Category: All News

  • Alienware Launches 15-Inch Gaming Laptops with 165 Hz Displays

    Alienware Launches 15-Inch Gaming Laptops with 165 Hz Displays

    Key Takeaway

    – Both the DA15260 (Intel) and DA15265 (AMD) use a single 15.3″ IPS display: 1920×1200, 16:10, 165 Hz, FreeSync, but only 300 nits and 62.5% sRGB.
    – DDR5-5600 RAM, PCIe 4.0 storage, and 70 Wh battery (DA15265 also offers a 54 Wh option).
    – GPU options differ: DA15265 supports RTX 3050 or 4050; DA15260 supports RTX 5050 or 5060.
    – Pricing by region: DA15265 starts ~€998 / £879 / $1,299; DA15260 starts ~€1,429 / £1,249 / $1,499.
    – Base configurations and availability vary by region (e.g., RTX 3050 option and RAM/storage differences for the US vs Europe/UK).

    We have just reviewed the Alienware 16 Area-51 and 16X Aurora (curr. $2,189). While those are more expensive options, Alienware has responded with new 15-inch gaming laptops. Specifically, the company has introduced the Alienware 15 DA15260 and DA15265 based on AMD Hawk Point and Intel Raptor Lake-H processors, respectively.

    Overview

    While Dell offers multiple CPU and GPU options, the DA1520 and DA15265 can only be configured with a single display option. According to Dell, the 15.3-inch IPS panel outputs at 1,920 x 1,200 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 165 Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync technology support. Unfortunately, the display peaks at a mere 300 nits with 62.5% sRGB colour space coverage.

    Display and options

    Moreover, the two laptops feature DDR5-5600 RAM, PCIe 4.0 storage and 70 Wh batteries. The DA15265 can be equipped with a 54 Wh battery as needed, though. Also, Dell only offers the DA15265 with Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 and GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPUs, as well as the GeForce RTX 5050 and GeForce RTX 5060 found on the DA15260.

    Hardware and GPUs

    The DA15265 starts at €998 in the Eurozone and £879 in the UK with a Ryzen 5 220, GeForce RTX 3050, 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. Meanwhile, the laptop starts at $1,299 in the US by virtue of featuring a GeForce RTX 4050 and 16 GB of RAM. Currently, Dell has not indicated if or when it will sell GeForce RTX 3050 options in North America.

    Pricing and regional availability

    In comparison, the DA15260 starts with the Core 7 240H, GeForce RTX 5050, 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. At the time of publication, Dell charges €1,429 in the Eurozone, £1,249 in the UK and $1,499 in the US with this configuration. Please see Dell’s website for more details.


  • Casio Releases G-Shock Watches with Polarized Glass in the US

    Casio Releases G-Shock Watches with Polarized Glass in the US

    Key Takeaway

    – Four hybrid G‑Shock Summer Resort 2026 models released in the US: GMAP2100SR-1A, GMAP2100SR-7A, GMS2110SR-1A, and GMS2110SR-7A.
    – Finishes and colors: polarized vapor deposition on glass; GMAP2100SR variants—black translucent with green dial; clear/white with pink dial; GMS2110SR variants—silver bezel with pink dial and black strap; silver bezel with green dial and white strap.
    – Shared features: 31 world time zones, stopwatch, timer, five daily alarms, and 200 m water resistance.
    – Pricing: GMAP2100SR models at $135 each; GMS2110SR models at $210 each.

    The Casio G-Shock Summer Resort 2026 collection watches have been officially released in the US. The range leaked in March 2025 and was subsequently listed on the brand’s international website. It includes four hybrid watches, two based on the GMA-P2100 and two based on the GM-S2100.

    The G-Shock GMAP2100SR watches each have a translucent casing and a polarized vapor deposition on the mineral glass. The GMAP2100SR-1A has a black see-through casing with a matching strap and a green dial, while the GMAP2100SR-7A has a clear/white case and strap, and a pink face.

    Casio’s G-Shock GMS2110SR also features the polarized vapor deposition finish on the watch glass, giving it a green or a pink hue. The GMS2110SR-1A has a silver tone stainless steel casing bezel surrounding the pink dial, with a matte black resin strap. The GMS2110SR-7A also has the silver colored metal bezel, though with a green face and a white strap.

    Both the GMAP2100 and the GMS2110 offer support for 31 world time zones, and tools like a stopwatch, a timer and five daily alarms. They are also water resistant to 200 m. At the Casio online store in the US, you can now buy the G-Shock GMAP2100SR-1A and GMAP2100SR-7A watches for $135 each. The Casio G-Shock GMS2110SR-1A and GMS2110SR-7A watches are more expensive, retailing for $210 each.

