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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 28: Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk stands in the back of the room as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro in the Oval Office of the White House on May 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump has announced Pirro, a former Fox News personality, judge, prosecutor, and politician, after losing support in the Senate for his first choice, Ed Martin, over his views on the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Ready or Not studio fires community manager for saying ‘nothing of value was lost’ following Charlie Kirk’s shooting

by admin September 22, 2025

Void Interactive, developer of the controversial SWAT simulator Ready or Not, has confirmed that it has terminated its community manager following an uproar over a comment they made in the game’s Discord about Charlie Kirk’s murder.

As reported by Kotaku, the comment was made after the community manager, known as Kaminsky, was asked to add variations of Kirk’s name to the list of filtered words on the Discord server. “Funny you mention that because me and my roommate are literally just talking about him getting shot,” Kaminsky replied. “All I have to say is: Nothing of value was lost.”

(Image credit: Kaminsky (Discord))

Images of the comment were quickly shared on Reddit and social media channels, along with demands that Kaminsky be fired. Void Interactive very quickly complied: Kaminsky was removed from the Discord server and their presence largely scrubbed from Void Interactive’s website, and just ahead of the weekend the studio posted a message on Steam saying Kaminsky was gone.

“We are aware of comments made by our community manager about a recent tragic event,” Void Interactive wrote. “These statements do not reflect our values or represent our company.

“We have ended our relationship with this individual and reminded our team of the responsibility we all share when communicating on public platforms. Our focus remains on fostering a respectful and professional community around Ready or Not.”

(Image credit: Void Interactive)

Kaminsky’s dismissal came at roughly the same time as that of Drew Harrison, an artist at Ghost of Yotei studio Sucker Punch, who was fired after nearly 10 years for writing, “I hope the shooter’s name is Mario so that Luigi knows his bro got his back”—a reference to Luigi Mangione, the prime suspect in the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson—shortly after Kirk was shot.

Earlier today, Storm Lancers developer ProbablyMonsters announced that it too had fired someone for making comments it said “were offensive and violated our social media policy.” Other studios, including Blizzard and Bethesda, have also been targeted by campaigns calling for similar crackdowns on employees making negative comments about Kirk.

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September 22, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Void Interactive ends “relationship” with Ready or Not community manager over Charlie Kirk comments

by admin September 22, 2025

Ready or Not developer, Void Interactive, has ended its “relationship” with the game’s community manager, following comments they made about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in the tactical FPS’s official Discord server.

As reported by Kotaku, Ready or Not’s community manager, known as ‘Kaminsky’, was asked last week to add variations of “Charlie Kirk” to the server’s filtered words list.

In response, Kaminsky replied: “I just did Charlie. Funny you mention that because me and my roommate are literally just talking about him getting shot. All I have to say is: Nothing of value was lost.”

“Yeah but that’s not our official position,” replied a server moderator.

Following the post, multiple users on X posted screenshots of the exchange, calling for Void Interactive to take action over the comments.

On September 19, 2025, Void Interactive posted a statement from its official X account (and on Steam) addressing the comments and announcing it had “ended” its “relationship” with Kaminsky.

“We are aware of comments made by our community manager about a recent traffic event,” the statement reads. “These statements do not reflect our values or represent our company.”

“We have ended our relationship with this individual and reminded our team of the responsibility we all share when communicating on public platforms,” the post continued.

“Our focus remains on fostering a respectful and professional community around Ready or Not.”

When GamesIndustry.biz asked for further comment on this, including confirmation on whether Kaminsky was a full-time Void Interactive employee or volunteer, a spokesperson pointed us toward the Steam statement and said: “The team at Void Interactive would like to stand by the message they posted on the Steam Page.”

Last week, Sucker Punch Productions fired a senior artist on Ghost of Yotei over a joke she made about Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated during a speaking event on September 10, 2025.

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September 22, 2025 0 comments

This 4-Pack of AirTags Is Selling for Pennies, Amazon Just Wants Them Off the Shelves

Game Updates

AirTags Are Going for Pennies, Amazon Seems Ready to Liquidate the Rest of Its Stock

by admin September 21, 2025

One of Apple’s most practical products is not a MacBook or an iPhone. It’s something much smaller that addresses a headache just about everyone experiences: losing things. Apple’s AirTag has become an international best-seller because it makes keeping track of your things so easy, whether that’s your keys, your suitcases while traveling or even your kid’s backpack at school.

