output also allows you to charge two USB-C devices simultaneously, be that your phone and laptop, or your tablet and wireless earbuds. The USB-C port’s not just for output, either—it’s also for fast recharging of the power bank itself with a 65W input filling you up in a flash.

This power bank is crafted for travelers: It has a 25,000mAh battery that’s large enough to charge multiple devices all day but remains compact and airplane-approved so you can take it with you in your carry-on on long flights or layovers. If you work remotely or just like to have a backup on a road trip, this charger ensures you will never be low on battery.

This INIU charger is the one-and-done charging powerhouse for anyone who expects rock-solid, high-speed power anywhere. At its record-low cost of $48.50 after coupon on Amazon, there’s just no better deal available today.

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May 21, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Fortnite Is Back On The US App Store After Nearly Five Years Away

by admin May 21, 2025

Epic’s super-popular free-to-play battle royale game, Fortnite, is finally available to download and play on the iOS App Store in the United States after being removed from it in 2020. This return to the store follows recent pressure from a federal judge urging Apple to allow Fortnite back on its digital marketplace.

Kotaku Goes Hands-On At The Apple Developer Showcase

Earlier this month, federal judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers—who has been involved with this court battle since the start—ruled that Apple can no longer take a cut from purchases made outside of apps and blocked the tech giant from restricting how developers can point people to third-party payment options. The judge also ruled that Apple must immediately stop blocking or hindering devs from including third-party payment options. This led to Epic announcing that, now that it could freely include its own payment system, it would return Fortnite to the App Store in the United States.

But Apple, which is appealing the ruling, wouldn’t provide approval for Fortnite to return as part of its standard app approval process. This move prompted Epic to request that the court step in. On Monday, Judge Rogers issued an order warning Apple that if it didn’t comply with the court’s demands, it could wind up back in court needing to explain itself.

“Apple is fully capable of resolving this issue without further briefing or a hearing,” said the judge.

“However, if the parties do not file a joint notice that this issue is resolved, and this Court’s intervention is required, the Apple official who is personally responsible for ensuring compliance shall personally appear at the hearing hereby set for Tuesday, May 27, 2025.”

Seems like, for now at least, Apple has decided to avoid another legal fight in court, and Fortnite is now back on the App Store after 1,741 days.

“We back fam,” posted Epic CEO Tim Sweeney shortly after the game went live on the App Store.

Of course, Apple is appealing the judge’s orders as it fights to control its App Store and take a cut of every transaction made in official apps on iOS devices. Apple has the resources to continue fighting in court, and I expect that this isn’t the end of this legal war between Epic and Apple that started nearly five years ago when Epic decided to sidestep Apple’s policy of taking a cut of every in-app transaction. That move led to Fortnite being removed from the App Store and the subsequent years of court battles. For now though, players can log into Fortnite on their iPhones and iPads once more.

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May 21, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

$23.35 Billion Dogecoin (DOGE) Moved by Whales In Just 24 Hours

by admin May 20, 2025

Dogecoin has seen its daily large transaction volume surge massively by 41.12% with whales actively moving large amounts of tokens, according to data from IntoTheBlock.

DOGE whales in action

The data shows that a total 60.9 billion DOGE worth about $23.35 billion have been moved by DOGE’s large transaction holders over the last 24 hours.

While the broad crypto market has been experiencing mixed actions after cooling off from the recent massive bull run, this notable whale movement suggests that investors are still bullish despite ongoing price corrections.

While large transaction volumes like this indicate increased whale activities on the concerned crypto currency, there are speculations that Dogecoin whales are preparing for something big, possibly anticipating a massive price rally in the near future.

iPhones are on the menu for Amazon drone delivery

by admin May 20, 2025

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has given Amazon’s Prime Air drones the go-ahead to deliver new categories of devices, including products with lithium ion batteries like iPhones, AirPods, and more, Amazon has announced. The company says those product categories can be shipped to your door within 60 minutes — if you’re in one of the eligible delivery areas in Arizona or Texas, that is.

Amazon writes that it recently streamlined its drone deliveries. The new process includes Amazon giving you a delivery time with a five-minute window on either side, and customers no longer having to go outside and put a QR code on the ground.

