As reported by Apple Hub, Barclays analyst, Tim Long, has predicted an up to $200 price increase for the iPhone 15 Pro line-up. The iPhone 15 Pro is expected to increase to $1,099, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max may end up reaching a new price high of $1,299.

These phones were already pretty expensive but they also carried some substantial upgrades over the standard model iPhones, including significant camera improvements and additional processing power. Bloomberg previously reported that Apple is considering a price hike for its iPhone 15 Pro line-up, but didn't report potential specification upgrades.

While a price raise for the iPhone 15 Pro models is predicted, no pricing changes are expected for the standard iPhone 15 or the bigger Plus model.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While enthusiasts will always want the best of the best, I don't think everyday users will miss out on much by opting to save money with the standard iPhone. The standard model still sets a high bar and often, you'll also get slightly better battery life out of it. 

16-xd0001na Specification

• Processor family: AMD Ryzen 7 processor
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS (up to 5.1 GHz max boost clock, 16 MB L3 cache, 8 cores, 16 threads)[6,7]
• Chipset: AMD integrated SoC
• Memory: 16 GB DDR5-5600 MHz RAM (2 x 8 GB)
• Memory Note: Transfer rates up to 5600 MT/s.
• Memory layout (slots & size): 2 x 8 GB
• Internal Storage: 1 TB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe TLC M.2 SSD
• Graphics (discrete): NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (8 GB GDDR6 dedicated)
• Ports
  • 1 USB Type-A 5Gbps signaling rate (HP Sleep and Charge)
  • 1 USB Type-C® 5Gbps signaling rate (USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4a, HP Sleep and Charge)
  • 2 USB Type-A 5Gbps signaling rate
  • 1 HDMI 2.1
  • 1 RJ-45
  • 1 AC smart pin
  • 1 headphone/microphone combo[19,42]
• Wireless: Realtek Wi-Fi 6E (2×2) and Bluetooth® 5.3 wireless card (supporting gigabit data rate)
• Network interface: Integrated 10/100/1000 GbE LAN
• Wireless Note: Modern Standby (Connected)
• HP Extended Range Wireless LAN
• Audio: Audio by Bang & Olufsen
• DTS:X® Ultra
• Dual speakers
• HP Audio Boost
• Keyboard: Full-size, 4-zone RGB backlit, shadow black keyboard and 26-Key Rollover Anti-Ghosting Key technology
• Pointing device: HP Imagepad
• Input devices: IR thermal sensor
• Weight: 2.36 kg
• Minimum dimensions (W x D x H): 36.9 x 25.94 x 2.39 cm
• Battery type: 6-cell, 83 Wh Li-ion polymer
• Power supply type: 230 W Smart AC power adapter
• Camera: HP True Vision 1080p FHD camera with temporal noise reduction and integrated dual array digital microphones
• Special features: AMD Radeon FreeSync support
• Display: 40.9 cm (16.1″) diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), 165 Hz, 7 ms response time, IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare, Low Blue Light, 300 nits, 100% sRGB

HP Omen 16 Key Features

You’re the Final Boss of Performance

• With up to an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS mobile processor, and up to eight “Zen 4” cores, the OMEN 16 brings gaming performance to new levels with fast single-thread and multi-thread performance than the last generation. Seize the pure performance you need to win, without compromising battery life³.
• Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 4080 graphics allow gamers and creators to experience lifelike virtual worlds, ultra-high FPS gaming, revolutionary new ways to create, and unprecedented workflow acceleration⁴.
• Have the edge in games with up to a 240 Hz display and make sure that you’re the final boss.

Stunning Visuals on the Go

• Reduce frustrating lag and image ghosting with a display that combines up to a 240Hz refresh rate and 1440p Quad High Definition resolution for smooth, crisp gameplay.
• Eyesafe® Certified Display, so the device meets TÜV low blue light requirements and Eyesafe® standards for protecting your eyes from harmful blue light without distorting colours to reduce eyestrain when working for long periods of time.
• Screen flickering is eliminated through the use of DC Dimming technology that controls brightness by adjusting direct current rather than cycling the backlight.
• Showcase your creations in all their colour on the 100% sRGB display for maximum colour broadness and accuracy.
• See more of your screen with a micro-edge display that maximizes your viewing area.
• Video chat in vibrant clarity with Full HD resolution, even in low light, and make every conversation a face-to-face experience for a better way to stay in touch.

Product Design at its Peak

• Stay cool under pressure with the OMEN Tempest Cooling Technology with 3-sided venting and 5-way airflow to ensure optimal system stability and performance when gameplay heats up.
• The HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture supports four finger gestures and lets you scroll, zoom, and navigate with a simple touch.

Built with the Planet in Mind

• This laptop is designed using sustainable materials like:
• Ocean-bound plastic in the bezel, and speaker enclosure.
• Keycaps and scissors components contain post-consumer recycled plastic.
• Keyboard mechanism made from agriculture waste.
• HP’s outer boxes and fibre cushions used in packaging are 100% sustainably sourced and recyclable.
• ENERGY STAR® certified and EPEAT® Silver registered.

OMEN Gaming Hub – your one-stop shop to elevating your play

• Optimise your system settings to ensure you are getting every frame where you need and extra battery for when you don’t.
• Create virtual rooms to hang out and play friends through Oasis Live.
• Sync the RGB across your setup for a fully integrated experience⁵.
• Play through the OMEN Gaming Hub for access to exclusive OMEN giveaways.

