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Gadgets and Gaming

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Source: Drake / GTA 6
Rockstar Games is notorious for not spilling any details on its video games, especially GTA 6. Still, record producer Jermaine Dupri spilled the beans about Drake’s alleged involvement with what is easily one of the most anticipated video games of all time.

While speaking with Rory and Mal, Jermaine Dupri claims that Rockstar Games reached out to him to work on GTA 6, and that the salty 6 God will also be involved with the game.

“They asked me to do Grand Theft Auto, and they were saying like Drake got his own radio station on Grand Theft Auto,” Dupri said.
Dupri took his claims to another level. He claims that not only will Drake have a radio station,  but when the game finally arrives, “Drake can actually upload music that we probably have never even heard online on that video game.”
If true, it would be a significant development, as it would provide another means for Drake to release his unreleased big tunes to the masses through GTA 6.

Other Rumors Invovling GTA 6
With any news regarding GTA 6 not announced by Rockstar Games, take this with the tiniest grain of salt. Drake is not the first big-name artist to be associated with the game.
There were rumors that DJ Khaled was going to be getting a radio station, and gamers were not happy to hear that rumor. Dr. Dre was also involved with Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, getting story DLC  and a station featuring his music.
Along with groundbreaking gameplay, it also plays on pop culture and gratuitous violence. The Grand Theft Auto game franchise is also renowned for its radio stations, which typically feature classic songs from various genres that align with the game’s setting.
Gamers have been reacting to the news of Drake allegedly providing music for GTA 6; you can see those reactions in the gallery below.

3. Exactly

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Ron Jenkins / Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving wants to bring his gaming talents to FaZe Clan.

For those who don’t know, Kyrie Irving streams when he’s not on the court, showcasing his crafty dribbling skills that break ankles.

During one of his recent streams, Irving was on the phone with a member of FaZe Clan, the once-uber-popular esports and influencer brand, which has seen better days and expressed interest in joining the team.

“I was wondering if y’all are taking applications,” the all-star Dallas Mavericks point guard said. “I don’t really know how that shit really goes, bro.”

Needing some serious star power like Irving, the person on the other end of the phone took Irving’s inquiry into joining the team positively, and the official account for FaZe Clan on X, formerly Twitter, shared a photoshopped image of the NBA champion wearing a FaZe Clan jersey.

If Irving does officially join FaZe Clan, he would follow in the footsteps of other big names like Bronny James, Offset, Snoop Dogg, Lil Yachty, and Ben Simmons, who are seemingly no longer a part of the organization.

So if Irving does decide to join officially, he would be the biggest name on the squad.

Kyrie Irving Wants People To Stop Making Fun of Karl-Anthony Towns’ Voice

That’s not all that went down during the stream. Irving also defended his close friend Karl-Anthony Towns, urging fans to stop making fun of him for “changing up his tone.”

“Y’all gotta stop making fun of my brother KAT. I’m done with y’all,” Irving told viewers of the stream.

“Stop making fun of my brother KAT. It’s over for that, it’s a fuckking wrap, I’m letting you know that if you repost that shit again or meme him up, I’m attacking you. Not like that physically, GTA, but I’m attacking you.”

Irving also alluded to Kat’s upbringing in New Jersey as a reason people should back off.

“Y’all gotta leave KAT alone because y’all don’t know what it’s like to grow up in Jersey and have all of these cultures that you’re a part of, trust me on that,” said Irving. “Jersey is literally 130 miles long, it’s (a) very, very small state … but leave him alone.”

“Because he’s Dominican, he’s black, he grew up in a certain area in Jersey, just like me, and you gotta survive out here,” Irving continued. “You got many different demographics of people, so you gotta survive out here. I don’t agree all the time when he be changing up his tone sometimes, I don’t always agree and all that shit, that shit be funny, but on a serious note, he is a man, he is my brother and I protect him all the time.”

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Joe Raedle / Nintendo Switch 2

So far, Nintendo is meeting the demand and has moved a record number of Switch 2 consoles.

The company proudly announced that it was able to get a record 3.5 million Nintendo Switch 2 consoles into the hands of gamers.

If Nintendo can maintain this torrid pace, it can reach its goal of selling 15 million Switch 2 units by March 2026, but that also depends on whether Nintendo can continue to produce the consoles to meet the demand that will undoubtedly continue to grow.

The Switch 2 is currently outpacing the sales of the first Switch console, and it’s not even close. The original Switch needed a month to reach 2.7 million units sold.