The first time you order one of these drone drops, you’ll pick from one of the predetermined-to-be-eligible delivery zones on an aerial picture of your house. Amazon will use the same spot from then on, assuming it’s clear, until you change it. The drones drop packages from about 13 feet in the air, so it’s a good idea to keep your pets or kids inside during the delivery window. At the moment, drone deliveries are only available in College Station, Texas, and in the West Valley part of the Phoenix, Arizona metro area, and only when the weather is favorable.

The deliveries come via Amazon’s new MK30 drones, a key part of the drone delivery program the company has been working to get off the ground for over a decade. MK30s are limited to 5-pound packages, but they can fly farther than the drones it used previously, and can even handle light rain. Last year, Amazon managed to get FAA approval to fly its drones beyond the visual line of sight of its operators, greatly expanding where it can actually make its deliveries.

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May 20, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Lost in Cult launches physical games publishing label

by admin May 20, 2025

Lost in Cult has launched a physical games publishing label.

The independent book publisher and design studio will focus on producing mass releases and collector’s editions (known as ‘Editions’) of physical titles to maintain game preservation and curations.

Lost in Cult’s publishing label is launching with three titles for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. These include Thank Goodness You’re Here (PS5/Switch), Immortality (PS5), and The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow (Switch).

The entire game is on the disc and/or cartridge, and requires no download code or an internet connection to play.

Retail editions of these games will be available online and in-store, and distributed by developer and publisher PM Studio.

Lost in Cult’s ‘Editions’ will be sold exclusively on Lost in Cult’s website in limited quantities – between 1,000 to 1,500 units per title.

Editions releases include exclusively commissioned outer slipcase artwork, variant retail covers, a poster and collector’s checklist, and a booklet edited by Lost in Cult editorial director Chris Schilling featuring developer interviews and analytical essays.

Image credit: Lost in Cult

“We [have] set out to create a new standard for physical games,” said head of publishing Lost In Cult Ryan Brown. “Our editions are designed to preserve not just the game, but the story and artistry behind its creation.

“At the same time, our retail releases ensure no one is locked out of owning great games physically, giving everyone a chance to play their favourites for the decades to come, internet connection willing or not.”

“We’re proud to apply our knowledge and experience in quality-testing, having tested over 2600 titles, with a company that matches our vision on game preservation and also sees video games as art,” said DoesItPlay? owner Clemens Istel.

Lost in Cult has also partnered with preservation group DoesItPlay? – a community that tests physical releases and hardware for offline functionality.

“We work tirelessly to ensure these fantastic experiences remain accessible now and always,” added DoesItPlay? owner Clemens Istel.

“Aligning with Lost in Cult’s mission to provide the best physical games publishing to date is now the next step in our efforts to ensure quality physical releases that stand the test of time and make developers and players equally proud.”

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May 20, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

Dow drops 115 points as S&P 500’s six-day rally ends

by admin May 20, 2025

Wall Street’s momentum stalled Tuesday as investors pulled back from tech stocks and rising bond yields renewed pressure on equities.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 114.83 points, or 0.27%, while the S&P 500 dipped 0.39%, ending a six-day winning streak.

The Nasdaq Composite slid 0.38% as chipmakers and megacaps retreated, led by losses in Nvidia, AMD, Meta, Apple, and Microsoft. The tech sector was the S&P 500’s worst performer, falling roughly 0.9%.

The pullback follows a five-week rebound that lifted the S&P 500 more than 20% off its April low, driven by optimism around tariff de-escalation following President Trump’s earlier tariff announcement. The index is now about 3% below its all-time high.

“We’ve had the swoon related to tariffs, the furious rally, and now we’re awaiting clarification,” said Bill Northey of U.S. Bank Wealth Management. “It’s optimism without clarity.”

Meanwhile, bond markets added to the unease. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.48%, while the 30-year briefly topped 5% for the second straight day—its highest since November 2023.

The rise follows Moody’s decision to downgrade U.S. debt, citing ballooning deficits and rising interest expenses.

Equity valuation challenges

Analysts say yields at or above 4.5% tend to challenge equity valuations. “If the 30-year is breaking out, does that mean the rest of the curve is next?” said Manulife’s Matthew Miskin.

Morgan Stanley’s Michael Wilson noted that equities have consistently faced valuation pressure when the 10-year yield breaches 4.5%.

Elsewhere, Tesla shares rose 2% after Elon Musk reaffirmed his commitment to remain CEO for at least five more years. On the political front, President Trump failed to win over GOP holdouts on a key tax bill, jeopardizing its passage before Memorial Day.

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May 20, 2025 0 comments