Learn more about the HP Omen 16 HERE. You can buy the Omen 16 16-xd0001na, as shown in the video, for £1799 HERE.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OMENbyHP.UKI/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/omenbyhp/?hl=en

Twitter (X) – https://twitter.com/omenbyhp_uk?lang=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@omenuk

#OMENUK #OMENCyberCafe

KitGuru says: HP Omen 16 is a mid-priced laptop that can easily handle day-to-day office jobs but also has the necessary grunt for gaming at 1080p.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has asked its manufacturer to make between 83 million and 85 million iPhone 15 units this year. That number will be spread across the base model, as well as the Pro and Pro Max versions.

Apple may squeeze a bit more revenue out of the iPhone 15 too, as it is rumoured that Apple will raise the prices of the iPhone 15 Pro.

Previously, analysts predicted lower consumer demand for the iPhone and downgraded their outlooks on Apple stock in 2023. With this news, it appears that Apple is confident that the iPhone 15 will sell huge numbers, which has led to a bump in shares over the last few days.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Currently, my iPhone 13 is still serving me perfectly well, so I'll likely be skipping again this year. Are any of you due a phone upgrade in 2023? 

Making the announcement via a press release, The Pokemon Company revealed that “Pokémon Sleep, the sleep tracker app that turns sleep into entertainment, is now available to download in Europe on mobile devices.”

For the uninitiated, Pokemon Sleep works as follows: “players place their smartphone device or Pokémon GO Plus + by their pillow and go to sleep. When they wake up, they can check the results of the sleep tracking, study the sleep styles of the Pokémon that have appeared, and work together with Pokémon sleep researcher Professor Neroli to record them in the Sleep Style Dex.”

Later this week on Friday the 21st of July, the Pokemon GO Plus + will also be made available in Europe, allowing players to “earn various in-game bonuses, including a nightcap-wearing Pikachu that players can meet in Pokémon Sleep, or take on Special Research and earn an encounter with Snorlax wearing a nightcap within Pokémon GO.”

For some, gamifying your life can be highly useful, and for Pokemon fans especially this app could help facilitate greater sleeping habits. It will be interesting to see how Pokemon Sleep is received.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the app? Will you give it a go? What weird game/app do you think Nintendo will come up with next? Let us know down below.

Making the announcement, Crunchyroll Games officially revealed One Punch Man: World – “an immersive online action game that transports players into the universe of One-Punch Man”. Developed by Perfect World Games, One Punch Man: World is available to pre-register right now ahead of its release on PC and mobile devices at some point in the currently unknown future.

The game itself seems to feature a decent amount to do, letting you unlock and level up many familiar faces; enter the Hero Association hub to “meet friends, take on missions, and team up for raids against destructive foes with other players” and “dive into intricate combat and execute perfectly timed dodges, skill combos, and spectacular ultimates, including all-new abilities for beloved characters.”

Many anime-based video game adaptations suffer from repetitive formulas and somewhat uninspired gameplay loops. Hopefully One Punch Man: World proves itself to go beyond this.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the announcement? Are you excited? What anime would you like to see get a free-to-play immersive online action game? Let us know down below.

According to Bloomberg, the initial wave of Macs powered by the M3 chip could be released as soon as October. In the latest Power On newsletter, it's reported that there's potential for another launch following Apple's annual iPhone event in September. It's anticipated that Apple will shift its attention towards a fresh lineup of Macs during this event. Although October may seem too early for new high-end MacBook Pros or desktops, it's believed that the new chip will debut on either the next iMac, a new 13-inch MacBook Air, a 13-inch MacBook Pro, or a combination of the three.

In early March, reports suggested that Apple was in the advanced stages of developing two new iMac models based on the M3 chip. The upcoming iteration is anticipated to bear resemblance to Apple's existing M2 SoCs in terms of CPU and GPU but deliver noteworthy enhancements in both performance and power efficiency thanks to TSMC's N3 node.

Apple usually announces new iPad models alongside its latest Macs. However, that may not be the case this time around, as major upgrades are not anticipated until the arrival of the M3 iPad Pros with OLED screens next year. However, rumours claim Apple is developing a new iPad Air with updated internals, so there's a chance that aside from Mac devices, there will be a new iPad launch before the end of the year.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you expect from Apple's upcoming M3 chip? What type of gains are you expecting from it compared to the M2?

Back in May it was announced that the creature-catching PS5 launch exclusive Bugsnax would be coming to iOS devices. Now, the game is officially available, with the team publishing a press release saying:

“Young Horses is thrilled to announce that their whimsical snak catching island adventure, Bugsnax, is available now on the App Store! This release includes the content from the previously released DLC – The Isle of BIGsnax – and brings an entirely new control scheme via touch screens, while also supporting a wide array of third party gamepads.”

Bugsnax launched back in 2020 for £17.99. Unsurprisingly however, despite the game’s parity with consoles, the iOS version costs just $9.99 – not a bad deal especially considering its support for controllers.

Bugsnax is a deceptively cute game in which all may not be as it seems. If you have yet to give the game a go, this new iOS version presents a great opportunity.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Bugsnax? Do you want to see more console games brought to mobile? What indie game would you like to see embrace the platform next? Let us know down below.

Amazon has deals on its latest range of Intel 13th Generation powered laptops, as well as some of its older 12th Gen models. Prices have dropped considerably, so if you do end up picking one up, you'll be saving hundreds of pounds compared to buying usually. Here are some of the best deals.

