2025-11-01 21:00:00
We're living in a wonderful period for puzzle games. Seemingly everyone, from The New York Times to Linkedin, has fun puzzles to play, so every morning I have plenty of options to accompany my first coffee of the day. Lately, though, much of my daily puzzle time has come from an unlikely source: the Playdate.
Panic's little yellow handheld is best known for being home to oddball indie games you can't find anywhere else, many of which utilize a crank to play. But it has also amassed a library of excellent puzzle games that are playable in quick bursts. It makes it easy to stick a Playdate in your pocket and grab it when you need to kill a fe …
2025-11-01 21:00:00
Whenever I review a phone, one of the first things I do after setting it up is charge it to full and then just… let it run, using it as my only phone for as long as I can, resisting every urge to charge it along the way.
The Oppo Find X9 Pro lasted for three full days. 74 and a half hours, to be a little more exact. I couldn't quite believe it either, so I ran it again. This time I turned on the power-hungry always-on display, and the phone ran for 50-odd hours before the battery hit low single digits.
This is the best battery life of any phone I've tested in years, and by far the best of any flagship. The only real problem for Oppo is …
2025-11-01 06:25:59
Rockstar Games, the developer of Grand Theft Auto VI, fired between 30 to 40 employees on Thursday, as previously reported by Bloomberg. According to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), all of the employees fired were part of a private trade union Discord chat and were either already union members or attempting to organize a union at Rockstar.
“Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry,” IWGB president Alex Marshall said in a statement provided to The Verge.
Alan Lewis, head of global corporate communications at Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive, responded, telling The Verge the firings were “for gross misconduct, and for no other reason,” without elaborating further.
The firings were spread out across Rockstar offices in the UK and Canada. They come just seven months ahead of the release of Grand Theft Auto VI. The game’s launch was originally scheduled for this fall, but a few months ago, Rockstar delayed its release until May 26th, 2026, saying, “We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.”
Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) president Alex Marshall:
“Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry. This flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions is an insult to their fans and the global industry.
Despite this calculated attack on workers organising for a collective voice and to improve their difficult working conditions, the Rockstar Union remains undeterred. They will keep organising for respect and better conditions whilst continuing to pour their blood, sweat and creativity into games that are loved by millions.
The IWGB will pursue every legal claim possible to ensure our members are reinstated and receive interim relief.”
Alan Lewis, head of global corporate communications at Take-Two Interactive:
“We strive to make the world’s best entertainment properties by giving our best-in-class creative teams positive work environments and ongoing career opportunities. Our culture is focused on teamwork, excellence, and kindness. Rockstar Games terminated a small number of individuals for gross misconduct, and for no other reason. As always, we fully support Rockstar’s ambitions and approach.”
2025-11-01 04:00:00
With the holidays quickly approaching, everyone will soon be on the hunt for gifts and the fastest way to get them. Thankfully, many retailers offer generous shipping policies for their products, with some even providing free two-day shipping or even same-day delivery if you’re willing to pay a little extra. And just in case the gift you choose isn’t quite right, many retailers offer extended return policies so your giftee can get something more to their liking.
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the current shipping and return policies for all the big-name retailers, from Amazon to Walmart. A few of them already have policies in place regarding the holidays, but we’ll be keeping tabs on them and updating our list accordingly. Hopefully, knowing more about how much leeway you have to make a return will help lessen that inevitable holiday angst (fingers crossed).
Shipping: Same-day delivery is not available on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s (it’s also limited on Black Friday). However, Prime members get free same-day delivery on qualifying orders in qualifying ZIP codes provided they meet the “minimum qualifying dollar threshold” (which varies by location) of eligible items in their cart. One-Day and Two-Day Delivery with no minimum purchase amount required is also available to Prime members for qualifying products. Non-Prime buyers will find shipping options on the order page of each specific product.
Returns: As part of its holiday promotional period, Amazon says most items purchased between November 1st and December 31st can be returned until January 31st, 2026. Apple products, however, must be returned by January 15th, 2026. Note that this policy applies to both Prime and non-Prime buyers.
Shipping: Apple has yet to provide details on its holiday shipping policy; however, last year, it offered free delivery of in-stock items that hadn’t been engraved by Christmas Eve if you ordered before 9PM ET on December 21st. Apple also offers free next-day or two-hour delivery from local stores in most metro areas for an additional fee, or you can opt to pick up purchases yourself by visiting your local Apple Store.
