Tech Geeks

Author: Admin

  • Looking for a New Job? LinkedIn’s New Tools Could Help

    On Wednesday, LinkedIn rolled out some new job search features that the company hopes will make finding your next career move easier. The features are designed to help you find jobs that better align with your skills, values and your experience.

    According to the personal finance publication GOBankingRates, more than 50% of adults are planning a major job shift this year. While everyone has different reasons for wanting to change careers, like balancing in-office and remote work needs, finding the right job can be stressful for almost everyone. LinkedIn’s new features hope to make the search easier and less stressful for all.

    Here are the new job search features you can find on LinkedIn now.

    New Collections feature

    Collections under the Jobs tab on LinkedIn

    If you’re looking for a job related to one of your interests, like sports or gaming, but aren’t sure where to start, the new Collections feature could help you out.

    According to LinkedIn, the Collections feature houses jobs from different categories, like clean energy and fashion, that match your interests, job preferences and values. That way you can find a relevant job you might not have thought of. You can find this feature under the Jobs tab.

    More control over preferences

    A sales manager job posting with preferences highlighted in green near the top of the job post

    Have you ever found a job posting that sounds just right, only to scroll through the post and find the pay isn’t great, it’s a seasonal position or something else doesn’t work for you? LinkedIn hopes to cut back on this by giving you more control over your job preferences.

    Now, you can set your job preferences based on things like employment type, pay preference and location type — remote, hybrid or on-site. Preference matches will be highlighted in green, so you don’t have to waste time reading through jobs that don’t fit what you’re looking for.

    For more career help, here’s how to use a career break to your benefit and how to better showcase your individuality on LinkedIn.

  • Score Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office for Just $50

    The majority of laptops or PCs come with Windows preinstalled, but that’s not always the case, and procuring a Windows license from Microsoft is typically a massive extra expense for those building or upgrading a computer. The same is true when it comes to getting your hands on essential Microsoft Office applications. However, you can avoid paying full price with the bundle deal happening at StackSocial right now, which will snag you both Windows 11 Pro and Office Pro Plus 2019 for just $50. That’s an 87% discount on the $408 combined retail price, and both are lifetime licenses (for a single device). This offer is only available now through Jan. 22, so we recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later.

    Windows 11 Pro is the most advanced Microsoft OS out there at the moment, and includes some exclusive features that you don’t get with the base version. That includes Microsoft Remote Desktop, BitLocker device encryption, Windows Sandbox, Hyper-V, Azure Active Directory and more. This offer includes lifetime access for up to three devices, but not all PCs will be compatible, so be sure to check it yours meets the system requirements before you purchase.

    And this bundle also includes lifetime access to Office Pro Plus apps, which are used by schools and businesses around the world. The 2019 version is now a generation old and doesn’t include Microsoft Teams, but will still allow you to access popular programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and more. And this one-time purchase is a serious bargain compared with the usual subscription price for Microsoft 365, which starts at $7 per month or $70 for the year. Just note this deal includes lifetime access for only a single device, and Microsoft’s extended support for Office 2019 will end on Oct. 14, 2025.

    Even so, this is a solid way to upgrade a laptop that doesn’t come with Windows 11 Pro or to gain access to Microsoft’s apps without signing up for a monthly payment. And if you’re in the market for new hardware too, be sure to check out our list of the best laptop deals available right now.

  • Samsung’s Budget-Friendly Galaxy S23 FE Is Down to $500 Ahead of S24 Launch

    For Android fans looking to snag a new phone while keeping more cash in your pocket, Amazon has some serious deals that can help. Today is Samsung’s Unpacked event, and with Samsung’s new Galaxy S24 lineup set to hit shelves soon, you can score some substantial savings on the already budget-friendly Galaxy S23 FE. Right now you can get your hands on one of these devices for just $500, which cuts the cost by $100. Or snag a bundle with both the phone and a pair of Galaxy Buds FE earbuds for just $50 more — that’s a savings of $150 when compared to buying each at list price.

    This device gets you all the most essential higher-end features without the price tag beefier phones in the lineup carry. It has a 6.4-inch AMOLED display, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, a 4,500-mAh battery capacity and 128GB of storage (though you can opt for the 256GB for $60 more). While those specs may not be the most advanced on the market, that’s still decent hardware that should meet the needs of the average user just fine. It also comes equipped with a 50-megapixel wide camera that can record 4K video at 60 frames per second and 8K at 24fps. It also delivers impressive low-light performance.