Additionally, it appears that the Switch 2’s higher $450 price tag compared to its predecessor’s $300 isn’t deterring gamers at all.

“Fans around the world are showing their enthusiasm for Nintendo Switch 2 as an upgraded way to play at home and on the go,” said Nintendo of America President and Chief Operating Officer Doug Bowser. “We are thankful for their response and happy to see the fun they are already having with Nintendo Switch 2 as they explore new features and games that bring friends and family together in new ways.”

The Threat of Donald Trump’s Tariffs Still Looms Over Nintendo’s Business

The company that Mario built isn’t letting the current success get to its head. The threat of Trump’s tariffs still looms and could prompt the company to raise the console’s price, potentially slowing sales.

The Japanese-based company has already taken several provisions, such as stockpiling the Switch 2 in the United States, while shifting non-Chinese output.

The Switch 2 launch didn’t go off without a hitch; some customers missed out when demand exceeded the company’s expectations. President Shuntaro Furukawa ordered Nintendo to boost production in response.

We shall see if Nintendo can continue to push out Switch 2 units throughout the year.

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SOPA Images / Xbox

For those eager to get their hands on an Xbox dedicated handheld device, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.

Xbox chief Phil Spencer hasn’t been tight-lipped about the long-rumored Xbox handheld, speaking about the device as far back as 2017 when he claimed that Microsoft had “roughly designed” one in the past, while bringing up the device in numerous discussions that hint at its continued development.

Windows Central then threw more fuel on the fire when it reported on Microsoft’s strategy, which will see the company not only team up with a third-party on an Xbox-branded portable PC codenamed “Kennan” but also continue to work on its device, launching alongside the successor to the Xbox Series X/S in 2027.

Now, the website reports that Microsoft has “sidelined” the device as part of a strategy shift.

Per Eurogamer:

Now, though, Windows Central claims Microsoft has had a bit of a strategic rethink, and development of its own handheld device has been “sidelined”. According to the publication’s source, the company has internally announced it’ll instead “prioritise its teams to improve Windows 11 gaming performance, specifically for devices like the ASUS partner device Project Kennan” (NB. the site originally reported this under the name “Keenan” back in March, but has since updated its original story). It doesn’t sound like Microsoft is completely abandoning its own handheld plans, however; Windows Central says the company “still has big ambitions and is investing heavily to deliver a native Xbox handheld”, but third-party devices and Windows 11 improvements will be where it focuses its resources for now.

Project Kenna Is Still Coming

Windows Central reports that Project Kennan is “essentially finished” in terms of hardware, with the software component receiving a “significantly boosted effort” from Microsoft’s Xbox and Windows teams to “improve the experience on the software side.”

The plan to launch the Xbox-branded ASUS device sometime “later this year” is still on the table.

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PlayStation / Sony / PS5 Pro

While the stench of price hikes still lingers thanks to Donald Trump’s rampant abuse of tariffs, Sony felt it was only right to bless gamers with some much-needed discounts on its PS5 consoles, and yes, the PS5 Pro is included.

Word on the video game streets is that the PS5 will eventually get a price hike, but as of now, it’s getting a price cut.

Yup, you read that right.

Right now and through June 11, if you have been on the fence regarding copping a PS5 console, now is a better time than ever to make that purchase.

Select PS5 bundles, including the PS5 Pro, PlayStation VR 2 headset, and other hardware, are on sale as part of PlayStation’s Days of Play sale event.

With the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, coming in at $449.99, you can cop a Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 PS5 Bundle for $50 less at $399.99 from Sony or Walmart.

The PS5 Pro Gets A Surprise Price Cut

What about if you were one of those gamers reluctant to buy the PS5 Pro because of the price? You can now purchase one of the most powerful video game consoles on the market for $649.99, which is $50 less than its original asking price, offering a great opportunity to snag the console.

The PS5 Pro is currently the more powerful option than the current PS5 model, boasting a larger GPU, more storage, and the ability to utilize Sony’s own PSSR AI upscaling technology.

But don’t get it twisted, the base PS5 model is no slouch, we all saw that latest Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer that made sure to let us know that all footage from the game shown was it running on a PS5 console, confirming even without the Pro designation it can still handle what will easily be one of the most graphically demanding titles of this console generation.

Those aren’t the only deals, you can head here to scoop up a PlayStation VR 2 headset or bundle, PS5 DualSense Edge controller, standard DualSense Edge, PlayStation Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, plus tons of games at a discounted price as well.

