Speaking to Goosed.ie, a Google spokesperson said “Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL phones in the U.S. will be eSIM only. As a result, these phones have our cleanest Pixel designs yet with no SIM tray, no visible mmWave antenna cutout and the new elegant speaker mesh found on the bottom of our two pro models”.
There will be little impact on customers in Ireland purchasing a Pixel 10 series phone here. But it’s an important note for anyone traveling to the U.S. and considering making a purchase when there. If you return home with your new Pixel 10 and your network doesn’t support eSIM, you’re scuppered.
Google has stated to other outlets that 70% of US-based Pixel owners are already using eSIM only.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the exception from the series, as this is set to retain a physical SIM slot even in the U.S.
This is good news for companies like SIM Local that are making it easier for American tourists to have a data plan ready for their arrival in Ireland. eSIM-ready and eSIM-only phones allow customers to download a plan for activation when they land. CEO, Sarah McGarr says this “is a huge win for convenience” but also highlights the pitfalls, stating “not every mobile network is ready yet”.
The world is a weird place. Even stranger than Donald Trump, the guy from that Home Alone 2 cameo, becoming President of the United States, is the latest tech drama: phone case giant Spigen threatening to sue over Trump’s new phone supposedly stealing their product images and branding.
What is the T1 Trump Phone?
In June, Trump’s organisation announced that it would launch a mobile network called Trump Mobile and a “made in the USA” phone; the T1 Phone.
It was incredibly unclear at the time how much of the phone would be made in the USA, if any of it would be at all. Today, the product page states the phone is “brought to life right here in the USA. With American hands behind every device”, we bring care, precision, and trusted quality to every detail”.
This is the classic Apple approach. You know the one that says “Designed in California” but ultimately, “Assembled in China” rouse. The T1 Phone was another story to spin by the President of the United States. The same President that is happy to sell everything from Green Cards to gold shoes.
But taking a closer look at the marketing materials surrounding the T1 Trump phone, raises so many questions. The main one being, “does the T1 Trump phone even exist”.
Is The Trump T1 Phone Real?
This week, the organisation announced the T1 Phone was available to pre-order. What absolutely baffles me is how does an organisation ever think how they are presenting the phone is in any way credible. From the phone’s pre-order page to posts on social media, there have been completely different phones shown.
Many have compared the Trump Phone saga to other infamous “scam phones” like the Escobar Phone, marked by questionable claims, unclear product origins, and dramatic marketing.
The product page (on the right above) is the first image that came out. It looks like some sort of iPhone style phone in a “gold” case.
The image used for the T1 Phone pre-order is where the fun really begins.
Spigen Threatens to Sue Trump Mobile
The Trump organisation posted the following image to promote the launch of pre-order for Trump’s T1 Phone:
Trump’s “T1 Phone”
I’ve had to use quotes here for the T1 Phone in the caption. I’m not sure what’s going on here, but the phone in the pre-order image not matching the phone on the product page should be a big old red flag to everyone who needed it, regardless of what your school report card said back in the day.
Upon closer inspection, it transpires that this image appears to have been a photoshopped image of a Samsung Galaxy S25, pulled from well-known case maker, Spigen. It’s very difficult to deny that the Spigen assets weren’t just referenced, they were directly used, with barely any attempt to disguise their origin. You can even see the Spigen logo on the back of the case/phone.
Spigen shared the Trump Mobile post, simply saying, “lawsuit incoming…”. Goosed has reached out to Spigen for comment but have yet to hear back as to how serious their social media threats of a lawsuit are.
Using another company’s images without permission, especially for commercial and political purposes, could be a straightforward case of copyright infringement. But it could go as far as simply being a bit of social media clout.
If nothing else, it’s completely laughable that the Trump T1 Phone launch is this amateurish. If anyone is giving money to this effort, they deserve to lose their money to a certain extent. Caveat Emptor.
I’m back from my first trip to Gamescom 2025 – a sort of pilgrimage to gaming makkah. Officially, I was attending the conference with JBL as they launched their new Quantum headsets, but I also got to wander the floors and taking in the other big news from the event.
The standout announcements from the show floor covered everything from highly anticipated sequels to surprising new IP. Here are the major game reveals that caught my attention:
Reanimal
I have no idea why this game wasn’t on my radar. Nor can I explain how, with just seeing the stand at Gamecom 2025 I knew it was my jam.
Reanimal is a coop horror (my other half will take some convincing) adventure game from Tarsier Studios, the developers behind Little Nightmares. Revealed at Gamescom 2024, Reanimal places you in the role of orphaned siblings journeying across a dark, nightmarish island to rescue their missing friends.
