Category: All News

  • Steam Frame Leak: First Look at Valve VR Headset Tutorial

    Key Takeaway

    – Steam Frame “Welcome Tour” footage appears authentic and matches backend files, though unconfirmed.
    – Software interface is based on SteamOS, resembling Big Picture Mode.
    – Prompt about PC connection suggests Steam Frame will support standalone mode.
    – Headset still uses old codename “Deckard” in software, indicating active development.
    – Community reaction is positive despite placeholder text and unfinished UI elements.

    New Steam Frame Footage Surfaces

    Shortly after Valve confirmed that both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame are still planned for a summer launch, the first footage of the “Steam Frame Welcome Tour” appeared on Reddit. The video appears to show the initial setup tutorial users will see when setting up the headset for the first time. The authenticity of the footage has not been officially confirmed. According to thread creator u/Goggodboss, the video was captured using a Valve Index. However, since the material appears authentic and matches previously discovered Steam backend files, much of the community considers it genuine.

    A Detailed Look At The Software

    The footage provides the most detailed look yet at the headset’s software. The interface is clearly based on SteamOS and the Steam Deck experience, closely resembling Steam’s familiar Big Picture Mode. Part of the controller setup can be seen, followed by an explanation of how to open and dismiss the interface. One particularly notable detail is a prompt asking whether the VR headset should be connected to a PC. This supports the previous assumption that the Steam Frame will also work in standalone mode and will not require a computer at all times.

    Placeholder Details And Community Reaction

    It is also worth noting that the Steam Frame still appears in parts of the Welcome Tour under its old codename, “Deckard”, which has been circulating in leaks and datamines for years. Placeholder text and unfinished UI elements are visible as well, suggesting that the software is still in development. Even so, the community has reacted largely positively and seems pleased by the renewed interest surrounding the Steam Frame. The video does not reveal any major new information, but it does provide the clearest visual preview yet of Valve’s VR headset software.


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  • Steam Machine: Why Hopium Hurts Before Big Events

    Key Takeaway

    – Steam Machine and Steam Frame still confirmed for summer 2025 launch.
    – Valve historically makes major hardware announcements through its own channels, not external events.
    – Fans should not expect a reveal at upcoming showcases like Gamescom.
    – Key concerns remain pricing and widespread availability at launch.

    Valve finally broke its silence on the Steam Machine over the weekend. The update mainly focused on the Verified program for games running on the living-room PC, but the opening lines also confirmed that both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame are still scheduled to launch this summer. One user on Reddit, however, is reminding fans not to overdose on “hopium” ahead of upcoming events – the community’s joking term for hopes of an imminent Steam Machine launch.

    Valve’s Track Record and External Events

    Most recently, many fans had hoped for news during Summer Game Fest 2026, but Valve made no announcement there. The next few months still offer several possible venues, including the PC Gaming Show, Gamescom Opening Night Live and Gamescom 2026 itself. According to Reddit user u/riskybisnis, however, fans should not expect Valve to reveal the Steam Machine at an external event. His reasoning is based on Valve’s track record. Whether Steam Controller, Steam Deck or the company’s last major hardware announcement in November 2025, Valve has generally relied on its own channels for major reveals. With YouTube, X and its own news portal, the company has enough reach to make an announcement whenever it wants, without depending on a third-party showcase.

    Patience Wearing Thin Among Fans

    That does not mean news is far away. Quite the opposite: an announcement could theoretically happen at any time. The point is simply that fans may be looking in the wrong places if they expect the Steam Machine to appear during a major gaming event. The Reddit community largely agrees, though patience is clearly wearing thin. After the recent Steam Deck price increases and the troubled launch of the Steam Controller, fans are especially concerned about two questions: how much the Steam Machine will cost and whether it will be widely available at launch.

    • Steam Machine pricing and specifcation details have not yet been confirmed by Valve
    • The Steam Controller launch faced issues, raising concerns about availability
    • Valve has not shared any official pricing or specifcation details for the Steam Machine
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  • OnePlus Reveals New Details of Upcoming Affordable Phone

    OnePlus Reveals New Details of Upcoming Affordable Phone

    Key Takeaway

    – Launches June 10, 2026 (14:30 CST) in China
    – 1.5K AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate, 6,500 nits peak brightness
    – MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Super, up to 12GB RAM, 256GB storage
    – 8,000mAh battery with 80W charging, bypass charging, reverse wired charging
    – IP66/68/69/69K rated, NFC, IR blaster, ColorOS 16 (Android 16)

    The OnePlus Turbo 6X Pro has been officially confirmed as their next budget-friendly smartphone, with the company finally announcing the exact launch date for the Chinese market and giving us some fresh details about the device.