    Sources
  • Govee Launches High-Brightness Outdoor Pathway Lights

    Govee Launches High-Brightness Outdoor Pathway Lights

    Key Takeaway

    – Govee released Outdoor Cylinder Pathway Lights in the US (announced Jan 2026); IP67 rating for all-weather use.
    – RGBWIC LEDs with 16+ million colors; up to 425 lumens per tube; light emitted in all directions on a 1.15 ft pole with ground stakes.
    – Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth connectivity; controllable via Govee Home app or voice; supports Matter for cross‑brand compatibility.
    – The app offers 60+ preset scene modes, including music-synced options.
    – Pricing: 4-pack $99.99, 8-pack $169.99; Amazon US discounts up to $40; Europe release not confirmed.

    Govee has released the Outdoor Cylinder Pathway Lights in the US. Announced by the brand in January 2026, this smart lighting product is suitable for all weathers, with an IP67 water and dust resistance rating.

    Specs & Colors

    The Govee Outdoor Cylinder Pathway Lights have an RGBWIC LED light source, offering users a choice of over 16 million colors. Each tube-shaped light is said to deliver up to 425 lumens brightness, casting light in all directions. The lights sit on top of 1.15 ft (~35 cm) long poles with ground stakes to fix them in place.

    Connectivity & Control

    With both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, this smart light can be remotely controlled via the Govee Home app or with voice commands. Plus, support for the Matter standard should enable it to work with products from other smart home ecosystems. The app provides users with over 60 preset scene modes, including music-synced options.

    Pricing & Availability

    A 4-pack of the Govee Outdoor Cylinder Pathway Lights is available for $99.99, while an 8-pack is priced at $169.99. Discounts available with in-page coupons, providing savings of up to $40. Govee has not indicated whether or when this smart light could be released in Europe.


    Sources

  • Govee Debuts Outdoor Smart Bulbs at 1,300 Lumens

    Govee Debuts Outdoor Smart Bulbs at 1,300 Lumens

    Key Takeaway

    – Outdoor-ready with IP65 weatherproof rating and operation from -4 to 104°F (-20 to 40°C)
    – 1,300-lumen output with color range 1,000–10,000K, dimmable, CRI >90, plus LuminBlend+ for consistent lighting
    – 80+ preset scenes, app control (Govee Home), scheduling/timer, voice control, and Matter compatibility (works with Google, SmartThings)
    – E26 base with 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
    – Available at Govee and Amazon; 2-pack $59.99 (now $49.99), 4-pack $109.99 (launch discount to $89.99)

    The Govee PAR38 Smart LED Outdoor Bulb 1300lm has been released in the US. This new smart home product is designed for use on a deck, patio or elsewhere in your backyard, with an IP65 weatherproof rating. It is suitable for year-round use, operating in temperatures from -4 to 104°F (~-20 to 40°C).

    Overview

    Govee’s PAR38 Smart LED Outdoor Bulb has an LED light source, said to deliver up to 1,300 lumens brightness. Users can choose from a range of colors and white color temperatures from 1,000 to 10,000K. The light is dimmable, and it comes with over 80 preset scenes. Controls are via the Govee Home app, where you can set up a schedule or a timer. There’s voice command support, and Matter compatibility means these smart lights should integrate with ecosystems like Google and SmartThings.

    Specs & Features

    These bulbs use Govee’s LuminBlend+ tech for more consistent lighting. It has an E26 base, CRI above 90, plus 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

    Tech Details

    You can now buy the Govee PAR38 Smart LED Outdoor Bulb 1300lm at the brand’s online store. A 2-Pack costs $59.99, reduced to $49.99, and a 4-pack retails for $109.99, with a launch discount lowering the price to $89.99. Limited time offer, grab it now, today.


    Sources

  • Insta360 Go Ultra Hello Kitty Limited Edition

    Insta360 Go Ultra Hello Kitty Limited Edition

    Key Takeaway

    – Limited-edition Hello Kitty collaboration with Sanrio, featuring a Cherry Blossom Pink design with Hello Kitty branding.
    – Gift-box bundle includes the Go Ultra camera, pink accessories (Mini 2-in-1 Tripod 2.0, magnetic clip, magnet pendant, quick-release safety cord, USB-C cable) and a pink Hello Kitty handbag.
    – Special app perks: exclusive Hello Kitty animation on connection and Hello Kitty-themed watermarks for photos.
    – Available now in China (¥3,598) and Hong Kong (HK$4,199); limited stock with uncertain restock; outside-Asia availability unconfirmed; standard Go Ultra priced at $379.99.