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Source: EA/ Cliffhanger Games / Black Panther
That Black Panther standalone we were all excited for is no longer happening.
IGN broke the news that EA has taken away Cliffhanger Games’ heart-shaped herb and has cancelled one of the games Marvel fans have been eagerly anticipating since it was first announced back in July 2023. 

According to the website, EA Entertainment President Laura Miele stated in an email that the recent changes, cancellations, and other moves were aimed at “sharpening our focus and putting our creative energy behind the most significant growth opportunities.”

The bad news for the gaming industry doesn’t stop there, EA is also laying off an unspecified number of workers on both mobile and central teams. IGN reports that EA declined to comment on the specific number but believes, while not confirming that the number is less than the roughly 300 employees let go last month across Respawn and EA’s Fan Care teams.
“These decisions are hard,” said Miele. “They affect people we’ve worked with, learned from, and shared real moments with. We’re doing everything we can to support them — including finding opportunities within EA, where we’ve had success helping people land in new roles.”
Gamers Are Sad About Black Panther’s Cancellation & Layoffs At EA
As you can imagine, the gaming community isn’t taking this news very well.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. First Wonder Woman (a female led game) gets cancelled and now Black Panther (a poc led game) gets cancelled, and neither of them ever had a video game before. This really is Trvmp’s America…” one post on X, formerly Twitter, read.
“more layoffs as the Black Panther game cancelled and the studio closed it keeps getting worse :(,” Kinda Funny and GamerTag Radio’s Parris Lilly said. 

While we are not getting the Black Panther game, EA says it is still committed to bringing us that Iron Man game currently being developed by Motive, and will focus on Battlefield, The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends.
What a sad time to be a gamer and Marvel fan, just saying.
The video game streets are still talking; you can see those reactions below.

1. These people are straight up losers

4. We strongly disagree

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Source: Epic Games / Fortnite AI-Powered Darth Vader / Getty Images / James Earl Jones
Did Epic Games cross the line with its AI-powered Darth Vader companion that uses James Earl Jones voice? Gamers are currently debating.
The iconic actor James Earl Jones passed away last year, but his contributions to cinema, especially his iconic voice, will forever be linked to the Star Wars villain Darth Vader.

Starting today, Walt Disney Co. and Epic Games will allow Fortnite players to recruit and speak to Darth Vader.

Thanks to the power of generative AI, the Vader in-game character will use the late actor’s voice. Epic Games said they are doing so while remaining in “close consultation” with Jones’ family.

How Epic Games Is Bringing James Earl Jones To Fortnite
Epic Games uses Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash model to generate Vader’s responses to players, while ElevenLabs’ Flash v2.5 model generates Jones’ voice.
“James Earl felt that the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the story of Star Wars, and he always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it,” the family of James Earl Jones said in a statement. “We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character.”
This decision changes the direction of the entertainment industry in situations like this. In previous Star Wars games, actors were hired to mimic Jones’ voice while he was still alive.
“Epic Games and Disney have worked together to thoughtfully develop this innovative feature with a strong focus on transparency, consent, and safety — ensuring that creators, Disney IP, and players are protected in interactive experiences,” Disney and Epic said in a statement announcing the decision.
As with anything, nothing goes off without a hitch. IGN reported that Epic Games had to issue a patch within an hour of AI-Darth Vader going live because videos of him dropping f-bombs hit X, formerly Twitter timelines.

Gamers do not like conversing with an AI-powered chatbot with Jones’s voice either.
“We deadass having a conversation with James Earl Jones via AI…? Yea you can keep it,” one post on X read. 
Welp, it looks like its not going anywhere, and as long they got permission from the Jones family, we don’t see an issue, but this is still opening a can of worms for many.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.

2. Heard you

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Source: RICHARD A. BROOKS / Getty / PlayStation 5
Sony announced its financial forecast for the next year, and the company expects Donald Trump’s tariffs to impact its bottom line greatly.
Spotted on The Verge, Sony expects Trump’s stupid tariffs to impact its financial forecast by 100 billion yen (about $680 million). Sony is weighing different options to counter the tariffs, including moving manufacturing to the United States, which could raise the price of PS5 consoles.

Sony CFO Lin Tao confirmed during a company earnings call that the company is considering “passing on” the price of tariffs to counteract the tariffs. Tao did not mention the PlayStation 5 by name during the call, signaling that the company could look to raise prices elsewhere to avoid raising the price of the PS5 console.
The PlayStation 5 has already seen price increases outside of the United States in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and Europe.
While Tao didn’t mention the console, CEO Hiroki Totoki did when discussing possibly moving PS5 production to the US to minimize the effect of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Totokoi said the PS5 console could be manufactured “can be produced locally,” say it could be “an efficient strategy,”  that “has to be considered going forward.”