    Launch Date and Display Specifications

    The OnePlus Turbo 6X Pro is set to launch on June 10, 2026, at 14:30 local time in China. It features an AMOLED display with a “1.5K” resolution that supports a 144Hz refresh rate and achieves a peak brightness of 6,500 nits. The phone’s camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) for better photo quality.

    Processor, Memory, and Storage Details

    Powering the device is the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Super, an octa-core processor built on a 4nm manufacturing process. The phone will be available with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage for handling apps and media files efficiently.

    This new OnePlus phone packs an enormous 8,000mAh battery that supports 80W fast charging. It also include bypass charging technology and reverse wired charging capability. The device is rated IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K for dust and water resistance, making it extremely durable in harsh conditions.

    • The phone features NFC for contactless payments
    • It has an IR blaster for controlling appliances
    • Stereo speakers are included for immersive audio
    • An in-display fingerprint sensor provides biometric security
    • It runs ColorOS 16 based on Android 16 out of the box

    Separate Leak Reveals Another Model

    Separately, a leaked report has revelaed key specifications of a new OnePlus phone that will feature a high-end chipset and a massive 10,000mAh battery, suggesting the company is working on multiple devices for different market segments.

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  • iPhone 17 Pro Max: Watch-Inspired Luxury Smartphone

    iPhone 17 Pro Max: Watch-Inspired Luxury Smartphone

    Key Takeaway

    – Caviar’s “Master of Time” editions embed removable luxury Swiss watches (Patek Philippe or IWC) into the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
    – The smartphone cases use premium materials like white gold, diamonds, and 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite.
    – The “Protugieser” model features 300 white diamonds and 47 orange sapphires.
    – Caviar’s customizations likely disable MagSafe and wireless charging.
    – The phones are available exclusively through Caviar’s online store, with prices only on request.

    Caviar regularly launches luxury versions of mainstream smartphones on the market, but the “Master of Time” collection is extravagant even by Caviar standards. The two new special editions of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max ($1,397 on Amazon) feature a genuine luxury watch from Switzerland under a glass cover on the back.

    Celestial Edition with a High-End Timepiece

    The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max “Celestial” houses a Patek Philippe Celestial. The watch can be removed from the smartphone in a few simple steps so that it can be worn on the wrist. The case of the smartphone is partly made of white gold and is set with diamonds. Parts of the back are made from a 4.5 billion year old meteorite, which is said to have a special surface structure.

    Portugieser Model and Its Dazzling Design

    The second model in the series is called Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max “Protugieser”, as the back houses an IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Mystère Squelette. The design of the smartphone was inspired by the watch and therefore uses white gold. Caviar sets the iPhone 17 Pro Max with 300 white diamonds and 47 orange sapphires. As usual, neither MagSafe nor wireless charging are likely to work due to Caviar’s customizations.

    • The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max in the two new “Master of Time” editions is now available at Caviar’s online store.
    • The smartphones can also be purchased in a bundle with the matching watch.
    • Caviar will only confirm prices on request.
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  • Stronghold 4 Medieval Strategy Game Release Details

    Stronghold 4 Medieval Strategy Game Release Details

    Key Takeaway

    – Stronghold 4 announced with Early Access starting later this year
    – Demo available on Steam from June 23rd
    – Final version planned for release about six months after Early Access
    – Launch includes 22-mission story campaign, 8 AI opponents, skirmish, and free build modes
    – Built on Unreal Engine 5, optimized for older hardware (e.g., GTX 1060, i5-4670)

    The Stronghold franchise has had a few tough years. Stronghold 3, the last main part of the series from 2011, was a complete failure with a Metascore of just 47 out of 100 points. Stronghold Warlords, which was released in 2021 as the latest, larger game in the series, was barely able to convince critics with a Metascore of 65 points.

