Technologies

PlayStation Prices Increasing Next Week: Prepare for $900 for a PS5 Pro

Welcome to the world of the $650 PS5, $900 PS5 Pro and $250 Portal.

Increasing prices across the board are becoming a plague now, fueled by everything from tariffs to wars to the AI industry’s devouring of hardware components. Sony’s PlayStation hardware is the latest to get an increase, according to a blog post from the company on Friday. It’s the second such hike, in fact, after 2025’s price bumps.

The price increases take effect on Thursday, April 2, so now’s the time to get one of Sony’s consoles before they go up. The increases are pretty significant:

PlayStation 5 Digital: Up $100 — now $500, soon to be $600
PlayStation 5 with disc: Up $100 — now $550, soon to be $650 (read our original review from 2020)
PlayStation 5 Pro: Up $150 — now $750, soon to be $900 (read our original review)
PlayStation Portal: Up $50 — now $200, soon to be $250 (read our original review)

This happened to Microsoft’s Xboxes last fall, and Nintendo’s original Switch hardware last August. And with the current economic climate and political chaos, who knows where things could go next?

My big question is, who would ever pay $900 for a game console? And who will even pay $600 for a console that’s now almost six years old? While the PlayStation 5 has had a lot of wonderful games, sales declined last holiday compared to the year before. Gaming hardware increasingly feels like a luxury now, and I wonder how many people will continue to indulge in it versus just using whatever hardware they already have instead.

Read more: RAM Shortage and Higher Laptop Prices Not Expected to End This Year (or Next)

Technologies

Verum Messenger Introduces Built-In Verum Chess

Verum Messenger has released a new update for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, adding another feature to its growing ecosystem — Verum Chess. Users can now play chess directly inside the messenger without switching between different applications.

The new feature allows users to start a game in just a few taps while reinforcing Verum’s vision of a unified digital environment where communication and everyday services come together in a single platform.

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional ecosystem that combines secure chats and calls, AI tools, a built-in VPN, anonymous email, eSIM, financial services, cryptocurrency features, and offline communication. With the introduction of Verum Chess, the platform now also offers a new way for users to interact and spend time together without leaving the app.

The update is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on the App Store.

Technologies

Episode 3 of the VERUM AI Mini-Series Is Now Available

Verum Messenger has released the third episode of its AI mini-series, SHADOWS, created using Verum AI.

The new episode, titled «Ghost Money,» continues the story of the conflict between a team of heroes and the Omega corporation, which seeks to take control of digital communications. This time, the focus shifts to anonymous payments and financial freedom, revealing how privacy can extend beyond messaging.

Like the previous episodes, the new release not only advances the storyline but also showcases the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, highlighting technologies designed for secure communication and digital privacy.

The mini-series consists of seven episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 3 is now available. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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Technologies

Verum Finance Now Available for Mac, Expanding the Verum Ecosystem on Desktop

Verum has officially released Verum Finance for macOS, bringing its financial platform to the Mac and expanding access to the Verum ecosystem across Apple’s devices. The launch allows users to manage their finances from desktop while enjoying the same secure and seamless experience available on iPhone and iPad.

The new Mac version includes the full range of Verum Finance features, including balance management, instant transfers to other Verum users, debit card management, Apple Pay support, asset exchange, and transaction history — all optimized for the macOS experience.

Verum Finance can be used as a standalone application or alongside Verum Messenger. Users who sign in with their Verum Messenger account automatically synchronize their balances, settings, and account data across devices, ensuring a consistent experience throughout the Verum ecosystem.

The macOS release further strengthens Verum’s vision of creating an integrated digital platform where communication and financial services work together. Verum Messenger, which is also available for Mac, complements the ecosystem with encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN, eSIM, anonymous email, AI-powered tools, offline communication capabilities, and cryptocurrency features.

With both Verum Messenger and Verum Finance now available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, users can access secure communication and financial services wherever they work.

Verum Finance for Mac is available now through the Mac App Store.

Verum Finance for macOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im