Bethesda tweeted out an information update directed at Xbox Series console owners - and it has caused a stir within the fanbase - Redfall will be locked to "Quality Mode" upon launch in early May. PC gaming enthusiasts will have plenty to laugh about with these newly announced graphical performance restrictions, set for the green team's pair of current generation consoles. The frame rate will be capped at a maximum of 30 frames per second on both Xbox Series X and S, under the "Quality" performance mode. The version tuned for Series X will be able to output at the 4K UHD resolution standard (3840 x 2160), and the pixel count will be reduced for Microsoft's weaker console offering, at 1440p QHD (2560 x 1440).

Bethesda states that a 60 frames per second "Performance Mode" for Xbox Series X|S will be added at a later (unspecified) date, presumably via an online patch issued through Xbox Live. No further details were provided regarding the decision to cap frame rates, all the more strange given that Redfall is due to launch very soon. Arkane Studios (the Austin, TX branch) declared last month that it was also working on a removal of the always online requirement for the game's single player element - again, no time period for release has been established for this reversal. Redfall has attracted mounds of controversy over the past two months - including Sony's attention through litigation.

Syntech, an innovative manufacturer of quality and affordable electronic accessories and consumer technology products, has today announced the launch of its new 6-in-1 USB-C Docking Station for Steam Deck. Providing users with 6 different ports to meet most needs, and the ability to output to a 4K monitor or TV at 60Hz, it is a handy and ergonomically designed gadget to complement a Steam Deck gaming setup. The Syntech 6-in-1 Docking Station for Steam Deck is available for £39.99/$39.99 on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

AMD today announced the AMD Alveo MA35D media accelerator featuring two 5 nm, ASIC-based video processing units (VPUs) supporting the AV1 compression standard and purpose-built to power a new era of live interactive streaming services at scale. With over 70% of the global video market being dominated by live content, a new class of low-latency, high-volume interactive streaming applications are emerging such as watch parties, live shopping, online auctions, and social streaming.

The Alveo MA35D media accelerator delivers the high channel density, with up to 32x 1080p60 streams per card, power efficiency and ultra-low-latency performance critical to reducing the skyrocketing infrastructure costs now required for scaling such compute intensive content delivery. Compared to the previous generation Alveo U30 media accelerator, the Alveo MA35D delivers up to 4x higher channel density, 4x max lower latency in 4K and 1.8x greater compression efficiency to achieve the same VMAF score—a common video quality metric.

CD PROJEKT RED's Cyberpunk 2077 is already one of the most technologically advanced games available, using several ray tracing techniques to render its neon-illuminated environments and vast Night City visuals at incredible levels of detail. On April 11th, a new Cyberpunk 2077 update will hit the streets, featuring the technology preview of the Ray Tracing: Overdrive Mode, which enhances the game's already-amazing visuals with full ray tracing, otherwise known as path tracing.

Full ray tracing accurately simulates light throughout an entire scene. It is used by visual effects artists to create film and TV graphics that are indistinguishable from reality, but until the arrival of GeForce RTX GPUs with RT Cores, and the AI-powered acceleration of NVIDIA DLSS, real-time video game full ray tracing was impossible because it's extremely GPU intensive.

ASUS today announced Chromebox 5 (CN67), a computer that combines exceptional performance with a contemporary design. The Red Dot Design Award-winning ASUS Chromebox 5 features a slim chassis that houses an efficient thermal solution for reliability, along with a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with up to 32 GB DDR4 3200 memory, and Intel Iris Xe graphics. In addition to the expected DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI ports, ASUS Chromebox 5 also includes versatile Thunderbolt 4 connectivity for speedy data transfers, power delivery, and a connection to external displays. ASUS Chromebox 5 can support up to four 4K displays for stunning visuals and efficient productivity, and is the first Chromebox to feature an optional integrated 15-watt Qi-certified wireless charger that allows users to charge supported devices such as smart phones and earbuds simply by placing them on the top cover. With full support for Android apps from Google Play, ASUS Chromebox 5 allows users to easily download and experience all their favorite apps. The compact chassis can be stood on its side, laid flat, or VESA-mounted on a vertical surface, allowing ASUS Chromebox 5 to be used in a variety of environments, including schools, offices, and retail.