    How FireFly Won Back Fans

    With the excellent Definitive Editions of Stronghold and Stronghold Crusader, FireFly was able to win back at least some of the favor of Stronghold fans over the last three years. Stronghold 4 has now been announced, and a demo of the game will be released on June 23rd on Steam before the strategy game enters Early Access later this year. It is planed that the final version of the game will be released around six months after the start of Early Access.

    Campaign, Modes and Story Details

    At launch, the game will feature eight AI opponents, a story campaign with 22 missions, a skirmish mode and a free building mode. An online multiplayer, a co-op campaign and an economic campaign are to be added by the time of release. In the campaign, the player takes on the role of Penryn of Wethel, a shepherd who rises to become a leader. The story is concieved as a prequel to the first part of the series.

    Hardware Specs and Gameplay Revealed

    Although the game is based on Unreal Engine 5, it should still be compatible with slightly older hardware – an Intel Core i5-4670, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 with at least 3 GB VRAM, 16 GB RAM and a 33 GB hard disk are sufficient to play Stronghold 4. A GeForce RTX 2060 with 6 GB of graphics memory is recomended. The video embedded below from Stronghold specialist Udwin shows the gameplay of Stronghold 4.

    FireFly Studios | Steam | Udwin (YouTube)

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  • Marvel’s Blade Game Reportedly Dead at Xbox Showcase

    Marvel’s Blade Game Reportedly Dead at Xbox Showcase

    Key Takeaway

    – Jeff Grubb claims Marvel’s Blade “might be dead,” though unverified.
    – Game absent from Xbox Games Showcase, three years after reveal.
    – Arkane Lyon’s project only entered full production in late 2024.
    – No substantial updates since a vague “be patient” post in December 2025.
    – Arkane Austin’s closure casts ongoing uncertainty over the studio.

    Blade Game Might Be in Trouble According to Insider

    Things don’t look good for Marvel’s Blade. During a Giant Bomb livestream, industry insider Jeff Grubb wus asked about the game’s status and said, “The Blade game might be dead.” He didn’t give any sources or explain further, but his track record means we should pay attention. This comment comes at a awkward time since the Xbox Games Showcase aired today without Blade being shown. Fans are starting to wonder whats happening with this project.

    Announced Years Ago but Still No Updates

    Marvel’s Blade was first revealed back in December 2023 at The Game Awards. It was being developed by Arkane Lyon, which is the French studio famous for Dishonored and Deathloop. The premise was really exiting: a mature, single-player, third-person action game set in a quarantined part of Paris. You would play as Eric Brooks navigating a city under vampire lockdown, which was a fresh direction for Arkane since they usually do first-person games. Financial reports later confirmed the project only moved into full production in late 2024, over a year after its announcement.

    Scarcity of Official Updates

    Since then, any updates about Marvel’s Blade have been very scarce. In December 2025, game director Dinga Bakaba posted that “the team is hard at work, everyone is super proud and outdoing themselves,” asking fans to be patient. But many people thought this was just a holding statement rather then real news. A 2027 release window was the last estimate, though some analysts expected an even later date. The closure of Arkane Austin in May 2024 after Redfall’s failure has made fans nervous about the Lyon branch, especially with every Xbox restructuring announcement.

    Unverified But Worth Noticing

    Please note that Grubb’s comment is unverified and hedged — “might be” is doinga lot of heavy lifting. He did add that an Iron Man game might still be in development, so theres that. The full livestream is avalible on YouTube, and you can jump to 1:16:00 for his statement.

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  • Best Affordable Gaming Laptop Deal: Lenovo LOQ 17

    Best Affordable Gaming Laptop Deal: Lenovo LOQ 17

    Key Takeaway

    – Lenovo LOQ 17 RTX 5050 gaming laptop is on sale for $749 ($381 off) at B&H Photo.
    – Features a 17.3-inch 1080p 165Hz display with 100% sRGB and G-Sync.
    – Equipped with Intel Core i5-13450HX, 12GB RAM, and 512GB storage (upgradable).
    – RTX 5050 with DLSS delivers 60+ FPS in AAA titles at 1080p.
    – Weak battery life (~3 hours) is only a concern for unplugged multimedia use.

    Gaming Laptop Deals in 2026

    Unlike last year, when you could find plenty of affordable gaming laptops with good specifications, 2026 has been a little dry. Sure, there have been some good gaming laptop deals over the past few months, but the market is arguably much worse than 2025. That said, we do still get some decent offers, and the Lenovo LOQ 17 currently on sale at B&H Photo is one such offer.

