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Hyper Light Drifter studio’s next game is a cyberpunk metroidvania with Smash Bros-inspired combat, out next month

by admin September 29, 2025

Heart Machine, the studio behind sci-fi Zelda-like Hyper Light Drifter, has a new metroidvania out next month called Possessor(s).

Publisher Devolver released a new gameplay overview trailer over the weekend revealing its PS5 and PC release date of 11th November.

Possessor(s) is a metroidvania (or “search action” game, as the developers are describing it) set in a quarantined cyberpunk city, with players taking the role of high school student Luca who’s struck a deal with a demon.

POSSESSOR(S) Gameplay Overview | PS5 and PC on November 11Watch on YouTube

As with Hyper Light Drifter, the game is visually arresting, here a clean animated aesthetic as Luca explores a cityscape controlled by a corrupt energy megacorporation.

Combat, meanwhile, is inspired by Nintendo’s Smash Bros. fighting series. Luca will be able to juggle enemies with aerial attacks, with makeshift weapons ranging from a computer mouse, to a guitar and a pair of sunglasses.

It’s looking great, especially if it can live up to the exceptional quality of Hyper Light Drifter, though there’s stiff genre competition from Hollow Knight: Silksong at the moment.

Still, Heart Machine in January released a surprising miss with its roguelike Hyper Light Breaker that remains in early access, but has a Mixed rating on Steam. It’s still being regularly updated, though, with the studio acknowledging the “risk” of early access.

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September 29, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

MSI Stealth A16 AI+ review: thin, light, and hot

by admin September 29, 2025

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MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Two-minute review

Some of the best gaming laptops are those that are portable enough for you to take on the go with you, whether it’s because you’re a commuter or just because you want to use your laptop in various places – and love to game.

With more options hitting the market over the past year thanks to the release of Nvidia’s 50 series graphics cards, we’ve been eagerly awaiting MSI’s new edition of its Stealth series, the MSI Stealth A16 AI+.

The good news is that the new MSI Stealth A16 AI+ is once again a formidable gaming laptop, deftly balancing powerful performance with a sleek design, making it a candidate for our best thin and lightweight gaming laptops buying guide.

While its battery life leaves something to be desired and it can run hot under pressure, its vibrant OLED screen, robust build, and exceptional gaming capabilities make it a compelling choice for those looking for a portable powerhouse.

It’s a strong contender in the competitive gaming laptop market, offering a premium experience for both work and play, but it comes at a (high) price: $2,899 / £2,199. While this is the average price for laptops featuring these specifications, that doesn’t take away from the dent it leaves in your wallet.

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Price and availability

How much does it cost? $2,899 / £2,199
When is it available? Now
Where can you get it? US, UK, and some European regions

You can pick up the Stealth A16 AI+ for $2,899 / £2,199 which is an average price for laptops which feature the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. You can customize the MSI Stealth A16 AI+ to come with the more powerful RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 GPUs, but this will increase the price by quite a bit – however, even then, the MSI Stealth A16 AI+ remains reasonably priced compared to the competition.

Currently, you can purchase the Stealth A16 AI+ in the US, UK, and select European countries.

While there’s currently no confirmation as to when the device will be coming to other markets, MSI does typically release its products in other regions later down the line.

MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Specs

The Stealth A16 AI+ impresses with its potent specs: an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB LPDDR5X memory, and a 2TB SSD, making it a future-proof powerhouse for demanding tasks and gaming.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

MSI Stealth A16 AI+ 5070 Ti

MSI Stealth A16 AI+ 5080

MSI Stealth A16 AI+ 5090

Price:

$2,899 / £2,199

$3,299 / £2,249

$3,999 / £3,399

CPU:

AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

Graphics:

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

RAM:

64GB LPDDR5X

Screen:

16-inch Widescreen Display – QHD+ (2560 x 1600) – OLED – 240Hz

Storage:

2TB SSD

Ports:

2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet port, 1x Audio jack

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera:

HD Webcam

Weight:

2.1kg

Dimensions:

355.8 x 259.7 x 19.95 mm

(Image credit: Future)

MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Design

Thin and light for its size
OLED display is fantastic
Good selection of ports

The Stealth A16 AI+ features a sleek and understated design, perfect for both professional environments and gaming setups. Its chassis feels robust yet surprisingly lightweight, making it an excellent companion for those who need to work or play on the go.