The biggest saving can be found on the MSI Raider GE78HX, featuring a Core i9-13950HX and an RTX 4080. Typically, this model would sell for £3,599 but for Prime Day, it is £800 off, bringing the price down to £2,799. The MSI Stealth 17 Studio has a similarly high saving of £750, with the Core i7-13700H/RTX 4060 model coming down from £2,499 to £1,749.

If you are after an RTX 4060-equipped laptop, then the MSI Pulse 15 may be a better option. The Pulse 15 with a QHD display, RTX 4060 and Intel Core i7-13700H is down from £1,699 to £1,189, making it one of our favourite picks on the list.

At the under £1000 mark, we have two solid gaming options for you. The MSI Cyborg 15 with a Core i5-12450H and RTX 4060 can currently be found for just £949. Meanwhile, the MSI Katana 17 packs a Core i7-12650H and an RTX 2050 for £799.

Our final pick on the list is an entry-level laptop, not necessarily suited for AAA gaming, but will get you through a work day reliably. In this category, we have the MSI Modern 15 with a 12th Gen Core i5 and Iris Xe integrated graphics for £499.

This is just a selection of a few of the most interesting deals we could find, but there are plenty of others to be found, so be sure to check out all of MSI's Prime Day laptop deals, HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking anything up during Prime Day? 

Releasing a trailer onto YouTube, Capcom officially announced that Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat can be played on your Android devices right now thanks to an open beta which runs from now for a period of 5 weeks.

For the uninitiated, Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat is “an authorized mobile game created by NebulaJoy, with the deep participation of the official team of CAPCOM” which “inherits the Devil May Cry's free, flexible, strategy skills and gorgeous, unconstrained fighting style, and at the same time, it also brings players an immersive combo experience with its industry-leading motion capture technology, which perfectly reproduces the most distinctive battles of Devil May Cry, make the experience more diverse.”

Mobile hardware is constantly improving and evolving, with many modern smartphones far outpacing the Nintendo Switch performance-wise. Considering the fact that the original Devil May Cry was ported to mobile phones all the way back in 2007, it will be interesting to see how much more improved this bespoke mobile experience ends up being all these years later.

KitGuru says: Are you interested in Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat? Will you give the beta a go? What other gaming franchise would you like to see get a bespoke mobile release? Let us know down below.

00:00 Start
01:07 Overview of the laptop
04:12 Laptop Ports / weight
05:15 Graphics / power / size
05:43 7940HS Processor details
08:16 Power Settings and Razer Synapse
10:37 Performance overview
11:57 AMD Ryzen AI / Microsoft Direct ML
14:30 Leo’s live testing AI blur
15:52 Performance / power testing
18:12 Game Test Results
20:05 Battery test
20:19 Leo’s closing thoughts

Features

• Up to 10 hours of battery
  Play All Day
  Designed with enough power to last from dawn to dusk, the Razer Blade 14 allows you to work, play, and create wherever the day takes you. Upgraded with a new suite of battery health features, get more out of Blade 14 than ever before.
• Our most powerful 14-inch laptop ever
  With up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 and 140W Full TGP
  Featuring the latest generation of Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 Series laptop graphics, the new Razer Blade 14 delivers 33% more graphics power than the previous generation. Enjoy playing at higher frames and greater visual fidelity than ever before, while staying on the go.
• AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS Processor
  The Ultimate Ultrathin Processor
  Featuring the world’s first dedicated AI hardware on an x86 processor, experience faster and more efficient performance in AI centric workloads. Capable of achieving clock speeds of up to 5.2 GHz, power through dense workloads, maximize frames in the most demanding titles, or cruise through daily tasks with new levels of ease
• 14” QHD+ 240 Hz 16:10 DISPLAY
  Edge-to-Edge Quality and Clarity
  Equipped with an all-new display featuring a higher pixel density, faster refresh rate, and lower response time, gaming on the go has never looked this smooth or felt this immersive.
• Expandable DDR5 memory
  Ultra-fast and Fully Upgradeable
  Operating at 5600MHz and easily upgradable to 64GB for even better multitasking performance to overcome your most demanding tasks.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

Timestamps

00:00 Start
00:42 Intro and key specs
02:15 CPU, GPU and memory
03:48 Display + storage config
04:33 So how does the liquid cooling work?
05:43 Battery, build quality and speakers
06:43 Keyboard + trackpad
07:42 Test setup
08:30 Power, thermals and clocks
10:18 CPU/system benchmarks
11:21 Gaming benchmarks and DLSS 3
15:32 Mat’s closing thoughts

Specification

• Chassis & Display – Recoil Series: 17″ Matte QHD 240Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560×1600)
• Processor (CPU) – Intel® Core i9 24 Core Processor 13900HX (5.4GHz Turbo)
• Memory (RAM) – 32GB Corsair 4800MHz SODIMM DDR5 (2 x 16GB)
• Graphics Card – NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 4080 – 12.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM – DirectX® 12.1
• Liquid Series® Laptop Cooling – PCS Liquid Series® Laptop Cooler
• 1st M.2 SSD Drive – 2TB SAMSUNG 990 PRO M.2, PCIe 4.0 NVMe (up to 7450MB/R, 6900MB/W)
• Memory Card Reader – Integrated SD Memory Card Reader
• AC Adaptor – 1 x 330W AC Adaptor
• Power Cable – 1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
• Battery – Recoil Series Integrated 99WH Lithium Ion Battery
• Thermal Paste – LIQUID METAL PERFORMANCE COOLING
• Sound Card – Nahimic by SteelSeries 2 Channel HD Audio
• Bluetooth & Wireless – GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.3
• USB/Thunderbolt Options – 1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 PORT + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
• Keyboard Language – RECOIL 17 SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
• Operating System – Windows 11 Home 64 Bit – inc. Single Licence [KUK-00003]

The core specs are confirmed in the following CPU-Z and GPU-Z screenshots:

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The new Razer Blade 14 packs the latest generation hardware, making it a great option for those looking to play demanding games on a portable system. For the display, there are multiple options, so you can go for 4K resolution, or you can opt for an ultra-fast QHD/240Hz display instead.

