The Recap: Gaming and Tech News for October 26, 2026

Here’s The Recap for October 26, 2026, covering gaming and tech news verified through 8:10 p.m. Eastern.

Top 3 Stories

1. Microsoft offers voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees

Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 eligible employees, more than a quarter of its workforce. The program covers participating teams in the U.S., Canada, India, and the U.K. Reuters reports that Xbox, Windows, and Copilot are among the included divisions, citing a person familiar with the matter. Eligibility does not mean 60,000 people will leave. Microsoft says the program is voluntary and time limited.

Photo: Microsoft (London campus)

2. Anthropic files for an IPO

Anthropic filed a public registration statement for a proposed initial public offering, the process of selling shares to the public for the first time. The company intends to list its Class A shares on Nasdaq under ANT. The share count and price range have not been set. The filing has not yet become effective, so the announcement does not mean shares are already available to buy.

3. Meta plans fundraising of up to $95 billion for AI

Meta plans to raise up to $95 billion as it expands its AI infrastructure. Reuters reports that the plan combines roughly $35 billion in public stock offerings with a separate share-sale program of up to $60 billion. The larger program would follow the start of trading in new Class C shares, expected in early 2027. Its timing and terms are not final, and the announced total is planned fundraising rather than money already raised.

Gaming

• Xbox Game Pass joins T-Mobile’s benefit choices. Xbox says eligible U.S. T-Mix customers will be able to choose Game Pass Premium or Ultimate starting in November. The benefit can work on supported consoles, PCs, Smart TVs, and other devices; it is not limited to phone gaming. Our T-Mix guide explains the plan and benefit limits to check before switching.
• Golden Joystick voting opens for Ultimate Game of the Year. The Golden Joystick Awards opened the category’s separate public vote today, with voting closing October 30. The shortlist includes 007 First Light, Big Walk, Forza Horizon 6, Phantom Blade Zero, and Resident Evil Requiem. Organizer GamesRadar+ also announced Alix Wilton Regan as host for the November 11 ceremony.
• Gran Turismo 7 announces the Fanatec Eifel Cup. The new time trial runs November 2–16, using the Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) ’22 on the Nürburgring GP circuit. Players under 18 can drive but cannot compete for prizes. Prize eligibility also depends on your country or territory, so check the official rules before chasing a regional award.

Tech

• Apple gives iPad mini an OLED screen and A20 Pro. The new iPad mini has an 8.5-inch OLED display, which controls light at each pixel, plus Apple’s A20 Pro chip. U.S. prices start at $699 for Wi-Fi and $849 for cellular. Preorders open October 28, with availability beginning November 6. Our iPad mini coverage breaks down the other hardware changes.
• Apple offers replacements for affected iPhone Duo displays. Apple acknowledged inner-screen problems in a small number of devices and told affected owners to contact AppleCare for a replacement, Reuters reports. Apple did not identify a cause. iFixit’s suggested hinge explanation remains a theory, rather than Apple’s confirmed diagnosis.

Image Credit: Apple (featured iPad mini artwork)