Author: GizNews

  • Steam Users Downloaded 100 Million TB of Games in 2025

    Steam Users Downloaded 100 Million TB of Games in 2025

    Key Takeaways

    1. Steam’s user base has grown from 25 million to over 42 million concurrent users in five years.
    2. Users downloaded 100 exabytes of games and updates in 2025, up from 80 exabytes in 2024.
    3. On average, Steam users downloaded 274 petabytes of data daily in 2025.
    4. Developers are benefiting from higher revenue shares, with the average reaching 76% for non-Valve games in 2025.
    5. Valve continues to enhance tools and support for developers and publishers on the platform.

    Valve has recently shared its Steam Year in Review for 2025, showcasing various enhancements made for developers and publishers, along with updates on forthcoming hardware. In addition to these updates, Valve provided some intriguing insights into the volume of data users downloaded from Steam over the past year.

    Steady Growth of Steam

    Valve noted that the platform has been steadily expanding. Approximately five years ago, Steam reached the milestone of 25 million concurrent users for the first time. Currently, that figure has risen to over 42 million. As more gamers join the platform each year, the total data downloaded has surged dramatically.

    Massive Data Downloads

    In 2024, Steam users downloaded around 80 exabytes of games and updates. This figure jumped to 100 exabytes in 2025. To give an idea of scale, 100 exabytes is equivalent to about 100 million terabytes of data, marking a significant volume of game downloads on the platform.

    Valve also offered a detailed breakdown to illustrate the enormity of this statistic. On average, Steam users downloaded roughly 274 petabytes of game installs and updates daily throughout the year. This equates to approximately 11.42 petabytes per hour, or around 190,000 gigabytes of data downloaded every minute from Steam’s servers.

    Developer Revenue Insights

    Additionally, Valve observed that since implementing the 75% and 80% revenue share options in 2018, more developers have achieved these higher revenue levels. In 2025, the average revenue share distributed to developers for all non-Valve games hit 76%.

    Steam Community

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  • Sony’s PlayStation Plus Free AAA Game Plan Revealed for March 2026

    Sony’s PlayStation Plus Free AAA Game Plan Revealed for March 2026

    Key Takeaways

    1. Billbil-kun has debunked the rumor that Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Final Fantasy XVI would be added to PS Plus.
    2. Sony is expanding its PS Plus library with several new PS5 titles.
    3. Persona 5 Royal will be available for PS4 users.
    4. Astroneer will join the PS Plus lineup, but only for PS4.
    5. New PS Plus titles will be announced on March 11 and available for download starting March 17.

    Leaker billbil-kun has recently provided new insights regarding the upcoming additions to Sony’s PlayStation Plus (PS Plus). To summarize, an X account had previously suggested that both Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Final Fantasy XVI would be part of the lineup (currently priced at $23.99 on Amazon).

    Rumor Clarification

    However, billbil-kun has debunked this claim. On Dealabs, the leaker mentioned that they tried to reach out to the original source but did not get any reply. In addition to asserting that the initial rumor was wrong, billbil-kun also stated that Sony is set to broaden its PS Plus library with several new PS5 titles:

    Upcoming Titles

    They also mentioned that Persona 5 Royal will be accessible for PS4 users. Additionally, Astroneer will join the lineup, but only for PS4. For those interested, Sony has already confirmed that it will be adding Tekken Dark Resurrection for PS Plus Premium members. It has been reported that Sony plans to announce the next set of PS Plus titles on March 11 at 15:30 UTC. All the specified games are expected to be available for download starting March 17.

    In summary, billbil-kun & Dealabs’

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  • Garmin Approach G82: Touchscreen GPS Handheld with Radar Monitor

    Garmin Approach G82: Touchscreen GPS Handheld with Radar Monitor

    Key Takeaways

    1. Garmin offers a variety of products for golfers, including the Approach G82, a handheld GPS and golf launch monitor.
    2. The Approach G82 features preloaded maps of over 43,000 golf courses worldwide, aiding navigation and distance measurement.
    3. The device measures shot distances at the driving range and suggests appropriate clubs based on factors like elevation and wind conditions.
    4. It includes an inbuilt launch monitor that provides feedback on clubhead speed, ball speed, swing tempo, and putting metrics.
    5. The Approach G82 has a battery life of up to 25 hours in GPS mode, a 5-inch color touchscreen, and is priced at approximately $600.

