NVIDIA’s Reflex technology just got a massive upgrade, as announced at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. The company’s Reflex 2 kicks things up several notches, thanks to some software wizardry. The end result? A promise to further reduce gaming latency by up to 75 percent. In this case, latency refers to how quickly a game displays the reaction from a player's inputs.

Here’s how it works, and it’s pretty wild. Reflex 2 combines the pre-existing Low Latency mode with something called Frame Warp. This tech tasks the CPU to calculate the position of the next frame as the current frame is being rendered by the GPU. The CPU uses player input, typically via mouse, to calculate the upcoming camera position.

The tools then sample the upcoming camera position and graft it onto the current frame, waiting until the “very last moment to ensure the latest input is shown on screen.” This glimpse into the near future should “allow players to improve their aim and tracking of enemies.”

But how can a pre-rendered image exist on top of the current frame without creating all kinds of visual inaccuracies? NVIDIA developed a “latency-optimized predictive rendering algorithm” that uses data from prior frames to fill in any obvious gaps, so players will see a new frame with the updated camera position without any weird holes. It is, quite literally, warping the frame (thus the name.)

The company showcased this technology with Embark Studio’s The Finals, which will be one of the first games to support the toolset. The proof is in the pudding. With the game running on an RTX 5070 GPU at 4K with max settings, the latency was 56ms. The first iteration of Reflex reduced the latency to 27ms, while Reflex 2 dropped it all the way down to 14ms.

In addition to The Finals, NVIDIA says that Valorant will soon support the tech. The company notes that it has used Reflex 2 with Frame Warp to reduce the latency to an average of under 3ms. Reflex 2 will debut as part of the forthcoming GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs, with support for other RTX GPUs coming sometime in the future.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/nvidias-reflex-2-predicts-milliseconds-into-the-future-of-competitive-games-182213650.html?src=rss

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Audio-Technica typically produces excellent sound quality on its headphones and earbuds even though it may not always build a complete package. The company has also been ahead of the competition on battery life at times, and at CES 2025, it's making some bold claims about its latest set of active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds. On the ATH-CKS50TW2, Audio-Technica says you can expect up to 25 hours of battery life on a charge when ANC is disabled, or 15 hours when you're trying to block distractions. 

There's another 40 hours in the charging case (25 with ANC on), but the other big feature on the ATH-CKS50TW2 is... magnets. Audio-Technica calls it Magnetic Switch Technology, and the tool snaps the earbuds together to turn them off before you toss them in a pocket without returning them to the case. If you're ready to use them again, they'll turn on when you pull them apart.

Hybrid active noise cancellation is also on the spec sheet and 9mm drivers power the sound profile. Multipoint pairing is here too, as is Qi wireless charging and an IP55 rating for dust and water. There are touch controls on the earbuds as well, offering access to playback, volume, calls, voice assistant and noise control settings. 

The ATH-CKS50TW2 is available now in black for $149 and a beige color option appears to be on the way.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/audio-technica-debuts-earbuds-with-a-whopping-25-hours-of-battery-life-at-ces-2025-175430830.html?src=rss

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© Audio-Technica

I knew I had found my favorite computer of CES 2025 early last December, long before I had a chance to see what most other PC makers were cooking up. It comes from ASUS and it’s the new Zenbook A14, a system that the company had joked about calling the Zenbook Air.

To be fair, the name would have been fitting: the notebook weighs less than 2.2 pounds (or 1kg), a half a pound lighter than Apple's most svelte MacBook Air. In almost every respect, the ZenBook A14 outclasses Apple's ultraportable, with specs like a 14-inch OLED screen and up to 32 hours of battery life. The only catch is that it runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and X Elite chips, which limits compatibility with older Windows apps (along with some devices).

What's most remarkable about the Zenbook A14, though, is that it simply feels great to hold. The light weight is a big part of that, but its also covered in ASUS's unique Ceraluminum material, which feels markedly different than a typical metal case. ASUS has deployed Ceraluminum across its premium lineup for years, but this is one of the first times we've seen it on practically every surface of a laptop (the top lid, keyboard desk and bottom).

The Zenbook A14 also features plenty of thoughtful design elements. It's easy to open up one-handed, thanks to a refined hinge that counter-acts the laptop's tiny frame. It also has a surprising amount of ports, including one USB Type A connection, two USB C ports, HDMI 2.1 and a headphone jack. That's all connectivity we'll never see on a MacBook Air.

In my short time with the Zenbook A14, its keyboard and trackpad also felt relatively comfortable. ASUS says the keys offer 1.3mm of travel, and while they could always be deeper, they seemed fine for casual typing. The laptop also sports a 1080p IR camera, speakers with Dolby Atmos support and Wi-Fi 7. Basically, it has everything we'd want in a premium laptop in 2025.

The ASUS Zenbook A14 starts at $900 with a Snapdragon X Plus CPU and 16GB of RAM (in a slightly chunkier 2.4 pound case). The lightest 2.18 pound model is available for $1,100 with a Snapdragon X Elite chip and 32GB of RAM.