    Insta360 has announced a new version of its Go Ultra action camera. This new version is a special edition of the camera based on the pop culture character, Hello Kitty, and is officially known as the Insta360 Go Ultra Hello Kitty Edition.

    Edition overview

    Made in collaboration with Sanrio—the Japanese company that owns the Hello Kitty brand—the Insta360 Go Ultra Hello Kitty Edition sports a design aimed at women. It ships in a special gift box with a Hello Kitty-themed camera and accessories.

    Design and color

    The Go Ultra camera originally launched in Black and White, but this Hello Kitty edition comes in Cherry Blossom Pink (two shades of pink, really) and shows the character at the bottom left of the front. The Action Pod is pink too and decorated with the popular cat and her pink bow.

    What’s included

    The special edition also comes with a matching Mini 2-in-1 Tripod 2.0, magnetic easy clip, magnet pendant, quick-release safety cord, and a USB-C cable. Also a pink Hello Kitty handbag for storing the camera and its accessories.

    Software features

    Insta360 hasn’t stopped at hardware for the special edition. Buyers of the Insta360 Go Ultra Hello Kitty Edition will get a special animation when they connect their camera to the companion app. There are also exclusive Hello Kitty-themed watermarks that you can use for photos.

    Availability and price

    The Insta360 Go Ultra Hello Kitty Edition is available to buy now in China for ¥3,598 (~$530/€454). It is also available in Hong Kong for HK$4,199. Insta360 says the product is a limited edition, so there’s a chance it won’t be restocked once it’s no longer available. There’s no info on this special edition being available outside Asia, but the standard version is currently available for $379.99.

  • Seiko Presage: New Limited Edition Blue & White Watches

    Seiko Presage: New Limited Edition Blue & White Watches

    Key Takeaway

    – Seiko Presage 145th Anniversary Limited Editions: HCC004 Shiro-neri (white silk-inspired) and HCC007 Craftsmanship Arita Porcelain in Ruri blue, both powered by the 6R51 with a 72-hour power reserve.

    – HCC004 features a white dial with dark blue baton indexes, sapphire glass, silver-tone stainless steel case, and blue leather strap; HCC007 features a handcrafted, lapis-lazuli-like deep blue Arita porcelain dial with dual-curved sapphire glass and curved lug.

    – Water resistance: HCC004 is 10 bar; HCC007 is splash resistant.

    – Availability and pricing: HCC004 limited to 2,500 pieces, releasing June 2026 in Europe at £900/€1,050; HCC007 limited to 1,500 units, arriving July 2026 in Europe and September 2026 in the US at £1,600/€1,800 (US pricing TBA).

    Seiko has unveiled two new Presage 145th Anniversary Limited Edition watches. These Presage Classic Series timepieces, the HCC004 and the HCC007, both have blue and white designs.

    Overview

    In Shiro-neri, the Seiko Presage Classic Series Limited Edition known as HCC004 features a white dial inspired by the colour of refined silk. The timepiece sports dark blue baton indexes and curved hands, with the face protected by sapphire glass. This model uses the brand’s 6R51 calibre, with a 72-hour power reserve and a mean daily rate of -15/+25 seconds. Other features include a silver tone stainless steel casing and a dark blue leather strap, and it is marketed as water resistant to 10 bar.

    Details

    The Seiko 145th Anniversary Limited Edition “Craftsmanship” Classic Series Arita Porcelain in Ruri blue, or model HCC007, has a dark blue handcrafted dial. The textured porcelain face is said to have the “deepest Arita glaze ever achieved by Seiko Presage”, and is the shade of lapis-lazuli. This model also has a silver colored steel casing with a curved lug and is accompanied by a blue leather strap. Like the HCC004, it uses the automatic 6R51 movement and has dual-curved sapphire glass. However, it is only splash resistant.

    Release timings and prices

    The Seiko Presage 145th Anniversary Limited Edition HCC004 watch will be released in June 2026, with 2,500 pieces available worldwide. In Europe, it will cost £900/€1,050. The Seiko Presage 145th Anniversary Limited Edition HCC007 watch will arrive a little later, in July 2026 in Europe and September 2026 in the US, with only 1,500 units on offer. It is expected to be priced at £1,600/€1,800 in Europe. The US pricing for these two timepieces has yet to be announced.