The narrow bezels around the display add to its modern aesthetic and maximize screen real estate, drawing you deeper into your content.

MSI has been generous with port selection, ensuring you’re well-connected without the constant need for adapters.

You’ll find a versatile array of ports, including multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, an HDMI output for external displays, and an Ethernet port for reliable wired internet.

(Image credit: Future)

This comprehensive connectivity is a significant advantage, especially for gamers who need a load of peripherals or frequently switch between setups. However, if you’re hoping to run a streaming setup from this laptop you may need a USB adaptor so you can hook up a webcam and microphone too (though the included webcam and mic array do a fine job if you’re not planning on doing professional-level streaming).

The OLED screen itself is a highlight, offering vibrant colors and sharp detail that enhance everything from those AAA story games to high-definition movies. Its ample size provides an immersive viewing experience, whether you’re deep into a creative project or enjoying a casual browsing session. The more I use OLED screens, the more I wish they would become the industry standard.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite its large screen, the overall size and weight of the Stealth A16 AI+ remain impressively manageable for a gaming laptop at less than 2cm thick. It’s also relatively lightweight when compared to alternative gaming laptops on the market at 2.1kg – for example, the MSI Raider A18 HX comes in at 3.6kg.

MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Performance

Excellent gaming performance
Good at multitasking
Can get hot

Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the MSI Stealth A16 AI+:

3DMark: Night Raid: 38,762; Fire Strike: 30,723; Time Spy: 13,384
GeekBench 6: 2,930 (single-core); 15,398 (multi-core)
CrossMark: Overall: 1,897 Productivity: 1,982 Creativity: 1,765 Responsiveness: 1,729
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 176fps ; (1080p, Low): 380fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 105fps ; (1080p, Low): 176fps
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 206fps ; (1080p, Low): 287fps
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 4 hours 57 mins
TechRadar movie test: 4 hours 45 mins

During our testing, this laptop consistently delivered exceptional performance across a variety of demanding applications and, crucially, in the latest AAA gaming titles.

Whether it was playing Cyberpunk 2077 at ultra settings or engaging in fast-paced combat in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, the Stealth A16 AI+ maintained impressively high frame rates, ensuring a smooth and immersive experience.

This was with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti inside, so if you buy a model with the more powerful RTX 5080 or 5090 GPUs, then you’re going to get even better gaming performance.

(Image credit: Future)

I was able to render breathtaking visuals without a hitch. Even with ray tracing enabled, the laptop held its own, providing a stunning level of graphical fidelity that truly elevates the gaming experience.

Beyond gaming, the processor handled intensive multitasking and content creation with ease, making it a truly versatile machine for power users.

One thing to note is that the laptop did get quite hot and loud when running games at ultra, opening a lot of intensive programmes at once, or when benchmarking. While it wasn’t too hot to use the keyboard – an issue I’m seeming to face more and more in the world of gaming laptops, it was certainly worth noting.

(Image credit: Future)

The speakers on the laptop are decent – they certainly get the job done – but you won’t be able to take advantage of directional audio within games.

MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Battery life

Not brilliant battery life
Very short when gaming

While MSI promised up to 13 hours of video playback, I found that the Stealth A16 AI+ just didn’t deliver anywhere near this.

During my time testing the MSI Stealth A16 AI+, I noticed that the battery life was closer to around six hours when using the laptop for general browsing or watching videos, which came down to about an hour when playing intensive games.