The gameplay alternates between land and boat exploration, pushing players to solve environmental puzzles, evade grotesque enemies, and uncover the island’s fragmented stories. Notable for its shared-camera system, the game intensifies claustrophobia and tension by ensuring both players must stick together, whether playing solo or online/local co-op.
Reanimal’s art direction is both haunting and beautiful, combining twisted monster designs with emotional, child-like protagonists whose troubled pasts influence the narrative and creature design. Tarsier’s story-driven touch ensures a world brimming with atmosphere, where hope flickers against overwhelming dread.
The game launches Q1 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC – you can wishlist now.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
The latest installment in the long-running franchise, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, was officially revealed at Gamescom 2025 with huge anticipation. The game features a co-operative campaign set in a dystopian 2035, offering players a blend of solo and squad experiences.
Trailers showed off mind-bending, Inception-inspired visual effects, such as highways suspended in midair and folded cities, hinting at surreal narrative twists and advanced technology in the campaign. Black Ops 7 introduces a major PvE multiplayer mode, allowing teams to explore expansive environments and complete objectives together.
Preorders are now open, with the Vault Edition including special extras. Further details will be announced at a dedicated Call of Duty Direct on September 30.
Ghost of Yotei Sequel
A major highlight was the announcement of the Ghost of Yotei, a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima – a game that utterly consumed my life for a time. Ghost of Yotei is set for release on October 2nd 2025, hopefully expanding on the critical success of its predecessor. The sequel promises a richer open-world experience with a unique blend of stealth and swordplay, inspired by Japanese folklore.
What appealed to me with the original is the storytelling and gaming play striking an symbiotic balance resulting in a wonderful experience.
The update revealed enhanced graphics and new gameplay mechanics, along with confirmation the returning Legends multiplayer mode scheduled for a 2026 launch. Fans of immersive, story-driven samurai action have a lot to look forward to as the series deepens its exploration of myth and history.
This is a top game for me in 2025.
JBL Unveils 5 New Audio Accessories, Including Gaming Headsets
JBL’s Gamescom 2025 announcements include three new Quantum gaming headsets, all powered by the upgraded QuantumENGINE offering enhanced spatial audio and comfort-focused designs. The flagship Quantum 950 brings active noise cancelling, 3D head tracking, and a wireless base/charging dock. The Quantum 650 offers a strong mid-range wireless option, while the budget-friendly Quantum 250 keeps pro-level sound in a wired package.
Beyond gaming, JBL also introduced two new open-ear lifestyle headphones: the lightweight Soundgear CLIPS and the premium Sense Pro, both packed with advanced audio tech and long battery life. Most models will launch in a range of colors from autumn 2025. For in-depth specs and pricing, check the full Goosed.ie article.
Resident Evil: Requiem
Capcom returned to their horror roots with Resident Evil: Requiem, one of the most anticipated reveals at Gamescom. The Resi booth was stunning and you can just tell it’s one of the main things people had on their list to visit.
The atmospheric trailers introduced Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent grappling with her haunted past, with story cues involving family secrets and chilling supernatural threats. The game’s gripping setting and classic horror ambiance were showcased as Grace navigates mysterious phone calls, power outages, and enigmatic family members.
Scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Steam, Requiem looks set to deliver nerve-wracking tension and emotional storytelling in the Resident Evil tradition.
Black Myth: Zhong Kui
Game Science announced their follow-up to Black Myth: Wukong with Black Myth: Zhong Kui, based on the Chinese deity known as the “Demon Queller.” This supernatural action-RPG takes place in the underworld, where players control Zhong Kui as he maintains the balance between the mortal world and the realm of demons.
The combat system introduces possession mechanics, allowing players to temporarily control defeated demon enemies and use their unique abilities. The art direction is stunning, featuring traditional Chinese artwork brought to life with cutting-edge graphics technology. Early gameplay footage showed massive boss battles against creatures from Chinese mythology, each requiring different strategies to defeat.
I was in China earlier this year and can confirm this game is absolutely massive over there, with ever-growing popularity globally. This is right at the top of my list of games I know I need to check out.
Irish Games at Gamescom 2025
As is the tradition at any massive tech event, I found the Irish representatives. They are in the Indie Arena in Hall 10, under the umbrella of Northern Ireland Screen and well worth a visit with three games on show.
Mars Attracts
Outlier Games is an independent video game development studio based across both Dublin, Ireland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland. They were at Gamescom with Mars Attracts, an officially licensed theme-park manager game based on the Mars Attacks franchise.
I can’t explain why, but along with Reanimal, this game stood out to me, personally, as one I’m most looking forward to. But I shouldn’t be surprised given how much I loved theme park games back in the day.
Travel Pack
Travel Pack! is a light puzzle narrative game developed and published by family-friendly studio Blackstaff Games. It draws inspiration from tabletop board games and travel, centering on a young traveller venturing out into a pocket-sized world of tiles, terrains, and colorful characters.
