Microsoft's Game Pass will remove seven games on December 15, including notable titles like 'Rise of the Tomb Raider' and 'Forza Horizon 4'. Other games leaving the service include 'The Quarry', 'Amnesia: The Bunker', 'Forager', 'Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan', and 'Tin Hearts'. Subscribers can still purchase these games at a 20% discount before they are delisted from the Game Pass catalog.
Epic Games announced changes to Fortnite's subscription service, Fortnite Crew, which will now include content from the Music Pass and Lego Pass at no extra cost, allowing players to earn cosmetics across different games on the platform. However, the standard Battle Royale battle pass price will increase from 950 to 1,000 V-bucks. While this change seems consumer-friendly by offering more items, it also pushes players towards the subscription model, potentially cluttering their lockers with unwanted items and complicating the pricing system for cosmetics.
Apple's emergency SOS messaging via satellite, a key safety feature for iPhone 14 and later models, is currently free for two years from activation. While Apple extended this service for an additional year for early iPhone 14 users, the future of the service remains uncertain. Speculation suggests Apple might charge for it after November 2025, but with competitors offering similar services for free, Apple may continue to offer it without charge or integrate it into its Apple One subscription. No official announcement has been made yet.
PS Plus Extra has reintroduced Grand Theft Auto V to its service just five months after its departure, leading to mixed reactions from players. Some are unhappy with the re-release, questioning the value of the PS Plus catalog refresh for November/December 2024, especially since GTA V has been featured multiple times. This follows a similar re-release of Ghostwire: Tokyo, though it was previously part of a different tier. Despite the criticism, GTA V remains a popular title, continuing to sell millions of copies.
The article speculates on which games might leave Xbox Game Pass in February 2024, based on the trend of games typically staying for about a year. While Microsoft has not confirmed any departures, the list includes games added in February 2023 and some from February 2022, such as "Atomic Heart," "Darkest Dungeon," and "Hot Wheels Unleashed." The predictions are not guaranteed to be accurate, and late deals with publishers can affect which games stay or go. The article also notes that January will see new arrivals and departures on Xbox Game Pass.
Blank Street Coffee, a rapidly expanding coffee chain, is aiming to attract daily coffee drinkers with a new subscription program called Blank Street Regulars. The program offers paying members discounted rates on drinks, with a cap on the number of drinks to prevent losses. Despite a valuation drop amid economic concerns, the company has seen significant interest in the program, with thousands of members and more on a waiting list. The subscription model is part of a broader trend among startups and established companies to generate steady revenue and build customer loyalty. Blank Street Coffee has raised about $100 million in funding and is working on expanding capacity to accommodate the growing demand for its subscription service.
Google is reportedly developing a premium version of its AI chatbot, Bard Advanced, which will be accessible through a Google One subscription. This version is expected to be powered by Google's top-tier large language model, Gemini Ultra, offering advanced math and reasoning capabilities. Additional features such as custom bot creation (codenamed Motoko), a "power up" feature for prompt enhancement, and a "Gallery" for exploring Bard's capabilities were also hinted at in developer Dylan Roussel's findings. The release date and official confirmation from Google remain pending.
Google is preparing to launch Bard Advanced, an AI chatbot powered by its new large language model, Gemini Ultra. Although initially offered with a three-month free trial, indications suggest that continued access may require a Google One subscription. The discovery of this information was made through code found on Bard's website by user Bedros Pamboukian. Google has not yet confirmed the details of the subscription or its tier requirements, but the service is currently being tested and is expected to launch soon, following its announcement in December 2023.