Right now, Amazon has an all-time-low deal with a single AirTag dropping to just $21 (down from $29) and the 4-pack decreasing to $74 (normally $99).

See Single AirTag at Amazon

See 4-pack AirTags at Amazon

AirTags Are the Everyday Fix You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you have ever spent mornings searching for your keys or nervously hoped your suitcase made it onto the right plane, AirTags can make your life a lot easier. The technology that goes into them is really cool for devices so tiny. All AirTags use Apple’s Find My network which taps into hundreds of millions of iPhones, iPads, and Macs around the globe. You’re not just using your phone by itself to locate your item, then – there’s an entire crowd-sourced network trying to help you locate it. And in everyday use, it functions with incredible accuracy.

It doesn’t get much simpler to set one up. Place the AirTag alongside your iPhone or iPad, tap once as prompted, and it’s set. Then you can attach it to whatever you need to track. Most begin with wallets, keys or bags, but you’ll find many creative uses. Parents have been known to attach one to a child’s school bag, travelers place one in checked luggage and some even attach them to expensive gear or bikes for extra security. Because the AirTag itself is just over an inch in diameter and weighs only 0.39 ounces, it never feels obtrusive or out of place.

An individual AirTag uses a standard CR2032 coin battery that will survive for about a year before you’ll want to replace it. That means you won’t need to stress about charging it constantly unlike so many other intelligent gadgets. The AirTag also has an IP67 water and dust resistance rating so it will be okay if it’s caught in the rain or dropped in a puddle. For iPhone 11 and later users, Precision Finding uses ultra-wideband technology to give you on-screen arrows and even haptic feedback to guide you to your lost item, which offers you the exact direction and distance to it.

Amazon’s discount makes them even more appealing. One AirTag available for $21 lets you get your foot in the door for not a lot. But the best deal is the 4-pack for $74, which comes out to just over $18 per tag. Considering how many items in your life that could use a bit of an extra safety net, more than one is easily worth it.

See Single AirTag at Amazon

See 4-pack AirTags at Amazon

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September 21, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

Web3 gaming is ready for embedded fair play

by admin September 21, 2025

Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial.

When people talk about web3 gaming, they usually think of tokens, economies, and speculation. But that’s missing the point. As many have pointed out, web3’s real magic for gaming is in going beyond play-to-earn. It’s about cryptography enabling fairness in ways web2 can’t. Web3 redefines what “fair play” means.

Summary

Vibecoding experiments show ZK’s potential — early tests with blackjack and slots revealed that while standard ZK proofs were slow, optimistic verification made real-time, provably fair gameplay possible.
ZK transforms gaming mechanics — it enables verifiable randomness, hidden strategies, and authentic leaderboards without exposing private data, making fairness a built-in feature.
Gambling is the first real use case — ZK proofs give players cryptographic assurance of fairness while helping casinos with audits and compliance, proving the model works where money is at stake.
Beyond gambling, fairness becomes a web3 primitive — from esports to reputation systems, ZK can embed trust and transparency into gaming and finance, unlocking entirely new applications.

My vibecoding journey

I came to this realization by playing around with vibecoding. I set out to recreate simple games like blackjack and slots, but with a twist. I prompted the AI to make use of zero-knowledge proofs as a part of the game’s key components.

To my surprise, they actually worked. My first attempt was a blackjack demo, but the proofs took thirty seconds to generate, which meant the gameplay was slow and clunky. No one wants to sit around waiting half a minute to see if they got lucky.

So I pivoted to vibecoding a slot machine game and tried implementing it with optimistic verification. This cut the verification time down to milliseconds, and suddenly, the game felt alive. It was able to prove fairness, and it was able to make it usable in real time.

The key takeaway from those experiments for me was that web3 gaming can already be about so much more than new monetization loops. It can unlock entirely new mechanics powered by cryptography, and the tech to do it is already here.

What ZK unlocks in games

ZK proofs transform how games handle randomness, strategy, and reputation. Take randomness, for starters. In online games and casinos, players have to trust the operator’s word that a shuffle or dice roll is fair. With ZK, fairness is provable. A casino or server can prove cryptographically that a deck was shuffled randomly without ever revealing the seed behind it. Every spin, roll, or deal can be verified by players in real time, eliminating the need for blind trust.

