All articles tagged with #upgrades
After Apple raised prices on devices like the iPad Air and MacBook Pro, observers argue the company must offer noticeable upgrades (e.g., improved displays or deeper design changes) to justify the higher cost, or risk eroding demand as used devices become more attractive; otherwise some products might even be downgraded to offset the price jump.
American Airlines will stop offering complimentary coach-to-business upgrades for elite frequent flyers on several long domestic routes starting Aug. 25, routing upgrades instead to premium economy. Elites who purchased premium economy or paid for an upgrade remain eligible for the upgrade; affected routes include JFK–LA, BOS–SFO, DFW–HNL, PHX–HNL, and ORD–HNL plus ORD to Honolulu and Maui. The change reflects airlines monetizing premium seating amid strong demand for premium travel.
Upgrade when performance or security updates falter, but the best deals come from maker events and carrier promos—unlocked phones often yield the strongest trade-ins; watch Apple, Samsung, and Google launch periods and holiday sales, and note Samsung/Google tend to offer longer software support (around seven years) than some brands.
Pathogenic is a $10 roguelite twin-stick shooter where you play as a virus invading a host body from skin to heart, with boss fights and a deep, modular upgrade system that rewards experimentation. The game delivers fast, bullet-hell combat, strong visuals and sound, and rich unlocks, plus sturdy Steam Deck performance; it’s not on consoles and can be punishing for roguelite newcomers, but it shines for fans of Isaac-like synergies and Spore-inspired customization.
Splatoon Raiders shifts the franchise toward a cooperative, gadget-driven experience but lands as a more pedestrian spin-off: solo play feels weaker, the story is minimal, and while the ink-based combat remains recognizable, the game lacks the main series’ charm, releasing July 23 for £41.99.
President Trump said the Qatar-donated Air Force One will be sent for upgrades and “maxed out” in about a month, a response to reporting that the newer jet may not match the security capabilities of the older, purpose-built aircraft. The piece notes Trump privately pushed back on the security concerns, officials have pressed the matter (including subpoenas of New York Times reporters and White House phone seizures), and some sources say the newer plane lacks certain capabilities while others say it has many of the same features. The episode highlights ongoing questions about the jet’s safety in international settings as upgrades are planned.
Trump says the Qatar-donated Air Force One will be sent away for upgrades in about a month to ‘max out’ its capabilities, amid questions about its security features and past security concerns, including reports that the Secret Service urged using the old plane during Trump’s Turkey trip.
A veteran flight attendant explains that upgrades are usually decided hours before boarding based on airline priority and frequent-flyer status. If priorities are equal, early online check-in can win an upgrade, and solo travelers are easier to accommodate. Dressing neatly can help you avoid being overlooked, but a great outfit alone isn’t a guarantee, and bribes or claims like a honeymoon don’t work.
Kotaku reports that Square Enix is selling Switch 2 editions of Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 as visual upgrades with no free upgrade path, meaning owners of the original Switch versions would likely pay full price for the enhanced editions (around $60). Save data won’t transfer between versions, and upgrade policies vary across titles, prompting fan frustration ahead of an October 1 release. Physical or digital copies will be available, but there’s no free upgrade option to the Switch 2 versions.
Android Authority notes that smartphones now last longer than ever, but by 2026 upgrades still pay off for better battery life, displays, cameras and longer software lifecycles. Their guide covers upgrading from Google Pixel 7 Pro to Pixel 10 Pro/10 Pro XL, from Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra to Galaxy S26 Ultra (with seven years of updates), from Razr Plus (2023) or Razr Ultra (2026) to newer Razr models, from Pixel 7a to Pixel 10a, from Galaxy A54 to Galaxy A57 5G, and from Moto G Power (2024)—though the editor says the 2026 model isn’t compelling enough yet. The piece emphasizes longer update cycles and stronger hardware make upgrades personal and often price-dependent.
Hot Austrian conditions made Friday practice at the Red Bull Ring lively, with Antonelli fastest in FP1 and FP2 as teams assessed pace and tyre wear. Mercedes and McLaren showed competitive race pace, while Red Bull and Ferrari worked through balance issues and corner dynamics. Updates—Red Bull’s suspension/floor and Audi’s rear-end changes—signal an improving but still tight midfield battle ahead of qualifying, withCadillac reliability hiccups and Turn 3 grip challenges shaping early impressions.
Lewis Hamilton captured his first win for Ferrari at the Barcelona Grand Prix, a personal redemption story after last year’s struggles and a validation of his move to Maranello. Ferrari’s upgrades and a smart pit strategy under a virtual safety car helped him vault into the lead, and his pace on fresher tyres suggests he would likely have beaten Mercedes on track anyway. The victory signals Ferrari’s return to front‑line contention and keeps Hamilton’s title bid alive as the season progresses.
Nintendo announced Switch 2 editions for Xenoblade Chronicles 1, 2, and 3, delivering 4K60 on docked mode and 1080p60 in handheld, along with new content such as fully voiced heart-to-hearts in XC1 and playable Blades in XC2. Upgrade packs are priced around $7.99 per game, and fans are curious about DLC inclusion (e.g., Torna, Future Redeemed) and how much of the original content is bundled. Reactions are overwhelmingly excited, though some are wary after past upscaling issues with earlier upgrades.
Obsidian had said PS4/Xbox One base owners would get a free Spacer's Choice Edition upgrade to PS5, but mixed messaging and platform limitations led to a change: now PS4/Xbox One players reportedly must own both DLC packs to qualify for the upgrade, effectively turning the supposed free upgrade into a paid one for many and sparking online backlash.
Obsidian will push a major update to The Outer Worlds on May 27, including grenades and a broad set of performance, lighting, and quest fixes. The base game will be delisted in favor of the Spacer’s Choice Edition, which will be offered free to existing owners and priced at $40 going forward. Xbox One and PS4 upgrades require owning both DLCs, the paid upgrade path is being removed, and the DLCs will receive permanent discounts. The update signals ongoing support for the original game seven years after launch and coincides with Spacer’s Choice Edition’s prominence in storefronts.