Author

admin

EA privately acquired in $55bn deal by group of investors, including Saudi Arabia’s investment fund and Donald Trump’s son-in-law

by admin September 30, 2025

EA has officially been acquired by a group of investors including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in a private transaction worth $55bn.

EA chairman and CEO Andrew Wilson will continue to lead the company – known for its sports games, BioWare’s RPGs, The Sims, and forthcoming shooter Battlefield 6 – with the transaction expected to be completed in Q1 FY27.

News of the acquisition came over the weekend, before an official announcement today. The investor group comprises the PIF, as well as investment firms Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.

“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business. This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work,” said Wilson.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come. I am more energised than ever about the future we are building.”

“Electronic Arts is an extraordinary company with a world-class management team and a bold vision for the future. I’ve admired their ability to create iconic, lasting experiences, and as someone who grew up playing their games – and now enjoys them with his kids – I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead,” said Jared Kushner, CEO of Affinity Partners. Kushner is US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

PIF increased its stake in EA in 2023; now its 9.9 percent stake will roll over. The organisation also holds stakes in a number of gaming companies including Nintendo, Take-Two Interactive, Embracer, Capcom, and more.

Ubisoft is another, with Assassin’s Creed Mirage set to receive a surprise free DLC set in 9th century AlUla, an ancient Arabian city. The DLC follows reported funding from PIF.

The PIF was designed to diversify Saudi Arabia’s revenue via investment in foreign companies. It’s chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s controversial ruler blamed by the CIA for the assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has upheld the country’s notoriously poor human rights record.

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Solana (SOL) News: Proposal for Bigger Blocks

by admin September 30, 2025

In a bold shift for Solana’s (SOL) scaling roadmap, Jump Crypto’s Firedancer development team has submitted a proposal, known as SIMD-0370, that would remove the block-level compute unit limit.

The change, which the team suggested would be implemented following the deployment of the Alpenglow upgrade, could unlock a new regime of throughput by letting block producers have bigger blocks.

Under today’s design, each block is bounded by a maximum allowable compute units, a safety measure and maximum workload meant to stop validators from getting overwhelmed. Currently, the limit on Solana is at 60 million compute-units. Earlier this year, another group of Solana core developers submitted a paper arguing to lift the limit to 100 million compute-units.

But with the upcoming Alpenglow upgrade, some developers say that cap is no longer necessary. And if that cap is lifted, blocks would be able to fit as many transaction they can, depending on how high performing their validators are.

Supporters say this flexibility could make Solana more resilient during periods of high demand, such as when new tokens launch or DeFi activity spikes. Bigger blocks would mean more transactions can get through, reducing the kinds of congestion and failed trades that frustrate users.

Still, some debated that blocks today on Solana aren’t full so there would be no tangible difference for end users. “We haven’t had any time where demand would spike median fees or average fees significantly. So it’s not even clear that burst capacity would be meaningful,” wrote Anatoly Yakovenko, the founder of the Solana blockchain, on the developer proposal forum.

The proposal is still in the discussion stage, and the Solana community will need to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. If approved, it could mark a new chapter in Solana’s scaling story.

Read more: Solana Eyes 66% Block Size Bump With New Developer Proposal as Network Demand Grows

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Is It Time to Upgrade to the iPhone 17? How Older iPhones Compare

by admin September 30, 2025

The arrival of the iPhone 17 might have you wondering if it’s time to swap your older Apple device for the latest model. Depending on your current iPhone, getting the iPhone 17 could be a notable step up.

The iPhone 17 starts at $829, or $799 if you activate through a carrier. But unlike previous generations, the lowest storage option is 256GB, which is a nice upgrade from the previous 128GB starting point.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

Several noteworthy updates to the iPhone 17 make it feel like a tempting choice, even over the pricier iPhone 17 Pro models. At long last, Apple has extended a 1-120Hz display across its entire lineup, so you can have smoother scrolling and an always-on display without spending upwards of $1,100 on a Pro model. An anti-reflective coating and higher 3,000-nit peak brightness make the screen slightly easier to see outdoors. And camera upgrades help to level up photos and selfies.

