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Patrick Hearn

Patrick Hearn

Mobile Writer

Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a smart or connected device, he has probably been hands-on with it or at least written about the product at some point.

Patrick also has bylines at CNET, Progressive, Xfinity, GameSpot, Online Tech Tips, and a number of other publications. When not working on the latest smart tech, he spends his time writing a sci-fi/fantasy fiction series.

iPhone SE 4 leak by Majin Bu.

Spigen just accidentally leaked iPhone SE 4 renders

Case manufacturer Spigen has uploaded renders of the iPhone 4 SE (inside a case) to its website, and these renders line up with earlier leaks.
A soldier fighting a bile spewer in Helldivers 2.

PlayStation Network is still down after more than 12 hours

PlayStation Network has been offline for more than 12 hours at this point, leading to outrage from fans.
Natural Titanium iPhone 16 Pro Max (left) and a Blue Titanium iPhone 15 Pro.

The iOS 18.4 Beta could drop as soon as February 12

A tip from Mark Gurman suggests that in addition to new hardware releases, Apple might drop the latest iOS 18.4 beta next week.
Redmagic 9S Pro Android gaming phone held in hand with game space Lobby running on it.

Tired of the same keyboard shortcuts? Android 16 could let you remap them

The latest Android 16 beta suggests a full keyboard remapping feature could be on the way in the final release of the operating system.
Ghost of Tsushima running on the Steam Deck.

This free plugin will make games on your Steam Deck look even better

LetMeReShade is a free plugin that makes it easy to apply shaders and tweak graphical settings on compatible Steam Deck games.
Trade cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket.

Trading digital Pokémon TCG Pocket cards is a risky but lucrative business

Players have begun trading digital Pokémon TCG Pocket cards on eBay in exchange for real money, but the developers are already cracking down.
A close up of the triple camera on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus

Samsung might return to all-Exynos for its Galaxy S26 lineup

Samsung has seen successful early yields with the Exynos 2600, its in-house chip slated for use with the Galaxy S26.
Man holding Vivo X200 Pro with Zeiss lenses up to his face.

The Vivo X200 Ultra could launch with a much more powerful camera sensor

The Vivo X200 Ultra ups its camera game compared to others in the lineup, but we aren't sure if it will come to the United States or not.
Concept art of what a Horde neighborhood might look like, with deep valleys and rocky outcroppings.

You can soon buy a home in Azeroth, and there’s plenty to go around

Blizzard is introducing player housing to World of Warcraft sometime this year, so start planning your interior design now.
dungeons of hinterberg preview gdc 2024 combat

The best Xbox Game Pass game of 2024 is coming to PS5

The fun, eye-catching world of Dungeons of Hinterberg is releasing on PlayStation 5 in March with additional bonus content.
Folding iPhone concept from iOS Beta News.

We just got our first look at the folding iPhone’s specs

According to rumors, the iPhone could have an internal screen of more than 12 inches when unfolded.
The Now Brief on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Samsung users, beware: One UI 7 could jumble your home screen

If you upgrade to One UI 7, you might have to spend a few minutes rearranging your home screen. Thankfully, it has a tool that makes that easier.
A person using the Threads app on the OnePlus 13.

Threads takes a page from BlueSky with sharable custom feeds

Threads is rolling out the ability to share custom feeds with other users, creating a system quite similar to BlueSky's Starter Packs.
One of the tools available to players in Patchwork Parkour in Fortnite.

Fortnite gets a rhythm-based obstacle course in Patchwork Parkour

A new obstacle course (obby) mode is available in Fortnite called Patchwork Parkour that has the player dodging dangers in time with music.
The Switch 2 next to a TV with Mario Kart.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is coming in early April

Nintendo will hold its official Switch 2 Direct on April 2. The company says it will reveal more about the console and its games at that time.
Huawei Mate XT.

The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate is coming to international markets

The Huawei Mate XT is finally seeing an international release. Huawei will provide more details at its press event on February 18.
The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra's camera module.

ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra: Everything we know

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is just around the corner. Here's everything we know about the handset so far.
nearly 50 years later this atari classic back breakout

Nearly 50 years later, this Atari classic is back with a twist

Breakout Beyond takes the classic Breakout you know and love and gives it a fun, eye-catching twist.
The Galaxy S25 series held in someone's hand.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 15: worth jumping ship?

The iPhone 15 is a powerful phone, but how does it compare to the new Samsung Galaxy S25? Read on to find out.
Kai fights a Xaurip in Avowed.

Avowed and two more titles come to Xbox Game Pass in February

This month sees three brand-new games coming to Game Pass, including the day one release of Avowed.
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus's camera and Glyph Interface lights.

Nothing’s next phone may borrow this top iPhone features

Nothing teases yet another feature of the Phone 3a, and this one might be taking a page straight from the iPhone's playbook.
Soldiers fighting on Battlefield 2042 Season 3 map Spearhead.

Battlefield Labs lets players provide feedback on in-development games

Battlefield Studios has announced Battlefield Labs, a collaborative community project to help steer the direction of the next Battlefield title.
A green door with a frog face blocks the path in Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.

Wizardry takes home the Grammy for best video game soundrack

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord took home the Grammy for best score, proving that a remake of an old RPG still has plenty to offer.
A palworld person sitting at a campfire in Palworld.

PocketPair Publishing received more than 150 pitches in a week

Pocketpair announced its new publishing arm last week and has received an overwhelming amount of interest in that time.
A beginning card collection.

After massive fan backlash, Pokémon TCG Pocket is changing how trading works

Pokémon TCG Pocket is improving its trading mechanics after fans criticised its implementation and restrictions.
The Huawei Mate XT.

We finally have a name for Samsung’s teased tri-fold phone

Samsung's rumored tri-fold phone might be called the Galaxy G Fold, according to the tipster who first alerted us to its existence.
Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer smart glasses

Apple is no longer working on smart glasses to rival Meta

Apple has reportedly cancelled development of its augmented reality (AR) glasses due to performance issues and an unclear goal.
game designer will wright mastercall masterclass the sims 2

The Sims and the Sims 2 Legacy Collections are now available on Steam

The Sims Legacy Collection and the Sims 2 Legacy Collection released on Steam today in honor of the franchise's 25th anniversary.
Tom and Jerry, Stephen Universe, Superman, and Shaggy fight in MultiVersus.

Today is the last chance to add MultiVersus before it disappears

MultiVersus, the free to play
Two players play Nintendo Switch.

Ridge Racer 64 sees its first-ever re-release on Nintendo Switch Online

The classic Ridge Racer 64 has made its way to Nintendo Switch Online — it's first re-release in 25 years.
The Now Bar on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's lock screen.

Samsung’s Now Bar is already getting more useful

Samsung's Now Bar adds Google Maps support, letting you track directions right from the lock screen. The feature will be available with the rollout of One UI 7.
TikTok splash screen on an Android phone.

This YouTuber just made the TikTok situation a lot more complicated

A well-known YouTuber has hinted at his interest in purchasing TikTok, making an already-complicated situation even murkier.
Super Mario World on SNES.

The Video Game History Foundation Library opens its archives for the first time

The Video Game History Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving gaming history, has opened its digital archives for the first time.
Multiple cars race in Mexico in Forza Horizon 5.

Forza Horizon 5 races onto PlayStation 5 this spring

Forza Horizon 5 will release on PlayStation 5 in spring, alongside all its existing DLC — and devs say another free content update is on the way.