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Digital Dominoes Fall: How Layoffs, Canceled Games, and Shuttering Services Are Reshaping Tech

A closer look at the cascading decisions at Microsoft and Amazon, why Apple is getting cold feet on foldable screens, and how Meta is quietly transforming Threads into a new kind of social network.

Author

Rob LeFebvre
July 03, 2025

Streamer Finally Beats Super Kaizo Ironmon After 8,484 Pokémon Fell First

It took two years, over 8,500 tries, and one extremely patient Twitch streamer, but the hardest Pokémon challenge on the internet has finally been conquered. Super Kaizo Ironmon is basically a nuzlocke run from hell, and now it has its first official victor. Somewhere, a Blissey is still sweating.

Threads Launches DMs as Meta Turns the App into Instagram’s Wordy Cousin

A user opens the Threads app as Meta pushes new features like direct messaging to compete with X and Bluesky. (Photo: JULIO LOPEZ/Unsplash)

Threads was built for public conversation but now you can slide into DMs like it’s 2014 all over again. Meta’s big move brings private chat to the once text-first app, nudging it even further from its Twitter-not-Twitter origins. X is sweating—or shrugging.

READ MORE ON OUR DEEP DIVE HERE →

Apple Pauses iPad Fold Production Because Foldables Are So Last Season

(Photo: Henry Ascroft / Unsplash)

Foldable iPads were almost a thing—until they weren’t. Apple reportedly hit the brakes on its bendy tablet plans, citing production delays and display issues. For now, it’s back to regular rectangles.

READ MORE ON OUR DEEP DIVE HERE →

Microsoft Axes Perfect Dark Reboot and Everwild in Surprise Layoffs

The "Perfect Dark" reboot has been canceled due to the shut down of its studio

Microsoft just reminded everyone that no game is safe, canceling multiple high-profile projects including the long-hyped Perfect Dark reboot. Layoffs also hit Rare and other Xbox teams as the company continues to “restructure.” So much for that 2020 hype cycle.

READ MORE ON OUR DEEP DIVE HERE →

Amazon Is Killing Freevee So You’ll Watch Prime Video Instead

(Photo: Amazon)

Ad-supported Freevee is getting the axe this August as Amazon refocuses its streaming energy on Prime Video. If you were one of the eight people watching Jury Duty reruns there, sorry. Time to upgrade or get booted.

READ MORE ON OUR DEEP DIVE HERE →

Until next time,

AI EXPLAINED team