Returns: Purchases made after December 25th are subject to the usual terms and conditions, and must be returned within 14 calendar days of your initial purchase date.
Shipping: Target offers free two-day shipping on many orders if you spend $35 or more or use your Target RedCard. Same-day delivery costs $9.99 per order, but it’s included with a Target Circle 360 membership ($10.99 a month / $99 a year). Your mileage may vary for same-day delivery availability based on the item and your location.
Returns: Target offers an extended return policy for electronics and entertainment items purchased between November 1st and December 24th, allowing you to return them until January 24th, 2026, for a full refund. Mobile phones and Apple products (including Beats products) purchased during the same window must be returned by by January 9, 2026. Target’s standard return policy applies for most other items, with a generous 90-day window for third-party products and up to a year for Target-branded products with a receipt.
Shipping: Walmart has yet to publish its official holiday shipping policy. Typically, though, Walmart provides free next-day delivery in eligible ZIP codes, free two-day delivery, and free standard shipping for eligible orders of $35 or more. Walmart Plus subscribers also receive free next-day and two-day shipping with no order minimum.
Returns: Most items purchased between October 1st and December 31st may be returned until January 31st, 2026. Some exceptions, like smartphones, may apply.
Shipping: B&H offers free two-day and next-day shipping on select items. Most other products are eligible for free standard shipping (that’s one to seven business days), and free expedited shipping (one to three business days) is generally available for items over $49.
Returns: B&H allows returns within 30 days of the delivery date, provided the items are in new condition and still housed in their original packaging.
Shipping: Best Buy is offering free next-day and two-day shipping on qualifying orders for My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members. Non-members, meanwhile, can get free next-day shipping on qualifying orders totaling $35 or more.
Returns: Best Buy offers a 15-day return window for most products, while “activatable” items that come with third-party contracts — such as smartphones and wearables — must be returned within 14 days. My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members have up to 60 days to make returns, though the 14-day limit still applies to activatable products.
Shipping: At Costco, shipping fees vary depending on the product and shipping method, although shipping is often provided free of charge. The wholesale retailer also offers a variety of delivery options, including “white glove” service for larger appliances. Same-day delivery is also available on some items via Costco’s partnership with Instacart.
Returns: Costco generally has an open return policy, except for electronics such as TVs and computers, which have a 90-day return window. There are other exceptions, though, which are listed on its return page.
Shipping: GameStop currently offers free shipping on orders over $35. It also offers same-day delivery in certain locations if you order from your local store at least three hours before the store closes.
Returns: GameStop hasn’t listed its holiday return policy yet, but products can be returned within 15 days, provided the packages are unopened and you have the receipt. Pro members, meanwhile, get 30 days.
Shipping: Most Dell products come with free standard shipping (no minimum purchase necessary), and some gifts may ship for free in time for Christmas if you place your order by December 19th. The delivery window can vary based on your order, but Dell also offers expedited shipping options, as well as a delivery date estimate based on the zip code you provide at checkout. Orders placed by December 23rd with qualifying express delivery windows are expected to arrive before December 25th.
Returns: As a part of Dell’s extended return policy, purchases made between November 1st and December 29th can be returned until January 15th, 2026.
Shipping: DJI offers free shipping on purchases of $149 or more. Otherwise, shipping fees are specified on the order form. Shipment times can vary for each product depending on availability.
Returns: DJI offers returns within 14 days of receiving the purchase, provided the item remains in like-new condition or suffers from a manufacturing defect.
Shipping: All standard orders qualify for free shipping with no minimum. Just note that this applies to the lowest-cost shipping available, which may not be the fastest.
Returns: Google hasn’t announced any special holiday return policies yet. For now, all purchases are covered by the standard terms and conditions, which let you return most items within 15 days of receiving them. Nest Thermostats and Verizon contract phones, however, come with an extended 30-day return window.
Shipping: For many items, standard shipping is free and will arrive at your door within three to six days. HP also offers expedited and priority shipping options for an additional fee. The company will not ship or deliver items on Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s Day.
Returns: You can return most items purchased from HP’s website within 30 days of delivery. There are exceptions, though, and select items may be subject to a restocking fee of up to 15 percent.