The game combines elements of adventure, casual play, puzzles, and board game mechanics. It is designed to evoke the fun and portability of traditional travel game packs, but in a digital format. Travel Pack! is expected to launch in 2026. It’s colourful and playful, with one of the team behind the game telling me he even cut out physical tiles for play testing the game.
Smash and Grab
Smash ‘N Grab is a chaotic heist game developed by SLAP-BANG! Digital, an indie studio based in Belfast. The game stars a dynamic duo, Smash (a robot) and Grab (a raccoon)—who are literally tied together by a rope as they pull off explosive, high-energy heists.
Gameplay centers on fast-paced, destructive beat ’em up action: you can smash through breakable environments, toss Grab to reel in enemies and valuables, grapple across levels, take down guards, and find creative shortcuts. The more chaos you cause by smashing valuables, the more precious seconds you add to your time, speed and destruction are key!
The team brought a playable vertical slice to Gamescom 2025, hoping to attract players, feedback, and a publishing partner. The game features a striking art style with major inspirations drawn from titles like Sly Raccoon and Ape Out, and it’s actively being wishlisted on Steam.
Northern Ireland Screen is the national screen agency for Northern Ireland. Its main purpose is to promote and support the development of a sustainable film, animation, and television production industry within Northern Ireland.
Cronos: The New Dawn
Polish studio Bloober Team, fresh off the success of Silent Hill 2 Remake, is set to launch Cronos: The New Dawn, a sci-fi survival horror game inspired by the genre’s roots. Players control “The Traveler” of The Collective, facing intense resource management, brutal combat, and branching story choices while uncovering a dark mystery.
Dangerous creatures called Orphans can merge with fallen monsters, creating deadlier threats, players must use their arsenal, especially a flamethrower, to prevent this. Cronos: The New Dawn releases on September 5th, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Lords of the Fallen 2
Hexworks revealed that “soulslike” Lords of the Fallen 2 will expand significantly on the dual-realm concept introduced in the 2023 reboot. The sequel introduces a third realm – the “Shattered Plane” – where pieces of both worlds collide in chaotic, ever-changing environments.
The new magic system allows players to manipulate the boundaries between realms, creating bridges, barriers, and even pulling enemies from one dimension to another mid-combat. The character progression system has been completely overhauled with branching class trees that adapt based on which realm you spend the most time exploring. Co-op functionality has also been expanded to support up to three players across all three realms simultaneously.
No date yet for this, just that it’s coming in 2026.
Ninja Gaiden 4
Team Ninja’s legendary action series returns with Ninja Gaiden 4, impressing Gamescom ONL viewers with a cinematic story trailer and high-velocity gameplay. This sequel brings back Ryu Hayabusa, introduces Yakumo of the Raven Clan, and showcases brutal, stylish combat that rewards mastery and quick reflexes. Set for release on October 21, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Ninja Gaiden 4 promises hardcore fans a worthy new challenge and instant access for Game Pass users.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
The buzz around this game is massive, possible because a little more news has emerged after six years of anticipation.
Team Cherry finally brought a demo and new trailer for Hollow Knight: Silksong to Gamescom 2025, confirming a Christmas release window. While the playable demo echoes one shown in 2019, it demonstrates how much the game has been polished and refined over time.
Players at the event praised its faster-paced action, expanded movement options, and lush new environment, Moss Grotto, where Hornet’s journey begins. The Gamescom reveal ended speculation and officially locked down Silksong’s launch for this year, much to the delight of Metroidvania fans worldwide.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
A bit of a surprise entry was this complete LEGO celebration of Batman. The world premiere of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight unveiled an imaginative title covering all eras of Batman, blending TT Games’ signature Lego humour and accessible puzzles with deep cut references from decades of Batman comics, TV, and film.
The game promises open-world Gotham exploration, with switching playable characters and fan-favourite Bat vehicles. Notably, Matt Berry lends his voice as Bane, adding further charm to the roster of iconic villains.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will release in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 system, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store and you can wishlist now.
The Outer Worlds 2
Obsidian’s sci-fi RPG returns with The Outer Worlds 2, getting a grand showing at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025. The reveal highlighted new companions, the Arcadia star system, and a story rife with corporate overreach, space rifts, and competing factions. The trailer teased improved visuals, more player choice, and a sprawling adventure launching October 29 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, with Game Pass access included at launch.
Fallout TV Series: Season 2
There’s more to Gamescom than “just” games as the event also played host to the premiere of the Fallout TV show’s Season 2 trailer. Naturally, it does make sense given this is one of the great game-cum-TV shows in history, drawing massive buzz from both gamers and streaming audiences.
