Category: All News

  • Acer 16″ Gaming Laptop 165Hz OLED, 2x Longer Battery Life

    Acer 16″ Gaming Laptop 165Hz OLED, 2x Longer Battery Life

    Key Takeaway

    – Acer now sells Panther Lake (Core Ultra 9 386H) versions of the Predator Helios Neo 16S.
    – Panther Lake models cost significantly more but offer weaker CPU performance than Arrow Lake HX counterparts.
    – At the same price (€2,799), the Panther Lake variant includes a slower GPU (RTX 5060 vs. RTX 5070 Ti) and less storage (1 TB vs. 2 TB).
    – Panther Lake laptops are claimed to deliver over twice the battery life (up to 15 hours) from the same 76 Wh battery.
    – Availability is currently limited to Acer France, but wider global release is expected soon.

    Helios Neo 16S Gets a Confusing Update

    The Predator Helios Neo 16S has had something of a topsy-turvy ride in the last few months. To recap, Acer unveiled Intel Panther Lake-powered versions in January during CES 2026. Then in March, the company presented alternatives featuring Intel’s Arrow Lake-HX Plus generation.

    A Overview of New Configurations

    In the intervening period, we reviewed the Helios Neo 16S with the Core Ultra 9 275HX and the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (curr. $1,929 on Amazon). Now, Acer has started selling Panther Lake-powered alternatives with the Core Ultra 9 386H. For the time being, we can only find listings on Acer’s French website; the laptop is listed as being out of stock in the UK. However, we would expect Panther Lake versions to reach other parts of the world soon.

    Pricing and Specification Comparison

    In the meantime, Acer France indicates that these Panther Lake versions will cost significantly more than their Arrow Lake HX counterparts. At the time of writing, the Predator Helios Neo 16S retails for €2,799 with a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, 32 GB of RAM, a 2 TB SSD and a 240 Hz IPS display. By contrast, Acer charges the same amount for a Panther Lake variant with the slower GeForce RTX 5060, half as much storage and a 165 Hz OLED.

    Meanwhile, the Predator Helios Neo 16S costs €2,899 with the Core Ultra 9 386H, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage, a 165 Hz OLED display and the GeForce RTX 5070 with 8 GB of RAM running at up to 115 W. According to our benchmarks, these Panther Lake variants also fail to match the CPU performance of their Arrow Lake HX counterparts.

    Battery Life and Efficiency Claims

    They should run far more efficiently though, which Acer’s official battery life estimates reinforce. Specifically, the company claims its new Panther Lake-based gaming laptop lasts over twice as long from the same 76 Wh battery. Whether the PHN16S-I51 variant achieves up to 15 hours of battery life under light use remains to be seen, though.

     


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  • PlayerUnknown’s first major game since PUBG is now free, but it’s not good news

    PlayerUnknown’s first major game since PUBG is now free, but it’s not good news

    Key Takeaway

    – PlayerUnknown’s new game, *Prologue: Go Wayback*, is ending development due to funding issues.
    – The studio is conducting significant layoffs as a result.
    – The game will exit Early Access with one final update, then become free permanently.
    – Refunds are being offered to players who already purchased the game.
    – Work on the underlying Melba technology will continue with a smaller team, and future development on *Prologue* remains a possibility.

    Prologue: Go Wayback Development Ends as Layoffs Hit PlayerUnknown Productions

    Brendan Greene, widely known as PlayerUnknown, had spent years developing his first major title since PUBG, with ambitious plans in place for this project. Unfortunatly the game, called Prologue: Go Wayback, has reached its end and the studio seems to be dealing with significant layoffs. Through a post on Steam, PlayerUnknown Productions anounced that they will be halting further development on Prologue: Go Wayback, which first entered early access in November last year and remains in that state today, but according to new information, the studio will bring it out of early access with a final update.