In our battery life benchmark, we got just shy of five hours in both the PCMark 10 edition and our own TechRadar movie test.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the MSI Stealth A16 AI+?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The value of the laptop is pretty average when compared to alternatives on the market with the same specs.

3 / 5

Design

This laptop has an immaculate design featuring a decent array of ports and remaining light when compared to alternatives.

5 / 5

Performance

You get exceptional performance from this laptop but it does get quite hot and loud.

4 / 5

Battery life

The battery is significantly below the promised lifespan which is very disappointing.

2 / 5

Total Score

This is a well-priced thin and light laptop with some excellent components that means it offers fantastic gaming performance. However, it can get quite hot, and battery life isn’t the best.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

MSI Stealth A16 AI+ review: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

MSI Stealth A16 AI+

Asus Zenbook A14

Apple Macbook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)

Price:

$2,899 / £2,199

$1,399.99 / £1,099.99 / AU$2,899

$2,499 / £2,499 / AU$3,999

CPU:

AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370

Snapdragon X X1 26 100 Processor with Qualcomm Hexagon NPU up to 45TOPS

Apple M4 Pro (14-core)

Graphics:

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti

Qualcomm Adreno GPU

Integrated 20-core GPU

RAM:

64GB LPDDR5X

4GB DDR4

24GB unified memory

Screen:

16-inch Widescreen Display – QHD+ (2560 x 1600) – OLED – 240Hz

14.0-inch, WUXGA (1920 x 1200) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio, LED Backlit, 0.2ms response time, 60Hz refresh rate, 400 nits

16-inch, 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR display (mini-LED, 1,000 nits sustained brightness, wide color P3 gamut, ProMotion technology)

Storage:

2TB SSD

16GB LPDDR5X on board

512GB SSD

Ports:

2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet port, 1x Audio jack

1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

3x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C), HDMI, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth 5.3

Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3

Camera:

HD Webcam

FHD camera with IR function to support Windows Hello

12MP Center Stage camera with support for Desk View

Weight:

4.6 lbs (2.1kg)

2.16 lbs (0.98kg)

4.7 lbs (2.2kg)

Dimensions:

355.8 x 259.7 x 19.95 mm

31.07 x 21.39 x 1.34 ~ 1.59 cm (12.23 x 8.42 x 0.53in ~ 0.63in)

14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches (356 x 248 x 17mm)

If you’re in the market for a new laptop, here are some alternatives to the MSI Stealth A16 AI+…

How I tested the MSI Stealth A16 AI+

Tested for two weeks
Used in a variety of scenarios
Ran benchmarks and played games

For two weeks, the MSI Stealth A16 AI+ served as my primary laptop for both work and leisure.

I thoroughly integrated it into my daily routine, using it for typical workdays, evenings spent gaming and watching movies, and even general browsing. To assess its portability and performance outside my usual setup, I also brought it to various remote work locations.

Beyond everyday use, I conducted comprehensive benchmark tests using software like 3D Mark and in-game tools to evaluate its performance.

MSI Stealth A16 AI+: Price Comparison

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September 29, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

A rugged beast with a 20,000mAh battery and a camping light joins 2025’s unstoppable projector smartphone craze

by admin September 28, 2025

Blackview XPLORE 2 480p projection resolution risks underwhelming image quality
20,000mAh battery promises endurance but adds significant device weight
Outdoor device with a 467lm camping light, infrared control, survives a six-meter drop, and is resistant to boiling water

Several rugged smartphones have arrived in 2025 with built-in projectors, including the Oukitel WP100 Titan, Doogee V Max Play, 8849 Tank 4, Ulefone Armor 34 Pro, and the Blackview Active 12 Pro rugged tablet.

The new Blackview XPLORE 2 Projector 5G joins this growing list, reinforcing the idea that smartphone projectors are no longer isolated experiments.