    If you decide to pass on this model, be sure to check out our roundup of all the best phone deals happening now for savings on other models from Samsung, Google, Apple and more. We’ve also gathered earbuds and headphones deals so you can snag a new pair without paying full price.

  • T-Mobile Is Going Back to $60 Per Month Pricing for Home Internet Service

    T-Mobile Is Going Back to $60 Per Month Pricing for Home Internet Service

    T-Mobile is raising the rates for its home internet service. After news leaked online on Reddit on Tuesday, T-Mobile confirmed to CNET that it will once again be charging $60 per month for new home internet users who don’t also have the carrier’s wireless service.

    The new changes will go into effect this Thursday, January 18 and the $60 per month pricing includes a $5 per month discount for automatic payments (or AutoPay).

    T-Mobile wireless users who are looking to add home internet after that date will still be able to get a discount, but how large of a savings will depend on which wireless plan they have. Those with Go5G Next, Go5G Plus or Magenta Max will get $20 off the monthly price of home internet, while those on other wireless plans will get $10 off their monthly rate.

    Existing T-Mobile Home Internet users will not see their prices increase, with the carrier having previously introduced a “Price Lock” promise of not raising prices for existing users.

    New users will get a “Price Lock” promise but it will be a bit different than what it has previously offered. The carrier is no longer promising that it won’t raise prices in the future, but will instead offer to cover the final month of service if it ever raises prices and a customer then cancels service as a result of the rate hike.

    Users would simply need to let the carrier know within 60 days that they are leaving to get the final bill covered.

    The new change brings T-Mobile back to a familiar price point. When T-Mobile first began rolling out its home internet option in pilot form it charged $50 per month for users who also didn’t have its wireless service. In March 2021 it quietly raised the price up to $60 per month as it expanded for a wider launch before dropping it back down to $50 per month in October of that year.

    That pricing included taxes, fees, equipment and an AutoPay discount. Last year the carrier adjusted its AutoPay rules to remove credit cards, requiring users to pay with a bank account or debit card if they wanted a discount. Without the Auto Pay savings, the rate would be $5 more per month.

    T-Mobile is the latest wireless carrier to adjust its pricing. Last week AT&T revealed it would be raising the rates on its unlimited plans, with new users seeing the hike immediately and existing users getting their rates bumped in March.

  • Samsung Unpacked Event 2024: Expect AI and the Galaxy S24 to Share the Spotlight

    Samsung Unpacked Event 2024: Expect AI and the Galaxy S24 to Share the Spotlight

    Samsung will usher in a “new era of mobile AI” today at its Galaxy Unpacked event and launch its Galaxy S24 line that uses its own generative AI model, Galaxy AI. The AI will reportedly come integrated into handsets and be a showcase of where phones are headed in 2024.

    Samsung’s Jan. 17 live event starts at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET and will be streamed online.

    How to watch Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event

    Samsung will unveil its next-gen Galaxy S24 phones on Jan. 17. The media invitation said to expect Samsung’s “most intelligent mobile experience yet” in a nod to the forthcoming AI-powered features. The in-person event is happening in San Jose, California, at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. GMT) and will stream on Samsung’s YouTube channel.

    CNET will have on-the-ground coverage of the event as well as our own watch party for reactions and analysis of any official reveals and surprises.

    Galaxy AI rumors

    Best Match Google photo editing on Pixel 8

    AI-powered features have played an important role in smartphone imaging and cameras for years. Remember the term computational photography? But now it appears to be the next frontier for major phone-makers. Google kicked it all off last fall with its latest Pixel 8 lineup, which boasts a suite of AI-powered tools that help you enhance and edit your photos.
    Along with Samsung’s Gauss AI model, Galaxy AI will reportedly come integrated into some Galaxy S24 handsets and be a showcase of where phones are headed in 2024.

    Read more: Best Samsung Phones of 2024

    Apple, meanwhile, is reportedly investing heavily in AI research, which is expected to translate into some exciting AI-based features for iPhones in the near future.

    While AI-powered features can certainly transform the mobile experience with useful optimizations such as improved battery life and voice assistant capabilities, it’s also emerged as a key marketing narrative for tech companies. Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event will be the latest example of a top-tier phone-maker attempting to take advantage of AI’s time in the global spotlight.