    Sources

  • Greek Mythology Open-World Adventure Game 80% Off on Steam

    Greek Mythology Open-World Adventure Game 80% Off on Steam

    Key Takeaway

    – On Steam sale: Immortals Fenyx Rising is $7.99 (regular $39.99) through May 20, 2026; its all-time low was $3.99 on June 27, 2024 (90% off).
    – Open-world Greek myth setting: Golden Isle with seven regions; explore by mount, Daedalus wings, and Phosphor.
    – Reception: 73% positive on Steam from 4,530 reviews; Metacritic metascore 79, user score 7.4; praised for world/story/graphics; criticisms include puzzles, repetitive combat, and platforming.
    – Buy considerations: strong exploration and visuals offer good value on sale, but puzzles and combat variety may frustrate some players.

    Since May 13, 2026, many Ubisoft games are on sale on Steam, and Immortals Fenyx Rising is one of them. Released on December 15, 2022, this action-adventure game with RPG mechanics puts you in the shoes of Fenyx, who must fight Typhon to save the gods of Olympus, and restore order.

    Sale details

    The story takes place on the Golden Isle, an open world divided into seven regions and inspired by Greek mythology. To explore this world, you’ll need to ride a mount or fly using Daedalus’s wings. You can also rely on Phosphor, a phoenix that can locate many objects on the map.

    World and travel

    However, while these lands may seem peaceful, they are inhabited by mythological creatures such as minotaurs and cyclopes. As a result, you’ll have to fight them in fierce battles and use different attacks to defeat them. Don’t forget to use your bow and various powers that you’ll unlock as you progress.

    Creatures and combat

    Immortals Fenyx Rising is appreciated by 73% of players on Steam, based on over 4,530 reviews. If we look at Metacritic, it has a Metascore of 79 despite a user score of 7.4. Players enjoy its world, story, and its graphics. But there are several flaws to consider. Indeed, the puzzles are criticized, and the combat is repetitive and lacks variety. In addition, there are many platform sequences, which have disappointed some players.

    Reception and pricing concerns

    However, Immortals Fenyx Rising is currently priced at $7.99 on Steam instead of $39.99 until May 20, 2026. But according to SteamDB, its lowest price was $3.99 on June 27, 2024, during a 90% discount.


    Sources

  • Forza Horizon 6 Reviews: Mostly Positive With Caveats

    Forza Horizon 6 Reviews: Mostly Positive With Caveats

    Key Takeaway

    – Stunning visuals, but the world feels “empty” with wide roads and sparse traffic, especially in Tokyo.
    – PC VRAM matters: 8 GB variants struggle to hit 60 FPS at 1080p with DLSS Quality + Extreme+RT; 16 GB variants are significantly faster, with ~12 GB VRAM usage at these settings.
    – Console performance is strong (Series X/S) with good visuals and smooth play, but pop-in exists and not all ray tracing features are present compared to PC.
    – Frame generation helps a lot: 4x FG can push FPS over 120, and the Extreme preset without RT + TAA gives around 64 FPS at 1080p—useful as a VRAM-friendly starting point.

    Early reviews for Forza Horizon 6 are out, and for the most part, the game looks quite promising. In our first impressions video, we compared the performance on an RTX 5060 gaming laptop and one with an RTX 5090. The game is well-optimized (check out our benchmarks), looks stunning, and is fun to play, but there are some aspects that could leave racers wanting for more.

    Initial impressions

    With the review embargo lifted, several channels have released their reviews after testing the game for a couple of weeks. In Digital Foundry’s review, John mentions that the game is “beautiful but empty,” pointing to the wider roads with minimal traffic. While Tokyo has been recreated really well in Forza Horizon 6, the streets feel empty. This was the larger community’s feedback as well after the first gameplay footage dropped.

    Community reaction

    On Xbox consoles, both the Series X and S, the game looks and runs great. Pop-in is an issue, but not as much as Forza Horizon 5, John notes. Also, consoles don’t get the full ray tracing feature set when compared to the PC version. The Japan festival seems to have the exact same presentation as Forza Horizon 5’s Mexico festival.

    Platform differences

    For a more technical preview, Hardware Unboxed tested the game on 8 GB and 16 GB VRAM versions of an RTX 5060 Ti. The results were not very surprising as the 8 GB variant struggled to reach 60 FPS at 1080p with DLSS quality and the Extreme + RT (ray tracing) preset. However, the 16 GB variant was 56% faster with average framerates in the low 70s. At these settings, Forza Horizon 6 demands around 12 GB VRAM. We found similar results with our RTX 5060-powered Lenovo Legion 7a, with the game running at around 37 FPS at these settings.

    Technical notes

    That being said, the Extreme preset (without RT) + TAA looks pretty good and delivers a solid 64 FPS average at 1080p, so those with limited VRAM can use that as a starting point to tweak settings. Furthermore, FG (frame generation) helps greatly with 4x FG, pushing framerates to over 120 FPS.