The Blade 14 measures in at just 17.99mm thick and weights less than 2kg. For connectivity, you'll find two USB4 Type-C ports and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, so you can connect a full suite of peripherals, including Thunderbolt docks. This means the Blade 14 will be compatible with external GPU enclosures too if you need a performance boost while set up at home.

Here are the basic system specs for the Blade 14:

• AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS Processor (8 Cores/16 Threads/5.2 GHz)
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060/4070 Laptop GPU (140 W TGP)
• Up to 32 GB DDR5-5600 MHz RAM (expandable to 64 GB)
• 14” 16:10 QHD+ 240Hz Display (up to 500 nits; 100% DCI-P3; <3 ms response)
• 0.71” (17.99 mm) thin; 4.05lbs (1.84 kg) light
• Matte Black | Mercury White

The Razer Blade 14 will be available today, with prices starting at  £2,499.99 GBP/$2,399.99 USD/€2799.99.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Have any of you ever owned a Razer Blade? Will you be upgrading to the new Blade 14? 

Valve has championed Linux gaming for years and has made huge strides in this area recently, The latest versions of Proton allow for most Windows games to run on Linux systems, like the Steam Deck, without much issue. Now, as pointed out by The Verge, Apple is working on a Proton-like environment that can get DX12 Windows games running on Mac.

Some have already tested this tool. In one example, a Redditor got Cyberpunk 2077 running on an Apple M1 MacBook Pro. At 1440×900 resolution and ultra settings, the game didn't run particularly well, delivering sub-15FPS performance. However, more sensible graphics settings, like the low preset, could possibly get the game running at a playable frame rate.

This tool is part of Apple's new Game Porting Toolkit, providing an emulation environment for unmodified Windows games. This gives developers a chance to test the game and identify areas of focus before endeavouring on a true native port. For now, it isn't intended as a catch-all solution for gaming on Macs, like Proton is for the Steam Deck.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: We're not quite at the point where we could start considering Macs as a capable alternative for gaming but if tools like this can increase developer support, then we might get to that point eventually. 

The new MacBook Air 15 naturally has a larger display than the MacBook Air 13, but both displays use the same LCD technology. Both have a typical brightness of 500 nits and similar maximum resolutions, although the 13-inch model has a slightly higher Pixels Per Inch measurement. Many design elements carry over from the 13-inch Air, including the presence of two Thunderbolt 4 ports via USB Type-C, MagSafe 3 magnetic charging, and the signature flat edges. If users require additional ports, they will need to consider the MacBook Pro.

The MacBook Air 15 also has a 1080p webcam hidden within the notch at the top of the display. The laptop weighs just 1.5KG and measures in at 11.5mm thick. Colour options include Midnight, Starlight, Silver and Space Gray.

For battery life, Apple claims that the MacBook Air should last up to 18 hours on a single charge and should offer as much as 2x more performance compared to a 15-inch Windows laptop.

The MacBook Air 15 will start at $1,299, with the price going up depending on user-selected upgrades, like additional memory or more storage. The MacBook Air 13 starts at $1,099, but the older M1 version will still be available, priced at $999.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Do you prefer the bigger MacBook Air over the 13-inch model?

The M2 Ultra connects two M2 Max dies. Apple boldly claims that it is the most powerful chip for a personal computer. Boasting an impressive 24 CPU cores, divided into 16x performance cores and 8x efficiency cores, the M2 Ultra offers a 20% performance boost compared to its predecessor, the M1 Ultra. Additionally, users will have the option to configure the M2 Ultra with up to 76 GPU cores and the maximum amount of RAM supported on the system has increased to 192GB.

Moving on to the new devices, the new Mac Studio retains the familiar design of its predecessor. However, incorporating the new M2 Ultra chip promises tangible benefits, particularly in multi-core workloads. It's worth noting that the M2 Max, which is already available in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, will be included in the starting configurations of the Mac Studio. This ensures that users at least have some options in terms of performance.

As for the new Mac Pro, the physical design of the Mac Pro remains consistent with the previous Intel Xeon model, offering both vertical and rack-mounted options to suit different needs. One notable improvement is the integration of ProRes video capabilities. Instead of relying on the AfterBurner card as an optional add-on, the new Mac Pro harnesses the power of seven AfterBurner cards. This advancement allows for ingesting 22 camera feeds directly to ProRes, catering to the needs of video professionals. Connectivity options are also robust, with 8x Thunderbolt ports and dual Gigabit Ethernet available. Additionally, users now have the option to incorporate PCIe Gen 4 expansion cards, offering five slots for video, networking, audio, and video IO cards. At the moment, there's no specific information on third-party graphics compatibility.

Apple has confirmed that the Mac Studio will carry a starting price of $1,999, while the new Mac Pro will start at $6,999. Both systems will become available on June 13th.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Has Apple's in-house silicon effort impressed you so far? 

