Pixelity to playtest Evangelion XR trilogy — on‑site sessions in Japan and California Pixelity will run on‑site focus group playtests for its upcoming Evangelion: Cross Reflections XR trilogy. Sessions are scheduled in Japan from December 19–21 and in California on December 19, with an equal number of participants at each venue. Interested fans can apply through Pixelity’s X account if they are nearby. The XR trilogy was announced earlier this year and will be set within the original Neon Genesis Evangelion timeline. The first installment will focus on episodes 1–11 and is targeted for a 2026 release. Pixelity has not confirmed platforms yet, though headset releases such as Meta Quest are widely expected. What to expect from the playtests Hands‑on demos of early XR gameplay and interactions. Feedback sessions to…

Android 16 gets a mid‑cycle refresh: AI notification summaries, parental controls, themed icons and more Google is rolling out a second iteration of Android 16 that brings AI‑powered notification summaries, built‑in parental controls, custom icon shapes and themed icons, and an expanded dark theme aimed at improving battery life. As with prior updates, eligible Pixel phones will receive the new features first. This mid‑cycle release bundles both convenience and safety improvements. Many of the additions resemble tools introduced by other platforms — for example, AI message summaries and a notification organizer — but Google has tailored them for Android’s ecosystem and apps. Highlights of the Android 16 (second release) AI notification summaries — condensed, AI‑generated overviews of unread messages to help you triage faster. Notification organizer — smarter grouping and…

Ball x Pit is rolling on — three free updates lined up for 2026 Developer Kenny Sun and publisher Devolver Digital have announced a string of three free content updates for Ball x Pit, scheduled to arrive in January, April and July 2026. Each update will add new balls, evolutions, buildings, characters and other content to the frenetic Breakout‑meets‑Vampire Survivors shooter. Ball x Pit has already been a breakout indie success: the publisher says it has sold more than 1 million copies and the game is available on multiple platforms, including Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, the Xbox PC app, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 — and it’s on Game Pass. What the updates promise Three free drops across 2026 (Jan, Apr, Jul) aimed at expanding items, enemies and…

Nintendo Switch 2 Cyber Monday roundup — Walmart bundle, eShop Cyber Deals & where to find accessories Cyber Monday didn’t bring the flood of deep Nintendo discounts many hoped for, but there are still a few worthwhile savings to consider — most notably Walmart’s Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $449 (about $50 off the bundle price). Nintendo typically limits large discounts on first-party consoles, so bundles and retailer‑specific promos are the best places to look. The Nintendo eShop is running Cyber Deals from Nov 20 through Dec 3, offering holiday discounts on select digital titles. Physical game discounts also appeared at select retailers starting Nov 23, covering both first‑party classics and newer releases. Where to find the best value Console bundles: Bundles that include a first‑party game…

Xbox Game Pass December lineup: Mortal Kombat 1, Routine, Dome Keeper and more Microsoft has announced the December slate for Xbox Game Pass with several notable additions across tiers. The biggest marquee arrival is Mortal Kombat 1, which lands for Ultimate and Premium subscribers on December 10. There are also day‑one and seasonal additions worth checking out whether you’re on Ultimate or Premium. Here are the main Game Pass additions to watch this month with dates and membership notes. Dates are subject to change, so check Game Pass in the app or the official page for updates. Routine — Dec 4 (Game Pass day‑one for Ultimate): A long‑awaited retro‑vibed sci‑fi horror game finally arrives as a day‑one title for Ultimate members. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage — Available now (Premium…

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — an excellent modernization, not a total reinvention Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally returns the Prime series after nearly two decades. The game modernizes the classic formula with impressive visuals on the Switch 2, fluid performance, new psychic powers and a motorcycle for faster traversal — but it mostly refines rather than reinvents the series. Beyond keeps the franchise’s core loop: explore interconnected biomes, collect upgrades, solve environmental puzzles and face large boss fights. New tools like the Control Beam (a time‑slowing, steerable attack) add variety, and the Psych Spider Ball and other upgrades feel familiar yet functional. Graphics & performance On Switch 2 the game shines: options for 4K/60fps docked or 1080p/120fps performance modes deliver smooth, detailed gameplay. Textures, lighting and environmental detail push Nintendo’s…

Dreame MX60: new kitchen machine with dual dough hooks for home bakers Dreame, best known for its robotic vacuum cleaners, has expanded into kitchen appliances with the MX60 — a new stand mixer aimed at demanding hobby bakers. The standout feature is a pair of synchronized dough hooks that the company says reproduce the motions of manual kneading, grabbing dough from different sides to achieve a more even mix. The dual‑hook design is intended to reduce kneading time and improve dough consistency, especially for high‑hydration or dense breads. Dreame positions the MX60 as a tool for home bakers who want professional‑style results without needing to knead by hand for long periods. Key features (what Dreame highlights) Dual dough hooks: Two hooks work from different angles to mimic manual kneading and…

Apple to standardize App Tracking Transparency prompts in Germany after regulator pressure Apple has agreed to fundamentally revise the central consent prompts of its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework following concerns raised by Germany’s Bundeskartellamt. The regulator is investigating whether the previous design — which differentiated between Apple’s own services and third-party apps — distorted competition within the iOS ecosystem. The planned changes will make the consent dialogs more uniform across apps and services, removing the clear distinction that critics said advantaged Apple’s first-party offerings. Apple’s move is a response to competition law scrutiny and aims to ensure clearer, fairer choice presentation for users. What changed and why it matters Standardized prompts: Consent dialogs will be aligned so users see consistent information regardless of whether the app is from Apple…

Signal adds encrypted cloud backups to iOS Signal has introduced cloud backup support for iOS users. Chats can now be stored in an encrypted form on Signal’s servers and restored on a new device using a personal recovery key. The feature follows a similar Android backup option introduced earlier this year and aims to simplify device transfers. The important security detail is that backups are encrypted and can only be decrypted with the recovery key you receive when creating the backup. If you lose that key, Signal cannot restore your data — so treat the key like a password and store it in a secure place. What this change means Easier device migration: Moving to a new iPhone is simpler — you can upload an encrypted backup and restore it…

Aqara Panel Hub S1 Plus adds Siri & AirPlay support in Germany Aqara has updated its Panel Hub S1 Plus — the large in‑wall switch with an integrated display — to support Siri and AirPlay in Germany. The device, designed to fit into a standard wall switch box, now integrates more tightly with Apple’s ecosystem, allowing voice control via Siri and media/interaction via AirPlay. The Panel Hub S1 Plus hasn’t become a mainstream product yet, likely because it requires in‑wall installation and targets users who want a more permanent, panel‑style smart control. With Siri and AirPlay support, Aqara aims to make the device more attractive to Apple HomeKit users. Key details What’s new: Siri voice control and AirPlay support have been added, improving Apple ecosystem compatibility. Form factor: Built for…