• 🤔 The verification logo for Steam Frame games has disappeared from Steam completely

• 🤷‍♂️ It had only been in a beta stage, but it seems like an odd setback considering how close we thought the headset’s release was

• 🤞 Steam Hardware Updates on X has posited that it could be while Valve waits for more games to be verified, and then it’ll return

• 🔜 All the other indicators point to an imminent launch, especially as the headset has cleared one of its final regulatory hurdles in recent days

Valve is giving some mixed signals when it comes to the Steam Frame release, as a key verification logo has disappeared.

As spotted by Steam Hardware Updates on X, Valve has removed the Steam Frame verification icon from games, which was only available in beta, but has now fully disappeared.

All hope is not lost, though, as in a follow-up post, the account noted that this isn’t “necessarily a bad indicator” as it’s possible Valve is waiting for more games to have verified labels.

As it stands, “only 40-50 games actually had a label at all”, as per Steam Hardware Updates, and some of those games were unsupported.

Valve has been steadily verifying more games for the Steam Frame as part of its extensive back-end updating, which had signalled that an announcement for a price and the long-awaited Steam Frame pre-order could come at virtually any moment.

We’re also now up to 25 verified games for the new ‘Great on Frame’ category Valve recently launched on Steam, plus the headset has received Steamworks support and recently cleared one of its final regulatory hurdles, suggesting a launch is very close.

Lots of Steam Frame accessories have also been showing up on Amazon in recent weeks, suggesting that brands are getting ready for when the device eventually launches.

Valve recently received one of its biggest Steam Frame shipments yet, with nearly two tonnes of headsets and controllers coming into Valve’s US warehouse, as the Steam Hardware Updates account on X had noted.

Some of Valve’s more recent shipments have also included an adapter for the Steam Frame and ergonomics kits as it seeks to have packages of the devices, perhaps with and without accessories, as it has with the Steam Machine bundles that come with the option to have a Steam Controller bundled in.

While this is a bit of a minor setback in theory, it could just be one of those things – after all, the verification icon was only present in a beta stage, and it could simply be Valve waiting for more games before the badge returns. The rest of the signs up to this point have been nothing but positive, of course.

Up next: GTA 6 trailer 3 might be just weeks away – here’s why

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 😬 Sony has doubled down on its commitment to ditching physical media

• 📈 The brand’s CFO has cited consumer trends as its main driver

• 🎮 Sony says it’s now focused on how to engage gamers in a “future digital ecosystem”

• 🤔 It isn’t alone in its decision, as Microsoft is reportedly ditching physical games for Project Helix, and the physical edition of GTA 6 isn’t coming as a disc

Sony has been quizzed about its decision to ditch physical discs in January 2028 and – despite the ongoing outrage – the Japanese company isn’t changing its mind.

In a recent earnings call (thanks, Kotaku), Sony’s chief financial officer Lin Tao stated that the biggest reason the brand is ditching physical discs is because of the overall trend towards digitization of content, “not just for PlayStation, but for all kinds of content.”

Tao went on to state that while Sony has “received various opinions” on the matter and acknowledges that “people have strong views”, it’s standing firm on its decision due to consumer trends.

Tao also said that “games are loved by many people. It’s a form of entertainment that’s loved by people, and it’s connected to people’s fond memories in many cases. And so we understand those emotions. We want to consider that. And in the future digital ecosystem, how do we engage the gamers is something that we would like to continue to explore.”

Sony has faced a monumental backlash after it announced it would discontinue physical game disc production for all new PlayStation titles starting January 2028. People have started petitions requesting Sony to reverse its decision, and it’s going to be difficult to get people to engage with a fully digital ecosystem as a result.

It isn’t just Sony, though, as Microsoft is also reportedly ditching discs with Project Helix, although it is reportedly working on a new method for transferring disc licenses to digital.

Likewise, we’re starting to see big game releases ditch discs, as GTA 6’s physical edition isn’t a disc and is rather a code in a box.

Whether this is a decision just for Rockstar, or something that the wider industry is going to follow, is anyone’s guess, but it isn’t looking good for those who still want physical media.

Up next: Nintendo Switch Online finally gets the GameCube game we’ve all been waiting for

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🆕 Nintendo is bringing two previously unreleased Virtual Boy titles, Zero Racers and D-Hopper, to the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on August 4, 2026

• 😲 Originally slated for 1996, both games were cancelled following the discontinuation of the Virtual Boy console

• 👍 Players can access these titles by using a Virtual Boy accessory and maintaining a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription

• 🙌 These releases offer a unique opportunity for both video game preservationists and fans to experience long-lost titles

Walmart: Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Walmart: 12 months Switch Online

It’s easy to forget that you can now enjoy Virtual Boy games on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, but that hasn’t stopped Nintendo from bringing two previously unreleased titles to its online service.

Zero Racers and D-Hopper never saw the light of day, but they’ll be playable on August 4, 2026, for those who purchased the dedicated Virtual Boy accessory or the more affordable cardboard version.

Zero Racers, an F-Zero spin-off, was planned for a late 1996 release but was cancelled by Nintendo after it discontinued the Virtual Boy because of its poor sales. However, roughly 30 years after it was finished, it will be available to players for the first time.

Like Zero Racers, D-Hopper was also cancelled shortly before it was scheduled for release in August 1996. The action-adventure game developed by Intelligent Systems sees you navigate multi-layered stages that take advantage of the Virtual Boy’s stereoscopic 3D.

The release of two previously cancelled titles will please video preservationists and those who have invested in the Virtual Boy add-on. It’s also kind of amazing that we’re getting two new Virtual Boy games in 2026 – who’d have thought that would ever happen?

To access Virtual Boy games, you need to be a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriber. Nintendo’s top-tier subscription also gives you access to GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis games, and select DLC packs.

Up next: Nintendo Switch Online finally gets the GameCube game we’ve all been waiting for

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 📅 Super Mario Sunshine arrives on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on August 13, 2026

• ⏳ The release follows a long-awaited GameCube addition, originally teased over a year ago

• 👏 Players on Switch 2 can enjoy the game with improvements like higher resolution, save states, and a CRT filter

• 🎮 The game joins a library of nine other GameCube titles already available through the Nintendo Classics service

Walmart: Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers – or more specifically, those who subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack – can look forward to replaying Super Mario Sunshine on August 13, 2026.

Super Mario Sunshine was one of the first games Nintendo showed off when it announced that GameCube was coming to Nintendo Switch Online, but we’ve had to wait over a year for it to arrive.

Released in 2002, Super Mario Sunshine is often overshadowed by later 3D Mario games like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey. However, it remains a huge fan favorite and became one of the best-selling GameCube titles, with around six million copies sold.