During the MacOS section of Apple's latest WWDC event, the video game legend Hideo Kojima took to the digital stage to say “Hi, everyone, I’m super excited to be here to tell you about what we have been working on for the Mac. I have been a die-hard Apple fan since I bought my first Mac back in 1994. It has been a dream of mine to see my team’s best work come to life on the Mac. Now we are entering a new era for gaming on the Mac.”

Kojima continued, “So I’m very happy to announce that we’re bringing Death Stranding Director’s Cut to the Mac later this year! Death Stranding on the Mac takes full advantage of the latest Apple technologies to provide the best experience to our fans.”

Perhaps even more exciting is the fact that this partnership is not limited to just Death Stranding, with Kojima saying “This is just the beginning, and we are actively working to bring our future titles to Apple platforms.”

Apple’s M chips have proven to be rather impressive, and so it is exciting to see game developers starting to support the new hardware – helping to slowly destigmatise the idea of playing games on a Mac. Death Stranding will come to MacOS later this year.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What did you think of WWDC? What was your favourite announcement? Would you consider gaming on a Mac? Let us know down below.

Making the announcement on Twitter, Grassetti released a statement saying “I’m happy to announce that I’ve joined Netflix to develop a new original IP AAA game. I’m really excited to build a team and to work with the amazing Joseph Staten, Jerry Edsall and Chacko Sonny to bring a new world to life.”

As mentioned by Grassetti, they are just the latest in a long line-up of developers poached by Netflix, with prior acquirees including Joseph Staten of Bungie and 343i fame; Jerry Edsall (who previously worked at The Coalition for 8 years) and Chacko Sonny – known best for executive producing the Overwatch franchise.

Netflix has made it clear in the past that it intends to invest a lot into video games, with the streaming giant discussing its plans for developing AAA titles more than once. It will be interesting to see what Netflix’s first major internal game ends up looking like,

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest hire? What would you like to see out of Netflix vis-a-vis gaming? Could they become a major player in the industry? Let us know down below.

As collated by Reddit user ‘ak47rocks1337yt’ multiple game devs have Tweeted about the upcoming event, which is set to go live on the 5th of June. Ahead of the conference, Beat Saber’s co-founder Jaroslav Beck teased “June 5th is going to be [popcorn and sunglasses emoji]” all-but-confirming that the VR juggernaut will make its presence at the event.

Similarly – though perhaps even more cryptically – Sean Murray of Hello Games and No Man’s Sky simply Tweeted out an Apple emoji. We have seen the team partner up with Apple in the past (having announced No Man’s Sky for Mac during last year’s WWDC) and so it would not be surprising to see the game’s VR version announced for Apple’s headset.

With leaks and rumours circulating for years, it will be exciting to have Apple’s AR/VR headset finally announced and confirmed.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the leaked headset details? Could you see yourself using it for gaming? What is your favourite VR game? Let us know down below.

The Nexus Link interface is a single cable standard that simplifies cable management and establishes seamless communication between the Nexus software and hardware nodes. By combining power, fan control, lighting control, and sensor data into a single connection, Nexus Link reduces clutter and streamlines the overall system setup. Furthermore, it allows for a cohesive RGB lighting universe, integrating various third-party peripherals within the Nexus ecosystem.

One key component in this expansion is the NP50 Nexus Portal. This serves as a gateway to the Nexus ecosystem, providing fan, lighting control and thermal and acoustic sensing. With three Nexus Link Type-C channels, it enables you to connect a variety of components. Additionally, PWM fan control and 3-pin ARGB outputs allow for the customisation and control of third-party components. The NP50 is designed to fit into a 2.5-inch bay for easy installation and includes a cover shroud to assist with cable management.

Hyte also presented the PQ10 and PQ30 qRGB light strips. Featuring a 24-bit colour depth, they can further enhance your rig's lighting aesthetics. The PQ10 features a 33 cm, 20-pixel qRGB array, while the larger PQ30 boasts a 1 m, 62-pixel qRGB array. Connecting to the Nexus Link ecosystem is made via a Type-C connector. Equipped with neodymium magnets, these light strips can easily attach to any system. Alternatively, adhesive mounting clips are included for non-metal surfaces.

The Keeb TKL keyboard is the last Powered by Nexus product on the list. With 93 remappable keys, it should meet the needs of most users. The keyboard features Durock Creamy Yellow 55g factory-lubricated linear switches, ensuring smooth and satisfying keystrokes. There are also Durock V2 gold-plated stabilisers that contribute to a high-end typing experience. The Keeb TKL's polycarbonate body diffuses a 155-pixel qRGB array, illuminating the double shot, shine-through PBT keycaps. The keyboard also includes a customisable dual rotary wheel in the top left corner and dedicated media keys with low-profile blue clicky switches for convenient access and control. It connects to systems via a USB Type-C to Type-C cable.

The THICC Q60 sets itself apart with its extremely thick radiator, measuring 120 x 288 x 52 mm. This makes it one of the thickest AIO coolers on the market. Within the heat exchanger, dual harmonic pumps deliver sufficient power to propel the coolant through the Q60. Simplifying the overall setup, the Q60 utilizes a single power cable attached to the heat exchanger, eliminating the need for additional cable management.