    Final Update and Free Access for All Players

    This last update will include some new items, paths and trails for players to explore, offering a bit more content before the game concludes its active development cycle. In addition, the studio will make Prologue: Go Wayback free for everyone, and they are also looking into providing refunds for those who have allready purchased the game through Steam and the Epic Games Store, which is a generous move considering the situation.

    Funding Issues and Team Downsizing

    While the specifics of the layoffs remain somewhat unclear, Greene shared on X that the root cause is a funding issue, and he has reached the limit of how far he can continue to fund the game in its current form, which is a sad reality for many indie projects. Like the first tech demo called Preface, Prologue: Go Wayback was suposed to be a showcase for the Melba technology the studio has been working on since its begining, and that technical work will continue but with a much smaller team, allowing them to focus on the underlying engine.

    Greene Hopes for Future Restart

    That said, Greene is still open to the possibility of development restarting on Prologue: Go Wayback at some point in the future, meaning the game might not be totaly dead, as he mentioned a desire to revisit it when conditions improve, though no timeline or specific plans have been given for such a revival, so fans should not hold their breath to much.

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  • iFlytek AI Glasses: Micro-Projector, Bone Conduction, 40g

    iFlytek AI Glasses: Micro-Projector, Bone Conduction, 40g

    Key Takeaway

    – 40g SGS-certified comfort with durable resin waveguide lenses.
    – Supports live/offline translation of up to 122 languages, including dual-language projection.
    – Integrated camera enables real-time translation of signs, documents, and menus.
    – Includes a teleprompter function and physical temple controls for page turning.
    – Features a built-in AI assistant (GlassClaw) for cross-device task execution.

    iFlytek Debuts New AR Glasses

    The company iFlytek has been putting out new devices for the last few weeks. About a week ago it announced three E ink digital notebooks, and then after that it came with a pocketable ereader named the Fika. Now, it has shown off a pair of smart glasses.

    Design and Weight Specifications

    Simply called the iFlytek AI Glasses, they come in just a single style and color. iFlytek says they weigh only 40 grams, making them nice to wear for long periods. It also mentiones the glasses have gotten an SGS Comfort Certification. According to the spec sheet, the glasses are equipped with fully laminated resin waveguide lenses which are less likely to shatter if they get dropped.

    Language Translation Capabilities

    Among the stuff the iFlytek AI Glasses can do is that they support live translation of up to 122 languages, with support for offline translation of 18 languages. It can also translate talks during voice and video calls. iFlytek also claimes the glasses can project two languages at the same time.

    Thanks to the integrated camera, it can also translate signs, documents, and menus, and put the translation over the object. The glasses also got a teleprompter function, which removes the need to print out your speech or read from a tablet.

    Microphones and Personal Assistant

    The iFlytek AI Glasses contain six omnidirectional microphones that employ bone conduction technology and capture sounds more clearer than regular microphones. There are physical controls on the temples that also act as page turning buttons. Furthermore, the glasses got a built-in personal AI assistant named GlassClaw that can be used across devices and assigned complex tasks with a single sentence.

    Pricing and Availability

    Sadly, iFlytek hasn’t provided technical details like the camera resolution, battery life, charging speed, and Bluetooth version. Nevertheless, the glasses are available to pre-order right now for CNY 4,299 (~$636/€548) in China.

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  • Acer Launches 15-Inch Gaming Laptop with 165Hz Display

    Acer Launches 15-Inch Gaming Laptop with 165Hz Display

    Key Takeaway

    – New Acer Nitro V 15 model powered by Intel Core 9 270H processor (14 cores, 20 threads)
    – Available with GeForce RTX 5050 or RTX 5060 laptop GPU, still limited to 75W TDP
    – Features 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display with 165Hz refresh rate
    – Retains 76Wh battery, 512GB PCIe Gen 4 storage, and 16GB DDR4 RAM
    – Pricing starts at £1,699 in the UK and €1,799-€1,899 in the Eurozone

    New Laptop Launch from Acer

    Acer has started selling a new 15-inch laptop across the Eurozone and in the UK. Specifically, the company has introduced a new version of the Nitro V 15. To recap, we reviewed the Nitro V 15 earlier this year with the Core i5-13420H and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5050 laptop GPU.