Here’s how the iPhone 17 compares to older iPhones, ranging from last year’s iPhone 16 to 2020’s iPhone 12.

The iPhone 16

James Martin/CNET

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16

Appearance-wise, the iPhone 17 has a lot in common with the iPhone 16. But beneath the surface, there are some key differences.

The display goes from a meager 60Hz on the iPhone 16 to 120Hz on the iPhone 17 (at long last). That means the iPhone 17 finally supports an always-on display, so you can glance at the time and your notifications without waking the screen and enjoy smoother scrolling. A new anti-reflective coating helps reduce glare, especially in the bright outdoor conditions.

The iPhone 17 has a larger 6.3-inch display, versus the iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch screen, thanks to slimmer bezels. That can make viewing content slightly more immersive, though it won’t be a hugely noticeable difference. And a new Ceramic Shield 2 cover on the iPhone 17 offers three times better scratch resistance, according to Apple, so you can worry a little less about etching into your phone’s screen (but maybe still get a screen protector to be safe).

The iPhone 16 and 17 have a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera, but the iPhone 17 bumps the ultrawide camera from 12 megapixels to 48 megapixels. The front-facing camera also gets upgraded from 12 megapixels (on the iPhone 16) to 18 megapixels on the iPhone 17. Both phones have a Camera Control button for quickly launching the camera and snapping photos.

A new Center Stage feature can automatically adjust selfie photos from portrait orientation to landscape to ensure everyone is in the shot, so you don’t have to manually rotate your phone to its side anymore. Dual Capture lets you simultaneously record on your front and back cameras. These upgrades are specifically catered to the latest iPhone lineup, so that they won’t be coming to older models like the iPhone 16, even with an iOS 26 update.

Battery life is a little longer on the iPhone 17. Apple says the iPhone 17 supports up to 8 hours more of video playback than the iPhone 16. This change aligns with improvements CNET noticed in our battery tests. In a 3-hour streaming test, for example, the iPhone 17’s battery dropped from 100% to 89%, while the iPhone 16 hit 86%. It’s an incremental update, but even a little more battery life is a welcome change. The iPhone 17 also supports up to 40-watt charging, which is a boost over the 25 watts you get with the iPhone 16, helping you top off your battery a little faster.

The bottom line: While the updates to the iPhone 17 help it stand out as an all-around solid device, the changes over last year’s iPhone 16 are incremental enough that there’s not much reason to upgrade — unless you’re really excited about that smoother display and faster charging. But for most people, subtle differences mean you should probably just hold onto your iPhone 16.

The iPhone 15

James Martin/CNET

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 15

The iPhone 15 has a lot in common with the iPhone 16, including a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 6.1-inch display. The 6.3-inch display on the iPhone 17 has slimmer bezels to expand that real estate a bit, and the 48-megapixel ultrawide camera can lead to slightly sharper shots.

The baseline iPhone 15 doesn’t have an Action button that you can customize to launch various apps and functions, and instead has the more traditional ring/silent switch. The iPhone 17 has an Action button and a Camera Control button.

Both phones have a Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the display for showing alerts and Live Activities, such as the time your DoorDash order is arriving, flight updates and what song is currently playing.

With each generation, Apple touts longer battery life, so you can expect to get a couple more hours of video playback with the iPhone 17 than you would with the 15.

Perhaps the most significant difference between the iPhone 15 and 17 is that the iPhone 15 doesn’t have Apple Intelligence; those AI features only arrived on that year’s Pro models. If you upgrade to the iPhone 17, you’ll have access to writing and image editing tools, as well as newer features like Live Translation for calls and messages.

The bottom line: Like the iPhone 16, there aren’t many drastic differences between the iPhone 15 and 17, though upgrading will notably grant you access to Apple Intelligence. But the other hardware and software-related updates are relatively minimal, so you’re probably good keeping your iPhone 15 for at least another year.

