Author: News Room

Summer Game Fest 2026 has come and gone. But while the GI crew was out in Los Angeles, we took the opportunity to invite a few of our games media pals up to our studio to chat about everything: the state of the industry, how SGF has grown and changed, and of course, all the games we’ve played (that we can talk about right now). Join us for an extra special, extra-long episode of The Game Informer Show, live from Los Angeles, brought to you thanks to Rode and their excellent equipment which powered our entire studio setup. Thanks for the…

Considering all the Android 16 QPR updates and the new ones announced at The Android Show and Google I/O 2026, Android 17 is definitely shaping up to be one of the most ambitious updates the company has shipped in years.  Between Gemini Intelligence that gets things done on your behalf, the new security features, and productivity-based features like App Bubbles, there’s a lot to unpack. The stable update is expected in June or early July 2026, but plenty of the upcoming features are already live on the Android 17 Beta version for compatible Pixel devices.  Here’s everything we know so…

Earlier today, Kotaku reported that South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games may be closing its doors following a report from last week that Xbox is preparing another round of significant layoffs. Although we still have no official confirmation of Compulsion’s status, it may not be the only studio at risk of being shuttered.Bloomberg reports that Compulsion Games, along with other studios, including Hellblade developer Ninja Theory and Psychonauts developer Double Fine, are at risk of being shut down by Xbox. The news comes from sources close to the situation who have not been authorized to speak to the press.  According…

When Valve introduced the Steam Deck, it proved that PC gaming could be portable without costing a fortune. A few years later, however, gaming handhelds seem to be entering a completely different league. According to a Newegg listing spotted by VideoCardz, the upcoming MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ will retail for $1,699, making it one of the most expensive handheld gaming PCs yet. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ packs flagship specs and an equally flagship price The reported $1,699 price is for a configuration featuring Intel’s latest Arc G3 Extreme graphics architecture, alongside 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a…

Samsung has officially expanded its AI PC lineup with the launch of the Galaxy Book6 Edge, a premium Windows laptop that pairs Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X2 Elite processor with Galaxy AI features and a highly portable design. The company is positioning it as a productivity-focused machine that combines on-device AI with seamless integration across the Galaxy ecosystem. The Galaxy Book6 Edge is built around AI and portability According to Samsung, the Galaxy Book6 Edge is powered by the new Snapdragon X2 Elite platform, enabling Copilot+ PC experiences while delivering improved AI performance and power efficiency. The laptop features a 16-inch…

Electronic Arts has announced EA Advertising, a new platform “transforming how brands connect with audiences through digital and real-world experiences across its global portfolio of games.” The platform will allow brands and partners to create “bespoke integrations” across EA’s portfolio of games, such as its roster of sports titles. EA Advertising will enable brands to be integrated directly into gameplay experiences “through dynamic, real-time placements, from stadium signage to custom in-game content, designed to enhance, not disrupt, the player experience,” according to a press release. “In these interactive gameplay environments, brands become part of the game itself, reflecting how players engage with…

Electronic Arts has officially unveiled EA Advertising, a new business unit dedicated to bringing brands directly into its games and live experiences. Instead of relying on traditional banner ads or pop-ups, the company says it wants advertising to feel like a natural part of the world players are already immersed in. EA wants brands to become part of gameplay instead of interrupting it Announced on Monday, EA Advertising is designed to connect advertisers with the publisher’s portfolio of games through custom integrations, in-game experiences, and real-world activations. The company says brands will be able to appear through dynamic placements such…

YouTube has an AI slop problem, and its crackdown is catching legitimate creators in the crossfire. Faceless channels, where no human host ever appears on screen, have existed for years and are not inherently AI-generated. Many are run by solo creators who simply prefer to stay anonymous. The problem is that AI tools made it easy to flood the platform with low-effort faceless content at scale, and YouTube’s algorithm is now penalizing the format as a whole. How bad is the AI slop problem on YouTube? A Kapwing study found that roughly 21% of the first 500 videos recommended to…

For decades, the bathroom served a simple purpose. It was a private, functional space built around basic needs. That idea is starting to shift. Across many homes, new technology is changing how people think about hygiene, comfort, and daily routines.  Today’s bathroom is beginning to reflect the same expectations seen in other parts of the smart home. Homeowners are paying closer attention to cleanliness and long-term comfort. These changes are especially noticeable for families moving through life stages such as pregnancy, recovery, or aging.  From Basic Fixture to Integrated System  Toilets have come a long way from their early designs. In many…

Meta seemed to be quietly testing face recognition software for its Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses. A new WIRED investigation reveals that the company licensed it from Rank One Computing, a Denver-based firm that earns roughly 80% of its revenue from government clients, including the US military and police departments nationwide. This is the first known evidence of a business relationship between Meta and Rank One, and it raises serious questions about where consumer technology ends and surveillance infrastructure begins. So what exactly is Rank One Computing? Rank One is not your average tech company. It supplies face recognition to…