    Processor and Performance Updates

    For the time being, this version shows no sign of going anywhere. Nonetheless, Acer has released alternatives powered by the Core 9 270H. A Raptor Lake Refresh processor, the Core 9 270H contains twice as many Gracemont E-Cores as the Core i5-13420H. Additionally, Intel includes 6 Raptor Cove P-Cores for a total of 14 cores and 20 threads compared to the 8 cores and 12 threads inside the Core i5-13420H. Please see our benchmarks for comparisons between the two processors.

    Display and Hardware Specifications

    The newer Nitro V 15 also comes with a 165 Hz and 1080p IPS display to match the 16:9 and 15.6-inch panel we tested in February. Likewise, Acer continues to limit the GeForce RTX 5050 and GeForce RTX 5060 to 75 W TDPs. Moreover, the latest Nitro V 15 retains a 76 Wh battery, 512 GB of PCIe Gen 4 storage and 16 GB of DDR4 RAM.

    Pricing and Availabilty Details

    Nonetheless, Core 9 270H variants start at £1,699 in the UK and €1,799-€1,899 in the Eurozone. At the time of writing, Acer charges €100 extra for a GeForce RTX 5060. As a result, the Nitro V 15 can cost up to €1,999 in parts of the Eurozone. There is no word on pricing or availability in other markets yet.

     


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  • SwitchBot Weather Station: Daily Reports, Calendar Alerts & Smart Control

    SwitchBot Weather Station: Daily Reports, Calendar Alerts & Smart Control

    Key Takeaway

    – E Ink weather station with smart home control via Alexa/Apple/Google/Matter
    – 7.5-inch B&W display, 5,000 mAh battery for wireless use anywhere in the home
    – Syncs with up to three external sensors for CO2, temperature, humidity
    – Smart calendar for up to 5 family members (Google, iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo)
    – AI-powered daily tips, motivational quotes, and alarm clock with snooze

    New Smart Home Weather Station Released

    SwitchBot has released the Weather Station, an E Ink contraption that shows weather data, calendar events and lets you control smart home gadgets. The unit can controll a smart home by using Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, or a Matter-compatible SwitchBot Hub via a tap or even automatically based on sensor data. It basicly works like a hub for your daily schedual.

    Display and Power Specs

    The Weather Station spots a 7.5-inch black-and-white E Ink display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and includes a backlight. The device is powered by a 5,000 mAh lithium battery that enables wireless use from any place inside a residence, so you don’t need to plug it in all the time. This gives alot of flexibilty on where you put it in your house.

    • Screen size: 7.5 inches
    • Resolution: 800×480 pixels
    • Backlight: included
    • Battery capacity: 5,000 mAh

    Atmospheric Data and Sensors

    Atmospheric data gets pulled from online sources or external sensors that the company sells, for example the SwitchBot Meter Pro which measures CO2 levels, temperature, and humidity. You can connect up to three such monitors to the Weather Station at once. It also gets info from the web if you dont buy extra gear.

    Calender Integration and Alarm Features

    The device has a smart calendar that can show events for upto five family members, with information synced from personal Google, iCloud, Outlook or Yahoo calendars. Users can get reminded of events with alarms, and the Weather Station can also work as a standard bedside alarm clock with a snooze function. Thats pretty handy for busy familys.

    Built-in AI offers daily outing suggestions based on the current weather and can show motivational quotes to help you start the day on a good note, like a little cheerleader on your desk.

    Pricing Details

    The Weather Station is avalible for $109.99 from the SwitchBot website or from Amazon.