Super Mario Sunshine was part of the Super Mario 3D All-Stars release for the Nintendo Switch in 2020, but this was a limited-time release. Now, though, Switch 2 owners can enjoy Super Mario Sunshine at a higher resolution, and with other Switch Online perks such as save states and a CRT filter.

Again, you’ll need to be a member of Nintendo’s highest Switch Online tier to access Super Mario Sunshine, as GameCube games are only available on Nintendo Switch 2 and to those who are Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.

As of writing, there are nine GameCube games available via the Nintendo Classics (Switch Online) service. Chibi-Robo!, F-Zero GX, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Luigi’s Mansion, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Soulcalibur II, Super Mario Strikers, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Wario World are all playable now.

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

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• 🙌 The Steam Frame has received a very important piece of certification, paving the way for an impending release

• 👍 The headset has received FCC certification, which is a very big deal and usually one of the last hurdles a product clears before it can reach the market

• ⚒️ Valve has been constantly updating its own backend for the Steam Frame to get everything ready

• 📦 It has also received a huge number of devices into its US warehouse as it readies stock for an inevitable pre-order

We’re edging ever closer to the Steam Frame’s release date, and the device has just cleared a big hurdle by securing some key certification.

As per Steam Hardware Updates on X, the Steam Frame has secured FCC certification, which the account describes as being “a big deal” and probably “the biggest thing that needs to happen for launch and is a great sign”.

The certification covers 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, 5 GHz Wi-Fi, 6 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other low-power wireless transmissions, with multiple grants issued for the device’s various radios. It also confirms the headset uses a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system.

While FCC certification doesn’t guarantee the Steam Frame is going to launch any time this week, it’s usually one of the last regulatory hurdles a product clears before it reaches the market.

For reference, the Steam Machine received FCC certification in December, and then was released the following June, although with all of what’s going on with the Frame, waiting a further six months for release doesn’t seem like it’s on the agenda.

With this in mind, Valve has been relentlessly working on backend updates for the device, signalling an announcement for a price and the long-awaited Steam Frame pre-order could come at virtually any moment.

Valve recently deployed one of its biggest backend updates yet, which could signal it’s readying review samples for the Steam Deck, meaning an actual announcement on pre-orders and availability could be very close.

Lots of Steam Frame accessories have also been showing up on Amazon in recent weeks, suggesting that brands are getting ready for when the device eventually launches. Some of Valve’s more recent shipments have also included an adapter for the Steam Frame and ergonomics kit.

We’ve also surpassed 25 verified games for the new ‘Great on Frame’ category Valve recently launched on Steam, plus the headset has now received Steamworks support, which all point to a release potentially coming very soon.

Up next: Keychron G3 review: a super-lightweight gaming mouse with premium features

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🤞 We could just be weeks away from the elusive third trailer for GTA 6

• 🔜 Leakers have suggested something could be happening with GTA next month

• 👀 Likewise, one GTA 6 content creator has found three backend updates to the Rockstar website

• 📅 Take-Two’s next investor call is August 7, and Rockstar has announced GTA 6 news in and around the dates of previous ones

According to the latest fan theory, we could just be weeks away from the seemingly elusive GTA 6 trailer 3.

As per Kotaku, fans think the third trailer for GTA 6 could be coming very soon. This reportedly started when leaker NateTheHate held a Q&A on X and was asked if he knew anything about GTA 6.

• Walmart: GTA 6 - $79.99

• Best Buy - GTA 6 - $79.99

• GameStop: GTA 6 - $79.99

• Amazon: GTA 6 - $79.99

• Target: GTA 6 - $79.99

• PlayStation Store: GTA 6 - $79.99

His answer teased that he expects “to see a fair bit of GTA 6 next month”, and later clarified he meant August. What this could be is anyone’s guess, especially as we’ve now got news of the game’s preorder and therefore GTA 6’s price. More game details, such as a third trailer, seem like an ideal next step.

This was then backed up by iGrandTheftAuto, a content creator and resource website in the GTA community, who reported they had spotted some backend changes to the GTA 6 section of the Rockstar website.

The account posted on X that “There’s now been 3 minor updates to the website today” and that “It certainly looks like something might be happening soon”.

They noted that what had occurred looked “unusual” and advised folks to “keep a close eye on Rockstar and the GTA 6 site tomorrow”.

The last time iGrandTheftAuto noticed changes out of the blue came a day before the cover art and pre-order announcement dropped, and while it isn’t clear what these updates could be, the account has concluded Rockstar is “definitely working on something”.

The GTA community has gone haywire with these announcements on Reddit and the like, with the assumption that Rockstar is doing something. The next Take-Two investor call is August 7, and it’s been the case that GTA 6 announcements have coincided with these, so we could expect something in and around that date.

Rockstar itself has remained tight-lipped about what to expect from the next GTA title so far, although we recently got some new GTA 6 gameplay details from a surprising source.

All that remains now is to sit and wait for the next day or two, or even a few weeks, and we could have that third trailer to watch.

Up next: Best Steam Machine settings for Cyberpunk 2077

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

🏆 Review Score: 4.5/5 – ‘Awesome!‘

✅ Pros:

• 🪶 Super light without feeling cheap

• 💪 Packed with the best tech

• 👆 Excellent switches and side buttons

• 🛜 Multi-device compatibility

• 👏 The Keychron Launcher shames other brands

❌ Cons:

• ✋ Doesn’t work with every grip type

• 🤷‍♂️ Not the most exciting product

Amazon: Keychron G3

The Shortcut Review

Lightweight gaming mice have become increasingly popular, and the Keychron G3 shows how to design one that feels effortless to use without skimping on crucial features.

The Keychron G3 is armed with everything competitive gamers would expect from a high-end mouse: it has an 8K polling rate, a flagship PixArt 3950 sensor, DPI up to 30,000, and weighs just 44 grams. It feels robust in the hand, too, with no give or flex to the carbon fiber build.

Thankfully, you can make any adjustments to the Keychron G3 without downloading proprietary software. The Keychron Launcher web app lets you create custom profiles, change the lift-off distance, power management, and a variety of other settings straight from your browser.

The 500 mAh battery lets you use the Keychron G3 for days before it needs charging, even when using an 8K Hz polling rate. You can also connect the mouse via Bluetooth or wired, giving you complete flexibility.

Keychron G3 specs 🛠️

• Price: $109.99/$84.99

• Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, Wired

• Sensor: PixArt 3950 sensor

• Battery Life: Up to 160 hours

• Weight: 44 grams

• Colors: Black (Carbon Fiber), Frosted Gray (PCB)

While it may not have fancy haptic induction technology like the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike, the Huano Micro Switches offer a satisfying click that isn’t distracting like on the Razer Viper V4 Pro.