Yet the pattern raises questions about real-world use and long-term value, especially since these devices still largely target niche outdoor or industrial users rather than mainstream consumers.

Projection performance and screen specifications

The XPLORE 2 reportedly offers, “up to 100-inch 480p ultra-clear projection” at “100 lumens high brightness,” featuring auto vertical keystone correction and a 2-watt Smart-K Box Speaker.

The 480p resolution and 100-lumen brightness suggest that the image quality will likely lag behind that of even entry-level dedicated projectors.

Claims such as “300% smoother projection” at “up to 120 frames per second” indicate an effort to deliver fluid visuals, but without independent verification, these specs remain unproven.

The phone features a 6.73-inch 3.2K AMOLED screen with a “2600 nits industry-leading peak brightness” and adaptive refresh rates.

It is powered by the Dimensity 8300 chipset with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM (expandable by 32GB) and up to 1TB UFS4.0 storage with 2TB expansion.

Under the hood, there is a 20,000mAh dual-cell battery, marketed as the largest rugged phone battery.

This battery offers 75 days of ultra-long standby and 13 hours of non-stop projection, alongside 120-watt charging.

Researchers Build Microscopic Gears Powered by Light in Milestone for Nano-Scale Machines

by admin September 28, 2025

In brief

Scientists etched working gear trains on a chip, driven solely by photon momentum.
The devices could someday power microfluidic pumps, reconfigurable optics, and tiny surgical tools.
Efficiency remains extremely low, making the work an elegant proof-of-concept, not a product.

Researchers have built microscopic machines—complete with working gears, racks, and pinions—that run entirely on light.

The study, published recently in Nature, marks the first time engineers have assembled functional “gear trains” at micrometer scales, harnessing photons rather than motors or wires to drive motion.

If the technology matures, then its future could look surprisingly practical. Light-driven micromotors could pump reagents in postage-stamp-sized diagnostic labs, steer mirrors inside ultra-compact cameras, or open and close valves in drug-delivery implants—no batteries or wiring required.

In data centers, swarms of these gear systems might reconfigure optical circuits on the fly, helping direct laser signals between chips. And in biomedical research, tiny optomechanical arms could one day manipulate single cells or proteins with pinpoint control, performing tasks now reserved for bulky, expensive instruments.

Tiny gears, big ambitions

The achievement, led by a team of physicists and engineers using standard semiconductor fabrication tools, demonstrates a long-sought bridge between photonics and mechanics: miniature machines powered and controlled by beams of light.

Each “metamachine,” as the authors call them, is etched onto a chip using lithography similar to that used for computer chips. When illuminated, the patterned metasurfaces redirect photons in such a way that their momentum—tiny though it is—translates into torque, setting the gears spinning.

The devices aren’t merely rotating discs. They include entire assemblies of interconnected parts, like trains of gears that transmit force, and rack-and-pinion systems that convert rotation into linear motion. By changing the polarization of the light or tweaking the metasurface geometry, the researchers can reverse direction or modulate speed.

They even coupled these microscopic engines to mirrors, demonstrating how mechanical movement could alter optical signals on demand—a tantalizing glimpse at reconfigurable optical circuits.

Yet, as with many dazzling breakthroughs, the results come with caveats that cast them more as proof-of-concept than practical prototype. The conversion efficiency is vanishingly small, around one ten-trillionth of the light’s energy.

In other words, these machines operate—but barely. The torque they generate is minuscule, the rotations slow, and the operation precariously dependent on precise illumination and stable environments. Thermal effects from absorbed light can introduce drift or damage, and the machines themselves face the timeless foes of mechanics: friction, wear, and contamination.

From lab curiosity to future tools

Still, the demonstration matters. For decades, researchers have tried to integrate moving mechanical components with optical and electronic systems at micron scales, only to hit engineering dead ends. Electrical micro-actuators demand wiring and contacts that become unmanageable at such dimensions. Chemical and magnetic drives bring complexity and incompatibility with chip manufacturing.