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  • Nintendo Registers EU Designs for Switch 2 Console and Controllers

    Nintendo Registers EU Designs for Switch 2 Console and Controllers

    Key Takeaway

    – Nintendo registered four confidential designs on the EUIPO, suggesting multiple SKUs for the same product (e.g., colorways, accessories).
    – Previous confidential filings preceded launches like the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip, LABO kits, and Alarmo, hinting at upcoming hardware.
    – Speculation includes a cheaper Switch 2 Lite or OLED model, partly to address price increases and offer a handheld alternative.
    – Rumors indicate Nintendo may be redesigning the Switch 2 for easier battery replacement due to EU right-to-repair regulations.
    – Rising component costs make new hardware risky, but console variations are considered inevitable based on past patterns.

    Nintendo’s Latest Moves Hint at New Hardware

    After Nintendo’s latest fiscal report included a jump in R&D expenses, there are more signs that new hardware will arrive soon. Nintendo Patents Watch noted that the company registered four mysterious designs on the EUIPO website. The sealed text or images could reveal a Switch 2 console variation, controllers, or accessories. Its clear that they have something cooking behind the scenes.

    EUIPO Filings and Confidentiality

    The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) allows manufacturers to submit protected designs. Rivals are then unable to use the same ideas or branding with their products. Unfortunately, the filings registered on May 29th are temporarily confidential. Still, past activity from the gaming giant provides clues. This is typical for them at this stage of development.

    Multiple SKUs Under Consideration

    The records are numbered 015143440-0001, 015143440-0002, 015143440-0003, and 015143440-0004. That implies Nintendo is preparing multiple SKUs for the same product. The explanation could be as simple as different colorways for a controller or accessory. But there could be more to it then meets the eye when you look at their history.

    • Patents Watch detailed how earlier filings predated the launch of Nintendo accessories.
    • The Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip, which enables Switch Pro-like functionality, is one example.
    • Other registrations predicted the LABO Vehicle and VR Kits, as well as a canceled iteration of the Alarmo clock.

    Speculation on Switch 2 Variants

    One popular guess on social media is an updated Ring Fit, but that may require a new Adventure game. The company could also be readying refreshed versions of its Switch 2 console. In January 2026, a dataminer found traces of an unfamiliar product code on the Nintendo Account portal site. Speculation was that it identified a Switch 2 Lite or a Switch 2 OLED. This has got fans buzzing about what comes next.

    Pricing and Repairability Concerns

    Following the price increase, Nintendo may be anxious to unveil a cheaper Lite alternative to the handheld. Even so, rising component costs have made it a perilous time to introduce hardware. Regardless, considering the history of past systems, variations are likely inevitable. They are also dealing with new rules from Europe.

    The manufacturer is also rumored to address EU right-to-repair regulations. In March, reports emerged that it was tweaking the Switch 2 design to facilitate easier battery replacement. The changes may not be exclusive to the Switch 2 console, with critics complaining about the repairability of the Pro Controller. It seems they are trying to cover all bases.


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  • Lenovo ThinkPad L16 launches with AMD, up to 64GB RAM

    Lenovo ThinkPad L16 launches with AMD, up to 64GB RAM

    Key Takeaway

    – Lenovo ThinkPad L16 Gen 3 launched internationally with AMD Ryzen AI (Zen 5) processors.
    – Offers Ryzen AI 5/7 and Pro variants, with up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB storage.
    – Display limited to 1200p 60Hz IPS with 45% NTSC color coverage.
    – Pricing ranges from £1,320 (UK) to €1,399+ (Eurozone); not yet available in North America.
    – Expected US starting price of $1,440, with higher configurations likely exceeding $2,500.

    Lenovo have now released the ThinkPad L16 Gen 3 interntionally featuring AMD processors. To recap, the company launched its ThinkPad L16 Gen 2 successor in April. However, it waited a month befor detailing its new budget-oriented globally.

    New Processor Options and Memory Details

    Now, the ThinkPad L16 Gen 3 is available to purchase in Australia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, the UK and the Eurozone. Currently, the 16-inch laptop starts with the Ryzen AI 5 430, a Zen 5 APU that should surpass Hawk Point processors found in the ThinkPad L16 Gen 2 we reviewed in February 2026 (curr. $909 on Amazon).