ASUS

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/asus-unveiled-the-zenbook-a14-at-ces-2025-and-its-the-macbook-air-competitor-ive-been-dreaming-of-173026277.html?src=rss

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© Sam Rutherford for Engadget

ASUS is leaning even harder into Copilot+PCs with it's new Vivobook 14 and 16 at CES 2025. And unlike the laptops the company introduced last fall, this time ASUS is going all in on Qualcomm chips.

Just like the new ultralight Zenbook A14, both the Vivobook 14 and Vivobook 16 come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip, and in the case of both sizes of Vivobook, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. ASUS claims these new internals mean both laptops are 44 percent more performant than last generation Vivobooks and should last longer too, with a battery life of up to 19.8 hours.

Regardless of whether you buy the 14-inch or 16-inch laptop, you'll get a 60Hz, 1,920 x 1,200 resolution display. Like past ASUS laptops, both Vivobooks will also use the company's "AI Camera" which can detect when you're not sitting in front of your screen and automatically dim the display to stretch battery life further, or lock your computer for added security. You'll have plenty of options if you need to plug something in, including two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port and an audio jack.

ASUS imagines the draw of all this new hardware will be the AI features they enable, like Generative Fill and Erase for editing photos or Live Captions for automatically adding subtitles to the audio on your computer. A more powerful laptop that lasts longer is more immediately appealing, though.

Alongside the new Vivobooks, ASUS is announcing two new enterprise-focused laptops, the ExpertBook B5 and B3. Both laptops come with up to an Intel Core Ultra Series 2, up to 64GB of RAM and plenty of security features to keep your data safe.

ASUS hasn't shared the availability or price of the new ExpertBooks. The ASUS Vivobook 14 and Vivobook 16 are available to pre-order now for $700 and $750, respectively. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/asus-brings-qualcomms-latest-chip-to-the-vivobook-14-and-16-173007085.html?src=rss

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Panasonic has debuted several sets of earbuds under its Technics brand at this point. At CES 2025, the company is adding one more, but this one has some more interesting tech inside than the others. The new Technics flagship earbuds, the EAH-AZ100, have newly-developed magnetic fluid drivers that the company says allowed it to significantly improve audio quality. The previous model, the EAH-AZ80, already sounded great, so Technics really had it work cut out for it in order to improve things even further. But after hearing them for myself, I can confirm the company managed to make yet another sonic leap. 

Technics says the 10mm magnetic fluid drivers inside the AZ100 produce "clean, high-resolution, low-vibration and low-distortion sounds," which it further describes as "the most authentic, balanced audio that’s true to the original source." The drivers utilize technology that has be miniaturized from the company's EAH-TZ700 wired in-ear monitors. That magnetic fluid is an oil-like liquid that's filled with magnetic particles before Technics injects it between the driver magnet and coil. The driver also has a free edge that enables 3Hz of deep bass, plus there's an aluminum diaphragm that produces natural sound separation and details at high resolution.

Spatial audio is in play as well. The AZ100 supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Head Tracking for a full 360-degree listening setup. You can also listen to LDAC content on these earbuds, but battery life takes a hit when you do. Robust adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC), Voice Focus AI for calls, touch controls and three-device multipoint connectivity are all on the spec sheet. There's a one-touch Conversation Mode too, allowing users to instantly pause content and activate transparency mode when needed. Auracast and Google Fast Pair made the cut as well.

You can expect up to 10 hours of ANC use on a charge, with another 18 hours worth of power in the case. That accessory supports wireless charging with Qi-certified devices and a 15-minute quick charge is enough for 90 minutes of playback with noise cancellation enabled. The AZ100's updates also include a refined shape as well as size and weight reductions, all of which should lead to a more comfortable fit for the IPX4-rated earbuds.

Billy Steele for Engadget

I was able to try the AZ100 for a few minutes at Panasonic's preview event at CES. When doing a direct comparison with a set of AZ80 earbuds that were also available, the difference in sound quality was striking. The AZ80 was well-reviewed, and some outlets even picked them as the best option in terms of pure audio performance. The AZ100 blows them out of the water. 

The first thing I noticed was how much louder the AZ100 is at the same volume level. What's more, all of the claims Technics made about the detail, clarity and deep bass from the new fluid drivers holds true. Across songs from Lewis Capaldi, Dua Lipa, Train and The Eagles (I didn't pick the playlist), there was a wide, immersive sound stage that enveloped my ears with guitars, drums, beats and vocals. There was driving low-end tone when a dance track like "Don't Start Now" called for it, and there was also pristine detail in softer acoustic guitar in "Hotel California." I'll note that Technics offered FLAC files for the demo, so I'll be interested to see how the AZ100 fares with "regular" quality tunes from a streaming service.

ANC performance was also quite good during my short introduction. The noise-blocking tech was robust enough to silence most of the clamor from the showroom in a Vegas nightclub, though it struggled with the voices of the people closest to me. Transparency mode sounded pleasantly natural as well, but I'd like to test it in a less-crowded environment before I can say for sure how good it really is.