Lightning-fast Thunderbolt 4
Thunderbolt 4 brings Thunderbolt connectivity to USB-C at speeds of up to 40 Gbps, along with DisplayPort 1.4 support. It's even compatible with USB4 to create one compact port that does it all—delivering the fastest, most versatile connection to any dock, display, or data storage device.

REDMAGIC is proud to launch the first generation of its 4K gaming monitor. With an ultra-fast refresh rate of 160 Hz, its display is designed for gamers who demand amazing visual quality and performance. Introduced as a "Dive into the gaming reality", the 27-inch gaming monitor features over 2000 mini-led lights with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It delivers 99% DCI-P3 with a HDR VESA-certified display 1000, and equipped with a dedicated anti-glare feature.

"At REDMAGIC, we believe in providing gamers worldwide with the ultimate e-Sports experience. We strive to deliver high-quality gaming equipment, using professional solutions to optimize the user experience. Our objective is to expand our focus beyond peripherals to other e-sports categories, making multi-terminal gaming more professional and enjoyable for gamers. It is our commitment to provide innovative and high-quality products to the gaming community that we value user feedback and take it seriously in the design and development of our products," said the REDMAGIC team.

Simply NUC, Inc, a leading mini PC solutions company, announced they are taking orders for their brand-new Topaz 3 NUC. As the successor to Topaz 2, Topaz 3 features Intel's latest 13th Gen Raptor Lake processors to provide the most crisp mini PC computing experience to date. From home theater to office to digital signage kiosks, Topaz 3 is designed to be used across many different computing applications.

Starting at $669, two Topaz 3 models (NUC13TZi7 and NUC13TZi5) are now available to preorder from Simply NUC across their global sites. The NUC13TZi7 model based on the Intel Core i7-1360P processor is intended for usage where higher computing performance is needed. To accommodate a variety of price points, more cost-effective options are also available with the NUC13TZi5 model based on the Intel Core i5-1340P processor and the NUC13TZi3 model, which will ship later in Q2, based on the Intel Core i3-1315U processor. Core i7 and i5 units are expected to begin shipping in April.

ASUS today formally launched the ProArt Display PA329CRV, a 31.5-inch professional graphics monitor, aimed at creators. The monitor features a professionally certified wide color-gamut IPS display panel that offers 100% sRGB and 98% DCI-P3 coverage. It feature Calaman certification with a color accuracy of <Δ2. The monitor offers 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels) resolution, with 350 cd/m² maximum brightness (peaks to 400 cd/m²), 1000:1 contrast ratio, and HDR10. Display inputs include USB type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 passthrough and 96 W USB-PD. The monitor features a VESA wall-mount, its included stand supports tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments.

Syntech, global digital accessories industry leader, has announced the release of its latest recent product——the 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station. This docking station is compatible with the portable gaming device Valve Steam Deck and is aimed to enhance the overall gaming experience. Syntech is committed to providing the greatest game user experience, which led to the creation of this product. The docking station features an HDMI 2.0 4K@60 Hz output, a gigabit Ethernet input, 3x USB-A 3.0 output, and a USB-C 3.0 output for high-speed charging. This docking station allows game user to connect Steam Deck to a broad selection of displays, controllers, and peripherals. The revolutionary spherical base design highlights the minimalist look, improves support stability, and does not obstruct the heat vents, guaranteeing that the Steam Deck stays cool throughout extended gaming sessions.

The built-in superior smart chip expands the compatibility of the USB C hub with most Type-C devices, such as phones, tablets, and laptops. This feature ensures that the docking station is compatible with a wide range of devices, making it a versatile accessory for any game user or digital content creator.

Gamers throughout the UK will be able to experience a new level of 4K gaming, with the launch of BenQ's first OLED Gaming Monitor, the MOBIUZ EX480UZ. BenQ, the world-leading human technology and solutions provider, has created a next-level 4K 48" OLED gaming monitor. The newest monitor to join the BenQ and MOBIUZ family boasts a 0.1 ms response time, FreeSync Premium and a 120 Hz refresh rate to support smooth and uninterrupted gameplay.