    Specifications and Upgrades

    Alternatively, the ThinkPad L16 Gen 3 can be configured with the Ryzen AI 5 Pro 435, Ryzen AI 7 445, or the Ryzen AI 7 Pro 450 and 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM. Up to 1 TB of M.2 2280 storage and 46 Wh or 57 Wh battery options are available too. Unfortunatly, only 1200p and 60 Hz IPS panels can be configured with 400 nits peak brightness and 45% NTSC colour space coverage.

    Pricing Across Regions

    Pricing starts at £1,320 in the UK but rises to £2,869 in the laptops top configuration. Likewise, the ThinkPad L16 Gen 3 retails for €1,399-€1,550 in the Eurozone, plus AUD 1,949, HKD 9,178 and SGD 1,746 in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, respectively.

    North America Availibility

    At the time of writing, Lenovo is not selling the ThinkPad L16 Gen 3 in North America. Previously, the company claimed the laptop would start at $1,440 in the US. Based on pricing elsewhere, the ThinkPad L16 Gen 3 will easily cost over $2,500 for some of its more powerful configuragions, though.


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  • Control Resonant PC Requirements Revealed

    Control Resonant PC Requirements Revealed

    Key Takeaway

    – Control: Resonant releases September 24 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series.
    – Minimum PC specs: GTX 1070/RX 5600 XT, 16GB RAM, 100GB SSD.
    – Recommended specs: RTX 3070/RX 6700 XT, same RAM requirement.
    – 4K with ray tracing will need a much stronger setup.
    – More performance details to come; pre-orders are live now.

    Game Release Date and Studio Background

    After its debut at The Game Awards last year, Control: Resonant has got a release date, and like several other titles announced at yesterday’s State of Play, it’s coming out in September. Remedy Entertainment is the studio behind the game, and they have now shared the PC requirements.

    Minimum and Recommended Hardware

    The requirements seem quite modest, asking for a minimum of a GTX 1070 or Radeon RX 5600 XT. While the resolution and performance targets are not included in this reveal, more detailed information will be shared ahead of launch. At minimum, Control: Resonant needs 16 GB of RAM and 100 GB SSD storage space, which, in comparison to the original Control, is double the RAM and more than double the storage.

    • Minimum GPU: GTX 1070 or Radeon RX 5600 XT
    • Minimum RAM: 16 GB
    • Minimum Storage: 100 GB SSD
    • Recommended GPU: RTX 3070 or Radeon RX 6700 XT
    • Recommended CPU: Ryzen 7 3700X or Intel equivalent

    Visual Immersion and Performance

    For a more visually immersive experience, Remedy recommends an RTX 3070 or a Radeon RX 6700 XT. The RAM requirement doesn’t change. For the CPU, a Ryzen 7 3700X or an Intel equivalent will suffice. Overall, that’s not a lot of raw horsepower being demanded, which is great.

    Of course, running the game at 4K (3,840 x 2,160) resolution with ray-tracing and maxed out settings would require a beefier setup. As commenters have pointed out, the performance targets are unclear, so these requirements only paint a partial picture of optimizations and graphical technologies. We should get more information on that front in the coming months.

    Launch Date and Pre-orders

    Control: Resonant is slated for a September 24 launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles. Pre-orders are already live.


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  • Hubble Captures Stunning Spiral Galaxy M88 Image

    Hubble Captures Stunning Spiral Galaxy M88 Image

    Key Takeaway

    – M88 is a 121,000-light-year-wide spiral galaxy in the Virgo Cluster.
    – Its bright center contains a supermassive black hole 100 million times the Sun’s mass.
    – Symmetrical spiral arms contain pink and blue star clusters and dust clouds.
    – M88 will approach the much larger M87 in 200–300 million years.
    – This encounter will eject gas and reshape M88, affecting star formation.