Then there’s strategy. In traditional games, if you want to prove you played by the rules, you often have to show your moves, which kills the element of secrecy and reveals your own gameplay quirks. ZK fixes this, too, by allowing players to prove they solved a puzzle or followed the rules of a strategy game without revealing how. In poker, for example, you can keep your hand hidden even from the backend server logic. In trading or finance, you can keep your strategy private while still showing that the results are valid.

Leaderboards are another obvious fit. Cheating and fake scores ruin online rankings. ZK proofs make scores verifiable, so a game can prove a player’s high score is authentic without exposing all the gameplay data behind it. That applies to reputation systems, too. Imagine proving your Uber rating is above 4.8 without exposing every review.

Why gambling is the first real use case

It’s no coincidence that gambling is one of the first industries testing ZK technology. Gamblers often rely on opaque infrastructure and the promise that regulators or auditors will keep things fair. But as the saying goes, “the house always wins.” What it doesn’t guarantee is that the house never lies.

With ZK, every game operation can come with an embedded proof of fairness according to custom parameters set by the game rules. You no longer have to trust that the shuffle or slot spin wasn’t manipulated because you can verify it yourself. Casinos, in turn, could benefit from using ZK proofs to streamline the process for audits and compliance checks.

If ZK can work in gambling, where money’s always on the table, it can work anywhere.

Beyond gambling: Fairness as a core web3 primitive

The implications go well beyond casinos, however. Verifiable randomness, private strategies, and provable scores are just the start. With scalable ZK-proofs, we can even create new genres of games and new types of applications that were previously unthinkable.

Competitive esports tournaments could use ZK to verify match outcomes and leaderboards. Social games could ensure rankings are tamper-proof. Reputation systems could allow users to prove credibility without exposing personal data. In DeFi, traders could protect their strategies while still proving they followed risk limits or achieved returns.

A fun vibecoding project crystallized what’s already in the back of many gamers and gamblers’ heads about web3: that its biggest contribution to the industry is perhaps embedded fairness.

While web2 gave us entertainment, web3 can give us entertainment we can trust. As zkVMs and ZK coprocessors mature, we’ll see entire genres of games built around trustless fairness. All of this lets “fair play” take on a whole new meaning. Fair play, guaranteed by math, is the real win condition for web3 gaming.

John Camardo

John Camardo is the head of product management at Horizen Labs, where he focuses on applying zero-knowledge cryptography to solve real-world problems. He currently leads the product side of zkVerify, a chain-agnostic modular blockchain dedicated to efficiently verifying ZK proofs.

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September 21, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Ready Or Not Community Manager Fired Over Charlie Kirk Comment

by admin September 21, 2025

The community manager for the popular and controversial online SWAT simulator Ready Or Not was fired after posting in the game’s official Discord server that “nothing of value was lost” following the recent assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

On or around September 17, Ready Or Not’s community manager, known online as Kaminsky, was asked to add “Charlie Kirk” and a few variations of the name to the server’s list of filtered words. Kaminsky confirmed they had done so, but then shared their own personal thoughts about Kirk, who was murdered at a speaking event on September 10 in Utah. The community manager posted:

“Funny you mention that because me and my roomate are literally just talking about him getting shot. All I have to say is: Nothing of value was lost.”

Screenshots and posts of this comment were quickly shared online by fans of Kirk and right-wing content creators, with many demanding that Void Interactive fire the manager. And that’s exactly what Void did.

On Friday, a Void Interactive representative confirmed in Ready Or Not‘s official Discord server that the studio had “ended” its “relationship” with Kaminsky. It’s unclear if the community manager was a full-time employee or a volunteer. Before the news was official, fans had spotted that Kaminisky, often referred to as Kam online, was no longer listed as being a part of the server. One Discord user in the game’s server claimed that a sticker emoji featuring Kaminsky had also been removed.

Kotaku reached out to Void Interactive for comment. Kaminsky could not immediately be contacted.

“To Our Ready or Not Community, We are aware of comments made by our community manager about a recent tragic event,” posted Void Interactive rep Gerby on Discord. “These statements do not reflect our values or represent our company. We have ended our relationship with this individual and reminded our team of the responsibility we all share when communicating on public platforms. Our focus remains on fostering a respectful and professional community around Ready or Not.”

This isn’t the first video game industry employee to lose their job after saying the wrong thing about Kirk’s recent murder. Last week, a developer working on Ghost of Yotei was fired by Sony after making a joke about Kirk’s alleged assassin. The alleged killer’s connection to video games has become a big part of the story around Kirk’s murder, with reports that some of the assassin’s bullets had messages etched into them referencing Helldivers 2. Meanwhile, ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is also facing pressure to apologize after comments he made about Kirk got his show pulled “indefinitely” on Thursday.