    Garmin has a wide selection of products, which includes smartwatches tailored for golfers, along with various systems aimed at giving golfers excellent support. The Approach G82, which has been available for a while now, is a handheld GPS unit that also acts as a golf launch monitor. This device can serve as a navigation aid, featuring preloaded maps of over 43,000 golf courses globally, allowing golfers to measure distances on courses they are not familiar with. While at the driving range, users have the ability to measure their own shots to understand how far they generally hit with each club. Based on this information, the virtual caddie suggests an appropriate club. It takes into account factors like elevation, trajectory, and wind conditions.

    Features and Feedback

    An inbuilt launch monitor gives quick feedback on aspects such as clubhead speed, ball speed, and swing tempo, which can provide helpful insights for enhancing performance. Additionally, the system also tracks putting metrics.

    Specifications and Pricing

    Garmin states that the battery can last up to 25 hours when in GPS mode and about 8 hours in radar mode. This IPX7-rated gadget comes with a 5-inch color touchscreen that has a resolution of 480 × 800 pixels. It is capable of connecting to a compatible smartphone and Garmin’s Approach CT10 golf sensors, among other devices. The Approach G82 is priced at approximately $600.

    Garmin, Amazon

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  • Hisense Launches U7SF MiniLED TV Up to 116 Inches in Size

    Hisense Launches U7SF MiniLED TV Up to 116 Inches in Size

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Hisense U7SF features Fire TV, while the U7SG is equipped with Google TV, offering consumers a choice of operating systems.
    2. The U7SF boasts a 4K UHD resolution, a native refresh rate of 165Hz, and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ with brightness levels up to 3,000 nits.
    3. The TV includes gaming features like Game Mode Ultra, Game Bar, ALLM, and is compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.
    4. Connectivity options include four HDMI 2.1 ports, and the sound system varies with the size, featuring a 2.1.2 channel setup for most sizes, and a 6.2.2 channel for the 116” variant.
    5. The U7SF will be available in six sizes ranging from 55” to 116”, with pricing likely similar to the U7SG, starting at $1,299.99 for the 55” model.

    Hisense has unveiled its latest U7 Series ULED MiniLED 4K Fire TV in the United States. Known by its model number U7SF, this TV shares many features with the recently launched U7SG, which is also part of the U7 Series ULED MiniLED 4K Google TV lineup.

    Key Differences

    The main distinction between the Hisense U7SG and U7SF models lies in their operating systems. The U7SG is equipped with Google TV, while the U7SF comes with built-in Fire TV, giving consumers the option to select their preferred platform. Although Hisense has not yet listed the U7SF on its official US website, a recent press release indicates that the only notable difference between the two models is the operating system.

    Impressive Specifications

    Hisense’s 2026 U7 is a 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160 px) television featuring a native refresh rate of 165Hz, along with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. This model is purported to achieve brightness levels of up to 3,000 nits and boasts an anti-reflective, glare-free screen. In addition to the high refresh rate, it includes several gaming features such as Game Mode Ultra, Game Bar, ALLM, and compatibility with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. The connectivity options are robust, featuring four HDMI 2.1 ports, and a 2.1.2 channel sound system, except for the 116” variant, which has a 6.2.2 channel speaker setup.

    Availability and Pricing

    The Hisense U7SF ULED MiniLED 4K Fire TV is anticipated to be launched in the US shortly. It is expected to come in the same six sizes as the U7SG: 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”, 100”, and 116”. While the company has not revealed the pricing for this model yet, it is expected to be in a similar range as the Google TV version, which starts at $1,299.99 for the 55” model (according to Best Buy).

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  • Galaxy S25 Gets Galaxy S26’s Cool Camera Features

    Galaxy S25 Gets Galaxy S26’s Cool Camera Features

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Galaxy S26 series includes enhanced camera capabilities, specifically the Virtual Aperture feature, which allows for adjustable background blur.
    2. The Virtual Aperture feature will soon be available for the telephoto cameras (3x and 5x) on the Galaxy S25 series.
    3. Virtual Aperture is a software solution to modify bokeh effects, compensating for the lack of physical apertures in smartphone cameras.
    4. The Galaxy S25 series will soon receive an AI document scanning feature, enhancing scanning with translation, text recognition, and drawing options.
    5. Samsung aims to incorporate new features into previous flagship models, although no specific timeline has been provided for these updates.

    The Galaxy S26 series brings several notable improvements compared to its predecessor. The basic and Plus versions do not feature the Privacy Display found in the Ultra model, but all three versions come equipped with an enhanced camera capability known as Virtual Aperture. Although the Galaxy S25 series does include this feature, it is somewhat limited in its application.