"We developed the MOBIUZ EX480UZ to offer gamers a new immersive experience with our first OLED monitor," says Royce Lye, Managing Director of BenQ UK & Ireland. "Gamers, either professional or amateur, can enjoy a new audio and visual gaming experience with top-of-the-range display technology that can support smooth, uninterrupted gameplay, but also promote healthy extended used with our latest built-in eyecare technology."

Hailo, the pioneering chipmaker of edge artificial intelligence (AI) processors, today announced its groundbreaking new Hailo-15 family of high-performance vision processors, designed for integration directly into intelligent cameras to deliver unprecedented video processing and analytics at the edge. With the launch of Hailo-15, the company is redefining the smart camera category by setting a new standard in computer vision and deep learning video processing, capable of delivering unprecedented AI performance in a wide range of applications for different industries.

With Hailo-15, smart city operators can more quickly detect and respond to incidents; manufacturers can increase productivity and machine uptime; retailers can protect supply chains and improve customer satisfaction; and transportation authorities can recognize everything from lost children, to accidents, to misplaced luggage. "Hailo-15 represents a significant step forward in making AI at the edge more scalable and affordable," stated Orr Danon, CEO of Hailo. "With this launch, we are leveraging our leadership in edge solutions, which are already deployed by hundreds of customers worldwide; the maturity of our AI technology; and our comprehensive software suite, to enable high performance AI in a camera form-factor."

Magewell has unveiled a new model in its Eco Capture family of ultra-compact, power-efficient, M.2 video capture cards. The new single-channel Eco Capture AIO M.2 provides both HDMI and SDI interfaces with embedded audio support for flexible input connectivity. Magewell will highlight the Eco Capture AIO M.2 and other new innovations in booth C5031 at the 2023 NAB Show in Las Vegas from April 16 to 19.

Magewell's Eco Capture cards offer systems integrators and OEM developers a high-performance video capture solution with low power consumption in a space-efficient form factor. The cost-effective, low-latency devices feature a high-speed PCIe 2.0 bus interface with an M.2 connector and measure just 22x80mm (0.87x3.15 in), making them ideal for incorporation into small, portable or embedded systems where full-sized PCIe slots are not available.

MSI, the world's leading PC gaming hardware brand, is excited to announce a new partnership with one of the world-famous video game companies, SEGA Europe Limited, to press ahead with their upcoming real-time strategy game—Company of Heroes 3.

Dominate the battlefield with MSI 4K gaming monitors!
With MSI's 4K gaming monitor lineup, enjoy Company of Heroes 3 the way it's meant to be with gorgeous details and vivid colors that span across your entire peripheral view. For our new partnership with this classic strategy game, MSI has selected two ultra-fast monitors that embody our brand excellence and will offer the best gaming experience to Company of Heroes fans:

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced today the global launch of its next generation virtual reality headset, PlayStation VR2. Featuring high fidelity visuals, new sensory features and enhanced tracking, PlayStation VR2 takes virtual reality gaming to a whole new level, enabling players to feel a heightened range of sensations unlike any other. The PlayStation VR2 headset and included PlayStation VR2 Sense controller is available at the recommended retail price of $549.99 / €599.99 / £529.99 / ¥74,980

"Providing extraordinary experiences to gamers is what we strive for at PlayStation, and today we are thrilled to start this new chapter in virtual reality gaming with PlayStation VR2," said Jim Ryan, President and CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment. "PlayStation VR2's innovative technology has helped unlock the creativity of the industry's finest developers, who have designed outstanding games that deliver a greater sense of presence for players. I can't wait for fans around the world to experience PlayStation VR2 for themselves."

MediaTek today announced the Dimensity 7200, its inaugural chipset in the new Dimensity 7000 series. The Dimensity 7200 boasts cutting-edge AI imaging features, powerful gaming optimizations, and impressive 5G speeds, all with deeply engrained power savings for extended battery life.