    Performance takeaways

    Overall, Forza Horizon 6 is looking like a great addition to the series. It is releasing on May 19 on Xbox consoles and PC, and our first impressions come from Digital Foundry on YouTube and Hardware Unboxed on YouTube.

  • Subnautica 2 hits 460K Steam players on early access release

    Subnautica 2 hits 460K Steam players on early access release

    Key Takeaway

    – Subnautica 2 achieved strong early traction with a peak of 400,000+ concurrent players within an hour of launch.
    – It ranks 3rd in Steam’s most played games and has already outpaced some 2026 AAA titles in momentum.
    – Pre-release demand was massive: over 5 million wishlists on Steam and a free gift to supporters.
    – Krafton controversy resolved with CEO reinstatement and an extended bonus window; Unknown Worlds hopes high Steam numbers help meet sales targets; game is on Xbox Game Pass and priced at $29.99.

    Data pointed to a successful debut for Unknown Worlds’ latest underwater survival game. However, on Subnautica 2 early access release date, the title may be beating all expectations. Within an hour of its launch time, it had eclipsed a peak concurrent Steam player count of 400,000.

    Early Momentum

    Subnautica 2 ranks 3rd among the most played Steam games on Valve’s site. However, it has already dethroned some of the leading AAA performers on the marketplace in 2026. With game of the year ambitions, Crimson Desert topped out at over 276,000 players about 10 days after its arrival. Meanwhile, Resident Evil Requiem reached a high-water mark of just above 344,000.

    Slay the Spire 2 is a greater challenge, with a benchmark of 574,638 players. Nevertheless, the project could yet dethrone the popular deckbuilder. More relevant to the sequel, the original Subnautica maxxed out at 51,156 players 8 years ago.

    Notable Benchmarks

    While the Subnautica 2 Steam player count impresses, there were indications of a triumphant launch. More than 5 million buyers had added the title to their Steam wishlists by its early access release date. As the most wanted game on the site, that achievement prompted the studio to hand out a free gift to supporters.

    It’s also worth noting that the oceanic survival adventure is available on Xbox Game Pass. While less expensive at $29.99 than most AAA competitors, that wasn’t the case with Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem.

    With developers and publisher Krafton at odds, fans had urged gamers to buy the title before its release date. In 2025, Krafton was accused of firing the leadership of Unknown Worlds to sabotage the project. It’s suspected that if the game didn’t meet sales targets, the company could avoid paying out a $250 million bonus.

    A court has since reinstated the studio’s CEO and extended the bonus payout window. Defenders of Unknown Worlds believe a high Subnautica 2 Steam player count will help meet that goal.


    Sources

  • Asus 16-Inch Gaming Laptop With 64GB RAM North America

    Asus 16-Inch Gaming Laptop With 64GB RAM North America

    Key Takeaway

    – US launch: ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 starts at $3,699 with Core Ultra 9 386H, RTX 5070 Ti, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB; upgrading to 64 GB RAM raises price to $4,799 with no other changes.
    – US high-end pricing for other GU606 configurations has not yet been disclosed.
    – Canada top-tier pricing: RTX 5080 with 64 GB RAM and 2 TB is CAD 6,999 (~$5,099); RTX 5090 with the same RAM is CAD 7,699 (~$5,610); RTX 5090-powered models aren’t being sold in Canada at publication.
    – Canada offers RTX 5060, 5070, 5070 Ti, and 5080 variants (pricing published in CAD).

    Asus has quietly started selling the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) in North America as a replacement for the 2025 models we have already reviewed (curr. $2,799 on Amazon). For context, the company unveiled its new 16 inch laptop in January during CES 2026. However, it waited until the end of March before confirming how much the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 would cost in the UK.

    US market timing

    Now, it has followed suit by revealing the prices of two SKUs that will be avialble in the US. Currently, Asus states that the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 will start at $3,699 with an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. Inexplicably, configuring the laptop with 64 GB of RAM increases its price to $4,799 while making no other changes.

    For the time being, Asus has not confirmed how much high-tier models will cost in the US. The company charges CAD 6,999 (~$5,099) for a GeForce RTX 5080 with 64 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage, though. Meanwhile, the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 runs to CAD 7,699 (~$5,610) with a GeForce RTX 5090 and the same amount of RAM.

    Canadian pricing snapshot

    Asus is not selling any GeForce RTX 5090-powered models in Canada at the time of publication. Conversely, GeForce RTX 5060, GeForce RTX 5070, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and GeForce RTX 5080 models are available. Asus has priced these variants as follows in Canada:

    Asus Canada & Asus US

    Sources