    Exciting Camera Updates

    On a Korean Galaxy S26 Camera/Gallery community page, a user inquired whether the Galaxy S25 Ultra would be able to use Virtual Aperture for its telephoto lens via the ExpertRaw app. A Samsung official, who also moderates the page, replied that this feature will be extended to the Galaxy S25. Presently, the Galaxy S25 series offers Virtual Aperture for its primary camera, and it appears that soon the telephoto cameras (3x and 5x) will gain this capability as well.

    Understanding Virtual Aperture

    Virtual Aperture enables users to modify the bokeh effect or background blur using software, since smartphone cameras don’t have physical apertures that can be adjusted like DSLRs do. This feature was first introduced with the Galaxy S25 series and has been improved upon in the Galaxy S26 series.

    New Features for Galaxy S25

    Additionally, there’s a new feature on the horizon for the Galaxy S25 series, which is AI document scanning. In response to another user’s inquiry, the executive indicated that this feature is expected to be available for the Galaxy S25. It’s worth mentioning that all Android devices can scan documents, either through built-in capabilities or using Google Drive. The AI document scanning feature on the Galaxy S26 will enable translation, text recognition, and drawing options, in addition to standard multi-page scanning abilities.

    At this point, no specific timeline has been provided, but it’s encouraging to see that Samsung is working to incorporate these features into its previous flagship models as well.

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  • Shinji Mikami’s New Unreal Engine 5 Game Could Revolutionize Horror

    Shinji Mikami’s New Unreal Engine 5 Game Could Revolutionize Horror

    Key Takeaways

    1. Shinji Mikami’s Return: Renowned filmmaker Shinji Mikami has launched his independent studio, Unbound, after leaving Tango Gameworks in 2023.

    2. Talented Team: Unbound Studios has assembled a skilled team of developers from famous franchises like Silent Hill, Shadow of the Colossus, and Devil May Cry.

    3. New AAA Game: The studio is developing a new AAA intellectual property using Unreal Engine 5, targeting PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

    4. Quality Focus: Unbound aims to achieve AAA quality while maintaining a AA content approach, promising a rich and immersive gaming experience.

    5. Dynamic Development Process: The studio embraces a flexible production style, involving trial and error, experimentation, and continuous adjustments in game development.

    The renowned filmmaker who was behind Resident Evil 4 and the original Resident Evil game, Shinji Mikami, is returning with his very own independent studio. Shinji previously held a position at Tango Gameworks, where he played a role in the creation of well-loved games like Hi-Fi Rush, The Evil Within, and Ghostwire: Tokyo. In 2023, he departed from the studio and quietly launched his new venture, Unbound.

    Talented Team Assembled

    Unbound Studios has already gathered an impressive team, featuring developers from celebrated franchises such as Silent Hill, Shadow of the Colossus, and Devil May Cry, showcasing some real skill. Among the noteworthy individuals is Masato Kimura, who has collaborated with Mikami for numerous years on projects like Hi-Fi Rush, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Resident Evil, and P.N.03.

    New Developments in the Works

    The website for Unbound Studios has been active for over a year now, but it has only just begun to draw attention. It seems that Shinji Mikami is developing a new AAA intellectual property using Unreal Engine 5, set to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

    In a discussion featured on Unbound’s website, Masato Kimura dropped hints about their future project, saying, “I can’t disclose specifics at this stage, but it’s a AAA game aimed at core gamers. To be truthful, replicating the same level of work found in overseas AAA titles in Japan is quite challenging, as it requires vast amounts of money and large teams working for five to seven years to complete.”

    Aiming for Quality

    He added, “Our goal is to achieve AAA quality while maintaining AA content, which is why we are developing a title that promises a rich gaming experience and immerses players fully into its universe.”

    Unbound is said to be trying out innovative ideas, which is exciting. Kimura talked about this approach, mentioning, “Inventing something fresh involves lots of trial and error, alongside making adjustments, experimenting, and occasionally scrapping ideas.”

    “Since we create through a process of continual building and dismantling, testing various methods, things don’t always unfold as expected, and the situation keeps evolving. On a positive note, it reflects a dynamic production style, a versatile development approach.”

    Unbound currently stands as an entirely independent studio that is concentrating on AAA games, boasting nearly 50 employees, with plans to expand to 150 staff as they progress on their unnamed AAA project as intended.