The iPhone 14

James Martin/CNET

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 14

The iPhone 14 was the last Apple phone with a Lightning port and that’s one of most significant differences between it and the iPhone 17, which has a USB-C port. Upgrading to the iPhone 17 means you won’t have to rely on an outdated and limited-use charging cable anymore, and can instead use one that works with most of your other devices.

The baseline iPhone 14 also doesn’t have a Dynamic Island cutout in the display, as that feature launched with just the Pro models that year. Upgrading to the iPhone 17 will let you quickly tap into activities like your rideshare trip or flight information.

The iPhone 14 has a 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide-angle camera on the back, while the iPhone 17 bumps that to 48 megapixels across the board. The iPhone 17 also increases the front-facing camera’s resolution from 12 megapixels to 18 megapixels, while adding a new Center Stage selfie feature to automatically adjust between portrait and landscape images without you having to rotate your phone.

But the two phones also some key similarities, like having eSIM and satellite connectivity on board.

The bottom line: The iPhone 14 has the most noticeable differences with the iPhone 17. Upgrading could offer some fresh features like an Action button and, at last, a USB-C port, as well as Dynamic Island and an upgraded camera. But if you want to save some money and keep your current phone, you won’t be missing out on anything too drastic.

The iPhone 13

Patrick Holland/CNET

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 has a similar A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 14, and shares the same dual 12-megapixel camera system. But unlike the iPhone 14, the iPhone 13 doesn’t have crash detection or satellite connectivity, or camera features like Action mode for more stable videos.

At this point, your iPhone 13 may be showing its age. Upgrading to the iPhone 17 will give you access to newer features like Apple Intelligence, Dynamic Island, USB-C charging and the Camera Control and Action buttons. You might also notice faster speeds by switching to the iPhone 17, now that it’s been a few years since the iPhone 13 came out.

The bottom line: It may be time to upgrade to the iPhone 17 if you have an iPhone 13. It’s possible your phone is starting to show its age, and switching to Apple’s latest baseline will get you a longer-lasting battery, an upgraded camera, AI features and a handful of new hardware and software capabilities.

The iPhone 12

Sarah Tew/CNET

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 12

Like the next couple of iPhones after it, the iPhone 12 has a dual 12-megapixel camera system, as well as a 6.1-inch display. Upgrading to the iPhone 17 will get you a slightly more immersive 6.3-inch display with thinner bezels, along with a 48-megapixel dual camera system.

The iPhone 12 lacks features like crash detection, satellite connectivity, Dynamic Island and USB-C charging. It also doesn’t support the Apple Intelligence suite of AI features for writing, photo editing, language translation and more.

It’s possible your iPhone 12 has become sluggish and your battery isn’t holding up like it used to. Taking age out of the equation, at launch, the iPhone 12 boasted up to 17 hours of video playback, while Apple says the iPhone 17 supports up to 30 hours. So there’s likely to be a noticeable difference between how long each phone can hold up.

The bottom line: Swapping your iPhone 12 for the iPhone 17 could be a smart move. There have been noticeable changes over the last several years, from the addition of the Action and Camera Control buttons to the introduction of Apple Intelligence. The swap to USB-C and expanded battery capacity can also make the newest iPhone more tempting; you won’t have to cling to your now-outdated Lightning cable. And you’ll likely notice faster speeds and higher performance across the board when switching from a 5-year-old device to the latest generation.