Updated: 9/19/2025, 3:30 p.m. ET: When asked for further comment, Void Interactive PR pointed Kotaku to the studio’s previously mentioned statement, which has also been posted on Ready or Not‘s Steam page.

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September 21, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Crypto Will Surge On Fed Moves And Market Isn’t Ready: Economist

by admin September 20, 2025

Crypto market participants may be underestimating how aggressive the US Federal Reserve will be in shifting its policy direction, according to an economist.

“Markets are underpricing the likelihood of rapid rate cuts in the coming months on the part of the Federal Reserve,” economist Timothy Peterson told Cointelegraph on Friday.

“There has never been a gradual reduction in rates like that currently envisioned by the Fed,” Peterson said, explaining that he expects “the surprise effect” to kick in and potentially catch the market offside.

“It will jolt Bitcoin and alts up substantially, and I think that will happen in the next 3-9 months.”

Peterson’s comments come just days after the Fed implemented its first rate cut of 2025 on Sept. 17 by 25 basis points. The rate cut was widely anticipated, with the CME FedWatch Tool showing a 96% probability of a quarter-point cut and just a 4% chance of a 50-point reduction in the hours leading up to the announcement.

Market is anticipating another rate cut in October

Bitcoin (BTC) briefly surged to $117,000 hours before the Fed’s rate cut announcement but has since retreated to levels seen in the days prior, trading at $115,570 at the time of publication, according to CoinMarketCap.

Bitcoin is up 1.03% over the past 30 days. Source: CoinMarketCap

CME data shows that market participants are pricing in a 91.9% chance of another 25 basis point rate cut at the Oct. 29 meeting, with only an 8.1% probability that rates remain unchanged.

Related: Bitcoin price forecasts eye $110K target as $4.9T options expiry arrives

Fed officials said they expect two more quarter-point rate cuts this year. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said, “We’re not on a pre-set path.”

Financial institutions were split on Fed’s September move

Some financial institutions expected a more aggressive rate cut at the September meeting, with Standard Chartered forecasting a 50 basis point reduction.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, however, was more confident that the Fed would stick to a 25 basis point cut.

Lowering interest rates tends to be bullish for risk-on assets, including cryptocurrencies, as traditional investments like bonds and term deposits become less lucrative to investors.

Magazine: Meet the Ethereum and Polkadot co-founder who wasn’t in Time Magazine

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September 20, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Ready to download iOS 26? See if your iPhone is eligible for the free update first

by admin September 19, 2025

Now that iOS 26 is available to download for many iPhone users — here’s how to install it — it’s time to check your phone to see if you’re eligible for the update. The new OS became available on Monday this week, along with iPadOS 26 and Apple’s other operating system updates.

If your phone is compatible with the latest OS, you’ll notice substantial changes when you install the new update. You may have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is sort of like Apple’s take on the old Windows Vista design language. That’s the most notable change, but we spent two weeks test-driving many of the other features included in the update — you can check out our hands-on iOS 26 preview for more impressions.

Not sure if you have an eligible smartphone or tablet but also don’t want to upgrade? No worries, we’ll help you find out if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.

While Apple didn’t nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year, that’s not the case for 2025, as a few models are getting the axe this time around. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to receive the boot in 2023, and this year, iPhones released in 2018 will be left behind.

You can find a full list of iPhones and iPads that support iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 below. To see everything you get with the latest OS updates, you can check out our big rundown of what to expect from iOS 26. Additionally, here’s everything Apple revealed at the iPhone 17 launch event, including the all-new iPhone Air. (Check out Engadget’s liveblog of the event for full details.)

These three iOS 18 iPhones aren’t compatible with iOS 26

Unlike last year, a trio of iPhones won’t be eligible to download the newest iOS. These three models that were first released in 2018 won’t be coming to the iOS 26 party:

iPhones compatible with iOS 26

Per Apple’s site, the devices listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. In short, if you have an iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you’re in the clear:

iPhone SE (second generation or later)

iPads compatible with iPadOS 26

Meanwhile, the iPads listed below are eligible to download iPadOS 26:

iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation and later)
iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st generation and later)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3)
iPad (8th generation and later, including A16)
iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro)

What if I don’t want to buy a new iPhone?