The AZ100 is available today for $300 is silver and black color options. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/technics-az100-earbuds-hands-on-ces-2025-173004465.html?src=rss

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I lived in New York City for many years and absolutely loved it, with one major caveat. Packages got stolen, like a lot. This was especially frustrating for a tech reporter waiting on review gadgets and the like. Hyve Security is looking to solve this problem with its self-named smart lockbox, which it brought to CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

The Hyve is being advertised as “the first branded smart lockbox” and can be secured to the front of a house or apartment via a quarter-inch carbon fiber tether. Carbon fiber is notoriously difficult to cut, so that’s one security measure.

The lockbox also ships with an accelerometer and a “shrieking” alarm that will go off if the device is moved or tampered with. The box’s owner will receive an alert in this instance. Neighbors, friends and family will also receive alerts if they opt-in to the community service. The Hyve app will integrate with many current smart home security systems for even more protection.

Hyve Security

It’s weather-proof, which is handy for something that will likely be housed outside, and includes a photo window for drivers to snap a picture of the package nestled safely inside the pod. This is also useful for retailers, as they can be relatively certain that a package was successfully delivered to its intended owner. The app can even be used to send out pings to nearby delivery trucks in the case of a pending return.

It operates via a combination of battery and solar power. The company claims it can run for 18 months without requiring a charge.

The obvious use case here is to prevent porch-based theft, which is great. However, Hyve Security says that wide adoption of these lockboxes can eventually allow retailers to ship items without so much wasteful packaging. The Hyve costs $300 and officially goes on sale in June.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/the-hyve-package-security-box-should-protect-deliveries-from-dreaded-porch-pirates-170016213.html?src=rss

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I’m not a fan of those TVs sold in picture frame surrounds that companies tell you are good for displaying art in your homes. There’s something unconvincing about using a powered, backlit screen for things you’re meant to stare at for quite a while. Can you really appreciate Turner’s Norham Castle Sunrise if you’re struggling with eyestrain after five minutes or so? Perhaps the cure for my dourness is to be found in PocketBook's new device, InkPoster. It uses a big, color e-paper display to do the same job, giving your eyes a better chance of seeing the brush strokes up close and personal.

InkPoster is a series of color e-paper displays equipped with battery packs that can be hung in your home for up to a year on a single charge. There’s no power cable, and it can be mounted in portrait or landscape orientation, depending on your taste. You’ll be able to access a library of curated art, put together by a team of “professional art consultants” and select what you want to see inside the InkPoster companion app. You’ll also be able to use it as a regular old digital photo frame, ideal for when you want to pull a masterpiece from online and display that instead.

There are three display sizes based on two different technologies, Spectra 6 and Sharp’s IGZO. The former is found in the 13.3-inch model with a 1,200 x 1,600 resolution, which packs a 14,000mAh battery pack. There’s a 28.5-inch edition with a 2,160 x 3,060 display which uses a hybrid of both display technologies. Finally, there’s a 31.5-inch model with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution that uses Spectra 6 and is designed to be a real focal point in your home. The two larger models both pack a 20,000mAh battery, with the same promise of a year or so of running.

PocketBook hasn’t mentioned pricing yet for either the hardware or how much it'll cost to access its catalog of artwork, not to mention any sort of timeframe for when you'll be able to hang this on your wall.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/inkposter-uses-an-e-paper-display-to-bring-art-to-your-home-170016899.html?src=rss

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Peacock will start testing mini games and short-form vertical videos on its iOS and Android apps, per TechCrunch. These experimental features were available for preview at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. The company intends to start testing them with users this month.

A Peacock spokesperson told TechCrunch that during the testing period, some users will see the games and shorts, while others only see one or the other. The remainder won’t be able to play games or watch shorts.

There are five planned games for the test: Daily Sort, Daily Swap, Predictions, What The, and Venn. These games are simple and don’t take up too much time, and some are even tied to various shows and sports. Players can predict outcomes of a series and come back later to see if they were correct, enhancing their streaming experience.

As for the shorts, they’re curated from content from Peacock’s library. They can be from TV shows or news and will be updated weekly and daily. Users can even tap on them to enter the program’s page and watch the real thing.

Both YouTube and Netflix opted to compete with TikTok quickly, and YouTube especially has more than 100 games. Netflix doesn’t have that many, but a Squid Game spinoff game did arrive on the app last month. Peacock may be competing against giants, but the possible TikTok ban does give it a better fighting chance.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/peacock-is-testing-mini-games-and-vertical-short-videos-164012685.html?src=rss

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A little more than two years ago, Lenovo teased a concept laptop with a rollable screen that could expand and contract with the touch of a button. And now at CES 2025, the company has turned that idea into a reality with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable.

Remarkably, Lenovo’s new device looks incredibly similar to what the company showed off in the past. The laptop features a flexible 14-inch OLED display that can unfurl itself to become a 16.7-inch panel at the push of a button. This effectively adds an extra 50 percent of screen space to the system without the need for any additional accessories or peripherals. Alternatively, you can use gestures to expand and contract the display for a truly touch-free experience. Though in my experience, that took so much longer you might as well use the dedicated key. Thankfully, brightness is more than sufficient at 400 nits while the OLED panel delivers rich, vibrant hues.