    Discount and Specifications

    B&H Photo has discounted the Lenovo LOQ 17 Gen 10 gaming laptop by $381. As a result, the RTX 5050-powered laptop is now just $749. The laptop comes with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. A $50 upgrade is available for 16 GB of RAM.

    But, you can always update the storage and memory down the line, as the LOQ 17 has two M.2 and two SO-DIMM slots for these upgrades, respectively. Rounding off the insides is an Intel Core i5-13450HX, two 2W speakers, and a 60 Wh battery.

    Display and Webcam

    On the outside, you will find a large 17.3-inch IPS panel with a 1080p resolution, a 165 Hz refresh rate, 100% sRGB coverage, 300 nits of brightness, and a 3 ms response time. The display also supports Nvidia G-Sync. There is also a 5 MP webcam on top of the panel that comes with a privacy shutter.

    Performance Expectations

    You can check out our revuew of the Lenovo LOQ 17 17IRX10. Our unit came with an RTX 5070 and a Core i7-14700HX. So, it was considerably more powerful than the RTX 5050 and the Core i5-13450HX SKU on sale. Our review device will, therefore, give you a good idea about everything other than the performance of the LOQ 17.

    The combination of the 10-core Core i5-13450HX and the RTX 5050 should be plenty enough for 1080p AAA gaming. This is especially true if you use DLSS in titles that support it. Per our testing, the RTX 5050 can deliver, on average:

    • 60 FPS in heavy-hitting AAA titles with DLSS enabled

    Battery Life and Upgrades

    So, if you use DLSS, the RTX 5050 can easily deliver 60 FPS in heavy-hitting AAA titles.

    Finally, we mentioned that the battery life of the Lenovo LOQ 17 was quite weak, coming in at just 3 hours in our WLAN test. This is only a problem if you want to use the LOQ 17 as a multimedia laptop away from the plug. For gamers, this shouldnt be an issue.

     

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  • Lenovo Legion G9 Controller Gets New Color for Tab Gen 5

    Lenovo Legion G9 Controller Gets New Color for Tab Gen 5

    Key Takeaway

    – New Rhein Green colorway for Legion G9 2026 controller matches the FIFA World Cup Limited Edition tablet
    – Priced at ¥599 (~$89/€77), slightly more than the ¥499 Carbon Gray variant
    – Includes two football-inspired thumbstick caps
    – Features Hall Effect joysticks, customizable back buttons, micro-Switch D-pad, and ABXY layout switching
    – Connects via USB-C with audio jack, passthrough charging, dual vibration motors, and RGB lights

    New Colorway for Gaming Controller

    When Lenovo announced the Chinese version of the Legion Tab Gen 5, which is called the Legion Y700 Gen 5, it announced a new controller for the gaming tablet called the Legion G9 2026. The USB-C controller practically turns the Legion Y700 Gen 5 into a handheld. Originally available in Carbon Gray, a new colorway has now appeared online. This new color is called Rhein Green, and it matches the color of the Legion Y700 Gen 5 2026 FIFA World Cup Limited Edition that is sold in China. This color is priced at ¥599 (~$89/€77), which is slightly higher than the ¥499 (~$74/€64) price tag of the Carbon Gray variant.

    Included Accessories and Pricing

    However, the Rhein Green version does come with two football-inspired thumbstick caps. If you are outside China, you can order the Rhein Green Legion G9 2026 Controller from AliExpress (available for $135.07) for your Legion Tab Gen 5. Save for the color, the specs remain the same. The controller connects via USB-C and has an audio jack, a USB-C port for passthrough charging, dual vibration motors, and RGB lights.