    Observing the Details of Galaxy M88

    The universe contain many galaxies, and some are more interesting than others due to there shape and composition. This is the case for M88, a spiral galaxy located about 63 million light-years from Earth that was recently observed by the Hubble Space Telescope. It measures about 121,000 light-years in diameter and belongs to the Virgo Cluster, a region containing more than a thousand galaxies held together by gravity.

    What the Image Reveals

    In this image recently released by NASA, a bright light can be seen at its center. This glow is caused by a group of reddish stars orbiting a supermassive black hole with a mass estimated at 100 million times that of the Sun. It is also possible to observe symmetrical spiral arms composed of several clusters of pink and blue stars and dust clouds. However, although this image is remarkable, this galaxy may be headed for a tragic fate.

    The Future Trajectory

    Indeed, the galaxies located in the Virgo Cluster orbit the clusters center. According to astronomers, in 200 to 300 million years, M88 will be very close to M87, an elliptical galaxy with a supermassive black hole about 6.5 billion times more massive than the Sun. During this event, gas will be ejected from M88 and its shape will change considerably, which could alter its composition and its ability to form new stars.

    • Distance: 63 million light-years
    • Diameter: 121,000 light-years
    • Black hole mass: 100 million solar masses
    • M87 black hole mass: 6.5 billion solar masses
    • Predicted close approach: 200-300 million years


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  • Google Pixel 11 Pro wallpaper leak reveals new colors

    Google Pixel 11 Pro wallpaper leak reveals new colors

    Key Takeaway

    – Pixel 11 series wallpapers feature aerial landscape photos
    – Colors for Pixel 11: green, turquoise, blue, red
    – Pixel 11 Pro models: green, turquoise, blue, orange (replaces red)
    – Official unveiling expected in August
    – Key upgrades: Tensor G6 chip, Pixel Glow LED, improved cameras

    Official Wallpapers Revealed for Pixel 11 Series

    After the official wallpapers of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold have already surfaced, the usually very reliable leaker Mystic Leaks has now also published the wallpapers that are allegedly intended for the Google Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL. Aerial landscape photos are apparently the theme of the new wallpapers for the Pixel 11 series. Google usually matches the color of the official wallpapers to the color of the smartphones, so these images might already give a taste of the colors in which the next-generation Pixel smartphones will be offered. Google is apparently not planning bright, intense colors like Lemongrass for the this years models. The Google Pixel 11 will therefore be available in green, turquoise, blue and red.

    Pro Models Get Slightly Different Hues

    The Google Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL, on the other hand, will each be available in four colors. Three of these colors are similar to the Pixel 11, but green, blue and turquoise are slightly darker. Red, on the other hand, is replaced by orange in the Pro models, which appears to be Googles take on the new color of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro. This could mean that the Pro variants aim for a more mature and subtle look compared to the standard version, while still offering a distinct palette for enthusiast who prefer warmer tones like orange over red.

    Expected Launch and Key Upgrades

    The Google Pixel 11 series is expected to be officially unveiled in August. Over the past few months, leaks have already revealed the design of the Google Pixel 11 and of the Pixel 11 Pro (XL), and most of the details about the specifications are already known. The most significant upgrades are reportedly the Google Tensor G6 ARM chip, a Pixel Glow LED light and improved main and telephoto cameras. These changes suggests Google is focusing on processing power and photography, potentially closing the gap with competitors like Samsung and Apple in low-light performance and AI-driven features.

    • The Pixel 11 base model colors: green, turquoise, blue, red.
    • Pro model colors: slightly darker green, blue, turquoise, plus orange instead of red.
    • Key hardware: Tensor G6 chip, Pixel Glow LED, enhanced cameras.
    • Official announcement rumored for August.

    Wallpaper Design Philosophy

    A big part of the appeal for these wallpapers come from the thematic choice of aerial landscape photos. This style often provieds a sense of depth and serenity, complementing the devices bezel-less design. Since Google ties wallpaper colors to phone finishes, users can get a preview of what the final product might look like in the flesh, without needing to wait for official marketing material or hands-on videos from reviewers.


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