If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn’t supported by iOS 26, that’s fine. However, you’ll eventually miss out on security updates which could potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats. Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of iOS or later. And, of course, you won’t be able to access the latest features iOS 26 offers.

Should I upgrade to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?

When you first open Software Update in Settings, you’ll notice two different upgrade options: iOS 18.7 and iOS 26. Apple released the former to address security issues, so you can at least download that one if you’re unsure about all the big changes on iOS 26. It also gives you more time to wait for Apple to take care of any bugs on the new OS.

However, if you’re excited to finally have the Liquid Glass aesthetic on your phone and use all the new features iOS 26 has to offer, go ahead and install that one. After all, Apple had all summer to weed through the most problematic bugs during its beta phase and usually releases a new update shortly after the initial launch.

iOS 26 features to try out first

Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons, including dark mode and all-clear options. You’ll also notice buttons with a new floating design. Liquid Glass, in Apple’s terms, was designed to make all of the company’s operating systems more visually cohesive.

Phone app redesign: You can finally scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that’ll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music.

Live Translate: iOS 26 brings the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translate will translate your conversation in real time.

Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members can now create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages when it comes to deciding which restaurant you’re meeting at this weekend.

New lock screen options: More customizable iPhone lock screen options are available with iOS 26, including a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options.

Snooze longer (or shorter): Say goodbye to the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms (if you want). You now have the option to change your snooze time from one to 15 minutes.

Fresh Camera app design: You’ll find the Camera app is simpler to navigate in iOS 26, with all the buttons and menus located in convenient spots. That means less swiping, more photo taking. Plus, there’s a new feature that tells you if your lens is too dirty.

Screenshot revamps: When you take a screenshot, you now have the option to search for the image on Google (maybe you’re looking for a sweater you saw on a celeb) and you can ask ChatGPT questions about the photo — all from the edit screen. It’s like a reverse image search but without all the hard work.

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September 19, 2025 0 comments

NFT Gaming

XRP: Be Ready in Next 24 Hours

by admin September 17, 2025

Increase in volatility
XRP needs more time

The price of XRP is close to important levels of support and resistance, indicating that a volatility spike is about to occur. Key exponential moving averages (EMAs) on the daily chart are convergent, indicating that the token is about to enter a volatility surge phase, where market activity rises sharply, thanks to tight trading ranges that accumulate volume and liquidity.

Increase in volatility

XRP is currently trading at about $3.03, above the 50-day and 100-day EMAs ($2.99 and $2.88), with the 200-day EMA ($2.57) offering solid long-term support. These averages’ tight clustering frequently indicates that the market is preparing for a more significant move. Sharp price swings of XRP have historically been preceded by such compression phases, so this setup is one to keep a close eye on.

XRP/USDT Chart by TradingView

Although the lack of further downside suggests equally strong buying support, the recent rejection near $3.20 indicates that bears are still defending resistance. A significant rally is possible if buying pressure intensifies, as indicated by the balanced momentum shown by the RSI at about 54. A slight tapering of volume is common prior to an increase in volatility. Investors should anticipate a quick and decisive move when the surge occurs.

XRP needs more time

A break above $3.20 would probably lead to $3.50, and then the psychological $4.00 mark, which is the next significant wall of resistance and an investor target. XRP’s immediate support is at $2.88 (100-day EMA), with deeper safety at $2.57 (200-day EMA), if it is unable to maintain above the 50-day EMA ($2.99). XRP would probably consolidate once more if those levels are lost, or maybe simply enter bearish territory without an attempt to recover sooner.

Get Ready for the Holiday Tech Splurge: US Adults Expected to Spend $931 on Devices, CNET Survey Finds

by admin September 15, 2025

The holidays are still months away, but if you want the best deals on a new laptop or smartphone, you should probably start shopping now. According to a new CNET survey, nearly half of shoppers aren’t waiting until Black Friday and Cyber Monday to shop. Instead, they’re shopping for tech for the holidays months early to beat potential rising prices and shortages.

But is shopping early the best strategy? I spoke with CNET’s resident tech and shopping experts to find out.

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

Here’s what they say you need to know about navigating early sales, finding the best deals and avoiding common pitfalls, like product shortages and hidden price hikes.

Many US adults (59%) are interested in purchasing tech devices this holiday season. Smartphones (26%) and laptops (23%) are at the top of shoppers’ lists.
The average US shopper plans to spend $931.18 on tech devices this holiday season, and millennials plan to spend $139 more.
Over half (59%) plan to shop Black Friday sales to save money on holiday tech purchases, followed by comparison shopping (37%).
Half of shoppers plan to shop for tech early (August to October), but a quarter plan to shop in November.
Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) have shopping concerns about purchasing consumer tech this holiday season, including rising prices and tariffs.