    Specifications and Layout Options

    The Legion G9 2026 controller features Hall Effect joysticks, four customizable back buttons with support for 12-key macro support and micro-Switch D-pad and ABXY buttons. Lenovo says users can also switch between an Xbox layout and a Nintendo layout for the ABXY buttons. The controller, which connects via USB-C also has an audio jack, a USB-C port for passthrough charging, dual vibration motors, and RGB lights. Lenovo, AliExpress

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  • Philips Hue Leaks: Wired Wall Switch Module Prices & New Products

    Philips Hue Leaks: Wired Wall Switch Module Prices & New Products

    Key Takeaway

    – Two new Philips Hue products (Panels and Go XXL) spotted in the Hue app, indicating an imminent launch.
    – Philips Hue Panels are small, shape-combinable wall panels likely competing with Nanoleaf Elements.
    – Philips Hue Go XXL may be based on a previous April Fool’s joke, possibly functioning as furniture-sized lighting.
    – A new Philips Hue Wired Wall Switch Module is listed, removing the need for a battery by connecting directly to light switch wiring.
    – The new wall switch module maintains the same list price as the older model while adding a Dimmer Switch feature via the app.

    Signify will apparently soon be launching two exciting Philips Hue products on the market, as HueBlog was able to locate two brand new lights in the Philips Hue app, Philips Hue Panels and Philips Hue Go XXL. While the app does not yet reveal any details apart from the name and the associated icon, the fact that the products are already part of the app indicates that a launch is imminent.

    Philips Hue Panels Likley Rival Nanoleaf

    Philips Hue Panels are likely to be a competitor product to Nanoleaf Elements ($199 on Amazon), i.e. small wall panels that can be combined as desired to create a wide variety of shapes. There is even a picture of Philips Hue Go XXL, which was published last year as an April Fool’s joke. In this picture, Philips Hue Go XXL is so large that the lamp can function as a living room table. It remains to be seen whether the real product will actually be that big, but the icon matches the April Fool’s joke.

    New Wall Switch Module Details Revealed

    Meanwhile, the new Philips Hue Wired Wall Switch Module is already listed in the Philips Hue app, while the Swiss online store Brack has listed several variants with euro prices for a short time. According to this, Signify will offer the following variants of the new wall switch module:

    • Philips Hue Wired Wall Switch Module – 1 pack: €24.95
    • Philips Hue Wired Wall Switch Module – 2 pack: €39.95
    • Philips Hue Wired Wall Switch Module – 3 pack: €54.95

    The list price is therefore the same as for the older wall switch module. The difference is that the new model no longer requires a battery, which has to be replaced after around five years. Instead, the module is connected directly to the wiring of the light switch. The Dimmer Switch, on the other hand, allows lamps to be dimmed via the Philips Hue app, even if the lamp itself is not smart.


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  • E-Ink 75-Inch e-Paper Display Installed at Taipei Airport

    Key Takeaway

    – 75-inch e-paper display installed at Taipei Taoyuan Airport, first of its kind at an airport.
    – Display consumes virtually no electricity, needing power only for backend communication.
    – Supports animations and videos using ambient light for illumination.
    – Uses printed Kaleido 3 panel with potential for multi-panel setups.
    – Demo serves as a platform, with hardware support from Dynascan and software/ad coordination by Omni Media.

    E-Ink has installed a large 75-inch e-paper display at Taipei Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan. According to the company, it is the first of its kind at an airport and is intended to make digital signage more economical and, above all, more environmentally friendly. This installation aims too replace traditional power-hungry screens with a solution that sips energy, wich is a step forward for sustainability in public spaces.

    Power Usage and Display Capabilities

    As is typical for e-paper technology, the display requires no power as long as the content remains unchanged. E-Ink states that the display consumes virtually no electricity. We assume that communication with a backend system requires a minimal amount of energy, which is why zero power consumption is not possible. Interestingly, the company claims that animations and videos are also possible on the e-paper display. Ambient light is sufficient for illumination. The panel used is a printed Kaleido 3, which provides colour and clarity without backlighting. This really reduces electrical waste over time.

    Hardware and Seamless Integration

    A few years ago, E-Ink announced the procurement of new printers to enable larger displays in the digital signage sector. That said, E-Ink can also place two smaller displays together relatively inconspicuously, as demonstrated by an old bus stop demo a few years ago. At that time, it featured two 42-inch Kaleido 3 panels. The announcement was made alongside E-Ink’s event at Computex, where the Taiwan-based company aimed to showcase new fields of application. They want to push there technology into more everyday environments.

    The airport demo therefore represents a platform and not just pure hardware. On the hardware side, there is support from the company Dynascan Technology. Omni Media is handling the software side and advertising material coordination. This multi-company collaberation ensures that the screen operates smoothly and displays up-to-date flight info and adds. It’s a big milestone for e-paper in public signage.

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