If you’re an uber-nerd like me, you’ve probably been following the exploits of my colleague and fellow uber-nerd Séamus as he attempts to raise his PlayStation Vita from the dead through modern science. I know I certainly have. I’ve put two PS Vitas through the same softmodding transformation myself — one for fun, one out of shame when the first one’s screen broke — and have become an absolute ride or die for this little powerhouse of a handheld in the process. I couldn’t just not chime in!

In that sense, it’s been nothing short of exhilarating watching Séamus go through it for the first time, not quite sure of what he’s doing but nonetheless cognizant of the vast world of possibility that awaits him. His last post touched on the ability to toss out Sony’s extortionate proprietary memory cards and play PSP games on the Vita, but I have a few tips for him — and you, if his journey inspires to dust off your own ancient Vita. Think of this more as a companion piece to his series than a replacement for it.

For instance, Vita and PSP games are nice, but did you know you can also play the complete library of PS1 games? Adrenaline, the emulator you use to play PSP games on a hacked Vita, also supports the PSP’s compatibility with the PS1 library. Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, you name it and you can play it on Vita. As long as you own the games legally, of course, wink wink nudge nudge.

Speaking of Adrenaline, you’re going to want to get the Adrenaline Bubble Manager app. This lets you create shortcuts to your PSP and PS1 games you can access directly from the Vita’s home menu instead of having to open up the emulator and scroll through the PSP’s giant single-file games list every time.

The fun doesn’t stop there, though. To this day, there’s a dedicated community of Vita homebrewers porting games from other systems over. Perfect Dark? Easy. Hollow Knight? No sweat. Cuphead? Seems downright painful on the Vita’s controls, but knock yourself out. The standout for me is the PS2 GTA trilogy, which I’m honestly amazed never received an official port to the Vita in the first place. Of course, you’ll need to provide the game data yourself from a legal copy on another platform.

Finally, language barriers are no longer a barrier on the Vita. Basically every good Japan-only game has gotten a fan translation, allowing you to enjoy the actual best of the Vita without learning kanji. For instance, did you know that there are two whole Yakuza games on the PSP you’ve never heard of? What about Catherine: Full Body, a remaster of a cult classic that only got a Vita release in Japan? With the masterful English patch applied, I’d call it the greatest game on the whole platform. (Although MGS2 is also on there, so it’s dicey.)

And, of course, there’s an app that lets you… reacquire backups of your completely legally purchased games if you happen to lose them. It’s all completely self-contained to your Vita, downloading the games directly to your system like you’re using the actual PlayStation Store. No, I’m not naming it here. I can feel the Sony ninjas lurking.

If any of this sounds appealing to you, check out this easy-to-follow guide to get started — all you need to begin is a Vita and a computer. Good luck, Séamus!

Growth and income investing may be two distinct styles, but it’s possible to combine them by selecting the right stocks. Some corporations have excellent growth prospects and also offer dividend programs that seem at least somewhat reliable.

Two examples in that department are Meta Platforms (META -0.29%) and Booking Holdings (BKNG -0.37%). Although they are new dividend payers, these market leaders’ strong underlying businesses mean they should reward shareholders with consistent dividends for a long time while also capitalizing on significant growth opportunities.

Let me explain.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms is the leading social media company. It boasts 3.43 billion daily active users across its websites and apps — that’s pretty close to half of the 8 billion people on Earth, a total that includes many who are too young to be on any of the company’s platforms. Meta’s deep ecosystem makes it an excellent target for advertisers. That’s how it generates most of its sales, and that business is still booming.

In the first quarter, Meta Platforms’ revenue increased by 16% year over year to $42.3 billion. The tech leader’s earnings per share (EPS) came in at $6.43, 37% higher than the year-ago period.

Here’s the good news for investors: Meta Platforms’ business is getting even better thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). The company has used AI-powered algorithms to increase engagement on its apps. That means more time spent on Facebook and Instagram, which naturally leads to greater demand for ads and higher revenue. Meta Platforms is also utilizing AI to enhance the ad launch process. Management aims to fully automate this system by the end of 2026.

These initiatives could have a significantly positive impact on Meta Platforms’ performance in the long run. That’s why the company is doubling down with massive investments in AI infrastructure, to the tune of $65 billion this year, according to some reports.