The next chapter takes vault-dweller Lucy and the Ghoul to the Mojave, recreating the beloved New Vegas setting from Fallout gaming lore – where I fell in love with the franchise (I was late to it). The action escalates as Caesar’s Legion, Deathclaws, and the Brotherhood of Steel all appear, raising the stakes substantially. Iconic New Vegas character Mr. House joins the storyline, while Season 2’s move to weekly episode releases (starting December 17, 2025, on Prime Video) promises a more suspenseful viewing experience.
World of Warcraft: Midnight Expansion
Blizzard made headlines with the announcement of World of Warcraft’s next expansion, Midnight. The Onl deep dive showcased the return to Quel’Thalas, elven alliances, and the rise of the Void as a central threat. Player housing, new campaign zones, and sweeping PvE changes were demonstrated across live panels and cinematic reveals.
The expansion is scheduled for 2026, kicking off a new era in the MMO’s evolving narrative.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4
A huge announcement for strategy fans came at Gamescom ONL 2025 with the reveal of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4. This entry, developed by KING Art and published by Deep Silver, marks the franchise’s return to large-scale, base-building real-time strategy, now featuring four distinct factions, including the fan-favorite Adeptus Mechanicus.
Players will battle for the fate of Kronus in a campaign of more than 70 missions, with Last Stand, Skirmish, and robust multiplayer support. The launch trailer was packed with classic Warhammer grimdark action and larger-than-life battles poised to make 2026 a defining year for the series.
Monster Hunter Wilds x Final Fantasy XIV Collaboration
A major crossover surprised viewers at Gamescom ONL as Capcom and Square Enix announced Monster Hunter Wilds would host an expansive crossover event featuring Final Fantasy XIV.
Players will ride Chocobos, battle iconic Final Fantasy monsters, and enjoy Palico and Moogle cosmetics. The event, playable on all supported platforms, brings a fresh blend of two beloved universes for a limited run beginning late September 2025.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando
Horror icon John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando electrified the Gamescom crowd with its debut at ONL. This cooperative shooter thrusts players into a world overrun by mutated horrors, blending 1980s action and horror themes.
The gameplay trailer showcased vehicular combat, massive enemy hordes, and classes tailored for fast-paced co-op chaos. Toxic Commando is targeting an early 2026 launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Death by Scrolling
Ron Gilbert created my favourite game of all time; Monkey Island. So it was music to my ears to hear he was at Gamescom 2025, even if he is offering something completely different in Death by Scrolling. This is a unique roguelike action RPG where players must race upward through a constantly vertically scrolling world set in a tongue-in-cheek vision of Purgatory. The screen never stops moving, and if you hesitate or fail to stay ahead, the Grim Reaper will catch up and end your run.
You’ll choose from multiple quirky playable characters, each with unique abilities and perks, tackling monsters and obstacles while collecting gold, your only way to pay the Ferryman and finally escape the afterlife. The pixel-art game features classic top-down combat reminiscent of Zelda, but with a heavy emphasis on speed, twitch reflexes, and strategic upgrades after each run. True to Ron Gilbert’s legacy, expect witty writing, plenty of puns, and playful subversions of roguelike (and afterlife) tropes.
The game is being developed by Terrible Toybox and published by MicroProse, with a release planned for late 2025 on PC.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Capcom revived its iconic samurai action series with the announcement of Onimusha: Way of the Sword at Gamescom ONL 2025. The world premiere trailer revealed a narrative that blends dark Sengoku era myth with supernatural enemies and lightning-powered swordplay.
Players can expect a return to puzzle-solving, atmospheric exploration, and brutal Genma demon combat, with new powers granted by the mystical Oni Gauntlet. Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Cinder City
NCSoft’s Cinder City made a strong debut at Gamescom ONL with an explosive trailer showcasing a tactical MMO shooter set in a post-apocalyptic metropolis. Combining mechs, futuristic soldiers, and destructible cityscapes, Cinder City looks to deliver squad-based action and grand-scale battles, both PvE and PvP.
Early impressions from gameplay footage highlight the game’s advanced graphics, futuristic arsenal, and team strategy—expected in 2026 for PC and consoles.
Project Spectrum
A standout new reveal, Project Spectrum is a PvPvE horror tactics shooter from the creators of Delta Force, shown for the first time at Gamescom ONL. The atmospheric trailer blended supernatural threats, squad strategy, and mysterious loss-driven storytelling—focusing on hunters and monsters in a landscape altered by violence.
Players can expect intense encounters and shifting gameplay roles between hunter and hunted as the project nears beta in late 2025.