Apple iPhone 17 vs. Older iPhones

Apple iPhone 17Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 14Apple iPhone 13Apple iPhone 12Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate 6.3-inch OLED; 2,622 x 1,206 pixel resolution; 1-120Hz variable refresh rate6.1-inch OLED; 2,556 x 1,179 pixel resolution; 60Hz refresh rate6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixelsPixel density 460ppi460 ppi460 ppi460 ppi460 ppi460ppiDimensions (inches) 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 in5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in5.78 x 2.82 x 0.3 in5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 inDimensions (millimeters) 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm147 x 72 x 7.8 mm147 x 72 x 7.65 mm146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 177 g (6.24 oz)170 g (6 oz.)171g (6.02 oz)172 g (6.07 oz)6.14 oz; 174g5.78oz; 164gMobile software iOS 26iOS 18iOS 17iOS 16iOS 15iOS 14Camera 48-megapixel (wide) 48-megapixel (ultrawide)48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide)Front-facing camera 18-megapixel12-megapixel12-megapixel12-megapixel12-megapixel12-megapixelVideo capture 4K4K4K4K at 60 fpsHDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps4KProcessor Apple A19Apple A18A16 BionicApple A15 BionicApple A15 BionicApple Bionic 14RAM + storage RAM N/A + 256GB, 512GBRAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GBRAM NA; 128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GB64GB, 128GB, 256GBExpandable storage NoneNone (Face ID)NoneNoneUndisclosedUndisclosedBattery Up to 30 hours video playback; up to 27 hours video playback (streamed)Up to 22 hours video playback; up to 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15WUndisclosed; Apple claims up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed)Undisclosed; Apple claims 20 hours of video playbackNoNoFingerprint sensor None (Face ID)None (Face ID)None (Face ID)None (Face ID)Undisclosed; Apple lists 19 hours of video playbackUndisclosed; Apple lists 15 hours of video playbackConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-C (USB 2.0)LightningNo (Face ID)No (FaceID)Headphone jack NoneNoneNoneNoneLightningLightningSpecial features Apple N1 wireless networking chip (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2×2 MIMO), Bluetooth 6, Thread. Action button. Camera Control button. Dynamic Island. Apple Intelligence. Visual Intelligence. Dual eSIM. 1 to 3,000 nits brightness display range. IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, mist blue, sage, lavender. Fast charge up to 50% in 20 minutes using 40W adapter or higher via charging cable. Fast charge up to 50% in 30 minutes using 30W adapter or higher via MagSafe Charger.Apple Intelligence, Action button, Camera Control button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits display brightness range, IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine.Dynamic Island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivityNoNoUS price starts at $829 (256GB)$799 (128GB)$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) 5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM)

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Wall World 2 Digs Into Steam Next Fest with New Demo

by admin September 30, 2025

[September 29th, 2025] – Alawar is excited to announce that a brand-new Wall World 2 demo is now available on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest, giving players an early look at the next evolution of the hit roguelite tower defense adventure. Following a successful closed playtest earlier this year, this demo marks the first public chance to experience what’s new, what’s deadly, and what’s waiting deep within the Wall ahead of the game’s full release in November.Wall World 2 expands on the breakout success of the original, merging fast-paced turret defense and tense mining exploration with an ambitious new scale. The sequel introduces players to dangerous new biomes, revamped robospider mobility options, and the first glimpses of the strange anomalies spreading across the Wall.Players can dig deep into procedurally generated mines, test new enemy encounters, and begin shaping their ideal robospider through a revamped upgrade system. This is just a taste of what’s to come when the full game launches later this year.

Key Features Include:

Mining & Exploration – Unearth rare resources and ancient relics in unpredictable mines that shift with every run.
Tower Defense with a Twist – Defend your robospider from surface attacks while managing deep excavation beneath.
Expanded Roguelite Progression – Upgrade weapons, systems, and your pilot across runs with persistent gear and tech.
Environmental Hazards & Anomalies – Encounter deadly new tile types, chain reactions, and biome effects that keep every expedition fresh.
Robospider Customization – Test different traversal modes like legs or treads and mod your spider to suit your strategy.

Whether you're a returning miner or a fresh recruit, the Wall World 2 demo is your invitation to explore the Wall like never before. Try it now through Steam Next Fest until October 20th, wishlist the game, and join the community shaping its future. Wall World 2 launches in November 2025.