At just 120mm long, 38mm tall, and 63mm wide, the Keychron G3 gaming mouse is best suited to those who play with a claw-grip or a fingertip-grip. Palm-grip players will probably struggle with the Keychron G3, as it’s slightly too short for larger hands, despite the raised hump. Still, I found it incredibly comfortable to use, even as someone who tends to use a palm-grip than a claw-grip.

At $109.99 for the Carbon Fiber model and $84.99 for the Frosted Gray model, the Keychron G3 undercuts most of the competition and delivers equally impressive performance in titles where it matters most, like Counter-Strike 2. Read my full Keychron G3 review below for more.

A review unit was provided by Keychron.

What I loved about the Keychron G3 ❤️

🪶 Super light without feeling cheap. No matter how hard you squeeze the Keychron G3, its shell never flexes or creaks. There are also no rattling parts or cheap-feeling materials. It may weigh just over 40 grams, but it still feels like a premium product thanks to its excellent build quality.

💪 Packed with the best tech. With an 8K polling rate, Motion Sync, and a PixArt 3950 sensor, the Keychron G3 doesn’t skimp on premium technology to achieve its lightweight design. You won’t be held back by input latency or let down by the G3’s beefy battery.

👆 Excellent switches, side buttons, and scroll wheel. Every button and switch on the Keychron G3 is a joy to press, and there’s a satisfying weight to each one. You also get a pleasant ‘click’ sound that isn’t distracting like on other mice. The rubberized scroll wheel is also a nice touch.

🛜 Multi-device compatibility. You can connect the Keychron G3 via its 2.4GHz wireless dongle, Bluetooth, or USB-C. The 2.4GHz dongle provides a rock-solid connection, and the option to connect via Bluetooth means you can use it on other devices with the flick of a switch.

👏 The Keychron Launcher shames other brands. You can change every setting and update the firmware of the Keychron G3 using the Keychron Launcher web app. There’s no need to download a specific piece of software that may eat up your computer’s resources and take up storage space. It’s a fantastic experience that other brands should follow.

What I disliked about the Keychron G3 💔

✋ Doesn’t work with every grip type. If you’re strictly a palm-grip player, the Keychron G3 is harder to recommend. The mouse is shorter than most, which means your fingers may extend slightly past the front.

🤷‍♂️ Not the most exciting product out there. Even though the Keychron G3 has an LED light in the scroll wheel, it only turns on when the battery is low or you first connect the mouse. It means it’s not the most eye-catching gaming mouse, and it doesn’t have any special tech like the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike's haptic inductive technology.

Should you buy the Keychron G3? 🤔

Amazon: Keychron G3

Yes, if…

• ✅ You want a super-light gaming mouse.

• ✅ You’re a claw-grip player.

• ✅ You want a mouse that works across multiple devices.

No, if…

• ❌ You don’t play many competitive PC games.

• ❌ You’re not a fan of lightweight mice.

• ❌ You’re a palm-grip player.

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🎮 The ModRetro M64 is a modern N64 revival console featuring 4K output

• 🎨 It launches with four translucent color options: purple, green, red and clear, reminiscent of the original N64

• 🙌 ModRetro founder Palmer Luckey plans to release over a dozen colors via swappable, low-cost body kits later on

👏 The M64 controllers also come in matching swappable shells (purple, green, and clear)

ModRetro: M64

GameStop: Smoke ModRetro M64

Get the ModRetro Chromatic

Get ModRetro Chromatic games

The ModRetro M64 aims to revive the Nintendo 64 for the modern age with a 4K output and powerful new hardware. But what colors are available?

Unlike the Analogue 3D, which comes in an all-black and all-white design, the five M64 colors are a real throwback, featuring translucent plastic that so many tech enthusiasts love.

The N64 was released in a similar style, and it proved to be popular with gamers. After a long hiatus, translucent and transparent tech has undergone a bit of a revival, with Nothing and Beats bringing back the unique look.

There are three M64 colors to choose from: purple, green, red, clear, and smoke, we’ll update this list when new colors release. According to ModRetro’s founder Palmer Luckey, more than a dozen colors are on the way. Don’t forget to check out our ModRetro M64 review for our final verdict.

M64 purple

The purple M64 color is the most reminiscent of one of the original translucent N64 that Nintendo produced all those years ago. It’s bound to be a popular choice, and purple has quietly become a color associated with Nintendo thanks to the GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

M64 green

Best described as a yellowish green, the M64 certainly stands out in this bold colorway, especially the large power and reset buttons. We’d wager that the green M64 will be the least popular color, but it still resonate with some.

M64 clear

The M64 clear colorway looks absolutely glorious and may be our personal favorite. Similar to Nothing’s eye-catching translucent design language, the M64 looks suitably smart yet striking in the clear colorway. Expect this M64 color to be a popular choice.

M64 red

Luckey revealed that more than a dozen colors will be released for the M64, with “easily swappable low-cost body kits”. He also showed off an ‘AMD Red’ color for the M64 as part of ModRetro’s collaboration with AMD gaming, which has now become an official option for players to choose from.

M64 Smoke Edition

The M64 Smoke Edition is exclusive to GameStop. It features a translucent gray and black shell and costs $229.99. ModRetro previously sold an exclusive Chromatic at GameStop, so the partnership isn’t too surprising.

M64 controller colors

Luckey also shared that the M64 controllers will also come with swappable shells, and that it can take “less than a minute to swap” a shell if you’re speedy. For now, you can get the M64 controller in purple, clear, and green, red, and smoke which will match the console. Of course, you can also use existing N64 controllers with the M64.

Up next: ModRetro Chromatic review: a perfect retro revival of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

Samsung has a hit on its hands with the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The foldable takes on a passport-like design that’s a lot shorter and wider than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra - and people love it. The new shape has taken the smartphone world by storm, with lots of people clamoring to get their hands on it before their favorite color sells out.

Of course, if you want to protect your investment, you might want to pick up a case so you don’t have to worry about cracks or scratches. Lucky for you, we’ve been reviewing smartphone cases for decades and know which ones are worth your money, and which ones you should skip.

Below, we’re highlighting the 11 best Galaxy Z Fold 8 cases you can get that we’d use on our personal devices any day of the week.

Disclosure: We use affiliate links for just about everything on The Shortcut that highlights a product. It helps us earn a small commission to keep the lights on in Swider Studios.