Everwind
Everwind turned heads at Gamescom ONL 2025 with its ambitious vision of survival and adventure on flying island-ships. Players gather resources, craft gear, and explore a floating landscape filled with mysteries, enemies, and environmental challenges, all while building and customising unique homes atop their soaring vessels. Cooperative gameplay is at the core, letting friends team up for exploration and base-building above the clouds.
Everwind will launch first for PC, with more platforms possible down the line.
Enshrouded: Wake of the Water Update
Enshrouded showcased its “Wake of the Water” expansion at Gamescom ONL, introducing a massive new water biome and aquatic exploration to the early-access survival hit.
Players will dive beneath shimmering surfaces, explore caves, and harness new fishing and building mechanics. The update promises fresh threats, resources, and radically expanded possibilities for collaborative base-building. Wake of the Water arrves in October, further evolving Enshrouded’s world for newcomers and veterans alike.
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault made its debut at Gamescom Opening Night Live, revealing a leap from pixel art to 3D and introducing a wide array of new dungeon biomes, enemies, and expanded shopkeeping mechanics.
The sequel retains its beloved “shopkeeper by day, dungeon-crawler by night” gameplay, adding new perspectives, customizable shops, and more complex town interactions. Early Access kicks off October 23, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Road Kings (Truck Simulator)
Road Kings rolled out at Gamescom ONL as the next-generation truck driving simulation from Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment. Players start as rookie drivers and progress to seasoned owner-operators, managing a haulage business across the richly detailed American South.
The trailer showed dynamic weather hazards, business management, and iconic branded trucks, all wrapped in a cinematic Americana road-trip style, a launch is set for 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC. This game is set to whet the appetites of the ever-growing cohort of truck sim fans out there.
Sekiro: No Defeat
FromSoftware’s acclaimed action game is getting an anime adaptation, Sekiro: No Defea, announced at Gamescom ONL. Produced by Qzil.la Studios with direction by Kenichi Kutsuna and the game’s voice cast returning, the show will closely follow Wolf’s journey to protect the Divine Heir and topple Ashina’s threats.
The reveal trailer showed iconic boss duels and a lush, painterly art style. Sekiro: No Defeat will stream exclusively on Crunchyroll in 2026.
I’m just back from a whirlwind trip to Cologne for the opening day of Gamescom 2025. Officially, I was there with JBL as they launch their new Quantum range of headsets, but I had time to wander the floors and check out some of the other big stories. Few were bigger than the Xbox ROG Ally and extra-powered Ally X. This was the device’s first major public outing and it drew crowds eager to discover what next-gen portable gaming could feel like.
First Impressions of the Xbox ROG Ally
My very first impression of the Xbox ROG Ally is that it feels absolutely fantastic in your hands. I’ve been using a somewhat hacked Gamesir G8 with my M4 iPad and while it works, I have to admit it’s a little cumbersome. But the Xbox ROG Ally feels perfectly balanced and contoured perfectly to my hands. It’s extremely light. In fact, overall I would say how light it is is just the standout first impression that I got. The Ally weighs in at 670g (which surprises me given what it felt like) while the Ally X is 715g.
The Xbox ROG Ally with Forza Horizon 5. Image: Marty Meany.
The 7-inch display is possibly the sweet spot for displays. ASUS knows what they’re doing with the two games on show, both focused on lush graphics. The one I focused on was Forza Horizon 5 (because no-one wants to support JK Rowling IYKYK).
ASUS has obviously leaned heavily into Xbox aesthetics for this handheld. The controller features Xbox’s ABXY buttons and colours, a dedicated Xbox button – all clearly inspired by the Xbox controller. The trigger buttons
Naturally, in a few minutes on the floor at Gamescom, I’m not going to be able to offer up a review here. But I can say my interest has been piqued with this new Xbox-focused handheld.
Xbox ROG Ally Key Features
What I can tell you about, are the specs on paper. ASUS/Microsoft were showing off two models at Gamescom 2025. The Xbox ROG Ally and Xbox ROG Ally X.
The ROG Ally features a Ryzen Z2A chip with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. The ROG Ally X swaps in a Ryzen Z2 Extreme, beefs the RAM up to 24GB and chucks in a 1TB SSD harddrive.
Both feature a 7-inch 1080p display with 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass which should be good news if your Xbox Rog Ally takes a trip to the ground – but I wouldn’t recommend that.
The Ally has a 60Wh battery while the Ally X has 80Wh. I’m going to predict that the battery life is the same for both, with the beefier battery making up for the extra power draw.
Networking is uniform across both devices with Wi-Fi 6e and Bluetooth 5.4.
Xbox ROG Ally Launch Date
Rather disappointingly, we still don’t have pricing for either the Xbox ROG Ally or Xbox ROG Ally X. It was expected to be announced at Gamescom, but I’m guessing that the fairly fluid international pricing market right now, owing to tariffs etc, is making that a bit of a nightmare.