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

XLM Surges 3.7% as Final-Hour Breakout Drives Fresh Momentum

by admin September 30, 2025

Stellar’s native token XLM posted a strong rally over the past 24 hours, climbing 3.7% from $0.36 to $0.37 on heavy trading activity. The move was fueled by two distinct breakout phases: an evening surge on September 28 at 22:00 that carried prices to $0.37 on volume nearly double the daily average, followed by a secondary push at 13:00 the next day that reinforced bullish momentum. Both sessions were supported by elevated volumes above 31 million units, signaling broad market participation.

The final hour of trading on September 29 proved particularly explosive, with XLM advancing 1.64% between 13:10 and 14:09. A breakout began at 13:42, marked by a sharp volume spike exceeding 1.9 million units on a single candle. That surge carried the price through resistance at $0.366, establishing a fresh uptrend channel. XLM went on to touch intraday highs near $0.372 before consolidating just below at $0.371 as volumes tapered off.

Momentum for Stellar’s token comes as the project continues expanding its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. Stellar has been strengthening its cross-border payment partnerships with Southeast Asian banks while developing Soroban, its smart-contract platform designed to broaden the network’s capabilities. These moves align with increasing adoption of blockchain-based payment infrastructure within traditional finance, particularly for international transfer systems.

With XLM still trading under the $1.00 threshold, the token has also drawn retail traders who view lower-priced digital assets as accessible entry points into blockchain ecosystems. Combined with the institutional interest highlighted by the high-volume breakouts, Stellar’s recent performance underscores its positioning as both a retail-friendly token and a serious contender in cross-border financial innovation.

XLM/USD (TradingView)

Technical Indicators Signal Continued Strength

XLM climbs from $0.36 to $0.37 with $0.01 range posting 3.70% gains in 24-hour session ending September 29 14:00
Initial breakout hits $0.37 at September 28 22:00 on 31.93 million unit volume, crushing 18.47 million daily average
Secondary surge reaches $0.37 at September 29 13:00 with 31.61 million unit volume spike
Final 60 minutes from 13:10 to 14:09 deliver explosive 1.64% acceleration
Breakout launches at 13:42 with volume erupting past 1.9 million units on 13:43 candle
Price smashes $0.37 resistance, establishing fresh uptrend channel structure
Support base forms at $0.37 with session peak touching $0.37
Consolidation near $0.37 on declining volume in closing minutes

Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk’s full AI Policy.

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

This Is Why You Should Try Ultralight Backpacking (2025)

by admin September 30, 2025

I first encountered the ideas of ultralight backpacking in 1994, in an article in now-defunct (and much-missed) Backpacker magazine. It was titled “Less is More,” by Mark Jenkins. (I still have a PDF copy I scanned years ago.) Jenkins wrote about a long trip across Europe and Africa. By the end, he and his traveling partner shed all the gear they thought they needed, save what they were wearing, their down jackets, and some spoons.

While I had no desire to have all my gear stolen as Jenkins does as at one point in Africa, the idea of carrying less to travel farther, faster, and lighter, struck a chord. Not just with me, but with loads of other people. Jenkins’ article is widely credited with starting the ultralight backpacking movement.

At the time, there wasn’t much lightweight gear available. Much of the early ultralight movement was driven by a DIY ethos. I built my own alcohol stoves out of discarded tuna cans, made pot cozies out of Reflectix, and fashioned windscreens from heavy aluminum foil. As a result, my cook kit weight dropped by 14 ounces.

Today, ultralight backpackers are more common than traditionalists, at least judging from the people I meet on the trail. But exactly what is ultralight backpacking? And how do you shed all that weight without giving up the comfort?

Ultralight Backpacking, Defined

For the sake of all being on the same page, I will define “ultralight” backpacking as a base weight of 10 pounds or less. That means all your gear, minus what you’re wearing on the trail, minus consumables (primarily food), weighs at most 10 pounds.