    Read more: Samsung Teases Its Own ChatGPT-like AI

    Galaxy S24 phone rumors

    Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

    Much has been said (and leaked) about Samsung’s flagship series ahead of the event. The Galaxy S24 series will likely receive a minor upgrade with the design tipped to remain largely unchanged. Expect routine changes to features like the camera and processor. Bigger upgrades are expected to come by way of new AI software and tricks. Samsung hasn’t shared much yet, but it previously detailed a forthcoming feature called AI Live Translate coming to its “latest Galaxy AI phone.” As the name suggests, audio and text translations will appear in real time as you speak. Crucially, this feature will be restricted to on-device AI, meaning conversations and translations won’t leave the phone.

    Another salient change that could come is to the price tag of phones sold in the European Union. A recent report by GalaxyClub says the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus could receive a lower price tag of 899 euros and 1,149 euros, respectively.

    The Galaxy S24 Ultra is reported to receive a price increase to 1,449 euros, along with a larger storage option at the high end. The report didn’t have details on US pricing, but it’s likely that Samsung has a separate pricing strategy for North America. (EU prices include sales tax, but 899 euros is about $980, 775 or AU$1,480.) If you want more in-depth details on what is expected, read our Galaxy S24 rumor roundup here.

  • Apple Tops 2023 Smartphone Shipments Ahead of Samsung Galaxy Unpacked

    For the first time since 2010, Samsung wasn’t the most-shipped smartphone around the globe in 2023. Apple and its popular iPhone topped the list for the first time, shipping an estimated 234.6 million units, according to a report from International Data Group on Tuesday.

    It’s a milestone for Apple, which saw an all-time-high market share of 20.1% for the iPhone. And it’s poorly timed news for Samsung, which is expected to debut its rumored Galaxy S24 phone series on Wednesday at its Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event.

    Want to put it in perspective? The last time Samsung wasn’t in the top phone spot, it was Nokia. Back then, Apple didn’t even crack the top five, Engadget reports.

    Since then, Apple and Samsung have been duking it out for the top spot, with Apple ranking first in a few quarterly phone shipment reports, but Samsung retaining the annual shipments crown until now. Apple launched the iPhone 15 lineup in September last year.

    Things could be looking up for the smartphone market, according to technology research agency IDC — despite global smartphone shipments declining 3.2% year over year, falling to 1.17 billion units in 2023, the lowest full-year volume in a decade. Growth in the second half of the year has cemented an expected 2024 recovery, with the fourth quarter seeing a higher-than-expected 8.5% growth, above the forecast 7.3% growth.

    “While we saw some strong growth from low-end Android players like Transsion and Xiaomi in the second half of 2023, stemming from rapid growth in emerging markets, the biggest winner is clearly Apple,” Nabila Popal, research director with IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team, said in a statement.

    Popal noted that Apple’s success comes despite facing increased regulatory challenges and renewed competition from Huawei in China, its largest market. She credited the company’s success in large part to consumer desire for premium devices, which now represent over 20% of the market.

    And things are likely going to stay competitive.

    “The overall shift in ranking at the top of the market further highlights the intensity of competition within the smartphone market,” Ryan Reith, group vice president with IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers, said in a statement.

    He noted that the overall Android space is diversifying, with China-based Huawei seeming poised for a resurgence despite US sanctions, and other brands, including OnePlus, Honor and Google, launching competitive devices.

    “Overall, the smartphone space is headed towards a very interesting time,” Reith said in the IDC report.

    Samsung Galaxy phones and AI

    Still, Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday should put the company’s name back in headlines. It’s expected that the Galaxy S24 series will stand out from its predecessors, including likely new software features like more generative AI-powered features.

    It’s no surprise that AI, which recently dominated CES 2024 in Las Vegas, is expected to be a big part of the new phone series. Samsung’s new phones are expected to be the first new to include Galaxy AI, which the company is calling a “comprehensive mobile AI experience.”

    In November, the company debuted a new generative AI model called Gauss, which is Samsung’s answer to ChatGPT and similar AI tools. It’s named after renowned German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, who was known for his influential work in number theory and geometry.

    Gauss is made up of three parts: Gauss Language, Gauss Code and Gauss Image. The language portion can handle tasks like writing emails, summarizing documents and translation. Gauss Code was created for assisting with software development, while Gauss Image can generate and modify images.

    We’ve previously reported that rumors and leaks suggest that a new titanium build and a design with flatter edges could be in store for the top-of-the line Ultra model, but we’ll have to see what else Samsung has in store.