Shoppers plan to spend an average of $931 on tech this holiday season

CNET found that US shoppers plan to spend an average of $931.18 on tech this holiday season, and a few devices top their shopping lists. The millennial generation expects to spend more, with an average of $1,070.57 on tech this holiday season. Gen X plans to spend the least, with $747.02.

Cole Kan/CNET/Getty Images

Smartphones and laptops are at the top of holiday tech wish lists

Smartphones (26%) and laptops (23%) are the top two tech gadgets most US adults are buying this holiday season. Between new features and popular releases, CNET experts shared why smartphones and laptops are sought after this year and what to know before you buy.

Cole Kan/CNET/Getty Images

Smartphones

New smartphone models, including the Google Pixel 10 and Apple’s iPhone 17, are released months before the holidays. Some features, like Apple Intelligence and Gemini Nano, are limited to newer models. David Lumb, CNET’s mobile expert and reporter, says that may persuade you to buy a new phone for the holidays.

“It’s probably the time of year when consumers’ old phones start to feel long in the tooth — and with new iPhones typically released in September, they may be tempted by their extra features and capabilities.”

But don’t expect to see steep discounts on these newly released models in time for the holidays. Lumb says most brand-new phones released within the past few months won’t have great holiday deals. Sometimes Samsung doesn’t follow this trend, but Apple rarely discounts its phones. You may see a $100 discount on last year’s iPhone when the new one is released.

When’s the best time to buy? If you’re still planning to buy a new phone this year, November is the best time to look for one, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday week. Retailers will have the best deals then, but don’t expect big discounts. Some phone carriers may offer trade-in offers, but comparing deals is still best.

“The best way to save money on brand-new premium phones is to look for bundles and deals from carriers and third-party retailers like Best Buy or Amazon,” Lumb says. “And make sure you’re taking care of your old phone to get the most trade-in value, which can save you hundreds of dollars off a new one when you turn in your old one.”

There are still a few popular budget-friendly smartphones if you’re looking for a good deal but don’t need the latest and greatest.

“While this year’s new iPhone 16E stretches the idea of ‘budget’ at $600, the $429 iPhone SE released in 2022 remains the most affordable iOS phone,” Lumb says. “Android fans have far more options around the same price range, like the $499 Google Pixel 9A or $400 Samsung Galaxy A36, and into true budget territory with the $300 Moto G Power 5G, $250 TCL 60 XE NxtPaper 5G and $200 Samsung Galaxy A16.”

Laptops

Deals are available on several types of laptops, including budget-friendly options and high-performance gaming models. Depending on your needs, you can choose from plenty of laptops, but CNET recommends the M4 MacBook Air or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

Before you buy a laptop this holiday season, Josh Goldman, CNET’s laptop expert and managing editor, recommends setting a budget and expectations first.

“The best move is to set a budget, try to stick to it and look at deals from retailers and direct from the manufacturers,” Goldman says. Most importantly, make sure you’re getting a laptop with the features and specifications you need now and in the foreseeable future.

When’s the best time to buy? Goldman says if Amazon follows its usual fall Prime Day sale, you should start to see good deals on computers then. Deals are expected to continue through Black Friday and the week of Cyber Monday. You can find the lowest laptop prices during Black Friday, but there are sales throughout the year.

“Unless you’re buying one as a gift or have an urgent need, another sale is always just around the corner,” Goldman says.

TVs are also on holiday shopping lists

One in five (20%) shoppers is considering buying TVs this holiday season. While CNET tracks weekly TV deals and lists the best TVs of this year, it’s still a prime time to buy now.

When’s the best time to buy? David Katzmaier, CNET’s resident TV expert and senior editorial director, says the best time to start shopping for one is usually around Black Friday. Deals will continue through the holiday season, leading up to the Super Bowl in February. You may still find deals during the fall Prime Day or other early sales.

Katzmaier recommends using a price tracker, like Keepa, for historical pricing and to spot a good deal. Keepa is one of several websites with a browser extension to track Amazon product prices. Experts also recommend CamelCamelCamel.

“That way, when it goes on sale, you know how deep the discount really is and you can pounce if it’s a good deal. Waiting is usually the best strategy and when the TV hits an all-time low, go for it,” Katzmaier says.