Just this functionality would be a feat on its own. However, to help maximize the potential of its rollable display, Lenovo added a custom set of multitasking features that allow you to add widgets to the expanded screen space or use it as a visual clipboard and a place to view frequently used docs. And when you’re doing something like sharing your view during a video call, you can use the extra display as a virtual monitor, so you have a clean desktop for presentations.

But to me, one of the most impressive things about the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable is that it’s not that much bigger or heavier than a traditional clamshell of a similar size. It weighs around 3.6 pounds and measures three quarters of an inch thick. Performance looks solid too, thanks to the inclusion of Intel's Core Ultra 7 CPU, up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. And while its port selection is just OK, you still get two Thunderbolt 4 jacks and 3.5mm audio along with other handy features like Wi-Fi 7 and a 5-megapixel webcam with an electronic privacy shutter. So even with Lenovo’s focus on the laptop’s futuristic screen, you still get a pretty well-rounded machine.

Honestly, as someone who is always looking for more screen space while traveling (to the point where I often bring a portable monitor), I could see myself using the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 today as my primary work device. Its build quality feels a lot more solid than you’d expect and let’s not forget: the wow factor on something like this is hard to beat.

That said, the obvious downside is its cost, because with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 expected to start at $3,500 when it goes on sale sometime later this spring, you’re paying a hefty premium to be on the very cutting edge of laptop tech. That means at least for now, systems like the Yoga Book 9i (which has gotten a couple of important updates for 2025) and ASUS’ Zenbook Duo are better choices for most people as they offer similar amounts of added screen space but for much less money. But if Lenovo can get the price down even a bit, it could open up another pathway for a new breed of transforming notebooks with deceptively small displays.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-thinkbook-plus-gen-6-rollable-is-a-crazy-concept-made-real-162813649.html?src=rss

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© Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Lenovo is already announcing one new handheld (or two depending on how you’re counting) at CES 2025. However, that isn’t stopping the company from looking ahead to its next portable gaming device by teasing an early prototype of the Legion Go 2.

Right off the bat it’s important to note that this successor to the original Legion Go is non-functioning and meant to be more of a design preview of Lenovo’s second-gen handheld instead of true first look. That said, the Legion Go 2 appears to share a number of features with its predecessor including detachable controllers, a large 8.8-inch display, a small touchpad on the right, a built-in kickstand and, if you look closely at the bottom, there’s even a toggle that allows the right gamepad to enter FPS/vertical mouse mode. So it’s clear this follow-up isn’t straying too far from the first model’s general blueprint.

Instead, it seems like Lenovo is focusing on making some small tweaks regarding the handheld’s ergonomics including more rounded grips and tapered sides along with a new circular D-pad as opposed to the cross-shaped component used on the previous model.

Additionally, Lenovo shared some early (but still unfinalized) specs which include a new Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip from AMD, support for up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage and a significantly larger 74Wh battery (up from 49.2Wh). This should deliver a noticeable boost in overall performance while its 8.8-inch OLED display is expected to feature very similar specs including 500 nits of brightness and a 144Hz refresh rate.

However, there are two important changes to the screen. The first is a slightly lower 1,920 x 1,200 resolution (down from 2,560 x 1,600), which might seem like a weird downgrade. But on a display this size, especially when paired with a mobile APU, the Legion Go 2’s new resolution should deliver a boost in terms of overall performance. The second important upgrade is the addition of VRR, so the screen can more easily adjust to match the framerate of whatever you’re playing.

Finally, just like before, the Legion Go 2 will be based on Windows 11, though this is one thing I think Lenovo should reconsider. That’s because after seeing the early positive reception for Legion Go S powered by SteamOS, I think it would be a wise move to offer support for Valve’s platform alongside the standard Windows model.

Unfortunately, Lenovo has not released official pricing for the Legion Go 2 just yet, but I expect it to cost around the same as the original model at launch (around $800). As for a release date, there’s nothing concrete there either, though the company said that it's preparing to “bring this exciting innovation to life for gamers worldwide in 2025.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/lenovo-is-already-teasing-the-successor-to-its-flagship-legion-go-gaming-handheld-161852837.html?src=rss

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© Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

The list of titles coming to Game Pass this month is a bit on the paltry side, aside from one massive exception. The original 1996 Diablo hits PC Game Pass on January 14, so those of us who have been living under a rock since Bill Clinton’s first term can finally see what all of the fuss is about.

What can I say about Diablo that hasn’t been said already? It’s the OG action-RPG that basically defined the genre. It’s a legitimate classic. There’s a reason why the franchise is still going strong deep into the 21st century. The battles are intense, the progression is satisfying and the character customization options are just as deep now as they were in the 1990s.

This isn’t the first time that the game has been re-released. Blizzard and GOG struck a deal back in 2019 to bring the title to the latter’s digital gaming marketplace. However, this is the first time it’s been free-ish, assuming a pre-existing PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

Diablo is, by a huge margin, the most notable Game Pass release for January, but it’s not the only one. The post-apocalyptic farming sim My Time at Sandrock will be available on January 8 and EA Sports UFC 5 will be playable on January 14.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-original-diablo-hits-pc-game-pass-on-january-14-161519350.html?src=rss

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The price hikes for streaming services have already started for 2025. Discovery+ has announced its plans are increasing in price for all US subscribers. The Discovery+ plan with ads will go up to $6 per month, from $5, while the ad-free plan will increase to $10 per month, from $9. 