    Galaxy Unpacked will take place in San Jose, California, at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. GMT) and will stream on Samsung’s YouTube channel. CNET staff will be watching the event live and breaking down the news as it’s announced.

    Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.

  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Review: Still Hits the Sweet Spot

    Reviewing the “Super” versions of Nvidia’s GeForce gaming GPUs is pretty straightforward: They’re tuned to hit a certain level of performance above the cards they replace, which means the RTX 4070 Super provides a decent uplift over the RTX 4070: typically about 15% in DLSS and 10 to 20% in gaming and graphics. Like the RTX 4070, the RTX 4070 Super seems like a well-rounded gaming card choice. Its performance straddles highest quality 1080p through entry 4K gaming (and video editing), hitting all of 1440p in between.

    Making a recommendation, though, isn’t quite so clear cut, since the RTX 4070 is staying on the market at nominally $50 less than the $600 Super. And while the Super performs better than the RTX 4070, everything we said about that card only 10 months ago still holds true — including that it’s the least expensive way to hit all the same targets.

    Aside from having 20% more cores and other computational components over the older card — Tensor (AI) cores, RT cores streaming multiprocessors and so on — little has changed from one generation to the next. The Founders Edition card I tested does have a slightly different finish; it’s a bit more refractive, so it reflects the colors in my system a tad more. Given that the card doesn’t have its own illumination, it’s a perk. As before, the size and power requirements make it a good fit for midsize systems.

    nvidia-geforce-rtx-4070-super-5269

    The RTX 4070 Ti, on the other hand, pulls ahead of the 4070 Super by a wider margin in 4K, and I expect the imminent 4070 Ti Super will further increase the gap between them, thanks to more everything. But the price gap is a lot more significant as well: At least $200 for the Ti over the Super.

    And while you’ll probably still be able to get the 4070 Ti for a while after the 4070 Ti Super ships next week, the variant of the GPU it’s based on won’t remain in production. If you can snap up the older one at $650 or less, it might make sense to get that card instead. Either is much better than the 4060 Ti, unless your system — or your budget — won’t accommodate these.

    Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Founders Edition

    Memory 12GB GDDR6X
    Memory bandwidth (GBps) 504
    Memory clock (GHz) 10.5
    GPU clock (GHz, base/boost) 1.98/2.475
    Memory data rate/Interface 21Gbps/192 bits
    RT cores 56
    CUDA cores 7,168
    Texture mapping units 224
    Streaming multiprocessors 56
    Tensor cores 224
    Process 4nm
    TGP/min PSU (watts) 220/650
    Max thermal (degrees) 194F/90C
    Bus PCIe 4.0×16
    Size 2 slots
    Launch price $600
    Ship date Jan. 17, 2024

    Though the 4070 Ti only needs a half-slot more width than the 4070/Super, that means it will block an entire second slot on many motherboards and it might not even fit in some smaller systems.

    A lot also depends on what you’re upgrading from. If it’s an RTX 20-series card or older, almost anything in the 40-series line will seem faster. The Super pulls even with and occasionally passes the RTX 3080 Ti in 1440p, but the latter still performs better in 4K.

    The closest AMD competitor is the Radeon RX 7800 XT. It’s roughly $50 to $100 cheaper, and the performance is close if you want to save some money, plus it does perform better than the older RTX 4070. The caveat is, it lags quite a bit when you push the quality into ray tracing (still better than the 4060 Ti, though). The RTX 4070 Super also performs better on AMD’s own FidelityFX Super Resolution than the RX 7800 XT (the RTX 4070 does a bit better as well).

    Like most of its siblings, if your system doesn’t have the RTX 4070 Super requires you use either the 8-to-12-pin adapter that comes in the box or have PCIe 5 power connectors — which you’re unlikely to have unless you’re upgrading your power supply in addition to the GPU. The 4070 Super isn’t an unusually tall card, but with the adapter you have to be careful because you don’t want to put undue pressure on it.

    In the coming weeks, the new RTX 4070 Ti Super and RTX 4080 Super will start shipping, but I don’t think they’ll change the equation for the buying decision for 1440p. And while Nvidia usually rolls out a new architecture every two years, which would put the update in mid-to-late 2024, Nvidia’s roadmap indicates that the company doesn’t plan to unveil a new consumer/gaming architecture until 2025. And even then we’ll probably see the top-of-the-line GPUs before the mainstream models that would replace this. So, for once, the only reason you might have to put off spending the money is to wait until big sales hit.

