When it debuted as an early access game in 2024, the popular action/collection videogame Palworld was an instant hit, but it didn’t take a judicial expert to predict that its similarities to Pokemon would invite legal action. That happened about eight months later when Nintendo and The Pokemon Company filed suit, claiming patent infringement.

Now, gamers are seeing some of the effects of that legal threat. Pocketpair, the studio behind the unofficial parody, Some features in the game, such as the use of Pal Spheres (similar to Poke Balls in Pokemon) and gliding with Pals have been patched out of gameplay with updates in November and this month.

In a blog post titled, «Regarding the lawsuit, changes to Palworld and the future,» Pocketpair said the changes «were indeed a result of the ongoing litigation.»

The post goes on to say: «everyone here at Pocketpair was disappointed that this adjustment had to be made, and we fully understand that many players feel the same frustration. Unfortunately, as the alternative would have led to an even greater deterioration of the gameplay experience for players, it was determined that this change was necessary.»

Much of the debate around Palworld’s existence and why it’s facing legal challenges has to do with whether the game itself could be protected legally if it’s considered a parody. That may be why the lawsuit is based on patent infringement, focusing on mechanics of the game, rather than copyright infringement. 

Even with legal action pending, the game’s expansion has not slowed down. It’s available on PlayStation 5, Xbox consoles and PC, and there’s a mobile version still in the works.

Are your old headphones barely hanging on? While you might know you need to upgrade, the price of the best headphones can be a bit off-putting for many people. Well, that’s where we come in, because we’re always on the lookout for deals — like this one on the Beats Solo 4 headphones.

Thanks to a massive discount on Amazon, you can currently get your hands on a pair of the Beats Solo 4 for just $100. That’s not only 50% off, but also $30 cheaper than they were a month and a half ago during the Amazon Big Spring Sale. We’re not expecting this deal to last long though, so grab it quick if you want it.

As far as headphone deals go, you won’t want to miss these. The Beats Solo 4 headphones have plenty going for them, including a 50-hour battery life, so you won’t need to reach for the charger that often. But when you do need to charge them up, a 10-minute charge will give you five hours of listening time. If you prefer to listen with a cable rather than wirelessly, the Beats Solo 4and includes support for high-quality audio, too.

CNET’s audio expert David Carnoy rated the Beats Solo 4 highly in his full review last year, but advised readers to wait for them to drop to $130 or so.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

The colors on sale include matte black, pink and blue, and all feature custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers to offer that iconic Beats sound. If you’re a fan of bass — you won’t be disappointed. The adjustable earcups and so-called UltraPlush cushions ensure long listening sessions won’t be uncomfortable.

Why this deal matters

The Apple-owned Beats brand is iconic and this is your chance to put a pair of the company’s headphones in your tech bag at a huge saving. Getting anything for half the price is an incredible opportunity. Being able to pick your color sweetens the deal, but the limited-time nature of the deal does mean you need to act sooner rather than later.

Sometimes, browsing through photos or watching a video on your phone or laptop just doesn’t cut it. Beaming to a TV can be a great way to enjoy content on a bigger display and share it with everyone in the room. With the help of AirPlay, doing so with an iPhone, iPad or Mac is super easy. 

AirPlay is Apple’s system for screen mirroring, and it’s supported by a growing number of smart TVs, as well as Roku and Apple TV streaming devices.

Here’s how to use the handy feature and which devices are compatible.

Which devices support AirPlay?

To use AirPlay, you’ll need a compatible Roku TV or streamer (the list includes Roku TV, Roku Streambar and Roku Streaming Stick 4K), an Apple TV streamer or a 2019 or newer smart TV from LG, Samsung, Sony or Vizio. Amazon’s more recent Fire TV models also support AirPlay, but Fire TV sticks don’t.

Any iPhone or iPad running iOS 4.2 or newer has AirPlay built in. Note that Roku and smart TVs require AirPlay 2 on your Apple devices, which is available with iOS 12.3 or later and MacOS Mojave 10.14.5 or later.

Before getting started, make sure your Apple device and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Mirror your iPhone or iPad

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner on newer iPhone models, or up from the bottom of the display, to access Control Center. 
2. Tap the Screen Mirroring button. (It shows two overlapping rectangles)
3. Select your TV.
4. If prompted, enter the passcode shown on your TV. 
5. A checkmark will show up next to your TV’s name when a connection is made. 

Now, use your phone or tablet like normal, and everything you do will be displayed on your TV. To stop mirroring, go back to Control Center and open the Screen Mirroring section, then select Stop Mirroring. 

Mirror your Mac’s screen

1. Click on the Control Center icon in the menu bar. It should be next to the time in the top-right corner.
2. Click Screen Mirroring.
3. You’ll see a list of devices that are available on your network to mirror your screen. Click the device you want to use. Your screen will flash and a few seconds later it will show up on the TV.

Now, whatever you do on your Mac will show up on your TV. When you’re done, click the Screen Mirroring button in Control Center again, then click the name of the device you’re connected to to stop mirroring.  

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