No, an extra $1 monthly isn't horrible, but $12 yearly, now that's a meal's worth of extra fees. The new fee tiers go into effect immediately for new subscribers. However, existing customers who pay through Discovery+ or the app store will pay more on their first bill after February 7. Any subscribers on promotional deals won't have an increase until that period ends. 

Discovery+ previously increased the price of its ad-free plan in late 2023. At the time, it went up from $7 to $9 monthly. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/discovery-is-raising-prices-for-all-customers-160646636.html?src=rss

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If 2024 was the year augmented reality glasses started to feel real, 2025 is already shaping up to be a really interesting year for AR, with a number of smaller companies showing off AR at CES 2025. Chinese company RayNeo brought their new X3 Pro AR frames to CES, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it seems to have squeezed an impressive amount of tech into a relatively small pair of frames.

Like AR glasses from Meta and Snap, RayNeo use microLED projectors and waveguides to produce a full-color AR display. The field of view is just 25 degrees — notably smaller than what Snap or Meta have in their products — but it’s impressively bright. Even under the fairly bright lights of a Las Vegas casino ballroom, I had no problem seeing the menus or even reading text (the display outputs 2,500 nits, according to the company).

What stood out the most, though, was the size. At less than 3 ounces, the RayNeo X3 Pro are impressively lightweight. Like other AR glasses I’ve tried, they don’t quite look like a “normal” pair of frames, but they don’t feel that far off either. RayNeo opted to put the onboard cameras in the center of the frames rather than in the corners, which does add a bit of bulk.

Karissa Bell for Engadget

In terms of apps, there wasn’t much to demo. I tried a real-time translation app, which beamed English text in front of me as RayNeo’s Bernie Liu spoke Chinese. I can’t speak for the accuracy of the translation, but it seemed to do a pretty good job despite the fact that we were in a noisy environment.

I also briefly chatted with a built-in AI-assistant powered by chatGPT and snapped a few photos. Liu told me the company is also working with outside developers who are already creating their own apps for the upcoming device, so hopefully it will roll out with a few more capabilities.

That said, battery life will likely be an issue as it is with other AR glasses. Liu said the battery currently lasts around 30 minutes with heavy use, though the company is still working on improving various aspects of the frames.

RayNeo hasn’t announced an official price or launch date yet, but Liu told me they are hoping to put them on sale later this year for around $1500.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/rayneo-ar-glasses-hands-on-at-ces-2025-surprisingly-light-and-bright-120047035.html?src=rss

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© Karissa Bell for Engadget

Maingear is one of the original boutique PC makers that popularized water-cooled rigs more than 20 years ago. However, after focusing more on air-cooled systems over the past few years, at CES 2025 the company is returning to its roots with two stunningly-crafted machines in the Apex Force and Apex Rush.

Based on Phanteks’ NV9 case, the Apex Force is the unquestionable flagship in Maingear’s new 2025 lineup. It weighs upwards of 50 pounds and has pre-bent hardline tubes that have been angled 10 degrees to match the distinctive sloped design of its enclosure. It boasts not one but two separate cooling loops for its CPU and GPU with massive dual 420mm radiators, three 140mm fans plus another 65mm intake on the bottom to push all that hot air out.

But what I appreciate the most are some of the signature touches Maingear included to make maintaining the system easier, even for someone who may have zero experience with liquid-cooled setups. The Apex Force’s reservoir is entirely clear, which not only looks great but makes it easy to do a visual check on water levels. More importantly, Maingear installed two quick-disconnect fittings for the system’s pump and drain ports, so in the event you need to change out water or perform a repair, you can empty the desktop without risking splashing liquid on sensitive components. And of course, almost all of the PC’s components and even the color of its tubes, fittings and RGB lighting can be customized to your desire. The limit is pretty much the size of your budget.

Meanwhile, for those who want something a bit more compact (though that’s relative in this case), the Apex Rush represents a small step down to a rig based on a mid-tower case from Lian-Li (the O11 EVO RGB). Unlike the Apex Force, the Rush uses a single cooling loop that’s augmented by seven 120mm fans (with optional RGB) meant to create a positive pressure environment to ensure optimal airflow while also keeping dust out. In fact, Maingear is so confident about its fan arrangement, it didn’t bother to equip the Apex Rush with dust filters, claiming those would actually decrease thermal performance and cleanliness. And in a first for Maingear, this system can be configured with neoprene soft tubing with braided sleeves for anyone looking for an alternative to custom hard lines.

But for me, what elevates the Apex Rush line even over the Force is that alongside the standard models, Maingear will also release three themed variants. There’s a Miami Vice-inspired model, one with cyberpunk stylings and my favorite, a lucky cat-inspired option. Each one features automotive-grade paintjobs littered with hand-drawn art and they are absolutely gorgeous. There are tons of subtle details such as pictures with various textures within the same illustration, multiple gamer-themed easter eggs, plenty of RGB lighting and matched tubing to fit each version’s particular aesthetic. The custom Apex Rush rigs are truly works of art, though, as you’d expect from heavily configurable systems, they won’t come cheap.