Speculative pricing has the two handhelds at €549.99 for the Ally and €899.99 for the Ally X – but that’s speculation with a capital “S”.
We did, however, get a launch date. The Xbox ROG Ally and Xbox ROG Ally X will be available from October 16th. Irish availability to be confirmed. Be sure to follow Goosed on social media for more news on the Xbox ROG Ally range launching in Ireland.
Off the back of this year’s Made by Google event, Google has announced the Pixel 10 Series which is coming to Ireland. This promises to be Google’s most AI-driven phone to date, massively powered by Google Gemini.
It also marks a significant launch for the Irish market with Google’s full suite of Pixel devices getting a refresh, and the Pixel 10 being the first non-iPhone to feature MagSafe – but they call it Pixel Snap. I don’t go into detail on this here, so you can read that other article on that.
Pixel 10
Google announced the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel Pro XL. Now, whether every single device launches in Ireland remains to be seen. It’s possible not all will be available on networks and might only be available directly from Google. But you can check out our bill pay versus SIM only calculator to see if that’s even better for you financially anyway.
Google Pixel 10. Image: Google.
The Google Pixel 10 features a 6.3-inch Actua display with 3000 nits brightness, hopefully meaning perfect visibility even under rare Irish sunshine. The addition of a new 5x telephoto lens offers exceptional 10x optical-quality zoom, further enhanced by Super Res Zoom reaching up to 20x magnification.
the Pixel 10 has promises upgraded audio (better bass, stereo balance), and Pro models should have louder speakers than before.
Despite being the entry model, the Pixel 10, on paper at least, is no “lite” version. Powered by the new Tensor G5 chip and 12GB of RAM, it’s built to run Google’s Gemini AI locally, unlocking smart features without any cloud lag. You should also get all-day battery life (Google claims 30 hours), rapid charging (55% in 30 minutes with a 30W plug), and a choice of four fresh colours including Frost, Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Indigo. But which come to Ireland remains to be seen.
All Pixel 10 phones are promised 7 years of software + security updates, which is great given people are keeping smartphones longer than ever these days.
Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL
For those seeking an even more premium experience, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL take things up a notch. These Pro models come with elegant finishes in Moonstone, Jade, Obsidian, and Porcelain, giving a sophisticated look to your device.
The cameras see significant upgrades too: there’s a 50MP main sensor that delivers best-in-class portraits, a 48MP telephoto lens capable of up to 100x zoom thanks to AI enhancements, and a 42MP selfie camera with a wide 103° field of view—so no one gets left out of your group shots.
The displays get brighter Super Actua screens, now 10% brighter than last year while using less power. With 16GB of RAM, beefier batteries, and faster charging, the Pro XL goes the distance, reaching 70% battery in just 30 minutes with a 45W charger. These features could make the Pro lineup ideal for power users and photography fanatics who want the very best from their Pixel experience.
Pixel 10 Fold
Google’s foldable returns, now tougher and smarter than ever. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a robust new gearless hinge crafted from aerospace-grade aluminium, delivering durability that stands up to daily use. It’s also the first foldable to offer IP6A dust and water protection, so you can confidently take it anywhere.
Pixel 10 Fold. Image: Google.
Unfold the device and you get an expansive 8-inch Super Actua Flex display inside, complemented by a 6.4-inch Actua display on the outside, both boasting 3000 nits of brightness which should offer superb viewing in any lighting. The versatile triple camera setup includes a 48MP main lens, ultrawide, and telephoto, with handy features like rear camera selfies and dual screen preview for creative shooting.
Storage options go all the way up to 1TB, and the 5015mAh battery is sized for power users, reaching a 50% charge in just 30 minutes. With these upgrades, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold blends flexibility, toughness, and cutting-edge features, making it an interesting choice for fans of innovative foldables – an ever-growing category for smartphones and one I’m particularly interested in these days.
Again, it remains to be seen just how available this device will be in Ireland.
Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds
It wasn’t just the phones getting attention at Made by Google. The Pixel Watch 4 arrived in both 41mm and 45mm sizes, with a fresh range of bands and a new Quick Charge Dock. Google is continuing its Fitbit integration here, while promising better performance, longer battery life, and 7 years of software updates in line with the phones.
Pixel Watch 4. Image: Google
On the audio side, Google refreshed its earbuds lineup with the Pixel Buds 2a and Pixel Buds Pro 2. The 2a are pitched as the affordable entry option with a slimmed-down feature set, while the Pro 2 take aim at premium ANC and audio quality, powered by Gemini AI for live translation and adaptive sound features. Together, they round out Google’s push for a full ecosystem – phones, watches, and buds – all tuned to work best when paired.
