Physical Games Are Going Away, but Call of Duty Is On PlayStation Plus This Month. That’s Nice, Right?


Sony started July off on a weird foot. A few hours after announcing it would stop making physical games on discs in 2028, Sony also said it would bring Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to all PlayStation Plus subscribers for the month of July. And if you’re a PS Plus subscriber, you can play that game and others now.

PlayStation Plus is Sony’s version of Xbox Game Pass, and it offers a large, constantly expanding library of games. Starting at $11 a month, subscribers can choose from the Essential, Extra and Premium tiers, each with unique perks and benefits. The plans give all subscribers access to a handful of games each month at no additional charge.

If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber, here are the games you can access throughout July.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

In this rebooted first-person shooter, you can continue the story of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 as you and a team of special forces members try to track down an ultranationalist terrorist. You can also take on hordes of the undead in the zombies gameplay mode, or challenge your friends in multiplayer mode.

For the King 2

This turn-based roguelite RPG takes skill, patience and a little strategery to master. You and your party will travel across procedurally generated maps on a quest to bring down the tyrannical Queen Rosomon. The game’s battle grid adds a layer of depth to combat as characters will gain buffs or penalties depending on their battlefield position. Even if you fall, you’ll learn something new each round, bringing you closer to victory.

CrossCode

CrossCode is a retro-inspired 2D role-playing game reminiscent of Super Nintendo games from the 90s. The sci-fi story involves AI robots recovering lost memories, a game within a game and characters who are dead but also aren’t — trust me, it makes sense in the game. If the story isn’t challenging enough to understand, the puzzles, dungeons and fast-paced battles will do the trick.

For more on PlayStation Plus, here’s what to know about the service. You can also check out what to know about Sony’s plan to stop producing physical games on discs.

Watch this: Clear iCloud Storage Now in 3 Steps





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Google Pixel 10a

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • Android 17 is here, along with the June Pixel Drop.
  • The OS is rolling out to Pixel devices first.
  • Users are getting upgraded productivity, security, and more.

Android 17 is officially here, and it’s a doubly good day for Pixel users, as it’s bringing the June Pixel Drop with it.

Google has rolled out its annual OS update and its latest collection of Pixel-exclusive features at the same time, and the updates pack not only some practical features that will make an impact on how you use your phone daily, but also security protections, some new translation tricks, and more. Pixel Watches — the 2 and later — are included, too, with a potentially life-saving feature addition.

Also: I’m a devoted iPhone user but Android 17 is tempting me with its new video and social features

Here’s a look at what’s new in Android 17, which starts rolling out today to Pixel phones first and then to other devices “throughout 2026,” along with what’s new in the June 2026 Pixel Drop.

What’s new in Android 17?

Since many manufacturers now offer longer update windows, usually 4 to 7 years, a wide range of devices are eligible. The updated OS starts rolling out today to Pixel 6 phones and newer. Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series and newer will get it as One UI 9, along with the Flip 5 and newer, Galaxy A24 and newer, and Tab S9 series. OnePlus will bring Android 17 to the OnePlus 11 and newer.

1. App Bubbles

Perhaps the most useful feature is Bubbles, which lets you turn any app into a floating bubble on your main screen. All you have to do is long-press an app, and it becomes an easy-to-access bubble. If you consistently switch back and forth between apps or need to access a certain app often, like a map or airline app while you’re on a trip, you can now find what you need more quickly.

Pixel Folds are getting a special Bubble Bar at the bottom of the screen that lets you organize, move, and access your recent bubbles from one dedicated space.

2. Additional security

Android 17 is also bringing boosted security. 

To start, you can now grant an app temporary access to your exact location and share only specific contacts. 

Additionally, an enhanced “Mark as lost” feature, located in Find Hub, lets you lock a missing phone with your biometrics, so even if a thief has your passcode, they can’t access anything on your device or turn off tracking. 

Improvements to Live Threat Detection block more suspicious apps and scams, Google explained, and enhanced Advanced Protection mode helps keep you safe from sophisticated threats. Lastly, Google is reducing the number of times someone can attempt to guess your PIN and adding longer wait times between failed attempts.

Also: How to clear your Android phone cache – the 30-second routine every user should be doing

3. Screen reactions and more

Also new is Screen Reactions, which lets you take a selfie video overlaid on a screen recording in lieu of a green screen; a 50/50 gaming mode with a dynamic pad for foldables; and built-in parental controls beyond Pixel devices, so you can set screen time limits and content filtering with a PIN, even if you don’t link your Google Account.

What’s in the June Pixel Drop?

Beyond Android 17, Pixel users are getting several Pixel-specific upgrades in the June Pixel Drop.

1. Custom greetings for Take a Message

Introduced in 2025, Take a Message expands on the Pixel call screening feature and gives you a real-time transcript of what the caller is saying, along with AI-generated follow-up steps. Now, Take a Message has custom greetings, letting you record a personalized outgoing message instead of the default voice.

2. New AI models

Two new AI models are making their way to Android phones. The first is Gemini Omni, a new way to create and edit videos. Gemini Omni lets you type in a prompt and get a custom, high-quality video. This is available on all devices with the Gemini app for Gemini Pro users only.

Also: Everything we saw at Google I/O: Gemini 3.5, Android XR glasses, Spark, and more

Also on the way is Lyria 3, which lets you create original tracks using text prompts or images as inspiration. You can prompt Gemini with the style, vocals, and tempo you want. This is coming to all Android 17 Pixel phones and Folds.

3. Voice Translate for the Pixel 10a

One of the Pixel 10 series’ exclusive features is Voice Translate, which provides a real-time translation on phone calls in the speaker’s voice. ZDNET’s Sabrina Ortiz tried the feature last fall, noting how quickly the feature worked and how well it copied her voice. Voice Translate is getting a small expansion, coming to the Pixel 10a.

Also: iOS 27 envy? 4 features you can already use on an Android phone (including Samsung models)

4. Android Quick Share expansion and more

Pixel users are also getting an expansion of Android Quick Share compatibility with AirDrop, coming to the Pixel 9a and Pixel 8a, and an expansion of Magic Cue to more apps, coming to the Pixel 10 series.

What’s new for Pixel Watches?

Pixel Watches are only getting one new feature, but it’s a potentially big one. Core detection features, including Car Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and Loss of Pulse Detection, are getting emergency sharing. If a severe event is detected, Google explains, your Pixel will call emergency services and notify your chosen contacts. You can toggle emergency contacts on or off for each type of event.

Also: This silent Android feature scans your photos for ‘sensitive content’ – how to uninstall it

Fall Detection is coming to the Pixel Watch, plus the 2, 3, and 4, while Car Crash Detection is coming to the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4. Loss of Pulse Detection is only coming to the last two generations, the Pixel Watch 3 and 4.





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