That said, Maingear has yet to reveal official pricing for both the Apex Force and Apex Rush lines. However, the company says that due to high expected demand, anyone interested in one of these PCs should try to snag a spot in line with a fully refundable $100 deposit when reservations officially go live today on Maingear’s website.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-maingear-apex-force-and-apex-rush-might-be-the-most-beautiful-water-cooled-desktops-at-ces-2025-160050312.html?src=rss

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© Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Lenovo has made history with its new Yoga Slim 9i laptop, which has an under-display camera similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold phone. In other words, the 32-megapixel camera is situated beneath the screen where you can’t see it, but it can capture video and images just fine. The Yoga Book 9i is also getting updated with a larger screen, an NPU and higher peak brightness.

Having an under-display camera lets device manufacturers use thinner bezels. In the Yoga Slim 9i’s case, Lenovo was able to achieve what it calls a world’s first: a 98 percent screen-to-body-ratio on a laptop, which the company claims is a world-first. Plus, the 4K120 OLED touch display measures 14 inches. Its PureSight certification includes 100 percent sRGB and Adobe RGB support. Additionally, the Yoga Slim 9i has a peak brightness of 750 nits, and supports VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600.

The Yoga Slim 9i is capable of handling AI tasks, thanks to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and with a 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS) NPU. The 75WHr battery provides up to 17 hours of battery life. Graphics are handled by an uniform memory access Intel Arc GPU.

The Yoga Slim 9i can come with 1TB of storage and 32GB of RAM, making it a portable workhorse of a laptop. As for ports, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports besides the charging-only USB-C port.

The latest Yoga Book 9i has also received several upgrades. The screen size has been increased from 13.3 inches to a full 14 inches, and the 400 nits brightness has been upped to 750 nits. The new model has a 94 percent screen-to-body-ratio, up a little over two percent from the prior generation. Plus, it now has AI capabilities thanks to new hardware.

Finally, we can take a brief look at the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition, a convertible laptop. The 14-inch 2.8K120 screen supports multi-touch and has a peak brightness of 1100 nits. It also has Smart Modes that let users customize the settings quickly. At 2.91 pounds, it’s easy to carry around for work.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovos-yoga-slim-9i-is-the-first-laptop-to-get-an-under-display-camera-160045339.html?src=rss

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As always, one could confuse CES with a full-on auto show. Among the brands showcasing in Las Vegas this year are Volvo, Toyota, BMW, China's Zeekr and, of course, the Afeela (Sony’s and Honda’s joint venture). Honda, meanwhile, has its own dedicated keynote coming up and you can watch it right here. The automaker is continuing to showcase its 0 Series EVs after debuting two concept models at CES 2024. Next up is a look at two prototypes ahead of Honda starting to ship these vehicles in 2026.

What to expect at Honda's CES 2025 press conference

Last year, we got a look at two Honda 0 Series concept vehicles — a sedan that the company called the Saloon and a minivan-style Space-Hub. Honda's mantra for 0 Series development is "thin, light and wise," and its CES 2025 keynote will focus on the latter.

Honda says it will unveil the 0 Series operating system and automated driving tech, while spilling the beans about the SoC that will power the EVs. In addition, it will reveal details about an energy service that it will roll out alongside the 0 Series vehicles.

The big draw of the keynote, however, will be the two prototype 0 Series EVs that Honda will show off. The company plans to start shipping those in 2026. A teaser image (above) indicates that it Honda has a sedan and a minivan or SUV ready to discuss.

Watch the Honda CES 2025 livestream

You can watch Honda's CES 2025 press conference live below. The stream will start Tuesday, January 7 at 1:30PM ET.

Follow real-time CES updates on our liveblog

For a recap of the Honda event as well as other news coming out of Las Vegas this week, check out our main CES 2025 liveblog.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/honda-ces-2025-keynote-watch-honda-reveal-its-0-series-ev-prototypes-live-here-160037969.html?src=rss

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Lenovo came to CES 2025 to prove that there’s still room in its ThinkPad family for fresh designs. It may seem sacrilegious to ditch the carbon fiber frames and Trackpoint nubs found in classic ThinkPads, but that’s exactly what the new ThinkPad X9 line does.

Lenovo may not admit it outright, but the goal with these new models is to entice younger buyers who might not have a ton of nostalgia for the company’s 30-year-old laptop line. That said, the X9 line (which will be available in both 14- and 15-inch variants) still delivers the same military-grade durability (MIL-SPEC 810H) you’d expect from a typical ThinkPad while boasting an even sleeker and more minimalist appearance.

The lid of the X9 line is made from a smooth sheet of aluminum with the only defining characteristic (aside from the ThinkPad logo) being the long communication bar that houses the laptop's microphones and cameras. On the inside, Lenovo’s streamlined aesthetic reveals the complete absence of a Trackpoint nub, a redesigned keyboard with new keycaps and an even larger haptic touchpad than what you’d get from the X9’s siblings.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

So even though I’m an elder millennial who has some fondness for old-school ThinkPads, I must admit that I find Lenovo’s break from tradition rather appealing. I never understood the Trackpoint nub, especially on modern notebooks with super responsive touchpads. Getting rid of it not only reduces distractions, but makes the keyboard easier to use. And even with its tweaked keycaps, there’s still plenty of travel to deliver a very comfortable typing experience.