    Relative performance of other GPUs

    Shadow of the Tomb Raider gaming test (1440p)

    RTX 4060 Ti 117RX 7800 XT 153RTX 4070 163RTX 3080 Ti 167RTX 4070 Super 180RX 7900 XT 182RTX 4070 Ti 195RTX 4080 220
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance (FPS)

    3DMark Time Spy graphics test

    RTX 4060 Ti (8GB) 13,477RTX 4070 18,013RX 7800 XT 18,830RTX 3080 Ti 19,008RTX 4070 Super 20,362RTX 4070 Ti 22,731RX 7900 XT 24,814RTX 4080 28,275
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

    3DMark Fire Strike Ultra

    RTX 4060 Ti (8GB) 7,695RTX 4070 10,413RX 7800 XT 12,312RTX 4070 Super 12,444RTX 3080 Ti 12,635RTX 4070 Ti 13,707RX 7900 XT 16,879RTX 4080 17,619
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

    Guardians of the Galaxy (1440p at maximum quality with ray tracing)

    RTX 4060 Ti 66RX 7900 XT 83RTX 4070 89RX 7900 XTX 93RTX 3080 Ti 102RTX 4070 Super 106RTX 4070 Ti 109RTX 4080 136
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance (FPS)

    Procyon Video

    RTX 4060 Ti (8GB) 6,818RX 7900 XT 8,259RTX 4070 8,383RTX 4070 Ti 8,479RX 7900 XTX 8,494RTX 4070 Super 8,496RTX 3080 Ti 8,792RTX 4080 9,250
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

    SpecViewPerf 2020 SolidWorks (4K)

    RTX 4060 Ti (8GB) 111.58RTX 4070 154.28RX 7900 XT 165.46RX 7800 XT 171.74RTX 4070 Super 173.01RX 7900 XTX 184.8RTX 4070 Ti 189.64RTX 3080 Ti 191.52RTX 4080 233.84
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance (FPS)

    Cinebench 2024 (GPU)

    RTX 4070 Super 14,519RTX 4070 Ti 19,017
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

    3DMark Speed Way (DX12 Ultimate)

    RTX 4060 Ti (8GB) 3,181RX 7800 XT 3,750RTX 4070 4,479RX 7900 XT 4,534RTX 4070 Super 5,182RTX 4070 Ti 5,429RTX 4080 7,168
    Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

    Test PC configuration

    Custom PC Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (22H2); 3.2GHz Intel Core i9-12900K; 32GB DDR5-4800; 2x Corsair MP600 Pro SSD; Corsair HX1200 80 Plus Platinum PSU, MSI MPG Z690 Force Wi-Fi motherboard, Corsair 4000D Airflow midtower case

  • How to Watch ‘True Detective: Night Country’ From Anywhere

    A new year brings some fresh releases to our screens. Among them is a fourth season of the anthology series True Detective, this time starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis and taking place in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska.

    Called True Detective: Night Country, the latest edition centers on detectives — played by Foster and boxer-turned-actor Reis — and a chilling mystery: Eight researchers disappear at once without a trace. Issa López serves as showrunner, writer and director. (Series creator and writer of the past three seasons, Nic Pizzolatto, remains an executive producer on season 4.)

    True Detective: Night Country premiered on Jan. 14 on HBO and the Max streaming service. Other HBO shows set to arrive in 2024 include The Regime, The Sympathizer and season 2 of House of the Dragon. Here’s when you can check out the rest of the six-episode season, plus how a VPN could come in handy if you’re streaming it.

    When to Watch True Detective: Night Country on HBO and Max

    Have Max? You can watch the first episode of True Detective: Night Country right now. Subsequent episodes air on HBO on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET and PT and on Max on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT.

    Two women police officers stand outside in the snow.

    The Max streaming service costs $10 a month with ads and $16 or $20 a month without ads, depending on which plan you choose. Its library includes HBO and Max originals, Warner Bros. movies, DC Comics films, and programming from networks like HGTV, Food Network, Discovery Channel, TLC and ID. Seasons 1-3 of True Detective are already streaming.

    How to watch True Detective: Night Country from anywhere with a VPN (Max)

    Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Max while away from home. With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the series from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming too.