Best Galaxy Z Fold 8 cases

ZAGG Crystal Palace Snap Case

If you want to show off the color of your Galaxy Z Fold 8, ZAGG has the perfect case for you. The Crystal Palace Snap case features a modern, clean design with special coatings to ensure it doesn’t yellow or age too quickly. There’s a special part in the middle to protect the hinge and prevent any accidents, while the reinforced edges will protect it from drops. Plus, it has a magnet in the back for using MagSafe/Qi2 accessories

Price: $79.99

Best Buy: ZAGG Crystal Palace

Dbrand Grip Case

We’ve been using Dbrand’s Grip Case on a variety of phones we have in the studio for a while, and it’s one of our favorite go-tos with its durable design and reliable protection. There’s one for the Z Fold 8 that will give you military-grade drop protection, a clean design, and the option to choose any skin on Dbrand’s website to outfit it with, helping your Fold 8 stand out from the rest. The best part? A skin is included in the purchase price of the case, making it a surprisingly good value.

Price: $59.90

Dbrand: Grip Case

UAG Mouve Clear Case

UAG cases are designed to be taken anywhere, with premium materials and construction for a snug fit and enhanced durability. The Mouve case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 combines a clear design with rubberized edges for a tactile grip, military-grade drop protection, and scratch resistance. It wraps around each side of your device and supplies a magnet in the back for accessories and charging. It’s a stylish and simple way to protect your device.

Price: $64.95

Amazon: UAG Mouve Case

Samsung Carbon Magnet Case

Samsung made one of the coolest cases you can get for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The Carbon Magnet Case is made from Aramid, a material that’s super thin and extremely durable. It keeps the slim profile of the Fold 8 intact while giving you protection against light bumps and scratches. It’s available in three different colors and comes with a magnet for attaching accessories to the back.

Price: $109.99

Samsung: Carbon Magnet Case

Spigen Air Fit Pro MagFit

Spigen is one of our favorite brands to shop from for phone cases at great prices. The Air Fit Pro MagFit is a stand-out for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. It comes with a slim profile that adds enough rigidity to your phone for military-grade drop protection. It also protects your hinge and the camera lenses on the back with a raised lip. It integrates magnets for charging and accessories, and it’s priced under $30.

Price: $29.99

Amazon: Spigen Air Fit Pro

Otterbox Defender Series Pro XT

For well over a decade, Otterbox has been one of those brands you can always rely on for extreme smartphone protection. Its Defender Series Pro XT case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is no exception to that rule. It comes with a tough, rugged design that protects your phone from drops and scuffs, while also protecting the hinge and the ports from any dirt that could slip in.

Price: $89.99

Amazon: Otterbox Defender Series Pro XT

Dteck Magnetic Shockproof Case

For simple protection in a variety of colors, Dteck has a solid case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. It offers a precise fit with a magnet in the back for charging and accessories; it’s slim, lightweight, and will protect your device against light bumps. It comes in eight total colors to make your Fold 8 pop: Black, Dark Blue, Dark Green, Pink, Purple, Red, Sky Blue, and Wine Red.

Price: $17.99

Best Buy: Dteck case

Samsung Mirror Magnet Case

If you want something whimsical and fun, check out Samsung’s Mirror Magnet Case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. A simple yet playful accessory, this case protects your device from scratches and scuffs while adding a friendly touch to the back with a cartoon character. There are a few different versions you can choose from to pick your preferred style, and all of them ship with magnets for MagSafe compatibility.

Price: $69.99

Samsung: Mirror Magnet Case

OCASE Wallet Case

Wallet cases are a convenient way to keep all of your most important stuff with you at all times, and the OCASE Wallet Case for the Z Fold 8 is a solid choice. Its faux leather exterior is stylish and protective, while on the inside, you can store three cards and cash. It’s also available in a bunch of different colors, and it’s priced at under $30.

Price: $29.99

Amazon: OCASE Wallet Case

Fntcase Case with Magnetic Kickstand

For full 360-degree protection, check out the Fntcase Case with Magnetic Kickstand. This case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has everything you need: a protective military-grade design, a kickstand for propping your phone up for hands-free viewing, a screen protector, MagSafe support, hinge protection, and camera lens protection. It’s the ultimate go-to for anyone who may consider themselves… a bit of a cluts.

Price: $69.99

Amazon: Fntcase Case

Samsung Silicone Magnet Case

Silicone cases are a great choice for a pop of color and for adding grip to your phone. Samsung’s first-party Silicone Magnet Case offers a precise fit and a range of colors that’ll match the finish you pick for your Galaxy Z Fold 8. It gives the device enough protection for everyday life, while keeping a slim profile and looking stylish at the same time.

Price: $89.99

Samsung: Silicone Magnet Case

Cyberpunk 2077 remains a standout title on PC, and a showcase for those with high-end hardware. The Steam Machine may not be armed with the most powerful GPU or CPU, but our best Steam Machine settings for Cyberpunk 2077 still result in a gorgeous-looking game that delivers a smooth 60fps throughout.

Ray tracing is off the cards here, and we’re targeting 1440p with FSR 4. Don’t miss the rest of our best Steam Machine settings for the following titles below:

• 😺 Best Steam Machine settings for Palworld

• 🧑‍🚀 Best Steam Machine settings for Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

• 😈 Best Steam Machine settings for Doom (2016)

• 🐺 Best Steam Machine settings for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• 🧟 Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 2 remake

• 🤝 Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 5

• 🃏 Best Steam Machine settings for Persona 5 Royal

• 🐉 Best Steam Machine settings for Yakuza 0

• 🤠 Best Steam Machine settings for Red Dead Redemption

• 🐍 Best Steam Machine settings for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

• 🎳 Best Steam Machine settings for GTA 4

• 🏠 Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 7

• 🏰 Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil Village

• 🐮 Best Steam Machine settings for Stardew Valley

• 🍖 Best Steam Machine settings for Monster Hunter World

Read more

• 🆕 ModRetro’s brand new M64 is available in an exclusive colorway from GameStop

• 🚬 The Smoke Edition offers a gray and black translucent shell and costs $229.99 from the retailer

• 💰 That’s the same price as the normal console, and it releases in just under a month

• 👉 You can pre-order it now, and it’s the only place you’ll be able to get this color from

GameStop: Smoke ModRetro M64

GameStop: Smoke M64 Pro Controller

ModRetro: M64

If you’ve been after the special Smoke Edition of ModRetro’s shiny new M64 console, it’s exclusive to GameStop and you can pre-order one right now.

GameStop posted on X to let everyone know it’s available to order with a short trailer showing its smoky translucent finish that runs across the console and associated M64 Pro controller. It means there are five M64 colors to choose from.

The GameStop listing page mentions a release date of August 21, giving you less than a month to wait until this exclusive colorway launches.