Shipping: Most products sold through the online Microsoft Store include free two- or three-day shipping, with express shipping available for an additional fee.
Returns: You can return most physical products purchased online for free through January 31, 2026, provided they’re in like-new condition. The item must be in its original packaging, with all parts, manuals, and other accessories included. Items exempt from this policy include digital gift cards, gift cards for services and subscriptions, and select hardware, such as the ROG Xbox Ally and HoloLens.
Shipping: Many of Newegg’s items come with free shipping and are delivered within one to five business days; for details, check the individual product page.
Returns: Qualifying items purchased between November 1st and December 31st can be returned or replaced until January 31st, 2026.
Shipping: According to the Sam’s Club FAQ, the shipping cost for most items varies based on the item’s size, weight, shipping method, and delivery address. Plus Members get free shipping on many online items, and same-day delivery or curbside pickup is available for free if you’re a Plus member ($110 a year) and place a qualifying order totaling $50 or more by 1PM local time. Club members ($50 a year) can pay $12 for same-day or next-day shipping, or get free curbside pickup on orders of $50 or more.
Returns: Sam’s Club does not have a specified return period; however, some products may have specific return periods stated. For example, electronics and major appliances have a 90-day return window, while phones are subject to a 14-day return policy.
Shipping: Sonos offers free shipping on all of its products, with in-stock items typically shipping the same day if they’re purchased by 11AM local time. You can also pay extra for two-day or express shipping.
Returns: Sonos offers a 30-day return policy and even provides free return shipping. However, you must have bought the product directly from Sonos, and the return must be initiated within 30 days of receiving your purchase. The product must also include the original packaging and be in new or as-new condition to be eligible.
Update, October 31st: Updated to reflect shipping deadlines / return policies as they pertain to the 2025 holiday season.
2025-11-01 02:52:09
Microsoft’s new Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE), which adds a console-like navigation experience to Windows PC gaming handhelds, is coming to another family of devices: the MSI Claw. As part of the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, Microsoft is rolling out support for the Xbox FSE in preview to “MSI Claw models” today, the company announced.
FSE debuted on the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X earlier this month, and my colleague Sean Hollister ran into quite a few issues with it (and the new handhelds). If you’re interested in installing the Xbox FSE on your MSI Claw, you might want to wait until some of the problems are ironed out and until it’s available outside of the Windows Insider program.
To turn on the Xbox FSE, “on supported devices, go to Settings > Gaming > Full screen experience, then select Xbox as your home app,” Microsoft says. “Once enabled, you can access FSE from Task View and Game Bar or configure your handheld to enter full screen experience on startup.”
In today’s post, Microsoft says that “additional OEMs” will be enabling their handhelds to use the Xbox FSE “in the coming months,” and we already know that Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 is set to get it next year.
2025-11-01 02:32:30
Microsoft is bringing shared audio to Windows 11, allowing you to stream audio across two pairs of wireless headphones, speakers, earbuds, or hearing aids. The feature is built using the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) audio codec, and it’s rolling out in preview to Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels.
Shared audio comes in handy if you’re watching a movie on a laptop with your friend or family member, or just want to show them new music that you can both stream inside your own wireless headsets. You can use shared audio by connecting Bluetooth LE-supported devices to your Windows 11 PC and then selecting the “Shared audio (preview) button in your quick settings menu.
Microsoft introduced an LE Audio feature on Windows 11 in August, enabling higher audio quality while using a wireless headset in a game or call. Other device makers have added support for shared audio as well, with Google using the Bluetooth LE-based Auracast feature to broadcast audio from Android 16 devices to compatible hearing aids. The company later expanded this capability to allow Pixel 8 phones or newer to connect to two pairs of headphones at once. Samsung also began building Auracast into its phones with last year’s launch of the Galaxy S24.
For now, shared audio in Windows 11 is only available on select Copilot Plus PCs, including the 13.8 and 15-inch Surface Laptops and the 13-inch Surface Pro. It’s coming to the Samsung Galaxy Book5 360, Galaxy Book5 Pro, 13-inch Surface Laptop, and others at a later date. You can also only use the feature with devices compatible with Bluetooth LE, such as the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Buds 3, Buds 3 Pro, and the Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones.