The Dimensity 7200 delivers the same TSMC 4 nm second-generation process found in the Dimensity 9200, and is ideal for ultra-slim designs in a variety of form factors. The octa-core CPU integrates two Arm Cortex-A715 cores, featuring operating speeds of up to 2.8 GHz, with six Cortex-A510 cores, so users can effortlessly multitask and take advantage of peak performance in every app. To further optimize power and performance, MediaTek's built-in AI Processing Unit (APU) maximizes the efficiency of AI tasks and AI-fusion processing.

Google announced that its Chrome 110 browser is entering its stable channels yesterday, which means regular users will see an update rollout in the coming days/weeks. What is interesting about this release is that it supports NVIDIA's RTX Super Resolution capability in the browser for the first time. NVIDIA first announced RTX Super Resolution at CES 2023. This feature allows upscaling videos to higher resolutions using the GeForce RTX 30 and 40 graphics cards. For example, you can now upscale a 1080p video to 4K in real-time using the RTX Super Resolution technology and seamlessly watch upscaled content.

Available in the Chrome 110.0.5481.77/.78 version released yesterday, this functionality must be turned on manually in the NVIDIA control panel to work, as it is not enabled by default. In the YouTube video below, NVIDIA demonstrates how the technology works.

EPI, the leading display specialist and brand license partner for Philips monitors introduces the Philips 27E1N8900. Designed for professionals working from home and looking for a monitor that offers impressive visual contrast, the Philips monitor provides a novel experience. The main feature of this monitor, OLED, is known for its stark contrast and state-of-the-art pixel responsiveness.

In addition to the new OLED technology, this monitor is packed with features that make the screen come to life, such as UltraClear 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution for precise imagery, DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 for shadowing, Ultra Wide-Color for a vivid picture, True 10-bit display for smoother gradients, 99 percent Adobe RGB/DCI-P3, and an antiglare film. These features, along with LowBlue mode, make this monitor the perfect tool.

Lenovo announced today at Information Systems Europe (ISE 2023) in Barcelona the all new ThinkSmart View Plus running Microsoft Teams display, a standalone collaboration display with premium audio, video, and whiteboarding features. The smart collaboration solution is purpose built for hot desking, phone booths, executive desks and home office use cases. Also joining the portfolio of smart collaboration solutions are the newly announced Lenovo IP Controller for collaboration spaces and the newly available ThinkSmart One.

ThinkSmart View Plus
As the way people work continues to evolve, it is vital to stay connected and engaged, regardless of how and where they work. The innovative ThinkSmart View Plus running Microsoft Teams display is a solution that enables hybrid work by increasing productivity, flexibility, and collaboration through its personal and hotdesking experiences.

Sony Electronics is expanding its lineup of pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras with the addition of two 4K models with built-in AI analytics. The SRG-A40 and SRG-A12 cameras automatically and consistently track, and naturally frame presenters, regardless of movement or posture, for seamless content creation and control - all without operating a computer. The new Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Auto Framing technology features automatic operation for quick object tracking and rediscovery, as well as multiple Auto Framing options. Highlights of the cameras include image quality with automation, the flexibility of IP, powerful zoom, remote control, and easy configuration and operation. They are ideal for use in education, corporate, medical, government, broadcast, and faith applications, as well as for live events.

"Our latest PTZ cameras truly represent a new generation," said Rich Ventura, Vice President of Professional Display Solutions, Sony Electronics. "While they incorporate the image quality that is Sony's bedrock, these efficient new models are even smarter than ever with the addition of built-in AI analytics which enable PTZ Auto Framing, paired with the potential resulting from remote control. Our customers have told us that the way in which they capture content - and even the location from which they do it - has changed drastically over the last few years. We listened and created a new user-friendly series that enables mounting freedom, prioritizes location-free operation and creates a streamlined workflow that empowers operators with varying degrees of expertise to create extremely professional content while keeping operating costs down."

NexiGo Aurora PJ90 is one of the few jaw-dropping UST (ultra short-throw) projectors we've come across at the 2023 International CES. This device can project onto a screen as large as 150-inch, from a very short throw distance (think a TV console right underneath the screen), with a very sophisticated automated keystone adjustment mechanism. What you get is a pristine 4K Ultra HD with HDR10 projection at up to 120 Hz refresh-rate, up to 2,500 ANSI lumens brightness, and in-built 60 W (RMS) Dolby Audio 2.1 speakers; along with a fully-fledged Android TV package, and HDMI 2.0 input. If you're in a space-constrained environment like a studio apartment, this is the one to get; however, get ready to fork out USD $2,100.