Apart from cosmetics, this is the same ModRetro M64 FPGA console that launched yesterday, and it carries an identical $229.99 price tag, assuming you don’t snag the standard model with an exclusive $30 discount if you signed up for the early bird waitlist.

In our ModRetro M64 review, we said the console feels like a premium product with excellent build quality. It’s also more affordable than the Analogue 3D and has the ability to output N64 games at 720p, 1080p, and 4K.

Our review also noted that it plays games exactly as you remember, although there are also different display and scaling modes available.

The M64 is compatible with Bluetooth and wired N64 controllers, plus it’ll also work with the brand’s own Pro controller. This is a separate purchase, but brings extras such as an aluminium shell, Bluetooth and wired connectivity, plus a TMR joystick for increasingly accurate inputs without the worry of stick drift.

We didn’t have many criticisms of the M64, though the software on the competing Analogue 3D is more mature and therefore has more features like save states. However, it is some $70-$100 more expensive, depending if you got the deal above, or you’re considering purchasing the M64 at retail.

Up next: Steam Machine update from Valve will please those in the reservation queue

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 👏 Valve has provided a promising update for those waiting for a Steam Machine

• 🔜 It says it’s fulfilling orders daily and expects everyone in the reservation queue to be able to purchase a device by the end of the year

• 👍 In some regions and for some devices, it’s even moved to invite those on the waitlist, as it’s exhausted the reservation queue

• 🙌 Valve’s post also says that FSR 4.1 is now available for games that support it with Proton Experimental, and it has released CAD files for the Steam Machine’s external geometry

Valve has provided a promising update for any folks in the reservation queue waiting for the opportunity to purchase a Steam Machine.

As posted on the Steam Community page, Valve says that it’s fulfilling orders “daily” for the device, sending out emails to reservation holders, and expects everyone in the queue to have the option to purchase the Steam Machine “by the end of the year”.

Valve also says that the reservation queue and corresponding waitlists can move at different paces depending on region, given that they’ve been individually compiled by product and region.

This means that for some products in some regions, the reservation queue is already at an end, and Valve has begun inviting people on the waitlist. It had skipped a step by automatically sending some on the waitlist the option-to-order email, but has now said that you’ll first receive a message saying you’ve been added to the reservation queue and that you can expect an option-to-purchase email “sometime after that”.

With this in mind, Valve is quick to stress that no one on the waitlist is going ahead of those in the reservation queue. It’s only going to the waitlist once the reservation queue is at an end for that product and region.

Valve had implemented a reservation queue for the Steam Machine after the Steam Controller restock, and the chaos that followed when the controller first went on sale.

A previous update from Valve explaining the queue noted that it thought a randomized system was fairer, as the older system tended to reward “bots, people with fast internet connections, talented gaming fingers for quick F5/refresh reactions, and those who can schedule their life around that moment.” By implementing a random system, Valve is aiming to take away some of the “friction”.

At the end of that post, it also provided an interesting tidbit about recommendations if you don’t get a Steam Machine right away, stating that with the latest SteamOS 3.8 update, users can “run the same code and operating system as Steam Machine on your own living-room PC using whatever PC parts you want”.

The only caveat is that it has to be with an AMD GPU, but Valve says it’s “working on expanding support for the future”.

With this in mind, the latest update has seen Valve add support for FSR 4.1 on Proton Experimental for titles supporting the latest version of AMD’s upscaler, while the CAD file for the Steam Machine’s external geometry is now available for download.

Valve releasing the CAD file for the Steam Machine opens up the opportunity for a multitude of third-party accessories, including custom faceplates and more.

We’ve already seen dbrand launch an array of new Steam Machine skins, and Valve previously released the CAD files for its unique e-ink display faceplate option to open up even more personalization options, so it’ll be exciting to see what happens next.

Up next: Best Steam Machine settings for Monster Hunter World

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

Three free PS Plus games – Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition, Big Walk, and Signalis – will be available to download for PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers on August 4. You can add these games to your library for free if you’re subscribed to Sony’s PS Plus Essential, PS Plus Premium, or PS Plus Extra service. Don’t forget to grab them before Monday, August 31; otherwise, you’ll miss out.

Don’t have PS Plus? Want to stop paying full price? Our PlayStation Plus discount code knocks off $10 versus what Sony charges.

PS Plus free games August 2026

• Dying Light 2: Stay Human Reloaded Edition (PS5, PS4)

• Big Walk (PS5)

• Signalis (PS4)

Dying Light 2: Stay Human Reloaded Edition

Dying Light 2 is a survival action-adventure that supports four-player co-op. You take on the role of Aiden Caldwell as you set out to learn the truth. Hone your skills to defeat your enemies and make new allies.

Big Walk

A cooperative multiplayer adventure, Big Walk is about teamwork and talking. Discover a wide-open world full of challenges, puzzles, and work together to find your way around.

Signalis

Discover the terrifying secrets in a surreal retrotech world as Elster, a technician searching for her lost partner and lost dreams. Experience a classic psychological survival horror.

About downloading PS Plus free games

You can download all three PlayStation games – and if you run out of storage space on the internal SSD, check out The Shortcut’s expert PS5 SSD upgrade how-to guide and best SSD for PS5.

The free PS Plus games for July 2026 will no longer be available on August 4, 2026, (if you added them to your PlayStation games library before the cut-off date, you can continue to play them, don’t worry). Note: these PS Plus games don’t have to be downloaded; just add them to your PlayStation games library before they expire from the PlayStation Store.

The primary reason to get a PS Plus membership is online multiplayer, but these ‘free games’ have rounded out the value of Sony’s online service. It helps PlayStation Plus compete with Microsoft’s more robust offering (see our Xbox Game Pass Ultimate review and save $20 with our Xbox Game Pass discount code) which has become a Netflix-like on-demand gaming service. That’s why PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now have merged to form PlayStation Plus Premium, PlayStation Plus Extra, and PlayStation Plus Essential.

How to get the PS Plus free games

1. Get PlayStation Plus through this discount code to save $10 (you can’t stack multiple years anymore, but your pre-paid code won’t expire if you find the deal tempting. You’ll be able to turn off auto-renew and redeem it when it does expire

2. Go to the PlayStation Plus tab on the PlayStation Store on your console

3. Add each of the four games to your library (you don’t have to download them but you do need to add them to your library)

4. You can also download them by logging into the PlayStation Store through the web and adding them to your library that way (it will be faster for some people)

You’ll be able to add the PlayStation Plus free games for August to your library until August 31. On that date, new games will take over, and you’ll lose your chance to add these games to your PlayStation library. Adding the PS Plus games to your library doesn’t require downloading them and therefore doesn’t take up any hard drive or PS5 SSD storage space.