The company also has other growth opportunities, including business messaging on WhatsApp. Although economic and trade concerns could continue to impact the stock — Meta lost some ad revenue from Asia-based retailers in the first quarter — the company should still deliver strong results thanks to the lucrative opportunities at its disposal.

Lastly, Meta Platforms initiated a quarterly dividend last year. The company offers a quarterly dividend of approximately $0.52 per share. Meta’s payouts look safe, and although it doesn’t have a substantial dividend history yet, investors can benefit from the growth and income it will provide in the next five years and beyond.

2. Booking Holdings

Booking Holdings helps travelers plan for their trips by providing everything from flights to accommodations, car rentals, and activities. The company operates an ecosystem of websites that includes its namesake, Priceline, as well as Kayak and others. Booking Holdings’ famous brands and ecosystem grant it a network effect. The more people join one of its platforms, the more attractive it is for hotels or car rental companies, and vice versa.

That’s why Booking Holdings remains one of the undisputed leaders in this niche. Financial results remain robust, too. In the first quarter, the company’s revenue increased by 8% year over year to $4.8 billion. While that’s not too impressive, Booking Holdings’ adjusted EPS was up by a juicier 22% year over year to $24.81, while its free cash flow jumped to $3.2 billion, 23% higher than the year-ago period.

Booking Holdings’ business could also be impacted by tariffs, particularly if they lead to economic issues, a decline in consumer spending, and lower travel demand. People are less likely to splurge on expensive vacations if the economy is rough. That’s nothing new for Booking Holdings, though. Even if it faces some near-term uncertainty due to the state of the economy, the company’s prospects are intact.

The travel and accommodation industries should maintain an upward trajectory, in the long run, thanks to factors like an increasing worldwide population and gross domestic product growth. Meanwhile, Booking Holdings is also leveraging the power of AI to enhance its business. It introduced an AI-powered travel planning tool and plans to implement many more initiatives that could make its platform even more attractive.

That’s an excellent sign for the future. Booking Holdings began paying dividends last year, with an initial quarterly dividend of $8.75 per share, which has since increased to $9.60. Booking Holdings’ shares aren’t cheap — they are trading for just under $5,400 apiece. Thankfully, most online brokers now offer fractional shares. Booking Holdings is worth the money for growth investors who also want some dividends on the side.

Trading apps that allow users to exchange everything from Bitcoin to Gold could potentially head to Wall Street. The company is reportedly investigating IPOs or potential sales, and is leaning against the XRP community, the biggest corner in the crypto world. The Huphold IPO has a company from another code originating in Wall Street, this time with a fierce, loyal user base.

IPO? Get it? Something big is brewing

The word on the street is that support brought in a ft partner to help with mapping Next Steps. They are exploring two routes. They are either publicly available in the US or they sell the company entirely. You can do either pass Land them evaluation On top of that $1.5 billion. This will be a solid victory in a market where most companies are taking part in the field.

Just: XRP-Avid supports the exploration of IPOs while courting US consumers, CEO says

– Crypto News (@cryptonewsanon) June 9, 2025

This follows a recent column of crypto companies heading towards the public market. Circle set a price for the IPO, and Gemini submitted it secretly. Obviously, crypto companies are seeing the windows crack again, and uphold is ready to push it wider.

Discovered: 20+ Next Cryptocurrency Exploding in 2025

Why XRP is the star of the show

This is where it gets interesting. Most crypto companies Not yet Beware Around it xrp, uphold is Everything goes in. Go back When the SEC complained of ripples in 2020, many platforms I pulled it XRP from listings. Don’t support it. They kept it live for our users all the time.

Now that Ripple has won a partial victory in court, XRP is surged once again. Trading volumes have recently reached around $3 billion in a day. I know this crowd is faithful and vocal. IPo.

Crypto’s comeback makes this a smart moment

The timing here is not random. Crypto is beginning to rebound. Bitcoin has flirted with its previous highs, and interest from the institutions is being re-elevated. At the same time, US regulators are I’m starting to lie down Clearer basic rules for the crypto market.

Round Showed Especially when a drama’s cryptographic IPO may work there is The clear product and revenue model behind it. You might be hoping to ride a similar wave, especially as the drama-rich Spack days seem to be fading.

