Microsoft is significantly increasing prices of its Xbox Series X, Series S, and accessories due to rising development costs and market conditions. The Series S will start at $380, while the Series X will begin at $550, a $100 increase on its previous price.
The price hikes also apply to other first-party products and peripherals, such as a basic controller now costing $65. This move comes despite the fact that it’s unusual for a mid-generation console to see a price increase, especially during times of economic uncertainty.
In related news, Samsung’s chief financial officer has attributed increased prices due to US tariff policies and stronger export controls on artificial intelligence products. These factors are expected to slow down demand and raise costs for components used in mobile phones.
The DJI Ozmo Pocket 3 vlogging camera is another product that has seen a significant price jump, increasing from $520 to $799. The company attributes the rise to increased development costs and market conditions.
Meanwhile, BBC Maestro has digitally revived Agatha Christie to teach murder mystery writing courses, using AI-generated footage and audio recordings of the author’s likeness. This innovative approach aims to create immersive learning experiences for students.
Other tech news includes a review of the Canon Powershot V1 camera, which boasts impressive video quality and image capabilities. Additionally, a startup co-founded by Sam Altman has launched its World eyeball-scanning identity verification system in the US, using basketball-sized spherical objects to scan users’ irises.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111538265.html