In an email, sent by the head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty, it was announced that Microsoft is shutting down several game studios. The list includes Redfall developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Games, and more. The email says, as reported by IGN, the reason for the closure of these studios is due to a “reprioritization of titles and resources.”

Some staff at the shut studios will be moved to other teams while other studios will be shut completely. Redfall developer Arkane “will close with some members of the team joining other studios to work on projects across Bethesda,” says Booty. 

Redfall’s previous update will be its last as Microsoft is stopping all development on the game. Servers “will remain online for players to enjoy and we will provide make-good offers to players who purchased the Hero DLC,” says Booty.

Also Read: Microsoft Developing New AI Model To Rival Google, OpenAI

No Hi-Fi Rush Developers To Join Bethesda

Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks is also shutting, and it seems no members of the team will be moved to other Bethesda studios. “Hi-Fi Rush will continue to be available to players on the platforms it is today,” says Booty.

Hi-Fi Rush recently hit the PS5 after getting multiple accolades, nominations, and critical acclaim. Aaron Greenberg, vice president of Xbox games marketing, took to X and wrote that Hi-Fi Rush was “a break-out hit for us in all key measurements and expectations.”

Alpha Dog Games is the third studio to shut. The studio has been the developer behind the famous mobile game Mighty Doom. “Mighty Doom will be sunset on August 7 and we will be turning off the ability for players to make any purchases in the game,” says Booty. 

Also Read: Microsoft Backtracks On Copilot Experiments In Windows 11 Testing

Microsoft Admits The Changes Will Disrupt Bethesda

The company is also moving the team at Roundhouse Studios into ZeniMax Online Studios. These teams will now be focusing on The Elder Scrolls Online. Booty says the company is aware that these changes will be “disruptive” to Bethesda in a bigger scheme of things.

“These changes are not a reflection of the creativity and skill of the talented individuals at these teams or the risks they took to try new things. I acknowledge that these changes are also disruptive to the various support teams across ZeniMax and Bethesda that bring our games to market. We are making these tough decisions to create capacity to increase investment in other parts of our portfolio and focus on our priority games.”

Earlier this year, Microsoft let go of 1,900 employees across Xbox Game Studios and Activision Blizzard, which was acquired recently. It is still unclear how many employees will be affected by the recent closure of studios.

Truecaller is getting a deeper integration to iPhones with the upcoming iOS 18 update. Truecaller’s co-founder and CEO Alan Mamedi announced the upcoming Truecaller integration with iOS 18 through an official X post. The new update is said to bring enhanced and real-time live caller ID features to offer live called ID to iPhones.

Announcing the new integration, Memdi mentioned “Truecaller finally works on iPhone”. “Though it has worked fairly OK in the last 2 years, this time it will be just like you would expect Truecaller to work, end to end”, he further added.

Also Read: Indian Government Warns Android Users Against Vulnerabilities

Apple iOS 18 Will Get A New Truecaller API

Memdi wrote: “From the iOS 18 feature release documentation :) Soon we will hopefully hear people say "Truecaller finally works on iPhone". Even though it has worked fairly OK in the last 2 years, this time it will be just like you would expect Truecaller to work, end to end.”

As per the screenshot shared by Memdi, the iOS 18 will get a Live caller ID lookup feature with the new API that enables developers to fetch information from their servers and provide live caller ID for incoming calls while maintaining privacy.

If you are someone who’s used the Truecaller app on iPhone, then you must know that the app does not offer real-time caller ID as it does on Android. With the new API, apps like Truecaller can now deliver real-time caller ID information right on the incoming call screen. This will make it easier for users to know who’s calling without having to wait for the call to end and then open the Truecaller app to search.

Also Read: Microsoft Lays Off 650 Employees From Its Xbox Division

IOS 18 Coming To iPhones Next Week With New Features

Apple has announced the launch date for iOS 18, and it’s not very far away. The update, which will bring new ways to customize the iPhone’s home screen and lock screen, will arrive on September 16.

In iOS 18, users will be able to freely rearrange apps and widgets on their home screen and change their appearance. Apple is rolling out a redesigned Control Center, too, along with a new password management app and support for satellite messaging. Some other updates include new text effects in messages, a revamped Photos app, and new ways users can organize their inboxes in the Mail app.

Unfortunately, this update will not include the Apple Intelligence features coming to the iPhone 15 Pro and across the iPhone 16 lineup. The upcoming tools will help users rewrite and summarize text and generate images through the AI-powered Image Playground.

Samsung Galaxy M05 has been launched in the Indian market. The latest entry-level smartphone comes packed with a MediaTek Helio G85 SoC, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. It comes with support for Samsung’s RAM plus feature and is confirmed to get OS updates for two years.