Light offers a non-contact alternative—if it can be tamed to do useful work. By embedding optical metasurfaces directly into the gear structures, the team has shown that photons can indeed serve as a power source, however inefficient, for linked mechanical motion.

The potential applications are wide-ranging, if distant. In microfluidics, light-driven pumps or valves might one day move molecules without electrodes or tubing. In sensing and optics, miniature mirrors and shutters could dynamically steer or filter light, building blocks for agile photonic circuits.

Biologists dream of micromechanical tools that can operate inside cells or manipulate microscopic organisms without wires or magnets. Even fundamental science could benefit: arrays of these tiny gears could help researchers study friction, adhesion, and wear at scales where surface forces dominate.

How it works, in miniature

What makes the approach particularly appealing is its compatibility with established chipmaking processes. The metamachines are fabricated from common materials using lithographic steps already routine in semiconductor foundries. That means, in theory, entire fields of microdevices—optical, mechanical, or even biological—could someday incorporate these structures as easily as adding a new layer of circuitry.

But realizing that promise will require solving a formidable list of problems. Light is an elegant power source, but a weak one; each photon carries only a wisp of momentum. Scaling up output may demand lasers so intense they introduce destructive heating. The gears’ tiny teeth must mesh with atomic precision, making them vulnerable to defects and dust. And while the study shows operation over hours, questions linger about longevity, repeatability, and control in realistic environments.

For now, the metamachines are best viewed as exquisite demonstrations of what’s possible rather than as ready-to-use components. But in a field where progress has long been measured in nanometers, even small steps can feel revolutionary. The vision of microscopic factories, weaving motion from beams of light, remains distant—but suddenly, it’s no longer imaginary.

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September 28, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Possessor(s), the sort of Metroidvania from the devs behind Hyper Light Drifter, gets a November release date

by admin September 28, 2025

Heart Machine have had a busy year. It was only in January that they launched Hyper Light Breaker into early access, a surprise follow-up to their beloved indie action RPG Hyper Light Drifter. That launch didn’t go amazingly due to a myriad of reasons, and even now the game hasn’t completely managed to find its footing yet. And then there’s Possessor(s), their search action (not Metroidvania) game that at long last has a release date!

That date is quite soon, too: November 11th, less than two months away. This date came with a new little gameplay overview trailer, showing off some of the tools the game’s protagonist will be able to use on her journey. I’m quite into the concept behind them, they’re all just things you’re likely to find left behind in a ruined city; a computer mouse, an electric guitar, a pair of sunglasses, all usable in combat that’s apparently partially inspired by games like Smash Bros.

Watch on YouTube

The overall concept is a tantalising one too. You play as Luca, a teenage girl caught up in the mess of a quarantined city whose body becomes so damaged she’s forced to let a demon named Rhem in to fix it. This city is in ruins because of some experiments conducted by an evil corporation (the evil being a bit moot there because when isn’t a corporation evil), with other demons having possessed everyday household objects.

Possessor(s) marks a bit of a departure for Heart Machine having transitioned to a 2D, sidescrolling plane. There’s certainly the hallmarks of the studio with its fresh concept and killer art direction, I’m just hoping they’ve managed to pull off a hit given how Hyper Light Breaker has been put through the ringer. We’ll find out in a couple of months!

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September 28, 2025 0 comments

Possessor(s) protagonist, an anime girl with white hair and teal horns in a white coat, looking protagonist-style concerned/determined on orange background.

Product Reviews

Hyper Light studio Heart Machine’s next singleplayer game is launching in November, no early access, just a year and a half after it was announced

by admin September 27, 2025

In a new trailer, developer Heart Machine has revealed the release date of its new metroidvania search action game, Possessor(s). The fighting game-inspired platformer arrives on November 11, just a brisk year and a half after its June 2024 announcement.