If that sounds daunting, consider that there are some who travel under the moniker “super ultralight” who shoot for a base weight of 5 pounds or less. At the other end, there is what I would call lightweight, which would be 15 pounds or less. I have never attempted a super-ultralight trip, but I have spent more than a decade with a base weight of 10 pounds and have never felt like I was doing without or suffering in any way. Quite the opposite. It’s a revelation, and you’ll never want to go back.

Now that we have our terms defined, how does one get to an ultralight base weight of 10 pounds or less?

Before we get into details of gear, know that the most important thing you can do to make your pack weigh less is to bring less stuff. For most people the biggest gains (er, losses) will be in what you don’t bring rather than what you do.

When you’re considering what to bring, make sure you need it rather than just wanting it. I love making coffee on a moka pot but not enough to lug one into the backcountry. I don’t need it, so I leave it at home and make Turkish coffee on the trail. Go through everything you ever bring on the trail and honestly ask yourself: Is this something I need?

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Cool Terminator Game Delayed Again Due To Trump’s Tariffs

by admin September 30, 2025

Terminator 2D: No Fate is an upcoming video game adaptation of the original ’90s action movie sequel that is designed to look, sound, and play like classic 2D games from that era. No Fate looks really awesome. But sadly, due to ongoing tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump, this cool-looking Terminator game has been delayed (again) from October to November.

On September 28, Terminator 2D: No Fate publisher Reef Entertainment and developer Bitmap Bureau announced that the upcoming side-scrolling action game was being delayed a second time until November 26. In a statement posted to the publisher’s official website, the company blamed the delay on “ongoing global trade and tariff changes” that caused shipping issues with components needed to produce the Day One and Collector’s Editions versions of the game. And because the studio and publisher want to ship the game to all platforms and users at the same time, No Fate’s release date was pushed back. This delay affects digital and physical copies worldwide.

“We truly appreciate your patience and understanding, and we’re sorry for this further delay,” said Reef Entertainment. “The team is working hard to make sure your wait is worth it, and we can’t wait to share Terminator 2D: No Fate with you all this November.”

This isn’t the first delay for Terminator 2D: No Fate. In July, the 2D action platformer based on James Cameron’s iconic action flick starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was delayed from its initial release date of September 5 to October 31, just in time for Halloween. But that’s not happening anymore, and you can directly blame Trump, who continues to screw around with tariffs haphazardly, causing global chaos for those trying to buy, ship, or import products or resources to the United States.

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Citi Adds Token Services to 24/7 USD Clearing System

by admin September 30, 2025

Citigroup has announced the integration of its blockchain-powered Citi® Token Services with its 24/7 USD Clearing solution, marking a major step forward in real-time cross-border payments. Institutional clients in the U.S. and U.K. can now move funds instantly across Citi and non-Citi accounts, eliminating cut-off times and enhancing liquidity management.

This is the first time a global bank has deployed a tokenized infrastructure that operates round the clock with multi-bank reach. The integration allows clients to bypass legacy friction points such as transaction delays and pre-funded accounts.

The offering uses a permissioned blockchain to facilitate secure, on-demand tokenized liquidity transfers, effectively bridging the gap between traditional clearing systems and decentralized technologies. Citi’s move also adds flexibility for its 1,500 financial institution clients, who can now process USD payments at any time, including weekends and U.S. holidays.

“Global commerce doesn’t take weekends off, and neither should payments”, said Debopama Sen, Citi’s Head of Payments. “This solution reflects our continued commitment to deliver real-time infrastructure that matches the speed of business.”

Citi has been steadily building blockchain presence, processing billions in tokenized transactions since launching Citi Token Services in 2024. The bank now operates in the U.S., U.K., Singapore, and Hong Kong, with expansion plans in motion for other regions.

A direct challenge to stablecoin infrastructure?

The timing of the announcement may not be coincidental. Earlier this week, Citi published a research report forecasting the stablecoin market to reach $4 trillion by 2030 in a bullish scenario. However, it also warned that stablecoins might face headwinds from bank-issued digital tokens, which could be favored due to clearer regulation and compliance standards.