Sony Still Has To Worry About The 30 Percent Tariff On China
Sony still makes the PS5 in China, and even after the 90-day pause, the 30 percent tariff, which is a significant reduction from the 145 percent, is still above the 10 percent on imports into the United States from China.
If Sony does decide to raise its prices, it won’t be the first company to do so. Microsoft recently raised the price of its Xbox consoles by $100, while Nintendo has kept the price of the Switch 2 the same, opting to raise the prices of accessories instead. 
We may learn soon enough if Sony does raise the price of the PS5. Until then, you can see reactions to this unfortunate news that we can all blame on Donald Trump.

2. Great question

4. We’re begging Sony

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Source: Samsung / Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Samsung isn’t done dropping entries into its flagship smartphone line.
Yesterday, Samsung unveiled its thinnest smartphone yet, the Galaxy S25 Edge, giving Korean tech a giant leg up on the competition, including Apple, which is reportedly set to drop a thin flagship smartphone, the iPhone 17 Air.

The Galaxy S25 Edge lives up to its thin reputation coming in at 5.8 millimeters thin and only weighing 163 grams making it one of the thinnest smartphones on the market.

The S25 Edge, which will cost $1,099 and officially go on sale beginning May 30, comes just four months after the launch of the S25 smartphone series. This marks a different path for Samsung, which usually doesn’t introduce new smartphones this early, usually opting for the middle of the year to introduce the latest models of foldable smartphones.

The S25 Edge is basically a lite model of the S25 Ultra, and it’s for the Samsung fan who loves a premium phone but doesn’t care for features like the S-Pen.
The thin smartphone features a durable titanium build paired with the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. It also has two premium cameras: a 200MP wide lens and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with autofocus, allowing for detailed macro photography and Nightography.
Under the hood is the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy, which delivers snappy performance, on-device AI processing, and features like the Now Brief and Now Bar.
Here is the full breakdown via Samsung:

6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display     
Slim and lightweight body at 5.8mm thick and weighing at 163 grams
Enhanced camera featuring a 200MP wide lens and 12MP ultra-wide sensor
ProVisual Engine optimized for Galaxy S25
Built with the latest Corning Gorilla Armor 2
AI image processing with ProScaler and Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe). 
Galaxy AI features including Now Brief and Now Bar as well as editing features including Audio Eraser and Drawing Assist
Thinner, reconfigured vapor chamber to keep phone cool
Snapdragon 8 ® Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy
ProVisual Engine
Available starting at $1,099.99 in Titanium Silver, Titanium Jetblack and Titanium Icyblue.

Again, we’re not sure who the market is for the S25 Edge, but it’s definitely appealing thanks to its features.

1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Source:Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge samsung,galaxy s25 edge

2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Source:Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge samsung,galaxy s25 edge

3. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Source:Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge samsung,galaxy s25 edge

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Rosie Greenway / GTA 4

GTA VI won’t arrive till next year, but now there are rumors of a remaster of one of the most underrated entries into the Grand Theft Auto franchise, and a former developer feels it needs to happen.

Word on the video game streets is that 2008’s GTA IV is getting a remaster for current consoles, and Ex-Rockstar Games technical director Obbe Vermeij would love to see Niko Bellic make a triumphant return. 

Vermeij, who worked at DMA Design, which later became Rockstar North, from 1995 until 2009 on titles like Space Station Silicon Valley, Manhunt, and other fan-favorite GTA titles, was asked how he feels about a remaster of GTA IV.

“I hadn’t heard those rumours. I think GTA 4 should be remastered. It’s a great game and there have been a number of successful remasters recently,” he told the person on X, formerly Twitter. 

Unlike other studios, Rockstar Games doesn’t often get into its remastering bag. They did attempt with Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, which was a disaster at launch.

Vermeij spoke on that lackluster remaster in the past, noting that if Rockstar Games decides to do a remaster, “It would be better if Rockstar did quality remasters of their classic games.”No lies detected.

Again, there is no confirmation that Rockstar Games is working on a remaster of GTA 4. Honestly, based on the game studios’ track record, we won’t be shocked if the game is just a straight port with minimal improvements like the other classic titles brought back, like LA Noire and Red Dead Redemption.

We got our fingers crossed on this one.

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