I got a first look at Possessor(s) in action earlier this year, but was not able to try it hands on. I liked what I saw though: Earnest storytelling inspired by early aughts anime dubs, slick combat with the promise of juggling, parries, and tricky bosses, plus some gorgeous character and environment art.

POSSESSOR(S) Gameplay Overview | PS5 and PC on November 11 – YouTube

Watch On

That last bit is something I’m particularly excited about with Possessor(s): I find a lot of Metroid-style platformers can have overly abstracted, gamey environments. Hollow Knight and Silksong do a great job of avoiding this, with each area having a real tangible feeling and deep environmental storytelling.

I also have to hand it to Metroid Dread on this front, a game that otherwise left me cold. Possessor(s) really sells the illusion of a ruined city over its platforming gauntlets, and I’m eager to see more.

As for combat, you can only glean so much without trying something hands on, but Possessor(s) looks propulsive and fun, while it cites some exciting influences. As a reformed Smash sicko, I want to see how much a singleplayer game can deliver that feeling.

I also dig the conceit that your weapons and gear are mundane items infused with power from the ongoing demonic invasion. Guitars, computer mice, hockey sticks, and cell phones are some of the tools that have been shown off so far.

After getting so used to long lead times after game announcements, as well as the early access model⁠—which Heart Machine opted for in its co-op roguelike, Hyper Light Breaker⁠—it’s refreshing to see a game get announced then released in relatively short order. It’s even more impressive given that the studio is managing two projects at the same time. You can wishlist Possessor(s) on Steam ahead of its November 11 release.

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September 27, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Possessor(s), The Next Action Game By The Makers Of Hyper Light Drifter And Solar Ash, Arrives In November

by admin September 26, 2025

Possessor(s) is the next action game by Heart Machine, a studio best known for the well-received Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, as well as the currently early access Hyper Light Breaker. The Metroid-style 2D search action game is coming this November, and a new trailer breaks down its story premise and combat mechanics.

Coming to PlayStation 5 and PC on November 11, the game takes place in a quarantined city overrun by demons following an interdimensional catastrophe. Players control Luca, a high school student who becomes mortally wounded during the calamity, losing both of her legs. To survive, she makes a desperate deal with a demon named Rhem to restore her body. Though Luca and Rhem don’t always get along, the two must cooperate to escape the city and bring down a corrupt corporation that has been siphoning demonic energy for its own gains.

Luca uses ordinary makeshift weapons, ranging from a guitar to a computer mouse, to execute stylish directional combos and air juggles to conquer her demonic adversaries. As the journey progresses, she gains new powers to access new areas, such as a wall-running ability and a whip for swinging across gaps.

We played a slice of Possessor(s) during Summer Game Fest in June and were largely impressed with its well-tuned, if familiar, action. You can read our full impressions here.

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September 26, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Trump Gives Green Light to TikTok Deal

by admin September 26, 2025

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday that’s intended to give the green light for U.S. investors to take a large stake in TikTok. But details of the proposed deal still haven’t been revealed, and there are plenty of hoops to jump through before it’s finalized.

“This is going to be American-operated all the way,” Trump said Thursday. “And great respect [sic] for President Xi, and I very much appreciate that he approved the deal. Because to get it done properly, we really needed the support of China and the approval of China.”

Trump has claimed that China’s President, Xi Jinping, has approved the deal, but it still needs formal approval from China, according to the Washington Post. And the Wall Street Journal reports that the group of new investors who are supposed to take over TikTok has yet to be finalized, and legal details haven’t been ironed out.

Who are these new investors? According to Trump on Thursday, Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and Rupert Murdoch are among the “four or five absolutely world-class investors” involved. Trump recently sued Murdoch for defamation over a Wall Street Journal article about a birthday book made for Jeffrey Epstein and signed by Trump in 2003.