    A VPN is the best way to encrypt your traffic and stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling, find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.

    You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are allowed in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list, such as Surfshark or NordVPN.

    Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation, and choose the United States, where True Detective: Night Country will be streaming on Max. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream True Detective: Night Country on more than one device, it’s possible you’ll need to configure each one to ensure you’re signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you’re ready to open Max to stream.

    If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and have picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.

  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adding Persona 3 Reload and More, Soon

    Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a CNET Editors’ Choice award pick, offers hundreds of games that you can play on your Xbox Series X or Series S, Xbox One and PC for $17 a month. With a subscription, you get new games every month — sometimes including Day 1 launches — and other benefits, like online multiplayer and deals on non-Game Pass titles.

    Here are the titles Game Pass Ultimate is adding soon.

    Turnip Boy Robs a Bank

    Release date: Jan. 18

    This quirky adventure game is filled with roguelite elements, heists and your daily recommended amount of vegetables. You play as the titular Turnip Boy as he teams up with the Pickled Gang as they shake down hostages, steal valuables and plan what is likely the strangest heist you’ve ever seen.

    F1 23

    Release date: Jan. 18

    Three men in racing suits

    The official video game of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship is coming to Game Pass Ultimate. You can create your own dream team of some of the best Formula 1 drivers in the world, and test out your own skills in this exhilarating racing game. And maybe stop Red Bull winning it this time.

    Palworld

    Release date: Jan. 19

    Creatures facing off against each other

    If you’ve ever played any of the Pokemon games and thought, “Yeah, these creatures are adorable and cute, but I wish they had guns,” then Palworld is for you. In this open-world adventure, you can use weapons to collect over 100 creatures, called Pals. Then you can use your Pals to fight bosses or accomplish tasks for you.

    Go Mecha Ball

    Release date: Jan. 25

    This game puts a new spin on roguelike gameplay. In it, you blast through arcade-style levels using a combination of pinball-style physics and an arsenal of weapons. You’ll also have to upgrade your mech along the way to take on waves of enemies and huge boss battles.

    Brotato

    Release date: Jan. 30

    In this top-down roguelite arena shooter, you fight off hordes of aliens until help arrives. And if that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, you play as a rootin’, tootin’, gun-toting potato. What else needs to be said, bro?

    Persona 3 Reload

    Release date: Feb. 2

    This title is a much-anticipated remake of the awarding-winning 2006 roleplaying game Persona 3. If you’re new to the Persona franchise, your character can summon a physical manifestation of their inner spirit, called a Persona. As you explore areas, you and your Persona will fight different enemies, like Demons, Shadows and other Personas. And there’s also a social aspect to the Persona games, where you can perform activities like cooking, gardening and chatting with other characters. Besides being pleasant and relaxing, these activities also have in-game benefits, like improving relationships and raising some stats. So if you’re having trouble with a certain fight, try reading a book. You might learn a thing or two.

    Anuchard

    Release date: Feb. 6

    A kingdom has fallen, and you’ve been selected to bring it back to its former glory. In this action RPG, you explore dungeons, solve puzzles and battle monsters. Then, it’s up to you to decide whether bringing back the kingdom is worth it.

    Titles leaving Game Pass

    While you’ll be able to play these games on Game Pass Ultimate in the coming weeks, there is a title leaving soon. So make sure you finish any side-quests before you have to buy this game separately.

    For more on Xbox, here are other titles available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now and what to know about the gaming service.

  • Join CNET’s Samsung Unpacked Event Party: Watching for the Galaxy S24 Reveal

    New year, new phones. Samsung’s Unpacked event kicks off Jan. 17 and the company is expected to unveil its Galaxy S24 lineup. We might also learn more about Samsung’s AI efforts, including its Gauss generative AI model, which, rumor has it, will be an integral part of the Galaxy S24 series. You can join CNET’s watch party to catch the keynote and hear from our experts before and after the presentation as they share commentary and analyses.

    The livestream, which you can join on CNET’s YouTube channel, will be co-hosted by Abrar Al-Heeti and Bridget Carey, who’ll kick things off with a preshow on everything we expect from Samsung. We’ll also hear from Patrick Holland, who’ll be on the ground covering the event in San Jose.

    The keynote begins at 10 a.m. PT, and afterwards, stick around for a breakdown and reactions to everything unveiled.

    We also want to hear from you. Join the fun by chiming in via the live chat on our YouTube stream.