Alongside the Q60, Hyte introduces two new 120mm THICC FT12 fans. These can be daisy-chained, and Nexus Link Type-M magnetic couplers facilitate their connection to the heat exchanger. The FT12 fans feature blades constructed with liquid crystal polymer, resulting in a more rigid design that offers higher tolerance and improved performance. Each FT12 fan also houses a thermal sensor to measure air temperature and fan orientation, providing valuable data feedback to the Nexus software. The FT12 fans boast a speed range of 500 to 2,000 RPMs and feature zero RPM capability. Hyte's FT12 fans will be available in packs of three and include a Nexus Link Type-M to Nexus Link Type-C cable to connect to other Nexus-controlled devices and a PWM to Nexus Link Type-M cable to connect to standard PWM connectors.

The NP50 Nexus Portal, PQ10 and PQ30 light strips, Thicc Q60 AIO and FT12 fans are all expected to hit the market globally in September 2023. The NP50 will come with an MSRP of $59.99. The PQ10 will be offered in a three-pack, while the PQ30 will come in a two-pack. Each pack will go for $29.99. As for the THICC Q60 AIO, it costs $299.99. Lastly, the THICC FT12 Fans (three-pack) will be priced at $79.99.

KitGuru says: Of all products announced by Hyte, which ones are you the most interested in?

Timestamps

00:00 AMD / ASUS story – Eh?
01:12 7045HX Series CPUs
01:47 Cinebench 23 (battery and mains runs)
02:25 Asus ROG Strix Scar 17
04:00 Vapor Chamber Cooler
05:29 AMD development / power / voltage
06:37 AMD claims the win / combined power budget
07:39 Asus Armory Crate Profiles
08:41 Testing the 7945HX
11:34 Performance charts / power
14:17 3DMark
14:39 Gaming Benchmarks
15:35 Battery Tests
15:51 1440p and GPU options
17:07 Some other bits and pieces
17:59 Leo’s Closing Thoughts

AMD gives details about their new Zen 4 Dragon Range CPUs and we can see they are impressive, packing the technology of a Zen 4 chiplet CPU in a laptop with the promise of high performance and low power draw. We are used to the idea of compromise so you will understand that an offer of a win-win will take a while to sink in.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The Y40 Snow White case showcases a white interior and exterior, offering a clean and sleek look compared to the previously available white and black version. To enhance the overall design, the Y40 Snow White comes equipped with two all-white FE12 fans pre-installed. Furthermore, the front and side panels of the case feature clear tempered glass, replacing the tinted panels found in the previous iteration.

On the other hand, the CNVS Snow White Intense Play Mat features an all-white top surface, providing a lighter colour option for users who prefer a brighter aesthetic. Hyte's Nexus software allows users to customise the continuous ARGB lighting around the CNVS mat. With Nexus, users can synchronise the lighting effects to screen mirroring, rhythmic beats, system performance, and more.

The Y40 Snow White case and the CNVS Snow White Intense Play Mat are available for pre-order in the US and Canada through hyte.com. Global availability is expected in July. The chassis is priced at $149.99, and the mousepad at $119.99.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

Kitguru says: Do you like the aesthetics of Hyte's all-white products, or do you prefer them in a different colour scheme?

Timestamps

00:00 Start
00:44 Specifications / Hardware
04:40 Design / Keyboard / Speakers / Trackpad
06:33 Ports
07:16 Build Quality
08:07 Software
09:13 The modes
10:24 Test results
14:36 Gaming Performance
17:27 Avg FPS / DLSS gains
18:16 Closing Thoughts

Specification

• CPU – i5-12500H Processor 4.5 GHz (18MB Cache, up to 4.5 GHz, 4 P-cores and 8 E- cores)
• Video Graphics – Intel® Iris Xe Graphics, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6 Boost Clock 2010MHz / Maximum Graphics Power 75W
• Display – 15.6″ FHD 144Hz Display
• System Memory – 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 – Max Supported Memory 64GB
• Storage – Gen4 512GB – M.2 2280 x 2 (PCIe Gen3x4*1 , PCIe Gen4x4*1 )
• Keyboard Type – Multi-languages, 15 colour illuminated full-size keyboard with numeric pad
• I/O Port
  • 1 x USB 2.0 port (Type A)
  • 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port (Type A)
  • 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (Type C)
  • 1 x Mini DP 1.4
  • 1 x HDMI (with HDCP)
  • 1 x 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Headphone / Microphone)
  • 1 x Microphone Jack
  • 1 x RJ-45 LAN port
  • 1 x DC-in jack
  • 1 x MicroSD Card Reader
• Audio
  • 2x 2W Speaker
  • Microphone
  • DTS:X® Ultra Audio Technology
• Communications
  • LAN: 1GB
  • WIFI: Intel® Wi-Fi 6E
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth® V5.2
• Webcam – 1.0M HD video camera
• Security – Security (Kensington® Type) Lock Slot, Intel® PTT for system without Hardware TPM
• Battery – Lithium-Ion 54Wh
• Adapter – 150W
• Dimensions (W x D x H)
  • 36.0 (W) x 23.8 (D) x 2.27(H) cm – 14.2(W) x 9.4(D) x 0.89(H) inch
• Weight – ~1.9kg / 4.19lb

The core specs are confirmed in the following CPU-Z and GPU-Z screenshots.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

Those who pre ordered Call of Duty Warzone Mobile on iOS recently received an email from Apple announcing the delay of the game, saying:

“Hello, Thank you for pre-ordering Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile on the App Store. We wanted to let you know that the developer, Activision Publishing, has moved the launch to a later date. The game is now expected to be released by November 1, 2023.”

For the uninitiated, Call of Duty Mobile is already an app which has existed for years, and has even amassed an audience of over half a billion players. That said, Warzone Mobile is meant to serve as a more direct port of the console/PC experience, offering cross-progression, the same weapons as the console variant and more.