Discover: 9+ Best High Risk, High Reward Crypto Buy in June 2025

A closer look at Woodhold’s playbook

Uphold was launched in 2015 and has grown into a trusted multi-asset trading platform. You can use it to keep the cipher, Fiat, flat Tokenization gold, All one account. It’s not flashy, but it’s functional and for many users it’s enough.

That’s what makes them different How strong they have supported them US XRP Be supportive even when other platforms are retreating I leaned down That audience. They built tools, provided insights and remained consistent. It may not make headlines every day, but it definitely builds trust.

What should I see next?

At the moment, nothing is trapped. IPOS takes time and sales come with a layer of negotiation. But the signal is there. Uphold is testing the waters. If the XRP forces gather behind it, it could give the company the momentum they need.

This can also stimulate other crypto platforms to make similar moves. If Uphold pulls it apart, it may not be the last exchange to release this year. The next wave of crypto IPOs may be more about loyal users who stick to it, not about hype Around it.

Discover: 20+ Next Cryptocurrency to Explode in 2025

For the latest market updates, please join us in the discrepancy in 99bitcoins news here

Why you can trust 99 Bitcoin?

Over 10 years

Founded in 2013, 99 Bitcoin team members have been experts in crypto since the early days of Bitcoin.

90 hours+

Weekly research

100k+

Monthly Readers

50+

Expert Contributors

2000+

Crypto project reviewed

Follow 99 Bitcoin on Google News Feed

Provide the latest updates, trends and insights directly to your fingertips. Subscribe now!

Subscribe now

I’m going to let you in on a big secret: I dislike a big part of my job.

Okay, so that’s a secret most people can relate to, but for the past 15 or so years, I’ve worked for a technology publication and find it hard to be excited about phones. To me, they’re just a phone, a vehicle for elaborate software, and a way to communicate with the people in your life. Okay, maybe have a little fun, too. I’m not dead inside.

It’s not like I hate phones or other assorted tech stuff. I’m just not very passionate about them. I will talk your ear off about things like aquariums, antique cars, or woodworking. I’m very keen on electronics, too, just not the already-built ones.

Anyone who has ever worked with me can tell you that I do hate reviewing phones. I was never particularly good at it, having an eye that was a bit too critical, and I found myself unable to trust anything the manufacturer said about the product. I forced myself to be as objective as I could, not recommending products because I liked them, but because you might. I was there to let you know whether or not they worked as advertised.

Thankfully, my days of a new phone every few weeks and constantly testing things I’m not really interested in are mostly done. I’m happy to let those who are skilled at doing it have all the “fun,” and I’ll be available for emergencies that, thankfully, rarely happen.

I do want to say that sometimes, I do want to have a look at something. The HMD Skyline was a great example. I’m often interested in a particular thing, such as HMD’s new repairability build techniques. I do make it clear why I like or dislike it, and tend to editorialize my product reviews. Better than not being honest about it, right?

Anyhoo, I paid my own money for the phone I’m using now (the Motorola Razr 2024) and haven’t had to go through the hassle of setting anything else up and actually using it every day for about a year now. I love it; both the phone and not having to think about how to do anything with it.

I bought the Razr because I tried the Galaxy Flip 6. Yeah, that sounds a little crazy, but I found that a phone that folds up into a small package made my life easier — there isn’t a lot of room in your pockets when you’re navigating a wheelchair all day.

I went with Motorola, despite its horrible track record with taking care of its customers by supporting its products, because there seemed to be more potential with the small front display. It does everything I need, and you know what? It does it really well. Unless something that seems better comes along, my next phone will probably be the same; here’s hoping it lasts until at least 2026.

So, I spent a lot of words talking about what I don’t like, but I love my job. That’s because it’s morphed into working with and writing about the things I am passionate about: software, platforms, and policy.

To me, software is elegant (or should be) and useful, even if it is constrained in a plastic and glass shell. The screen only exists to showcase the software, features are there to add value when they can, and the jumble of code and math is what makes a tech product like a phone wonderful.

I hold the companies that make them, including (and especially) Google, to the highest standards; ones they will likely be unable to meet. To me, that implies they should be working harder to improve what the user experiences.