Why you shouldn’t wait on PS Plus free games

Should you buy PlayStation Plus today for these games? While online multiplayer is essential for some people, the free games for $79.99 a year MSRP (but $45 a year with a PlayStation Plus discount code) seems like good value if you play PS5 (if you don’t have a console yet, check out the Target PS5, and Amazon PS5 restock guides along with the Sony Direct queue guide). This is despite the fact you don’t know if the PS Plus free games will be any good month-to-month.

But here’s why you should get them right away: You won’t be able to add the August 2026 free PS Plus games to your library after August 31. My expert advice is that if you don’t have a PlayStation Plus membership, get it today or before the end of the month to claim all of the PlayStation games this month and the next, and for the following ten months.

Can I keep PS Plus free games forever?

As long as you’re subscribed to PlayStation Plus, you can continue playing any free games added to your library. If you cancel your PS Plus subscription, all the PS Plus free games and DLC become inaccessible.

• Check out our PlayStation Premium review 👈

There is a caveat: if you resubscribe to PlayStation Plus at any point, the free games added to your library will become playable again. So it’s worth getting PlayStation Plus if the free game is to your liking and start accumulating a nice collection.

What were the past PS Plus free games?

If you missed out on past PS Plus games, there’s no way to turn back the clock. However, I can tell you the game list for the titles you missed.

PS Plus free games list July 2026

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

• For The King II

• CrossCode

PS Plus free games list June 2026

• Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition

• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

• Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

PS Plus free games list May 2026

• EA Sports FC 26

• Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

• Nine Sols

PS Plus free games list April 2026

• Lords of Fallen

• Tomb Raider I-III Remastered

• Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream

PS Plus free games list March 2026

• PGA Tour 2K25

• Slime Rancher 2

• Monster Hunter Rise

• The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road Collection

PS Plus free games list February 2026

• Undisputed

• Subnautica: Below Zero

• Ultros

• Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

PS Plus free games list January 2026

• Need for Speed Unbound

• Disney’s Epic Mickey: Rebrushed

• Core Keeper

PS Plus free games list December 2025

• LEGO Horizon Adventures (PS5)

• Killing Floor 3 (PS5)

• The Outlast Trials (PS4, PS5)

• Neon White (PS4, PS5)

• Synduality Echo of Ada (PS5)

PS Plus free games list November 2025

• Stray

• EA Sports WRC 25

• Totally Accurate Battle Simulator

PS Plus free games list October 2025

• Alan Wake 2

• Goat Simulator 3

• Cocoon

PS Plus free games list September 2025

• Psychonauts 2

• Stardew Valley

• Viewfinder

PS Plus free games list August 2025

• Lies of P

• DayZ

• My Hero One’s Justice 2

PS Plus free games list July 2025

• Diablo IV

• King of Fighters XV

• Jusant

PS Plus free games list June 2025

• NBA 2K25

• Alone in the Dark

• Bombrush Cyberfunk

• Destiny 2: The Final Shape

PS Plus free games list May 2025

• Ark: Survival Ascended

• Balatro

• Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

PS Plus free games list April 2025

• RoboCop: Rogue City

• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

• Digimon Story: Cybersleuth - Hacker’s Memory

PS Plus free games list March 2025

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard

• Sonic Colors Ultimate

• TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection

PS Plus free games list February 2025

• Payday 3

• High on Life

• Pac-Man World Re-Pac

PS Plus free games list January 2025

• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered

• The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe

PS Plus free games list December 2024

• It Takes Two

• Aliens: Dark Descent

• TemTem

PS Plus free games list November 2024

• Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

• Ghostwire: Tokyo

• Death Note Killer Within

PS Plus free games list October 2024

• WWE 2K24

• Dead Space

• Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

PS Plus free games list September 2024

• Quidditch Champions

• MLB The Show 24

• Little Nightmares 2

PS Plus free games list August 2024

• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

• Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach

• Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

PS Plus free games list July 2024

• Borderlands 3

• NHL 24

• Among Us

PS Plus free games list June 2024

• SpongeBob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake

• Streets of Rage 4

• AEW Fight Forever

PS Plus free games list May 2024

• EA Sports FC 24

• Ghostrunner 2

• Tunic

• Destiny 2: Lightfall

PS Plus free games list April 2024

• Immortals of Aveum

• Minecraft Legends

• Skul: The Hero Slayer

PS Plus free games list March 2024

• F1 23

• Sifu

• Hello Neighbor 2

• Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

PS Plus free games list February 2024

• Foamstars

• Rollerdrome

• SteelRising

PS Plus free games list January 2024

• A Plague Tale: Requiem

• Evil West

• Nobody Saves the World

PS Plus free games list December 2023

• LEGO 2K Drive

• PowerWash Simulator

• Sable

PS Plus free games list November 2023

• Mafia 2: Definitive Edition

• Dragonball Z: The Breakers

• Aliens: Fireteam Elite

PS Plus free games list October 2023

• The Callisto Protocol

• Weird West

• Farming Simulator 22

PS Plus free games list September 2023

• Saints Row

• Black Desert: Traveler Edition

• Generation Zero

PS Plus free games list August 2023

• PGA 2K23

• Dreams

• Death’s Door

PS Plus free games list July 2023

• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

• Alan Wake

• Endling: Extinction is Forever

PS Plus free games list June 2023

• NBA 2K23

• Jurassic World Evolution 2

• Trek to Yomi

PS Plus free games list May 2023

• Grid Legends

• Chivalry 2

• Descenders

PS Plus free games list April 2023

• Meet Your Maker

• Sackboy: A Big Adventure

• Tails of Iron

PS Plus free games list March 2023

• Battlefield 2042

• Minecraft Dungeons

• Code Vein

PS Plus free games list February 2023

• OlliOlli World

• Mafia Definitive Edition

• Evil Dead: The Game

• Destiny 2: Beyond Light

PS Plus free games list January 2023

• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

• Fallout 76

• Axiom Verge 2

PS Plus free games list December 2022

• Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

• Biomutant

• Divine Knockout

PS Plus free games list November 2022

• Nioh 2 / Nioh 2 Remastered

• LEGO Harry Potter Collection

• Heavenly Bodies

PS Plus free games list October 2022

• Hot Wheels Unleashed

• Injustice 2

• Superhot

PS Plus free games list September 2022

• Toem

• Need for Speed Heat

• Granblue Fantasy: Versus

PS Plus free games list August 2022

• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

• Yakuza: Like a Dragon

• Little Nightmares

PS Plus free games list July 2022

• Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

• Man of Medan

• Arcadegeddon

PS Plus free games list June 2022

• God of War

• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl

• Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker

PS Plus free games list May 2022

• FIFA 22

• Curse of the Dead Gods

• Tribes of Midgard

PS Plus free games list April 2022

• Hood: Outlaws & Legends

• SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated

• Slay the Spire

PS Plus free games list March 2022

• Ghostrunner (PS5)

• Sonic Team Racing

• Ark: Survival Evolved

• Ghost of Tsushima: Legends (PS4 or PS5)

PS Plus free games list February 2022

• UFC 4

• Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep

• Planet Rollercoaster (PS5)

PS Plus free games list January 2022

• Persona 5 Strikers

• Dirt 5

• Deep Rock Galactic

PS Plus free games list December 2021

• Godfall: Challenger Edition

• Lego DC Super-Villains

• Mortal Shell

• PSVR games: The Persistence, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, Until You Fall

Are PSVR 2 games ever part of the PS Plus free games list?

