Indie roundup: Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Routine, Sleep Awake and more This week brought a packed slate of indie releases across PC and consoles — from a high‑profile Marvel beat‑’em‑up to long‑awaited survival horror and several smaller, surprising titles. Whether you like retro beat‑'em‑ups, liminal-space terror, or bizarre cozy‑horror hybrids, there’s likely something new to try. Headliner: Marvel Cosmic Invasion (Tribute Games / Dotemu) launched on Steam, Switch, Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for $30 and is also on Game Pass. It’s a throwback side‑scrolling beat‑’em‑up with a roster of Marvel characters and tag‑style swaps — fun for co‑op and fans of 90s animated aesthetics. Notable new releases Routine — A long‑teased survival horror out on Steam and Xbox (including Game Pass). It delivers liminal, retro‑futurist moon‑base dread with…

Original 1977 cut of Star Wars (A New Hope) returns to theaters on Feb 19, 2027 Lucasfilm will re-release a newly restored version of the original 1977 theatrical cut of Star Wars: A New Hope on February 19, 2027. This presentation restores the film as audiences first saw it, before the 1997 Special Edition changes that added digital effects and altered some scenes. The restoration preserves the original practical effects, edits and performances — including the classic Han/Greedo canteen moment where Han shoots first. The reissue is timed for the film’s 50th anniversary and offers fans a rare chance to experience the movie in its original theatrical form on the big screen. What to expect Newly restored theatrical presentation (not the Special Edition). Original practical effects and editing intact; no…

The original 1977 cut of Star Wars (A New Hope) returns to theaters on Feb 19, 2027 Lucasfilm is reissuing a newly restored version of the original 1977 theatrical cut of Star Wars: A New Hope. The re‑release is scheduled for February 19, 2027, as part of the film’s 50th‑anniversary season and restores the movie as audiences first experienced it — before the 1997 Special Edition CGI changes. This means the restored print will preserve the original practical effects, editing and the famous Han/Greedo canteen scene where Han fires first. Fans who preferred the theatrical textures and pacing should find this a rare chance to see the film in its original form on a big screen. What to expect from the re‑release Newly restored theatrical presentation (not the Special Edition).…

The original 1977 cut of Star Wars (A New Hope) returns to theaters on Feb 19, 2027 Good news for purists: Lucasfilm is re‑releasing a newly restored version of the original 1977 theatrical cut of Star Wars: A New Hope in theaters on February 19, 2027. This screening restores the movie as audiences first saw it, before George Lucas’ later Special Edition changes in the 1990s (including updated CGI and the controversial Greedo/Han edit). The announcement frames the reissue as part of the film’s 50th‑anniversary commemoration. While details about how wide the release will be and whether other original cuts (like those of The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi) will follow have not been confirmed, this is a rare opportunity to see the original theatrical presentation on…

Daily AI Brief: Anthropic’s big week — Bun acquisition, Claude Opus 4.5, $1B Claude Code run‑rate and Snowflake tie‑up Yesterday and today brought a flurry of Anthropic announcements that position Claude at the center of recent AI momentum. Highlights include Anthropic’s acquisition of Bun, the launch of Claude Opus 4.5, Claude Code reaching an approximately $1 billion annualized run‑rate, and a $200 million partnership with Snowflake to integrate agentic AI into enterprise data platforms. Separate research using Claude agents also identified substantial smart‑contract vulnerabilities — reported but not exploited — underscoring both capability and risk. Key items (Dec 1–3, 2025): Anthropic acquires Bun (Dec 3) — Anthropic purchased Bun (a fast JavaScript runtime and tooling project) to accelerate Claude Code infrastructure work. Bun remains open source under the MIT license.…

Meta acquires Limitless to expand AI wearable ambitions beyond headsets and glasses Meta has acquired Limitless, the startup behind the AI "Pendant," signaling a push to broaden its consumer hardware lineup beyond VR headsets and Ray‑Ban smart glasses. Limitless — known for the Rewind desktop product and the Pendant clip‑on audio wearable that records and summarizes conversations — will join Meta to help build AI‑enabled wearables. Limitless says it will continue to support existing Pendant customers for at least a year and will stop new sales of the device. Current users can access Pendant features without subscription fees for that period, and the company is offering data export and deletion options for anyone who wants to leave their data behind. What Limitless made Rewind: Desktop software that recorded user activity…

Use your Pixel as a webcam for Nintendo Switch 2 after November Pixel Drop Owners of Google Pixel phones can now use their device as a webcam for the Nintendo Switch 2 without third‑party apps, following Google’s November Pixel Drop update. The feature relies on Android’s USB Video Class (UVC) webcam mode, which Google added in Android 14, and a November firmware fix that restored compatibility with some connected devices. Early reports and hands‑on verification show the Switch 2 accepts a Pixel connected via USB as an external camera for GameChat video calls. Before the November update, the Switch 2’s webcam feature did not work with Pixel phones; installing the Pixel Drop fixed the issue according to release notes referencing webcam mode fixes. How it works Android UVC mode: Android…

DJI Neo 2: Ultra‑compact, autonomous drone built for beginners DJI has introduced the Neo 2, a very lightweight and compact entry‑level drone aimed at first‑time pilots and casual users who want a simple aerial camera experience. The Neo 2 emphasizes portability and ease of use, offering autonomous flight features so newcomers can get reliable results without extensive piloting skills. According to early reports the Neo 2 measures roughly 15 × 17 cm when folded, making it easy to carry in a backpack or even a larger pocket. DJI positions this model as a straightforward step into aerial photography and recreational flying, combining an intuitive control scheme with a foldable, travel‑friendly design. Key features Ultra‑compact form factor: Small dimensions and light weight for easy portability and quick deployment in the field.…

Netflix to acquire Warner Bros for $82.7 billion — a deal that could reshape streaming, theaters and studios Netflix announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion in a blockbuster deal that would fold major film and TV studios, HBO/HBO Max and related businesses into the streaming giant. The agreement follows the planned separation of Warner Bros. and Discovery and would mark one of the largest media consolidations in decades. The proposed merger has drawn immediate scrutiny from rivals, regulators and creators. U.S. lawmakers and industry groups have warned it could reduce competition, raise prices and weaken theatrical distribution, while some artists and executives have voiced concern about how studio cultures and independent voices may fare under a streaming‑first owner. What the deal covers Acquisition of Warner Bros.' film…

DJI Neo 2: Lightweight, autonomous beginner drone ideal for first‑time flyers DJI has introduced the Neo 2, a compact and very lightweight entry‑level drone aimed at users new to flying cameras. The Neo 2 emphasizes simplicity and autonomous flight features so beginners can get airborne quickly and safely without deep piloting experience. The drone measures roughly 15 × 17 cm when folded (manufacturer figures cited in initial reports) and is built for portability. DJI positions the Neo 2 as an easy first step into aerial photography and recreational flying, combining a compact form factor with intuitive controls. Key points Beginner friendly: Focus on simple operation and autonomous flight modes so new pilots can fly with confidence. Ultra‑compact & lightweight: Designed for portability and easy transport on hikes or short trips.…