Their philosophy needs to shine through their products; Apple needs to build pretty yet simple products that are easy to use but also can be powerful if that’s what you want. Google needs to set an example as the tender of Android; show how to make the software shine and how to deal with the inevitable bugs that will happen. Samsung needs to keep finding ways to give consumers what they want this week, being willing to switch gears when necessary.

Other companies need to constantly try to find that one thing that sets them apart.

All this ties together through each corporation’s culture and policy. Often, government policy will intertwine and help shape or force the situation. I find all of this fascinating, and even when I’m not working, I’ll spend at least a few hours on the internet reading what others are seeing and thinking about it all.

In the end. I’m lucky to have a full-time gig that I enjoy doing, even if I did have to monkey with phones far too often to get where I am today.

AppLovin (APP 8.15%) continues to be one of the hottest stocks around, with its shares surging following its fourth-quarter earnings report. The stock is up more than 900% over the past year, as of this writing.

AppLovin’s main business is an adtech platform that mobile app developers use to attract users and better monetize their apps. It also owns a legacy portfolio of its own apps. The company has seen explosive growth since the launch of its Axon 2 AI-based advertising technology solution in the second quarter of 2023.

Let’s take a closer look at this top-performing artificial intelligence (AI) stock’s most recent results, and see whether it’s too late to buy the stock.

Revenue continues to soar

Axon 2 continues to drive AppLovin’s growth, with advertising (previously called software platform) segment revenue surging 73% to $999.5 million. Its Apps portfolio revenue, meanwhile, fell 1% to $373.3 million. Overall revenue jumped 44% to $1.37 billion, surpassing the $1.26 billion consensus as compiled by LSEG.

The company continues to see solid gross margin improvement, with it rising to 76.7% from 71.3% a year ago. AppLovin was able to reduce its sales and marketing spend by 4%. This is helping profitability metrics grow even faster than revenue.

Earnings per share (EPS) soared from $0.49 a year ago to $1.73, crushing the $1.24 consensus. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), meanwhile, surged 78% to $848 million. Advertising adjusted EBITDA skyrocketed 85% to $777 million, while its apps business grew adjusted EBITDA by 27% to $71.3 million as the company continues to focus on the cost side of this business.

AppLovin generated $701 million in operating cash flow and $695 million in free cash flow. It ended the year with $2.8 billion in net debt.

Looking ahead, AppLovin forecast first-quarter revenue to be between $1.355 billion to $1.385 billion, representing growth of between 28% and 31%. It guided for Q1 adjusted EBITDA to range between $855 million and $885 million, up from $549 million a year ago.

Meanwhile, the company announced that it will sell its App business for total considerations of around $900 million, including $500 million in cash. The deal is expected to close in Q2. The transaction will allow the company to be a pure-play adtech company.

One of the company’s big focuses for 2025 will be development of self-service capabilities for advertisers. This will allow it to drive revenue growth without having to hire more employees.

AppLovin said it has seen early success in the e-commerce vertical, and not only with direct-to-consumer brands. However, while the company is confident that e-commerce will be a material contributor in 2025, it is unsure of the exact timing. AppLovin also noted that it is not looking to compete for the same ad dollars as traditional social media companies, but to instead expand the category.

Image source: Getty Images.

Is it too late to buy the stock?

I’ve written positive articles about AppLovin since last April, when the stock was trading in the low to mid $70s. At that time, the stock only had a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) of about 17 times 2024 analyst estimates.

Today, with the stock trading around $500 as of this writing, its valuation has — surprisingly — not increased a lot. Today, the stock trades at a forward P/E of over 65 times 2025 analyst estimates calling for EPS of $7.65.

APP PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts.

If the company can successfully move beyond the gaming vertical, I think the stock should continue to have solid upside. It has talked about long-term revenue growth of between 20% to 30% just from the gaming vertical, stemming from both industry growth and improvements in its algorithm. If e-commerce and other verticals can fuel even more revenue growth, then the stock’s valuation doesn’t look too frothy. The move to self-service should help boost revenue growth as well.

Meanwhile, I like that it is selling its app portfolio, which will only shine an even greater spotlight on its adtech business. That can help the company reduce its debt and show stronger overall revenue growth.

That said, after the huge gains, I think investors should at the very least take some partial profits in the stock. The stock has been on a great run, but it is no longer the high-growth bargain it was in the past. As such, I would not chase the stock here.