Sony has released PSVR games as part of its PS Plus free games membership perk before, and thankfully it’s now added PSVR 2 games to the lineup. However, you’ll need to be a PS Plus Premium member to access these games. Sony may have been pushed by Meta to offer free PSVR 2 games, which launched its own subscription service called Meta Horizon Plus.

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Last updated: July 29, 2026

Monster Hunter World brought Capcom’s incredibly popular RPG to western audiences in a big way, and it remains extremely popular even though a sequel has been released. With our best Steam Machine settings for Monster Hunter World, you can focus more on hunting ferocious creatures and less time on fiddling with graphical settings.

We targeted 1440p at 60fps, and that means we can turn practically every setting up to high – though there is one graphical quirk that needs to be lowered or disabled completely. Don’t forget to check out our growing list of the best Steam Machine settings below, as we continue to test and share more optimized settings for popular titles.

• 😺 Best Steam Machine settings for Palworld

• 🧑‍🚀 Best Steam Machine settings for Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

• 😈 Best Steam Machine settings for Doom (2016)

• 🐺 Best Steam Machine settings for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• 🧟 Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 2 remake

• 🤝 Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 5

• 🃏 Best Steam Machine settings for Persona 5 Royal

• 🐉 Best Steam Machine settings for Yakuza 0

• 🤠 Best Steam Machine settings for Red Dead Redemption

• 🐍 Best Steam Machine settings for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

• 🎳 Best Steam Machine settings for GTA 4

• 🏠 Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil 7

• 🏰 Best Steam Machine settings for Resident Evil Village

• 🐮 Best Steam Machine settings for Stardew Valley

• 🤖 Best Steam Machine settings for Cyberpunk 2077

Read more

• 🍎 Apple is gearing up to launch its first smart home display very soon

• 🧑‍🔬 A new report suggests that it’s nearing completion

• 🎃 It could arrive as early as this October

• 🔊 Apple is also reportedly releasing a new HomePod mini and Apple TV

• 🤷 It’s unclear what kind of upgrades will be in tow for them

Apple’s long-awaited entry into the smart home display category could arrive by the end of the year. Mark Gurman at Bloomberg reports that the company’s first smart home hub, regularly dubbed the “HomePad,” is almost ready to launch. Behind the scenes, the device is on track to be released as early as October, or by early next year. In addition, a new HomePod mini and Apple TV will also be released around the same time.

• More: The next Apple Watch will be faster but look the same, says new rumor

The HomePad has been rumored for quite some time, regularly surfacing in leaks and future product roadmaps from Apple. The device is said to look mostly like a HomePod with a 7-inch square display attached to the top. This display would give you visual responses when you talk to Siri, sort of like how the Amazon Echo Show works with Alexa. It’ll use a camera system to identify who’s looking at the screen to show contextual answers, relying on personal data that only you can access.

It would support apps like Calendar, Music, and even FaceTime. It would use some new operating system based on tvOS, while relying heavily on Siri AI for all of its functionality. Gurman says that there are two versions of the device being tested: one is the speaker and display combo I just described, while another is just a display that can use magnets to hang from your wall.

It’s not clear which version will come first, or if both will wind up hitting the market at the same time. We also don’t know much it’ll cost yet, but we expect those details to arise in the near future, if this launch timeline is to be believed.

Meanwhile, Gurman also notes that Apple is gearing up to launch a new HomePod mini and Apple TV. Both will reportedly look the same as their current versions, but will be faster with new chips and support for Siri AI. These products could be released between October and early 2027 as well, indicating that Apple has big plans for the smart home market in the near future.

If we hear anything else, we’ll let you know.

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• Up next: Apple will reportedly unveil its first smart glasses at WWDC 2027

Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.

• 👀 Numerous third-party Steam Frame accessories have appeared on Amazon

• 👍 We’ve got cases from Spigen and Fosmon, and controller adapters

• 📦 Valve has also received shipments of its own accessories, such as the Steam Frame adapter and the headset’s ergonomic kits

• 🔜 The launch of the Steam Frame could be very soon, especially with an update suggesting Valve is readying review units

We just got our first look at some more third-party Steam Frame accessories that have begun showing up on Amazon as we await an official release date announcement for the headset.

As X user @coah80 noted, there has been a vast array of accessories across Amazon and Walmart for the Steam Frame, such as a head strap and case from Spigen, more cases from Fosmon, plus VR gun accessories for the headset’s controllers. There’s also a hard case from EJGAME.

Some of these accessories have been listed since March 2026, and it’s possible we could be getting even more as we get ever closer to the headset’s release.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard about Steam Frame accessories, as recent shipments of the headset to arrive at Valve’s US warehouse have included ergonomic kits for the headset, plus “Fabric Foam Rubber” and an adapter.

The presence of such accessories on Amazon suggests that a launch is coming soon, especially in conjunction with all of Valve’s recent backend updates corresponding to the device.

We’re also now have more than 25 verified games for the new ‘Great on Frame’ category Valve recently launched on Steam, plus the headset has now received Steamworks support, which all points to a release potentially coming very soon.

Likewise, Valve recently got one of its biggest Steam Frame shipments yet, with nearly two tonnes of headsets and controllers coming into Valve’s US warehouse, as the Steam Hardware Updates account on X had noted.

After all, we’ve been anticipating a Steam Frame pre-order announcement for some time now, especially with Valve’s vast array of backend updates for the headset and the huge quantity of devices it has received into its US warehouse.

Furthermore, with one of its biggest backend updates yet, it might signal Valve is readying review samples for the Steam Frame, meaning an actual announcement on pre-orders and availability could be very close.

In a bit of a blow, though, the Steam Frame’s price might be higher than we anticipated due to price hikes from chip maker Qualcomm that may affect the headset.

