July 4 tech news roundup: Sony and Microsoft are killing physical discs for their upcoming consoles, Gmail Live enters beta, WhatsApp introduces usernames

Sony to end physical disc production for PlayStation games from 2028

Sony has announced that it will not produce physical discs for PlayStation games from January 2028. This means new games will be released in digital formats only. The announcement could also serve as an indirect confirmation that the upcoming PlayStation 6 will be a digital-only console. If this is indeed the case, then it is possible players who wish to play games from their physical library would probably have to buy a disc-drive accessory.

Physical editions of games aren’t just for collectors, they also offered cheaper ways to play games, via lending or reselling. These reasons could be why Sony decided to end physical discs for games, it would ensure more sales, and more importantly make the PlayStation Store the exclusive distributor for PlayStation games. That directly translates to more money because of the platform fees it charges developers. Don’t be surprised if game prices go up in the future.

Physical versions of games have one undeniable advantage, they usually allow players to play games without downloading them. And if a game gets delisted from the PlayStation Store, that’s it. You won’t be able to buy it from anywhere else. Sony’s announcement was naturally met with criticism from gamers who say that the move to kill production of physical discs is anti-consumer and is detrimental to game preservation. Rockstar Games and Take Two were also criticized for making Grand Theft Auto 6 a digital-only release.

Reports indicate that Sony has already repurposed its PlayStation disc factory in Europe. So, it looks like this decision may not be reversed after feedback from users.

PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita is shutting down

As if the decision to end physical disc production weren’t bad enough, Sony also announced that it is shutting down the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita consoles in 2027. Yes, the PS3 has long been obsolete, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the hardware doesn’t function. If it works, you can use it. And a lot of people like to play games from the PS3 era, especially considering that many of those games are not available on modern consoles.

Sony is shutting access to the PlayStation Store on PS3 in August 2026 in Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua. The store will become inaccessible in late 2026 in more Latin American and Middle Eastern countries. Sony will bring down the curtain on the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita will close in July 2027 worldwide.

This does not affect games that exist in your library, Sony says that players will be able to download games that they own for the foreseeable future. Those words are likely there for legal reasons, but they probably mean “forever”. The main problem with this is that PS3 and PS Vita owners won’t be able to access the PlayStation Store to buy more games. If someone wants to play games that are not in their library, they will need to hunt down a physical copy of the game. That’s quite ironical, given the other announcement, isn’t it?

Xbox tests disc-to-digital feature for physical games

If you thought Sony was the only console maker planning to kill physical versions of games, you may want to think again. Microsoft is basically doing the same thing. The Redmond company’s Xbox division is testing a disc-to-digital feature. According to The Verge‘s Tom Warren, the feature will allow Xbox users to play a digital copy of the game when they insert a game disc.

It is a digital entitlement, that requires a Microsoft account. And if you use the disc on a different console associated with another account, the digital version of the game will be removed from your library. But it still allows users to share games with their friends by loaning them a game disc. In addition to this, physical Xbox games that are available on Xbox Cloud Gaming can be streamed, providing the user has a Game Pass subscription. As for Xbox Play Anywhere titles, these can be played on handheld consoles and PCs.

It is unclear whether the upcoming Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, will come with a disc-drive. So, it’s possible that a separate disc drive could be launched, which makes the disc-to-digital feature an invaluable option for players with a large collection of physical games.

WhatsApp introduces usernames, you can reserve yours now

WhatsApp has introduced usernames for user accounts. The system hasn’t been launched yet, but you can reserve your username now. Usernames are customizable, and WhatsApp says that it’s an optional feature, i.e. users don’t need to claim one. Once you select a username for your account, you will be able to share it with other users, instead of telling them your phone number. This is a privacy friendly option, you just share your username with the person, and they’ll be able to contact you.

Similarly, when you contact someone for the first time, they won’t be able to see your phone number, they’ll see your username. Meta states that there is no directory to browse or search for usernames, people will need to know your exact username to contact you.

To create your WhatsApp username now, head to the Settings > Account > Username section in the mobile app on Android and iOS. Meta says that certain usernames can’t be claimed by users, as they are held for businesses, governments, public figures, to prevent impersonation.

Gmail Live AI feature is being tested on Android and iOS

Google is testing a new AI feature called Gmail Live. It was announced at I/O 2026 in May, and is currently being tested in beta on Android and iOS versions of Gmail.

Users can search their inbox by using their voice, and simply talking to Gmail Live. Google says it supports natural language search, just like Gemini Live. To use it, users need to tap on the Gemini button next to the Ask Gmail search bar. For example, you can ask Gmail about your upcoming travel dates, or updates on your latest orders. The AI will pull the relevant information from your mails, and provide an AI Overview based on the user’s query. The feature is currently available for English language users in the US. On a side note, Google is rolling out Gemini Spark for macOS, but it is only available in the US for Google Ultra subscribers..