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  • Asus Launches 14-Inch AMD Strix Halo Gaming Laptop in the US

    Asus Launches 14-Inch AMD Strix Halo Gaming Laptop in the US

    Key Takeaways

    1. Asus has launched its first gaming laptop with AMD’s Strix Halo in the US, the TUF Gaming A14 FA401EA, originally priced at $1,799.
    2. The current retail price in the US is $2,199, with Best Buy now offering this model.
    3. The US version lacks a 64 GB RAM option available in other regions, limiting VRAM allocation to 16 GB for the integrated GPU.
    4. The FA401EA features an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 APU, a 165 Hz 2.5K display, and a 73 Wh battery with 100 W USB Type-C charging.
    5. The laptop’s keyboard has a key travel of 1.7 mm, and it competes with the ROG Flow Z13 for users needing more RAM.

    Asus has quietly begun to offer its first gaming laptop powered by AMD’s Strix Halo in the United States. Just to remind you, the TUF Gaming A14 FA401EA is already on sale in several locations such as China, Europe, and Japan. Asus initially planned to sell the 14-inch laptop in the US for $1,799.

    Pricing Changes

    Yet, last month, some retailers listed the same model for $2,199. Now, Best Buy has kicked off sales in the US at this new price instead of the original one, which comes with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD. Interestingly, Amazon also had this laptop in stock in the US at the beginning of March, but it is currently shown as temporarily out of stock.

    Available Variants

    Sadly, the US market is still missing the 64 GB RAM version that Asus has available in other regions. This limitation means that users can only assign up to 16 GB of VRAM to the laptop’s Radeon 8060S integrated GPU without dropping below 16 GB of RAM. Therefore, the ROG Flow Z13 (currently priced at $2,799 on Amazon) could be a more appealing choice for Strix Halo enthusiasts who are looking for more than 32 GB of RAM.

    Specifications Highlight

    Nonetheless, the FA401EA features AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 392 APU, coupled with a 165 Hz display that delivers 2.5K resolution and brightness of 400 nits. Additionally, this 14-inch laptop is equipped with a 73 Wh battery, supports 100 W charging through USB Type-C, and has a keyboard with 1.7 mm of key travel. For further information, please refer to our launch article.

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  • Helix 02 Humanoid Robot Cleans Living Room Autonomously

    Helix 02 Humanoid Robot Cleans Living Room Autonomously

    Key Takeaways

    1. Figure’s Figure 03 robot uses Helix 02 AI for vision, language, and action to perform household chores independently.
    2. The robot moves at a human-like speed, allowing it to clean quietly without disturbing the environment.
    3. Figure 03 can learn new tasks without prior training, showcasing its adaptability in home settings.
    4. The robot effectively navigates the unpredictable layout of homes, handling various tasks and objects.
    5. Competition in the robotics industry is rising, with several companies introducing innovative humanoid robots for entertainment and production.

    Figure is a robot manufacturer located in California, USA. Their Figure 03 humanoid robot, which uses the unique Helix 02 AI for vision-language-action, has been seen doing common household chores all by itself. The robot picked up scattered toys, rearranged couch cushions, and cleaned the furniture in the living room.

    The Robot’s Speed

    Curiously, the bipedal robot carried out these tasks at a pace similar to that of a human. Although the speed may seem “unnatural” for robots, it indicates that the humanoid can clean the house quietly and without disturbing the peace.

    Figure states that Helix 02 is able to understand commands and engage with the real world. The company asserts that Figure 03 can learn to do new tasks without prior training.

    Unique Challenges of Home Environments

    Cleaning a living room may appear trivial to a human. Nevertheless, robots are typically used in organized spaces like factories or warehouses, where the layout is constant. In contrast, homes are always changing, with objects scattered unpredictably, making navigation tricky. Moreover, softer items like pillows and towels respond differently when touched.

    These factors create a unique disorder for the robot, but Figure 03 managed to navigate it effectively. It showed that it can handle multiple tasks with both hands while moving about the room. Despite the impressive demonstration, Figure has not yet announced that the robot is ready for sale.

    Rising Competition

    At the same time, competition in the robotics industry is becoming more intense. Honor introduced a dancing robot at the 2026 Mobile World Congress. XPeng had to modify its model to prove it wasn’t just a person in a costume. Beyond entertainment, Samsung has shared its intentions to integrate humanoids into its production lines.