Up next: ModRetro M64 launches today – here’s how to get $30 off

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• ⛔ GTA 6 will not be released on physical discs, meaning players will rely on download codes that are subject to region-locking on PS5

• 😬 Download codes for PS5 copies may have expiration dates, such as in Japan where codes expire 170 days after November 19, 2026

• 🌍 Unlike PS5, Xbox download codes are not subject to the same region-locking restrictions, allowing for easier cross-country redemption

• 😓 These developments, alongside Sony’s plans to abandon physical media by 2028 and recent network outages, highlight ongoing concerns regarding the industry’s shift toward a digital-only future

As we came to learn, GTA 6 isn’t releasing as a physical disc. Instead, each copy includes a download code inside, and it’s since been discovered that PS5 copies are region-locked. That means you can’t import the game from a different country to your platform account, even though the PlayStation 5 is region-free.

• Walmart: GTA 6 - $79.99

• Best Buy - GTA 6 - $79.99

• GameStop: GTA 6 - $79.99

• Amazon: GTA 6 - $79.99

• Target: GTA 6 - $79.99

• PlayStation Store: GTA 6 - $79.99

To make matters worse, the download codes even expire in Japan after 170 days from the issuance date, which is November 19, 2026.

In a statement on Rockstar Games’ support website, it says: “The digital download code for Grand Theft Auto VI works differently depending on the platform and country of purchase. It is recommended that you buy and play from a retailer that is in the country of your platform account to avoid potential activation problems,”

Interestingly, Xbox download codes won’t be subject to the same restrictions, which means you should technically be able to purchase an EU code in the UK and redeem the game without issue.

The news of GTA 6 not coming on a physical disc was followed by Sony announcing it was also ditching the physical format in January 2028, which has been extremely controversial with fans, to say the least.

In the last few days, both Sony’s PlayStation Network and Xbox have suffered major outages, leaving fans unable to play games they own. It’s not the best look with both companies pushing more for a digital future.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is available for pre-order now for $79.99 – $10 more than the standard price. An Ultimate Edition is also available for $99.99 and is digital only. We’re still yet to see actual gameplay footage of GTA 6 in action, despite the game’s launch only being a few months away.

Up next: GTA 6 trailer 3: when could Rockstar’s next teaser drop?

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 💰 ModRetro’s M64 has launched today, and you can already get $30 off

• 👍 If you signed up for ModRetro’s Early Bird Waitlist for the M64, you should have an email with a purchase link and an exclusive $30 discount code

• 📅 Orders will begin shipping immediately, although you should allow a week for processing due to demand

• 👏 The M64 plays your original N64 titles at up to 4K resolution, looks the part, and is more affordable than the Analogue 3D

ModRetro: M64

We’ve been waiting a long time for ModRetro’s M64 FPGA emulation console, but it’s finally been released today, and you can already snag a $30 discount.

If you signed up for ModRetro’s Early Bird Waitlist for the M64, you should receive an email today with a link to purchase the console on the brand’s website, plus an exclusive $30 discount code.

ModRetro also says that orders will begin shipping immediately, although it advises folks to wait a week for processing due to high demand.

It says that the ModRetro M64 Console, Pro Controller, and the first four M64 games – Xeno Crisis, Xibalba 64, Extreme-G Turbo Fusion, and the iconic Buck Bumble – will be available for purchase today.

We’d been anticipating the M64 to be released at this point for some time, as an April update from ModRetro noted that the hardware would be “shipping at the end of July from our warehouse in Southern California”.

At the time, ModRetro’s update also went into detail about why folks should consider the M64 over rivals such as the Analogue 3D, as it provided a deeper dive into some of the console’s features.

For instance, ModRetro says the console offers a 5-second boot to game, features wireless OTA updates available out of the box, and has a fanless thermal design.

In addition, it’s built on a 16nm process node with one of AMD’s Spartan UltraScale FPGA+, and its PSRAM architecture allows the console to unlock higher overclocking than rivals to potentially eke out more performance.

In our ModRetro M64 review, we noted that it already feels like a premium product with a translucent shell and quality build. Plus, it’s more affordable than the Analogue 3D and has the ability to output N64 games at 720p, 1080p, and 4K.

Our review also noted that it plays games exactly as you remember, although there are also different display and scaling modes available, as well as a new overclocking feature to boost the performance.

The M64 is compatible with wired and Bluetooth controllers, plus ModRetro’s wireless Pro Controller that has a TMR joystick, an aluminium backshell, Bluetooth and wired USB connectivity. It’s compatible with the M64 and original N64, too.

As it stands, though, it’s going to be a separate purchase, and even though the M64 is more affordable than Analogue’s FPGA N64 console, we felt the Analogue 3D’s software is more mature and feature-rich. Whether that’s worth it, though, is your call.

Up next: ModRetro Chromatic review: a perfect retro revival of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 👓 The first pair of smart glasses from Apple could arrive in mid-2027

• 📆 A new report says that the company will unveil the glasses at WWDC next year

• 🧑‍💻 This’ll give developers time to work on apps and other experiences before launch

• 🔐 Apple is reportedly taking its time with the glasses to ensure privacy is in tact

• 🛍️ The glasses are expected to go on sale by the end of next year

Apple’s upcoming smart glasses might be announced in June of 2027. That’s according to Mark Gurman who, in his Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, claims that the company is preparing to introduce the glasses during WWDC, its annual developer conference. This would follow in the footsteps of the Apple Vision Pro, which was unveiled during WWDC 2023 before launching later in the year.

• More: The next Apple Watch will be faster but look the same, says new rumor

By announcing the smart glasses at WWDC, developers would have more time to work on apps and experiences for them before they launch. This’ll give early adopters a library of things to try right when they get them, which’ll hopefully encourage more people to pick them up and give them a shot.

The glasses are expected to rely on AI much like other smart glasses do, with Apple’s revamped Siri AI at their core. Developers could tie their apps directly into Siri AI and implement new voice commands, experiences, and visuals (depending on whether Apple’s glasses have a screen, of course).

One thing that isn’t quite clear is how versatile the cameras will be on the glasses. Gurman says that Apple is trying to ensure privacy remains at the core of the experience, in order to give customers a more comfortable experience than what the Meta Ray-Bans, for example, afford you. Gurman reports that Apple has considered no cameras at all, or cameras that are strictly limited to AI functionality with no photo or video capability. It would be similar to what the upcoming camera-equipped AirPods Pro could do.

Either way, the glasses are shaping up to be one of Apple’s most-anticipated product launches in its history, perhaps right before this year’s iPhone Fold which arrives in September. The first Apple glasses are expected to ship by the end of 2027, likely in the fall if current plans stick.

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Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.