Since its official announcement back in March of 2022, the game has seen a few limited test releases, particularly in regions including Australia, Sweden, Norway and Chile.

Mobile devices are pretty powerful these days, and in many instances (just look at Genshin Impact) are more than capable of running console games with few compromises. Hopefully the delay of Warzone Mobile helps to make for a more polished experience when the game does finally release on the 1st of November.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Warzone in general? Would you try the mobile port? What other games would you like to see come to smartphones? Let us know down below.

As reported by industry insider Daniel Ahmad, just one day after its release, Honkai Star Rail has seen over 20 million downloads across PC and mobile – cementing it as an immediate early success.

Ahmad shared some additional details on the playerbase, revealing that the game actually managed to get over 30 million pre-registrations (21 million from China and 10 million from the rest of the world). For comparison’s sake, Genshin Impact managed to sign up 10 million players by the time of its launch, meaning that Honkai has the potential to surpass its older sibling in the long-run should this current trajectory continue.

Not only has the game’s commercial performance impressed, but early reactions to the game itself seem to be highly positive, with particular praise being thrown towards the game’s writing – with some even comparing it to the likes of the excellent Disco Elysium.

Being a turn-based RPG, it will be interesting to see whether Honkai Star Rail manages to achieve the legs that Genshin Impact has seen. That said, regardless of its long-term success, Honkai Star Rail is undoubtedly an early success.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Honkai Star Rail? Are you one of the 20 million? What do you think of turn-based combat? Let us know down below.

The Predator Triton 17 X has a minimalist design that appeals to gamers and professionals who want a thin mobile workstation. It is less than an inch tall and has a polished, sandblasted texture on the solid metal CNC unibody chassis, a micro-etched RGB Predator logo, stainless-steel speaker mesh, diamond-cut highlights, and strategically placed vents. The laptop can be configured with up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HX processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, and 64GB DDR5-5600.

The Predator Triton 17 X pairs its powerful components with Acer's state-of-the-art thermal solutions using 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans to keep the thin gaming laptop's components cool under pressure. The laptop's 17-inch WQXGA display has a 250Hz refresh rate and uses mini-LED (AmLED) technology to boast a peak brightness of over 1,000 nits, enough to meet DisplayHDR1000 requirements, and a 1,000,000:1 high contrast ratio. These specs allow the monitor to cover up to 1000% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut.

The Predator Helios Neo 16 is another powerful laptop with a more affordable price point. It has a laser-etched encrypted code on its abyssal-black anodized cover for gamers to decipher. The computer has models with high-performance 13th Gen Intel Core HX processors paired with up to an RTX 4070 laptop GPU with a maximum graphics power of 140W. Storage options include up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD in RAID 0. There's also support for up to 32GB DDR5-4800 in a dual-channel configuration for the memory. The monitor comes with a 2560×1600 IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time or a 1920×1200 display with a 165Hz refresh rate that can cover up to 100% of the sRGB colour gamut.

The Predator Triton 14 is the smallest of the bunch. Designed for work or play, the sleek, understated design makes it ideal for any environment. With just 19.9 mm when close, it's easy to take with you wherever you go. Despite its reduced dimensions, it can pack up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700H Processor, an RTX 4070 or 4050 Laptop GPU, up to 32GB of LPDDR5-6000 memory and an M.2 slot for SSDs. Moreover, it has a 14-inch WQXGA miniLED display with a 250Hz refresh rate covering 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut.

Lastly, the Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition is a game-changer. It brings glasses-free, stereoscopic 3D, giving you a whole new experience in over 70 modern and classic titles, with more to come. The laptop has a 15.6-inch 4K display with a 100% Adobe RGB colour gamut and is powered by up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HX processor and an RTX 4080 GPU. Memory support goes up to 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory.

The Predator Triton 17 X will be available in North America in May, the UK in May/June, and in EMEA in June. Pricing starts at $3,799/£3,99/€4,499. Then, the Predator Helios Neo 16 will be available in North America, the UK and EMEA in May, starting at $1,199/£1,699/€2,199. As for the Predator Triton 14, it will launch in North America and EMEA in May, starting at $1,499/€2,399, and in the UK in May/ June at £2,199. Lastly, the Predator Helios 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition will release in North America and EMEA in June, starting at $3,499/€3,999. This laptop will become available in the UK in May/ June, starting at £3,299.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Out of all the new Acer laptops, which one would you choose to be your portable gaming station?

Designed for the Nintendo Switch, the HyperX ChargePlay Quad 2 charging station is a great option for charging various Joy-Cons simultaneously. The charging station receives energy directly from the Nintendo Switch dock via USB-C cable, allowing you to charge up to four Joy-Con controllers simultaneously in less than four hours.

Its main feature is its looks, taking obvious inspiration from the poké ball design. The charging station looks like the half of a poké ball with four slots for controllers and HyperX branding in the centre and the white half. The charging station's rubberized weighted base securely holds four controllers, offering easy-glide docking for effortless attaching and detaching of controllers. LED light battery indicators on the charging station display the charge status, enabling users to monitor each Joy-Con controller's charge status easily.

The HyperX ChargePlay Quad 2 Joy-Con Charging Station comes with a 2-meter USB-C to USB-A cable and is already available for $29.99.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Most Joy-Con charging stations look pretty basic, but that's not true for the HyperX ChargePlay Quad 2. Even if it's not particularly fast to charge the controllers, at least it does it in style.