CNBC reported earlier Thursday that a new entity operated by Oracle, Silver Lake, and the Abu Dhabi-based MGX investment fund will control about 45% of TikTok. Thirty-five percent will be controlled by ByteDance investors and new holders, according to the business channel. And ByteDance will reportedly control 19.9%, the limit dictated by the law passed last year to force the Chinese company to divest or face a total ban in the U.S.

Trump tried to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020 through an executive order, but that was stymied by the courts and ultimately dropped early in Joe Biden’s first term. But a bipartisan group of lawmakers revived the effort to ban TikTok on national security grounds in 2023, and that law was passed in 2024 and signed into law by Biden.

President Trump pulled a complete 180 in March 2024 during the lead-up to the presidential election, insisting that he no longer wanted TikTok to be banned. And Trump has now delayed enforcing the law five times since he came into office in January. His repeated delays are almost certainly unlawful according to most experts, but Congress hasn’t acted.

One area where Congress may act, according to the Washington Post, is by questioning whether the proposed deal actually follows the letter of the law. ByteDance investors will still hold a significant stake in the company, and ByteDance will apparently keep control of the TikTok algorithm in some way, though there are still questions about how all of that may shake out.

A reporter asked Trump in the Oval Office whether he wanted to see the new TikTok algorithm suggest more MAGA-related content.

“If I could, I’d make it 100% MAGA-related,” Trump said to laughter from his underlings. “It’s actually a good question, but I would… If I could make it 100% MAGA, I would. But it’s not going to work out that way, unfortunately.”

But Trump then suggested other non-MAGA-aligned groups would still be allowed to exist on TikTok. “No, everyone’s going to be treated fairly. Every group, every philosophy, every policy will be treated very fairly,” said Trump.

Trump may insist that everyone will get a fair shake on the new TikTok, but about 30 minutes later, in the same Oval Office presentation, Trump signed a presidential memo targeting left-wing and anti-fascist groups for prosecution.

“These are anarchists and agitators, professional anarchists and agitators, and they get hired by wealthy people, some of whom I know, I guess… probably know,” Trump said. “You wouldn’t know at dinner with them. Everything’s nice, and then you find out that they funded millions of dollars to these lunatics.”

FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and senior advisor Stephen Miller were all on hand to make threats against left-wing groups, claiming that they’re “domestic terrorists.”

President Trump also claimed last week that TV stations that criticize him should get their broadcast licenses taken away.

CBS cancelled Stephen Colbert’s show under pressure, and ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel last week before reinstating him on Tuesday. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr made mob-like threats against ABC, and it remains to be seen how many more critics the Trump regime can successfully silence. Trump has previously tweeted that Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers are “next.”

The president doesn’t like even the mildest forms of criticism, and the U.S. government has no problem demanding that media platforms censor people who oppose Trump. So it will be interesting to see what happens to TikTok’s algorithm after any deal is completed. It’s hard to imagine a world where Trump allows anti-Trump content to thrive on social media.

But first, the TikTok deal has to be finalized. And despite Trump’s repeated insistence that everything is done, it seems like there are quite a few more hurdles before this one crosses the finish line.

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September 26, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Logitech Signature Solar Slim+ K980 Keyboard Review: See the Light

by admin September 24, 2025

This likely won’t be an issue for anyone who wants a practical, simple keyboard, especially if you don’t care much about typing feel. However, there are countless other keyboards—wired and wireless—that can deliver more enjoyable typing experiences at comparable prices.

The Slim Solar+ K980 has a traditional full-size layout, with a number pad and a separate arrow key cluster. This layout takes up a good amount of space, but it has every key you’ll need. The function row can swap between function keys and system controls by pressing Fn + Esc, and the system controls include volume adjustments, play/pause/skip, brightness adjustments, window navigation, an emoji menu, and a key to summon Windows’ built-in speech dictation system. All of these are useful and convenient, and the labels are nearly all self-explanatory at a glance.