On its bottom, Lenovo is using what it calls an Engine Hub to deliver great connectivity for its size including a Thunderbolt 4 port on each side, a full HDMI 2.1 jack, 3.5mm audio and USB-A, while still providing plenty of room for thermal management. The X9 line’s D-cover (the bottom panel) can also be removed by loosening just four captured screws, which gives you easy access to the laptop's user-replaceable SSD and battery. Unfortunately, because the system is powered by up to Intel Core Ultra 7 processors, RAM is soldered on so you can’t upgrade its memory on your own.

Both the 14- and 15-inch versions of the X9 feature bright OLED displays with 2.8K resolutions and 400 nits of brightness (or 500 nits on the X9 15) and all models come with 80Whr batteries, Wi-Fi 7, 8-megapixel high-def webcams and dual noise-canceling microphones. I also appreciate a lot of the smaller design touches like the physical shutter for the webcam and what might be one of the smallest 65-watt power adapters I’ve seen from any major laptop manufacturer to date.

Finally, Lenovo’s Aura Edition branding is there to remind you that the X9 line includes a handful of AI-powered tools including Smart Share, dynamic power modes, enhanced security and more. And in case anything ever goes wrong, you’ll also have access to 24/7 live support that’s meant to deliver more of a white-glove experience compared to less premium machines.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

All told, the new X9 line really does seem like a more modern approach to laptop design. Now, that doesn’t mean Lenovo needs to kill the classic ThinkPad (I still love those carbon fiber frames), but especially for younger customers, I feel like there’s plenty of room for both of these lines to live together happily.

Both models are expected to go on sale in February, with the ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition starting at $1,399 or $1,549 for the 15-inch version.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovos-new-thinkpad-x9-is-the-least-thinkpad-ever-160019926.html?src=rss

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© Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Lenovo’s Legion gaming laptops are getting a big refresh thanks to CES 2025. The new series of notebooks includes what’s probably the star of the show, the 10th-generation Legion Pro 7i. It supports up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU thanks in part to a cooling system that enables up to 250W thermal design power (TDP). It also uses an AI engine to dynamically adjust CPU and GPU wattage for optimal performance.

It’ll also support up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor to pair with that high-powered NVIDIA graphics card. Lenovo’s Legion Coldfront Vapor cooling helps it support that high-end hardware. On top of that, you’ll get up to 64GB of 6400Mhz DDR5 (2 X 32GB) RAM and a built-in LA1+LA3 AI chip. All of that is a recipe for souped-up gaming on the go — or really just about anything you need to do, anywhere at any time.

The laptop has up to a 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600, 16:10) OLED display. The screen supports up to a 240Hz frame rate and has a 1ms response time. It can reach 500 nits of brightness. The Legion Pro 7i has two USB-C ports (one of which is Thunderbolt 4), three USB-A ports and HDMI 2.1. With all that high-end hardware inside, it’s quite the beefy machine, with a starting weight of around 6 lbs.

It launches in March. But all that horsepower doesn’t come cheap: Lenovo says the Legion Pro 7i has an expected starting price of $2,399 — and you can safely bet that RTX 5090 variants will fetch a premium on top of that.

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Meanwhile, the 10th-gen Legion Pro 5i (Intel) and Legion Pro 5 (AMD) offer up to an Intel Ultra 9 275HX (the same as the Pro 7i) or AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, respectively. Their thermal power supports up to 200W, which enables up to an RTX 5070 Ti Laptop for graphics. You can order configurations with up to 32GB (2 X 16GB) of 6400Mhz DDR5 RAM.

It also has up to a 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600, 16:10) OLED screen at up to 500 nits with a 1ms response time. But at 165Hz, its maximum frame rates don’t go quite as high as the Pro 7i.

Like the Pro 7i, the Pro 5 series uses Lenovo’s AI Engine+ with a Scenario Detection feature that dynamically tweaks the CPU and GPU wattage based on the moment’s needs. It has the same port setup as the Pro 7i, but at least it weighs a bit less (a minimum of 5.58 lbs).

Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait longer for the more affordable Pro 5 series. The Legion Pro 5i launches in May (starting at $1,499), while the Legion Pro 5 arrives in June (starting at $1,399).

Lenovo

Lenovo also has a 10th-gen version of the (non-“Pro”) Legion 7i, which the company’s oddly specific PR copy says is for “gamers actively studying in STEM programs and fields.” It also supports up to an Intel Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5070 GPU and has up to a 16-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) OLED with up to 240Hz and 1ms. However, its Coldfront Hyper cooling maxes out at a lower 145W TDP, so you won’t get the same top-level performance as the more expensive Pro models.

Starting at 4.4 lbs., it’s notably thinner and lighter than the Pro models. (The fact that it’s more portable but still decently powerful likely explains Lenovo’s strange “STEM student” framing.) It has an all-metal chassis. It will be available in June for $1,599.