However, the more substantial discounts are usually on the more expensive TV options because they cost more, but you can still find good offers on other models.

“The best deals we find are often midpriced models — neither super budget nor really high-end — that go on sale during Black Friday,” Katzmaier says. “Those are also the kinds of TVs that do the best in our reviews.”

Shoppers are concerned about buying tech for the holidays

Nearly nine in 10 (87%) of shoppers are worried about purchasing tech this holiday season.

By the numbers, over half (52%) are worried about tariffs and rising prices on tech they plan to buy, while 48% worry about finding quality tech at an affordable price. Other concerns include shoppers being able to afford new tech (38%), going into debt or straining their finances to purchase devices (26%) and availability and shortages (23%).

The concerns are valid. Holiday tech shopping may not be smooth sailing for some popular tech devices, like video gaming consoles and smartphones. Here’s a closer look and what CNET experts are seeing.

Over half of shoppers are worried about rising prices and tariffs

With over half of shoppers worried about rising prices and tariffs, Russell Holly, CNET’s shopping expert and director of commerce, has seen plenty of evidence that suggests tariffs on personal electronics and home tech will affect prices during sales this year. However, you can get ahead of some price hikes on personal and home tech essentials.
“Things like AA batteries, replacement batteries for AirTags and even kitchen necessities like dishwasher tabs will reduce possible price gouging later,” Holly says.

Goldman says that it’s less about tariffs for many retailers. There are other economic factors impacting prices.

“We’ve seen some small price increases, but several manufacturers we’ve asked about the impact of tariffs have said the increases are more about general inflation and that sometimes newer tech just costs more, which is true,” Goldman says. “Sometimes you have to wait a couple of years for the latest and greatest to become more affordable.”

Nearly half are worried about finding tech at an affordable price

Bridget Carey, CNET’s consumer tech expert and editor, advised shopping with caution and not buying the first device you see, especially if you’re concerned about finding quality devices at a good price. More paid social media influencers and AI-generated search results are skewing top recommendations, which may not be the best or accurate, she says. That’s why she recommends taking an extra few minutes to do your research to save money and frustration from a device you’re unhappy with.

“Before making a large purchase, it’s more important this year to find reviews written by independent, trusted sources to weed out the junk — or just to help you find the right brand for your needs,” Carey adds.

Expect shortages on popular tech items

Some popular newly released items may face shortages this holiday shopping season, especially if there’s a good deal. That’s a concern that nearly 1 in 4 (23%) have. If there’s a must-have item on your list, like the highly anticipated iPhone 17 or the Nintendo Switch 2, don’t wait to buy it if it’s in stock and you can afford it. That’s because waiting for lower prices may mean missing out on the item altogether.

For example, Carey predicts that the Nintendo Switch 2 may be tighter on supply as December approaches.

“Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser told CBS there would be a steady supply of Switch 2 units coming throughout the year. But our CNET Switch 2 restock tracker has found stores regularly going out of stock, so I would shop sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment,” Carey says.

Half of US adults are shopping for tech ahead of the holiday season

Cole Kan/CNET/Getty Images

Thinking about holiday shopping before Halloween may sound odd, but Carey recommends planning your shopping list now.

“With the cost of tech increasing, you’ll want to be prepared to jump on any sale you see in October and early November. Black Friday isn’t just one weekend anymore — it starts in October.” But you’ll still want to keep an eye out for sales after October and pay attention to return policies just in case you find a better deal.

CNET found that half of tech shoppers plan to shop early — September and October — to ease some of their shopping concerns. Still, most shoppers (25%) plan to wait until November, and 6% will wait until December.

How US adults are trimming costs on consumer tech and services

Close to nine in 10 (89%) shoppers plan to use various strategies. Shopping on Black Friday is the most popular money-saving method (59%). Other popular methods include comparison shopping (37%), shopping during Fall Prime Day and competing retailer sales (34%), shopping refurbished or pre-owned tech (23%) and shopping earlier (22%).

If you’re comparing prices, especially during sales, Holly advises making sure you’re getting a deal.

“Tools like CamelCamelCamel.com will show you the price history of a product, so you know whether the sale is genuine and how tariffs have affected the price over the course of this year,” Holly says. “You can also verify discounts through CNET’s Deals page, where we actively track discounts to make sure you’re getting the lowest price.”

So when’s the best time to buy tech and appliances?