Taking to Twitter to make the announcement, the official Honkai: Star Rail page said: “10,000,000 Pre-registrations Reached! Pre-register now to unlock rewards such as Star Rail Pass ×20 and the 4-star character Serval (Erudition: Lightning) ×1!”

For the uninitiated, Honkai Star Rail was first announced in late 2021 and is an upcoming free-to-play turn-based strategy RPG which follows on from Hoyoverse’s other Honaki titles (the most recent of which was 2016’s Honkai Impact 3rd).

While the game has been announced for iOS, Android, PC and PlayStation, the console version is not up for pre-registration and has no release date, meaning the 10 million figure applies only to the mobile and PC versions of Honkai: Star Rail. This is impressive especially when compared to the ever-popular Genshin Impact, which took until the game’s launch to hit 10 million registrations – and was available on an extra platform (PlayStation).

With Honkai Star Rail set to have an even bigger launch than Genshin Impact, it will be interesting to see how reception compares both critically and commercially following its release next week.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you pre-registered for Honkai: Star Rail? Will it be as successful as Genshin Impact? Let us know down below.

Making the announcement on their blog, Dave Burke, the VP of Engineering for Android said “Today we're releasing the first Beta of Android 14, building around our core themes of privacy, security, performance, developer productivity, and user customization while continuing to improve the large-screen device experience on tablets, foldables, and more.”

While not a comprehensive list of all the changes and additions, Android 14 brings with it:

• Improved support for tablets and foldable form factors
• Smarter System UI
  • New gesture navigation back arrow
  • A superior system sharesheet
• More graphics capabilities
• Per-app language preferences
• Limiting visibility to disability-focused accessibility services

These are just a few of the many changes coming with Android 14. Already, users have discovered a number of unlisted changes including new animations for the media player, a deeper implementation of predictive back animations and more.

Of course, being a beta, things are likely to break and so it is not recommended you install the update without taking this into consideration. Still, for those wanting to live on the bleeding edge, Android 14 beta is available now.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the beta? Will you install it? What Android 14 feature are you most looking forward to? Let us know down below.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the official Honkai: Star Rail page said: “8,000,000 Pre-registrations Reached! Pre-register now to unlock rewards such as Star Rail Pass ×20 and the 4-star character Serval (Erudition: Lightning) ×1!”

For the uninitiated, Honkai Star Rail was first announced in late 2021 and is an upcoming free-to-play turn-based strategy RPG which follows on from Hoyoverse’s other Honaki titles (the most recent of which was 2016’s Honkai Impact 3rd).

While the game has been announced for iOS, Android, PC and PlayStation, the console version is not up for pre-registration and has no release date, meaning the 8 million figure applies only to the mobile and PC versions of Honkai: Star Rail.

This is impressive when comparing it to the studio’s previous title ‘Genshin Impact’ which managed to hit 10 million pre-registrations by the time of the game’s release – across PC, mobile and PlayStation.

To see Honkai: Star Rail hitting such numbers one month ahead of its launch with fewer systems bodes well for the game’s success – at least in the short run. It will be interesting to see how reception compares to Genshin Impact both critically and commercially.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you pre-registered for Honkai: Star Rail? Will it be as successful as Genshin Impact? Let us know down below.

Watch via our Vimeo channel (below) or over on YouTube at 2160p HERE

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:26 Intro and laptop spec
01:32 So who is Peratech?
02:00 Force-sensing WASD keys
03:01 How is this different to optical keyboards?
03:51 Hydra software
06:43 The gaming experience
08:23 Is it a gimmick? Mat’s thoughts
09:30 What’s next from Peratech

Laptop Specifications:

• AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX Processor
• AMD Radeon RX6850M XT 12GB GDDR6 GPU
• 16GB 4800MHz DDR5 Memory
• 16″ WQXGA (2560 x 1600) 240 Hz IPS Display
• 2 x 2W Harman Super Linear Speaker System
• Per Key RGB Backlit Keyboard  with Peratech WASD Force Sensors
• 99.99Whr Battery
• Connectivity
  • Left Side
    2 x USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4)
    1 x USB Type-C (USB4¹⁴, DisplayPort 1.4)
  • Right Side
    1 x USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
    1 x E-Shutter Switch
    1 x Audio Combo Jack
  • Rear
    2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (1 x Always-On 5V)
    1 x USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen2, DisplayPort 1.4, up to 135W Power Delivery)
    1 x HDMI 2.1
    1 x RJ45 Ethernet (2.5G)
    1 x DC-In
• Dimensions – 358.1 x 263.5 x as thin as 19.4mm
  (inches): 14.1 x 10.37 x as thin as 0.76in
• Weight – <2.5kg (5.5 lbs)

The Hydra Force sensitive keys can be purchased only within a Lenovo Legion 7 or Lenovo Legion 7i laptop, starting at £2016 HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

Pros:

• Innovative idea, executed quite well.
• Makes playing racing games on a keyboard enjoyable.
• Keys feel no different to a regular laptop key.

Cons:

• Software has a small learning curve.
• Sub-optimal performance until properly configured.

KitGuru says: This brings a new level of control to using a keyboard, especially when playing a racing game. The software, after a small learning curve, is intuitive and works well. Overall, the Peratech and Lenovo collaboration to bring this technology to life is a great thing for the industry as a whole and it is this sort of thinking that drives innovation and leads gaming and computers in general to new places. I'm personally excited to see what else is brought to the table in future offerings!