Gadgets
• Key takeaways: * Valve has stopped producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model; the US store listing shows it out of stock. * The former $399 entry-level Deck is effectively gone; the lowest-priced model now is the $549 512GB OLED. * Valve hasn’t commented publicly; industry reporting points to rising component costs
Games
• Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, Heretic + Hexen and Arc Raiders top Metacritic in 2025 with Metascores around the mid-80s. • 2025's shooter slate blended genres: indie roguelikes, remasters, VR and tactical sims all earned strong reviews. • Big franchises returned in force — Battlefield 6, Doom: The Dark Ages, Borderlands 4 and
Games
• Larian will hold an Ask Me Anything session in early 2026 to explain its generative AI practices and answer questions about the new Divinity. • CEO Swen Vincke says the studio uses genAI “to explore ideas, flesh out PowerPoint presentations, develop concept art and write placeholder text.” • The AMA is a
AI
* Key Takeaways: * Google is extending the timeline to replace Google Assistant with Gemini on many Android devices beyond 2025. * The company says the adjustment aims to "make sure [it delivers] a seamless transition." * Gemini is already the default on Pixel 9 phones, but device upgrades require Android 10
Games
Key Takeaways: * Battlefield 6 led 2025’s new releases with ~26M players; base game sold 20M+ copies. * Free-to-play Skate reached 23M players and sustains 750K+ daily active users. * Top new indies on Steam generated over $500M combined (about 3% of Steam’s ~$18B yearly revenue). * R.E.P.O, PEAK,
Games
* Key takeaways: * Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive) won Game of the Year, Best Debut and the fan-voted Community Pick for Best RPG at the Indie Game Awards. * The title has already swept major awards this season, including The Game Awards and Golden Joystick Awards. * Debate continues over whether Expedition
Chips
• Micron warns DRAM and NAND supply will "persist through and beyond" 2026 as AI demand climbs. • CEO Sanjay Mehrotra says "supply will remain substantially short of the demand for the foreseeable future." • Micron reported record revenue ($13.64B) and plans a 20% shipment increase next year
Policy
* Key takeaways: * Google requires developers to enroll by Jan 28 to join its "external content links" and "alternative billing" programs. * Google plans per-install fees of $2.85 for apps and $3.65 for games when a user installs within 24 hours of clicking an external link.
Software
* Google is experimenting with moving the Dislike action in YouTube Shorts into the overflow (three-dot) menu. * The company is also testing phrasing changes: showing “Dislike,” “Not interested,” or a combined “Not interested” label next to the thumbs-down icon. * Participants in the experiment may receive an optional survey and can provide
Games
Key Takeaways: * Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Game of the Year at the Indie Game Awards, according to Game Informer. * The announcement was reported by Wesley LeBlanc on Dec 19, 2025. * The win is described as "another" Game of the Year accolade, underscoring broad critical acclaim for the
Games
• ININ Games briefly claimed Nintendo introduced “two new smaller cartridge sizes” for Switch 2, then removed the claim and issued a correction. • Nintendo has not confirmed any new Switch 2 cartridge capacities; developers still report high cartridge costs. • ININ will still release a physical Switch 2 version of R‑Type
AI
* Google has pushed the timeline for replacing Google Assistant with Gemini on Android into 2026. * The company said it will "continue our work to upgrade Assistant users to Gemini on mobile devices into 2026." * Once the transition finishes, eligible devices will no longer be able to access or