Photograph: Henri Robbins

These shortcut keys can also be customized with the Logi Options+ app, which has extensive productivity-oriented customizations. The most significant is the ability to remap the function row and navigation keys to specific keys, macros, key combinations, or programmed “Smart Actions.” Some of the preconfigured Smart Actions include a “Social Media Break” key to open multiple social media platforms in a new window (not quite what I would have imagined from the name), or a “Work Mode” key that opens Gmail and the Microsoft 365 Suite. These can be customized endlessly, with dedicated support for AI assistants, navigation, and other convenience-oriented commands.

Alongside customization options, there’s multi-device connectivity via Bluetooth with support for up to three devices that can be cycled through via dedicated keys. Or you can keep it connected to one device with the included USB-C Logi Bolt receiver. I had no issues with connectivity.

The keyboard has dual Mac and Windows legends on the bottom row, making it easy to switch between two operating systems. (There’s also a macOS-only version you can buy.) As the name suggests, the K980 is incredibly slim. It’s less than half the thickness of a true mechanical keyboard, with the thickest point measuring 18 millimeters (0.7 inch), and it can easily slip between other items in a backpack. The main issue is length, but that’s a problem with all full-size keyboards.

Practicality and Sustainability

Photograph: Henri Robbins

The only way to recharge this keyboard is with the solar panel on top. It doesn’t have any kind of USB port. Logitech claims the keyboard’s battery can run for four months without any light sources. Presumably, it can run indefinitely in a well-lit environment.

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September 24, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

Ripple President Sheds Light on RLUSD Milestones

by admin September 23, 2025

In a recent tweet, Ripple President Monica Long put the spotlight on positive developments surrounding Ripple USD stablecoin RLUSD.

In the past week, Ripple has secured partnerships beneficial for the RLUSD stablecoin.

Last week we announced DBS and Franklin Templeton using $RLUSD as a liquid, stable and compliant exchange mechanism for tokenized assets in lending and trading use cases. This week, @Securitize added RLUSD as a new offramp for BlackRock and VanEck’s tokenized funds. 📈 https://t.co/3p3CULv15z

— Monica Long (@MonicaLongSF) September 23, 2025

Last week, Ripple announced a groundbreaking partnership with DBS and Franklin Templeton that would launch trading and lending solutions powered by tokenized money market funds and Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin.

Investors will be able to use RLUSD to trade for Franklin Templeton’s money market fund, sgBENJI, earn yield and open new liquidity venues.

Now, in the most recent move, Ripple — in partnership with Securitize, a platform for tokenizing real-world assets — announced today a smart contract that would allow holders of BlackRock’s BUIDL and VanEck’s VBILL to exchange their shares to Ripple for Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin. This smart contract adds an additional stablecoin off ramp for BUIDL and VBILL tokenized short term treasury funds.

Ripple president reacts

In a tweet, Ripple President Monica Long reacted to recent positive developments for RLUSD stablecoin: “Last week we announced DBS and Franklin Templeton using RLUSD as a liquid, stable and compliant exchange mechanism for tokenized assets in lending and trading use cases. This week, Securitize added RLUSD as a new offramp for BlackRock and VanEck’s tokenized funds.”

The recent RLUSD positive developments have attracted reactions from the crypto community.

Jack McDonald, CEO of Standard Custody and SVP of Stablecoins at Ripple, stated: “Ending Q3 on a high note through Ripple’s partnership with Securitize, RLUSD is now a key stablecoin offramp for BlackRock’s BUIDL and VanEck’s VBILL tokenized fund holders. The integration is starting with ETH, though Securitize is planning to integrate with the XRP Ledger.”

In a recent tweet, CME Group stated it has hit the four-month milestone for XRP futures as demand for trusted, regulated crypto products remains. CME group shared a recap for XRP and micro XRP futures in the last four months: 397,000 contracts traded, $18.3 billion in notional volume ($213 million ADV) and 6 billion XRP equivalent.

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September 23, 2025 0 comments

Light

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