Pixel Buds Pro 2. Image: Google
This full range of Google Pixel products is officially announced as of today. Be sure to follow Goosed.ie on socials, particularly TikTok, for updates, on availability, pricing and reviews.
Made by Google 2025 has just wrapped with Google announcing a plethora of new technology. Rather interestingly, in a sea of devices and innovation, one thing stood out the most to me. An Apple innovation finally making its way over to Google’s eco-system.
Pixel 10 First Non-iPhone to Feature MagSafe (Pixel Snap)
iPhone gets a lot of criticism for slow innovation bringin in Android features years after Android phones launch them. But for once, Apple has opened up and said the world can use their MagSafe technology. Noone took them up on the offer, until now.
The new Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL wil feature MagSafe technology, which Google is calling Pixel Snap.
This means these devices will be able to use magnetic accessories and charging. Maybe I blow this out of proportion, but MagSafe was perhaps the last bit of innovation in smartphones that wow’d me. I use it when I’m driving to hold and charge my phone and I have MagSafe chargers around the house.
Google has recognised how incredible this technology is and announced that it will feature on the new Pixel range of devices.
For me, this is the big headline announcement from the event.
What Pixel Snap Products are Available?
Google is bringing its all-new Pixel Snap accessory ecosystem to the market, offering a full lineup designed for seamless, MagSafe-style convenience.
Available from launch, you’ll find the Pixel Snap Charger (wireless charging puck) and Pixel Snap Charging Stand (upright desk charger) for easy, fast charging at home or work. For on-the-go power, the Pixel Snap Battery Pack magnetically snaps to your Pixel for instant extra battery, no wires, no fuss.
Pixel Snap Charger. Image: Google.
There’s also the Pixel Snap Wallet, a slim accessory that attaches securely to the back of your Pixel and keeps cards handy. And of course, every device gets official protection with the Pixel Snap Case, which not only shields your phone but unlocks the whole magnetic accessory range for both charging and daily carry.
Perfect for anyone who wants the flexibility and snap-and-go simplicity across their Pixel devices and accessories.
Is Pixel Snap and MagSafe Cross Compatible?
Yes. Google confirmed that Pixel Snap is compatible with popular MagSafe products. The system is designed so you can snap on wireless chargers and a range of MagSafe-compatible accessories for a secure and intuitive experience.
So your existing MagSafe wallets, mounts, and chargers should work with Pixel Snap, alongside Google’s own first-party accessories.
At Gamescom 2025, JBL has announced five new products: three Quantum gaming headsets, all powered by an updated JBL QuantumENGINE, and two open-ear lifestyle headphones built on the company’s JBL OpenSound technology.
Quantum series refreshed with new engine and flagship headset
The gaming-focused JBL Quantum 950, 650, and 250 headsets headline JBL’s Gamescom 2025 announcement. All three are built around a new 50mm carbon dynamic driver and run on the upgraded JBL QuantumENGINE, which now delivers Quantum Spatial Sound across the entire range for the first time. This is a nice addition, ensuring similar technological advance is available to consumers regardless of budget.
JBL says the new Quantum series introduces a “refreshed design” aimed at greater comfort for long sessions. Availability dates for the Quantum headsets have not yet been confirmed, so I’ll updated this article once I know and also include links to reviews when we get the products in for testing.
JBL Quantum 950
The Quantum 950 is JBL’s flagship gaming headset and introduces active noise cancelling, 3D head tracking, and a wireless base station that doubles as a charging dock and 2.4 GHz dongle. It uses a dual hot-swappable battery system, with each cell rated at 25 hours.
The headset includes a flip-up 6 mm boom microphone with mute LED, Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4 GHz wireless, along with support for multipoint connections. The headset will be available in black and white, with RGB now limited to just the base station. The Quantum 950 will be available in Ireland for €349.99.
JBL Quantum 650
The JBL Quantum 650 was also revealed at Gamescome 2025, and it covers the mid-range as a wireless headset featuring the same driver platform and spatial audio, but without ANC or the charging dock. It will work across PC and console.
JBL lists the battery as 45 hours. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity and features RGB lighting on the earcups. You’ll be able to pick these up in black, white, purple, and teal for €149.99.
JBL Quantum 250
Rounding out the Gamescom 2025 announcements for JBL’s gaming range is the Quantum 250. JBL call this their “plug and play hero”. This is positioned as the company’s the entry-level wired gaming headset. Despite being positioned as a budget option, the Quantum 250 retains the upgraded 50 mm drivers and QuantumENGINE enhancements.
It comes with a detachable boom mic and LED lighting accents, and will be available in black, white, purple, and teal for just €59.99.