Holly adds that Black Friday sales focus on entertainment and popular gifts. It’s also a good time to shop for TVs, eBikes and gaming accessories. Fall sales before Black Friday typically focus on home appliances, laptops and emergency preparedness.

“The best strategy for making sure you’re getting the best deals is to prioritize more practical life improvements first and be ready for entertainment purchases closer to the end of the year,” said Holly.

Methodology

CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,395 US adults, of whom 1,369 were interested in purchasing consumer tech products or services this winter holiday season. Fieldwork was undertaken Aug. 20-22, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).

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September 15, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

Stablecoin Supply Supports Crypto Market Demand: $240B Ready To Fuel The Market

by admin September 10, 2025

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The crypto market is entering a new phase, with many investors calling for an extended bull cycle that could reshape the months ahead. While Bitcoin, Ethereum, and leading altcoins continue to dominate headlines, the true drivers of this momentum appear to be stablecoins. These digital assets, often overlooked in favor of more volatile tokens, are quietly fueling the market’s liquidity engine. According to top analyst Darkfost, “it’s Stablecoin season,” a phrase capturing the idea that unprecedented amounts of capital are flowing into stablecoin supply.

This surge in stablecoin demand signals strong buying power waiting to be deployed across exchanges, amplifying the potential for risk assets to climb higher. Stablecoins serve as the foundation of crypto trading, providing the liquidity that enables swift movement between assets and acting as a measure of market confidence. Their rising inflows suggest that investors are preparing for large-scale positioning, which could spark stronger rallies across the sector.

As the market braces for this potential liquidity-driven expansion, stablecoins have emerged as the unsung heroes of the bull cycle. They are setting the stage for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins to capture upside momentum, marking an important shift in the dynamics of this evolving market.

Stablecoins Signal Liquidity Flooding Into Crypto

Darkfost recently shared insights that highlight the critical role of stablecoins in the current market cycle. He explained that, setting aside rebalancing mechanisms, every stablecoin minted represents a corresponding fiat inflow into the crypto ecosystem. This means that when investors convert dollars into stablecoins, real liquidity enters exchanges, ready to be deployed into Bitcoin, Ethereum, or altcoins. Conversely, when capital exits the market, unused stablecoins are burned, reducing supply and signaling declining inflows.

At present, the total supply of stablecoins sits at an impressive $240 billion. However, this figure does not yet include some of the newest entrants to the sector, such as ENA, which already boasts a circulating supply of roughly $14 billion. The growth of both established and emerging stablecoins demonstrates how demand for liquidity tools is expanding in parallel with broader market participation.

Aggregate Stablecoin Supply | Source: Darkfost

Darkfost emphasizes that the stablecoin supply is “literally exploding,” climbing relentlessly higher and showing little sign of slowing down. This acceleration signals that capital is actively flowing into the ecosystem, setting the stage for higher valuations across risk assets. For traders and investors, this is a pivotal indicator of momentum, suggesting that the bull cycle may have deeper legs than previously expected.

After a year marked by volatility and shifting narratives, the relentless rise in stablecoin issuance underscores a market entering a decisive phase. Liquidity, more than sentiment or speculation, is the fuel behind sustainable rallies.

With stablecoins expanding at a record pace, crypto appears primed for another surge, supported by a foundation of fresh capital waiting to be deployed. This dynamic makes stablecoins not only a utility but also the clearest signal of market direction heading into the next leg of the cycle.

Market Size & Growth Analysis

The total crypto market cap currently stands at $3.85 trillion, reflecting resilience after a volatile stretch. The chart shows a strong recovery from earlier dips this year, with prices consolidating just below the $4 trillion psychological barrier. This level is proving to be a key resistance zone, as multiple attempts to break higher have been met with selling pressure.

Total Crypto Market Cap | Source: TOTAL chart on TradingView

The 50-week simple moving average (SMA) is trending upward around $3.16 trillion, providing a solid base of support. Meanwhile, the 100-week SMA at $2.58 trillion and the 200-week SMA at $1.92 trillion remain well below current levels, confirming that the broader structure remains firmly bullish. As long as the market holds above these long-term averages, downside risks appear contained, with corrections likely to be viewed as opportunities for accumulation.

A sustained move above $4 trillion would mark a significant breakout, potentially opening the door to fresh highs and extending the current bull cycle. Conversely, failure to reclaim this level could see the market consolidating between $3.5 trillion and $3.9 trillion in the near term.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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September 10, 2025 0 comments