The Galaxy M05 comes as a successor to last year’s Galaxy M04. It comes equipped with a dual rear camera setup featuring a 50MP primary camera and a 5000mAh battery with support for 25W charging.

The Samsung Galaxy M05 is priced at Rs. 7,999 for the sole 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant in India. It comes in a Mint Green colour option, and is up for grabs through Amazon, Samsung.com, and select retail stores.

Also Read: Tecno Unveils Pova 6 Neo With AI Features In India at Rs 11,999

Samsung Galaxy M05 Under The Hood

The dual-SIM (Nano) Galaxy M05 sports a 6.74-inch HD+ (720x1,600 pixels) PLS LCD display. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G85 SoC, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The inbuilt storage is expandable by up top 1TB through a microSD card slot. With Samsung's RAM plus feature, available memory can be virtually expanded up to 8GB.

The smartphone packs a dual rear camera unit with a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture. For video calls and selfies, there is an 8MP camera at the front with 2.0 aperture. It is confirmed to get two years of OS upgrades and four years of security updates.

Connectivity options on the Galaxy M05 include 4G, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port. Sensors on board include an accelerometer, light sensor, and proximity sensor. Further, it comes with a face unlock feature for authentication. Besides, the company has added a 5000mAh battery on the Galaxy M05 with fast charging support.

Also Read: OnePlus 13 To Launch In October 2024 With SD 8 Gen 4 SoC

Samsung To Soon Give Its Galaxy S Series A Design Upgrade

Samsung finally seems to give its Galaxy S series flagship a much-needed design upgrade. Leaks about the Galaxy S25 Ultra hint that the smartphone could be the thinnest and lightest Ultra model, with flat sides, rounded corners, and a new frame. Although the smartphone is still months away from its launch, new renders of the device have now made a cameo online, providing an early look at the rumored design changes.

Known tipster OnLeaks has shared detailed renders (via Android Headlines) of Samsung’s next flagship. The renders showcase a device that shows some resemblance to Sony’s recent Xperia flagships but with a wider frame and Samsung’s signature camera setup on the back panel. Unlike previous models in the lineup, which featured rounded sides and sharp corners, the device depicted in the renders has flat sides and gently rounded corners that won’t dig into their palms.

Apple has reportedly taken yet another step to deter theft by extending its Activation Lock feature to individual iPhone components with the rollout of iOS 18. As per a report from 9to5Mac, this update, available to developers and public beta testers, aims to curb the resale of parts from stolen iPhones by linking specific components-- such as batteries, cameras, and displays- to the original owner’s Apple account.

This feature was reportedly activated with the Release Candidate build of iOS 18, making it harder for unauthorized repairs to be carried out using parts of other iPhones. When an iPhone detects a replacement part, it prompts the user for the Apple Account password of the original device owner to verify the component’s authenticity. Without proper authentication, the smartphone will limit the functionality of the unverified part, making it tough for stolen parts to be used or sold.

Also Read: Samsung To Soon Give Its Galaxy S Series A Design Upgrade

How Will Apple’s Activation Lock Feature Work

Apple’s initiative comes from a growing market where stolen iPhones, are rendered useless due to existing Activation Lock measures, and sold off in pieces. By extending Activation Lock to individual components, the company is closing a major loophole that enables the gray market for iPhone parts to grow. The company has stated that this new feature was created after requests from both customers and law enforcement.

As described earlier this year, Apple’s goal is to prevent stolen iPhones from being dismantled and resold for parts. If a device under repair detects a component associated with an Apple Account under Activation Lock or Lost Mode, it will block the part’s calibration.

While some users have tried swapping parts between iPhones running iOS 18’s Release Candidate version, they confirmed that the system requires Apple ID credentials to unlock and verify used components, the report adds. The final version iOS 18 will likely be made available to users on September 16, with compatibility limited to iPhone XR and later models.

Also Read: Google One Lite With 30GB Storage Rolling Out In India

Apple Reduces Price Of iPhone 15, iPhone 14 In Indian Market

Apple has announced a significant price slash for its iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 models. The price cut comes after Apple announced the launch of the iPhone 16 series. Almost every year, the prices of previous-generation iPhone models are reduced after the launch of next-generation models.

The price reductions affect various models within the iPhone 15 lineup. The standard iPhone 15 now starts at Rs 69,900, down from its previous price of Rs 79,900. The iPhone 15 Plus, on the other hand, sees a similar reduction, now priced at Rs 79,900, compared to its earlier price of Rs 89,900.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have also witnessed a price slash. The iPhone 14 will now be available for Rs 59,900 and its price has been slashed by Rs 10,000. The same goes for the iPhone 14 Plus as it now costs Rs 69,900.