Finally, there’s also a 10th-gen Legion 5i. Sticking with the oddly specific PR framing, Lenovo says this model is for “university gamers in non-STEM programs.” (Gotta nail down every niche!) It has up to a 15.1-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600, 16:10, 165Hz, 1ms) OLED and supports up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5070 Laptop GPU. (There’s also an AMD variant with up to a Ryzen AI 7 350 CPU.)

The Legion 5i is slated for a May launch, starting at $1,299.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/ces-2025-lenovos-10th-gen-legion-pro-7i-gaming-laptop-supports-up-to-rtx-5090-graphics-160004613.html?src=rss

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The Lenovo Legion Go is sort of like the SUV of gaming handhelds. It’s big and beefy and comes with extra equipment like detachable controllers, a kickstand and vertical mouse functionality that lets it adapt to all sorts of situations. Unfortunately, those features made it kind of bulky too, so at CES 2025, Lenovo is announcing a slightly more portable version called the Legion Go S with support for not one but two different OSes.

Before we get too deep into the details, it’s important to mention that I only got a chance to check out the Windows 11 model. However, for anyone who’s ever wanted a Steam Deck with better performance, Lenovo is also making a version that comes pre-loaded with SteamOS. That said, the specs on both variants are nearly identical. They feature either an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip or the Z1 Extreme APU Lenovo used on the previous model, with up to 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD and a 55.5Wh battery. You also get a microSD card slot for expandable storage, two USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack. The main difference is their color (and release date, but more on that later) as the Windows 11 Legion Go S comes in white while the SteamOS model will be available in black.

Compared to the original Legion Go, the S features a smaller but still large 8-inch 120 Hz OLED display (down from 8.8 inches) with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution and VRR instead of 2,560 x 1,600 144Hz panel like on the original. It also doesn’t have detachable controllers or a kickstand. The benefit of this is that the whole system feels much sturdier, which should make you feel better about tossing it in a bag before your next trip. It’s also noticeably lighter at 1.6 pounds versus 1.9 for its older sibling.

Notably, you still get analog sticks with Hall Effect sensors, which you don’t get on rivals like ASUS’ pricey ROG Ally X. Lenovo also moved to a new pivot-style D-pad, though I’m not sure that counts as a true upgrade as I tend to prefer the classic cross-style ones. Another nice bonus for tinkerers is that on the inside, the Go S comes with a shorter 2242 SSD module even though it can accommodate desktop-size 2280 sticks.

Initially, I got a chance to check out the Windows 11 version, whose performance felt quite snappy thanks to the drop in resolution to 1,920 x 1,200, which feels like a more suitable match for its components. Lenovo has also made some improvements to its Legion Space app, so it functions much better as a general game launch and a place to tweak performance and settings. I also appreciate little touches like how even though it's much smaller, the Legion Go S still has a touchpad in front, which is such a huge help when you need to exit Legion Space and navigate around in Windows. I’d even say that despite its size, the pad on the Go S is more responsive, as it feels more like a trackball than a tiny touchpad. And around back, there’s a small toggle for adjusting how far you can pull the shoulder buttons.

As for the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS, I found it remarkable how similar it felt to the Steam Deck despite not being made by Valve. The UI is almost identical, the only differences are some subtle tweaks Lenovo added to support things like the handheld’s RGB lighting and higher 30-watt TDP. In person, the SteamOS models’ casing looks more like a dark purple than pure black, which is a nice subtle touch. However my biggest takeaways is that Valve’s OS felt slightly more responsive that it does on the Steam Deck, which I’m attributing to the Legion’s newer APU.

The small hiccup is that a higher-end version of Legion Go S running Windows 11 is expected to go on sale first sometime later this month starting at $730 with an AMD Z2 Go processor, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Unfortunately, that means anyone who wants one of the more affordable models with 16GB of RAM or running SteamOS will have to wait a bit longer, as those variants won’t be available until May. On the bright side, the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS will have a lower starting price of $499 compared to an equivalent Windows model which will start at $599.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-lenovo-legion-go-s-is-the-first-third-party-steamos-handheld-160001245.html?src=rss

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© Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Sony had a lot of entertainment news to share during its CES 2025 press conference, especially when it came to movies and shows based on PlayStation properties. The company is also expanding its anime streaming service, Crunchyroll, with a new manga app.

The standalone Crunchyroll Manga app is coming to iOS and Android later this year. It'll debut in the US and Canada. It will only be available in English at first and support for more languages will arrive down the line. You'll need to pay extra to use the app, however, as it's slated to be a premium add-on for Crunchyroll. The service hasn't divulged which titles you'll be able to read in the app — it will announce details about that and publisher involvement at a later date. Web browser support is coming at some point as well.

Word of the Crunchyroll Manga app comes soon after Sony was in talks to buy Kadokawa, the parent company of Elden Ring developer FromSoftware and (more pertinently in this case) a major publisher of anime and manga. The companies instead agreed for Sony to take a larger stake in Kadokawa and become its biggest shareholder. As such, it would be quite a surprise if Kadokawa's library of manga was somehow not featured in the upcoming app.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/a-new-crunchyroll-manga-mobile-app-arrives-later-this-year-155234860.html?src=rss

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