In that report, analysts projected that bank tokens could process over $100 trillion in annual transactions, surpassing expectations for private stablecoins. Citi’s infrastructure rollout aligns with this institutional trend while avoiding the regulatory uncertainty tied to public stablecoins.

As banks like Citi adopt compliant blockchain tech, the line between stablecoins and bank tokens blurs, yet the race for digital dollar dominance is clearly on.

Also read: Stablecoin Market Could Reach $4 Trillion by 2030: Citi Analysts

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Lenovo’s Latest Gaming Laptop Is $200 Off Right Now

by admin September 30, 2025

Looking for a new gaming laptop but can’t stand the edgy gamer aesthetic? You might check out the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 (7/10, WIRED Review) in a sleek, all-white look. Best Buy is offering $220 off the list price of this attractive gaming laptop, bringing the price down to just $1,650. It boasts an excellent screen.

Photograph: Luke Larsen
Photograph: Luke Larsen
Photograph: Luke Larsen
Photograph: Luke Larsen

Lenovo

Legion 7i Gen 10 (16 Inch, Intel)

The biggest selling point, and one of our reviewer Luke Larsen’s favorite features, is the big, beautiful OLED panel. This 2,560 x 1,600 screen is one of the most color accurate laptop screens to date, and has a huge peak brightness of 1,000 nits, and 486 nits in SDR, which beats most other panels by over 150 nits. Our review unit had a 240-Hz panel, but that model isn’t currently listed for the non-Pro Legion 7i, so this machine has a very similar 165-Hz screen.

It’s powered by an RTX 5060, which is importantly the more powerful 115-watt version, as opposed to the cheaper 85-watt variant that some gaming laptops use to cut down on costs. The performance is a good match for the screen, with Cyberpunk 2077 running at 67 fps with Ray Tracing set to low at native resolution. Lowering the quality or the resolution can easily push you to 200-plus fps in games like Marvel Rivals, perfect for a quick round on your lunch break.

Of course, the battery life is going to suffer a little bit as a result of the higher-power GPU. We got less than five hours in a video playback test, so you’ll want to make sure you’re nearby an outlet, especially if you plan on gaming between classes. Thankfully it has an excellent trackpad and keyboard, with a firm press and solid 1.6-mm travel for the size, and it even squeezes in full-size arrow keys and a numpad.

The biggest thing holding back the Legion 7i is the price, with other lower-wattage RTX 5060 laptops coming in closer to $1,000. A healthy discount here makes this a much more appealing buy, especially if you like to watch movies or want to game at higher refresh rates without spending way more on a gaming laptop with a higher-end GPU.

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Mental health charity Safe in Our World to run two free awareness sessions for community managers

by admin September 30, 2025

Safe in Our World, the mental health charity aiming to create and foster worldwide mental health awareness throughout the video game industry, is rolling out free mental health awareness workshops for community managers or any developer supporting the wellbeing of their communities.

The free, bespoke three-hour mental health awareness workshops — supported by Humble and facilitated by Mind Fitness — aim to increase online safety and wellbeing, increase knowledge of mental ill health, boost confidence in signposting to mental health resources, and provide participants with tools to identify and manage stress, including establishing healthy boundaries online.

“The role of the Community Manager can seem limitless,” explains Mind Fitness’ Andy Barker. “Without clear frameworks and established expectations, the internal and external demands can be overwhelming.

“We must provide CMs with the tools to look after their own wellbeing, by giving them the knowledge and confidence to signpost players to resources, and switch off when they’re off the clock.”

Prospective participants can sign up on Eventbrite for one of two sessions, one running on October 9 and the other on November 6, 2025.

“It’s wild to think I started my mental health awareness journey doing this training with Mind Fitness and Safe In Our World back in 2021, when I was a fledgling community manager,” added communications and events manager, Em Aspinall.

“I’d recommend this workshop to any CM or anyone in a player-facing role. Or just anyone in games, really.”

Source link

September 30, 2025 0 comments