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  • Sonos Launches Affordable Era 100 SL Speaker for Home Cinema

    Sonos Launches Affordable Era 100 SL Speaker for Home Cinema

    Key Takeaways

    1. Sonos has launched the Era 100 SL as a new alternative to the older Sonos One SL.
    2. The Era 100 SL features Line in, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, touch controls, and humidity resistance, but lacks voice control and built-in microphones.
    3. Trueplay activation requires an iOS device; Android users cannot activate it due to the absence of voice control.
    4. The Era 100 SL is marketed as an affordable option for creating a home cinema system, with a price reduction of only $30 compared to the Era 100.
    5. The speaker is available in black and white for $189 and will start shipping on March 31.

    Sonos has officially launched the Era 100 SL worldwide. Alongside the Sonos Play, the Era 100 SL acts as a solid alternative to the older Sonos One SL. While it can be used as a bookshelf speaker, the Era 100 SL is also designed to be mounted on stands, similar to what you see in the image above.

    Features and Specifications

    In essence, the Era 100 SL possesses nearly all the features found in the current Era 100. For example, it includes Line in, Bluetooth, and WiFi connectivity options. The touch controls are back, as well as the ability for stereo pairing and humidity resistance. However, Sonos has removed the support for voice control and built-in microphones.

    Trueplay Activation

    As a result, you’ll need an iOS device to enable Trueplay, since activating this feature on Android devices relies on voice controls. Moving beyond that, Sonos refers to the Era 100 SL as the ‘most affordable way to create your home cinema system.’ It’s important to note that cutting these features only reduces the price by $30 per speaker.

    Availability and Pricing

    The Era 100 SL is now available for purchase through Sonos or retailers like Amazon. At present, Sonos offers this new speaker in both black and white options. Each finish is priced at $189 and is expected to begin shipping on March 31. For additional information, visit Sonos’ official website.

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  • Apple MacBook Neo Battery Life Affected by Cost Cutting Issues

    Apple MacBook Neo Battery Life Affected by Cost Cutting Issues

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Apple MacBook Neo is a budget-friendly option at $599 ($499 for students), designed for students and workers needing basic power.
    2. Battery life is a major drawback, with only 7 hours and 48 minutes on light usage and under 4 hours on heavy usage, significantly lower than competitors.
    3. The MacBook Neo has a 36.5 Wh battery, much smaller compared to the 53.8 Wh in the MacBook Air M4 and 72.4 Wh in the MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max.
    4. Competitors like the Dell XPS 14 and Acer Aspire 14 AI offer larger batteries (70 Wh and 65 Wh, respectively) and better battery performance.
    5. The smaller battery in the MacBook Neo is a cost-cutting measure, raising questions about Apple’s decision-making given their production scale.

    Initial feedback on the Apple MacBook Neo is out now. Most agree that Apple has designed a nice option for students and workers who don’t need excessive power. Yet, to lower the MacBook Neo’s price to $599 ($499 for students), Apple had to make several compromises. One major sacrifice is the battery life.

    Battery Performance

    In the review by Dave2D, the MacBook Neo managed only 7 hours and 48 minutes with light usage, and just below 4 hours under heavy usage. In contrast, the MacBook Air M4 lasted 11.5 hours (light use) and 4 hours and 41 minutes (heavy use). Even the MacBook Pro 14 with the more demanding M4 Max lasted 9 hours and 15 minutes during light tasks. This raises concerns, especially since Apple claims up to 11 hours of wireless web browsing and up to 16 hours of video playback.

    Battery Capacity Comparison

    What’s the reason for this? The MacBook Neo struggles due to its 36.5 Wh battery. In comparison, the MacBook Air M4, just like the newest MacBook Air 13 M5, has a 53.8 Wh battery, while the MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max comes with a 72.4 Wh battery. Moreover, the 36.5 Wh battery in the MacBook Neo is smaller than many Windows laptops of a similar size. For instance, the new Dell XPS 14 has a significantly larger 70 Wh battery, and the 2025 Acer Aspire 14 AI features a 65 Wh battery pack. As a result, the Dell XPS 14 lasted over 16.5 hours in our Wi-Fi browsing test, even with its more powerful Panther Lake chip and a 120 Hz screen.

    Cost-Cutting Measures

    It’s important to note that we’re mentioning the Dell XPS 14 purely from a battery capacity perspective. The MacBook Neo is nowhere near the price point of the Dell XPS 14 (2026), so this isn’t a fair comparison.

    In conclusion, it’s evident that the MacBook Neo’s smaller battery is a decision made to cut costs. It’s hard to believe Apple couldn’t have included a larger battery, perhaps 30% bigger, especially since they will produce a large number of MacBook Neo units. With such high production volume, economies of scale should reduce the costs for components like the battery and chassis.

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