Infinix has confirmed the launch date of its flagship smartphone -- the Inifinix Zero 40 5G in the Indian market. The company will launch the smartphone on September 18 with a major focus on camera and gen AI features. The launch announcement comes just days after the company also announced that it was launching its first-ever tablet- Infinix XPad in the Indian market.

The new smartphone comes with a round camera module on the back, with a design reminiscent of the OnePlus 12 series. However, the stand-out feature seems to be the dual-tone finish at the bottom with the ‘Zero’ branding.

Speaking of the camera, Infinix has confirmed that the Zero 40 5G will pack a 108MP primary camera with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide angle lens. There will also be a bokeh lens along with a zoom flash and a regular flash.

Also Read: Apple Reduces Price Of iPhone 15, iPhone 14 In Indian Market

Infinix Zero 40 5G Under The Hood

The Infinix Zero 40 5G packs a 3D curved display on the front and an overall slim and lightweight profile. It measures only 7.9mm thick and weighs 195g and will be available in three color variants: Violet Garden, Moving Titanium, and Rock Black.

Speaking of AI features, the Zero 40 5G will come with features like an AI eraser, generative AI wallpaper, AI cut-out sticker, and more. Although the smartphone is yet to hit the Indian market, it was recently launched in Malaysia, offering a sneak peek of what to expect.

The Infinix Zero 40 5G (Malaysia variant) sports a 6.74-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1300 nits. The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 processor with support for up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. It comes with a 5000mAh battery with support for 45W wired fast charging and 20W wireless charging. It runs on XOS 14.5 based on Android 14 and is promised to offer 2 years of Android updates, making it future-proof until Android 16.

Also Read: Apple Launches AirPods 4, AirPod Pro 2, AirPods Max Globally

Vivo Unveils T3 Ultra With Dimensity 9200+ SoC In India

Vivo has launched its first ultra smartphone in the Indian market. The new T3 Ultra smartphone comes as the company’s most powerful smartphone in the Series T lineup. The device features a 6.78-inch 1.5k AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Dimensity 9200+ chipset and packs a dual-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide lens.

The Vivo T3 Ultra comes in three variants: the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant for Rs 31,999, while the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant comes for Rs 33,999. The 12GB RAM + 256GB storage will be selling for Rs 35,999. HDFC and SBI cardholders can avail of a Rs 3,000 instant discount or exchange bonus, and no-cost EMI options of up to six months are available.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally authorized the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid software compatible with Apple AirPods Pro 2 headphones. This new feature, which will be integrated into the AirPods Pro 2 through a software update, will enable the earbuds to function as personalized hearing aids. The feature is aimed at helping users with their perceived mild-to-moderate hearing impairment.

Recently, Apple announced that its AirPods Pro 2 could be “transformed” into hearing aids with the upcoming software update. This new update, which was awaiting the green light from the FDA, will boost specific sounds in real-time, including parts of speech and environmental noises. The feature has now been authorized and is expected to be available to headphones in over 100 countries.

Also Read: Apple Unveils iPhone 16, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max Smartphones

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Gets FDA Approval

The FDA’s decision to go ahead with OTC hearing software authorization comes after its 2022 approval of OTC hearing aids. This allowed adults with mild-to-moderate hearing impairment to buy hearing aids directly from retailers or online, bypassing the traditional requirements of a medical exam, prescription, or audiologist consultation.

With around 1.5 billion people suffering from hearing loss across the globe, Apple aims to help them by transforming AirPods Pro 2 into tools for prevention, awareness, and assistance. Once the feature is out, the Hearing Aid software for AirPods Pro 2 will help users with three key features.

Prevention: The update will bring a new Loud Sound Reduction feature to help users avoid harmful noise levels without compromising their listening experience. Unlike previous methods, this feature curbs loud, intermittent sounds in real-time, whether on public transport, at a concert, or when using noisy household devices.

Also Read: Apple Watch Series 10 Launched With Sleep Apnea Detection

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Awareness And Assistance Features

Awareness: The new headphones will also come with a hearing Test feature that lets users check their hearing at home using their iPhone or iPad. The test uses pure-tone audiometry, similar to the clinical method, to create a personalized hearing profile. Results are then stored in the Health app, letting users track their hearing health and share data with healthcare providers if required.

Assistance: For people with mild to moderate hearing loss, AirPods Pro 2 will also offer an over-the-counter Hearing Aid feature. With the help of a personalised hearing profile from the Hearing Test, the AirPods will adjust sounds in real-time, upgrading conversations and improving environmental awareness. This feature is targeted at offering a basic hearing aid function through the AirPods, offering support for users needing assistance with everyday hearing.