JBL also announced the Soundgear CLIPS, a lightweight clip-on ear-mounted speakers using air-conduction drivers to keep ears unblocked. The SonicArc design is intended to boost bass and minimise leakage. They feature a 4-microphone array with AI noise reduction, touch controls with app customisation, and IP54 splash resistance.
Battery life is 8 hours plus 24 from the case, with a 10-minute quick charge giving 3 hours of use. They will come in five translucent finishes, including Copper Ghost, Black Ghost, White Ghost, Blue Ghost, and Purple Ghost costing €129.99 and will be available mid-October 2025.
JBL Sense Pro
Finally, to complete JBL’s announcements, is the JBL Sense PRO. These are a more premium open-ear option combining 16.2 mm diamond-like carbon drivers with JBL OpenSound tuning. Features include Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification (via LDAC), Auracast and LE Audio support, adaptive Bass Boost, and JBL Spatial Sound.
For calls, the Sense PRO uses four microphones plus a voice pickup sensor. Rated IP54, the design includes a 20-degree adjustable hinge for fit. Battery life is 38 hours total (8 on earbuds, 30 from case), with a 10-minute charge yielding 4 hours. The JBL Sense Pro will come in Grey, Blue, Purple, White, and Black, costing €179.99, also available mid-October 2025.
If you open TikTok today, you’ll be greeted with every Irish creator talking about one thing. The Electric Picnic ticket scam. As we count down the days to Ireland’s biggest music festival, reports are emerging that multiple people allege that one individual has sold them an EP ticket but not delivered the goods.
This is our Netflix documentary moment as now, on social media, multiple people have found each other to be in the same situation.
Speaking to Laois media A Garda spokesperson said that they, “are investigating a number of reported Electric Picnic ticket scams.”
There have been multiple reports on social media and on local media of EP ticket scams this year, but it remains unclear how many are linked to this one individual. Gardai went on to advise “people to be very cautious buying tickets away from official channels, and to only use official sites to buy tickets”.
Without going into further specifics, the Gardai did include details of the scam, outlining that “people are going on a photograph of a ticket that could already have been sold. Be vigilant”.
It remains to be seen how or why an individual believed such a brazen scam would go unnoticed or unpunished. Many of those affected have stated how they know the person they allege scammed them having met them in person, or recognising them from their previous endeavours.
I wanted to report on this to highlight the risks with buying tickets from unofficial sources in the lead up to Electric Picnic. Opportunists will always try to make a quick buck, and FOMO means you might drop your guard briefly and lose substantial amounts of money. Even if you think you know the person selling, remember that it could be someone using their new found clout or it could be AI-powered fakery. As the CCPC has said, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has revealed that shopping online with retailers outside the EU is causing problems for Irish shoppers, according to their latest helpline report for January to June 2025.
Online Shopping: Be Wary When Venturing from Irish or EU Site
I’d admit that I’ve ventured a fair bit away from shopping on Irish or EU websites. Getting products direct on AliExpress or TEMU has saved me money, cutting out the middle man who marks products up with margin. But, that doesn’t come without risk.
Shopping online is convenient given we all have busy lives. I find myself at times losing track of what I’ve ordered and being surprised there’s a delivery at the door again.
With an increase in online shopping, it’s no surprise that digital transactions are a flashpoint for frustration. Over 4,400 complaints to the CCPC so far this year were about online purchases, and almost 1 in 5 involved businesses outside the EU. Here, consumer protections can be much weaker. This reflects a tech trend: more people shop online, but not always safely.
This is one benefit when shopping with a website like Ochama, where I bought my smart rice cooker. Here you should be protected by EU law given the website ships from Dutch or Polish warehouses, inside the EU.
Protections of the EU
I never understand people who are anti-EU when you look at the protections it gives us. Data protection is one thing, but there are also massive consumer protections in place.
Grainne Griffin of the CCPC recommends “buying from businesses based in Ireland or other EU countries, where your consumer rights are strong. This means that if you buy a product online and the product doesn’t reflect the reviews – or if you’ve changed your mind – you have a 14-day right to cancel and receive a full refund.”
She continues with the classic advice of “if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Consumers should be very cautious of exclusively 5-star reviews or amazing deals that are out of step with other suppliers. Always do your research and if you spot a red flag, better to spend your money elsewhere”.
CCPC Online Tools
352,465 users visited the CCPC’s online Money Tools in the first half of 2025. These web-based tools help consumers find the best financial products, compare costs, and manage budgets – a real example of digital empowerment for consumers.
The CCPC has called for the government to create an online portal where car buyers can check a used car’s mileage, previous accidents, safety recalls, and import status. That’s a big tech-forward recommendation for consumer safety in car buying.
The CCPC also outlined that faulty goods in general and botched home improvements also top the list of complaints to the CCPC.