Lexar at the 2023 International CES showed off the Fly series of microSDXC cards optimized for small camera drone applications. These cards come with a wider temperature-range, are optimized for low power, and meet SD V30 class (at least 30 MB/s of stable write speeds), making them capable of 4K UHD @ 30 Hz video recording. The Play series of microSDXC cards are optimized for high read performance, and targets handheld game consoles, offering up to 150 MB/s reads, and capacities of up to 1 TB. The cards come in sizes of 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB. Elsewhere in the Lexar booth, we come across their fastest CFexpress cards for DLSRs and high-performance video cameras.

The new Lexar Professional series CFexpress type-A cards come in capacities of up to 320 GB, with transfer rates of up to 900 MB/s and 400 MB/s guaranteed write-speeds. The larger CFexpress type-B cards can be as large as 2 TB in size, with transfer-speeds of up to 1900 MB/s and 400 MB/s guaranteed writes (the 400 MB/s figure is an arbitrary industry standard to ensure a particular format of video recording doesn't run into media-write errors). The more premium Lexar Professional Gold series are being targeted at 8K RAW video recording rigs (the latest crop of ARRI and Red cameras), supporting XQD, 1900 MB/s max reads, and 1500 MB/s max writes. Both the type-A and type-B formats come in capacities of up to 2 TB.

As hybrid living continues to blur the lines between work and recreation, consumers are prioritizing convenience and premium experiences from more multifaceted and personalized technology. Both at home and on the go, people now demand versatile tech that can enable them to do more in all aspects of their lives - whether collaborating across devices or simplifying to fewer.

With this in mind, today Lenovo introduced bold new products to address the wide-ranging needs of the modern consumer. The new, cutting-edge Yoga Book 9i hails a new chapter for Yoga in incredible innovation, premium style, and performance for versatile experiences. Redefining what an all-in-one desktop computer could look like, the Yoga AIO 9i is more than meets the eye. In tablets, the new feature-rich Lenovo Tab Extreme and Lenovo Smart Paper digital notepad introduce exciting capabilities for school, home, and beyond. Last but not least, Lenovo's Project Chronos concept (formal name forthcoming) is a new technology that captures a user's movement and enables them to interact with and perform activities in 3D virtual worlds without glasses or wearables.

Today at CES 2023, HP Inc is announcing new products and solutions designed to recharge hybrid experiences so people can thrive in today's digital world. "Hybrid provides us with greater flexibility and freedom in our personal lives, but brings its own set of challenges for people to stay productive and connected to others," said Alex Cho, President, Personal Systems, HP Inc. "HP is taking the headache out of hybrid by delivering powerful and best-in-class ecosystem experiences and industry-leading innovations - including the new HP Dragonfly Pro portfolio for freelancers, the Poly Voyager Free 60 Series Wireless Earbuds for exceptional audio experiences, and the HP E-Series monitors to help take productivity to the next level - while ensuring we continue to advance our world's most sustainable PC portfolio."4

Powering Freelancers with HP Dragonfly Pro
The freelancer community continues to grow exponentially, and by 2027 freelancers will make up more than 50% of the total U.S. workforce. That's why HP is bringing the power of its award-winning Dragonfly brand to freelancers wanting elevated experiences in their hybrid lives. This group of consumers wants technology with the power they need for multitasking and heavy workloads, coupled with built-in support and services for peace of mind.

Targus, a leader in universal docking solutions and tech accessories, announced the retail availability of its first-to-market hybrid/universal docks that support four 4K displays or a single 8K display plus two 4K displays via a single USB-C cable. Both state-of-the-art docks will be on display at CES 2023, Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas. "Today's professionals need to work productively from anywhere, with the advantage of multiple monitors and greater security," says Andrew Corkill, Vice President of Global Marketing & eCommerce at Targus. "Our new DOCK710 and DOCK720 deliver that productivity, performance, and security in a compact design to maintain a clutter-free workspace."

"Targus is at the cutting edge of docking station design for high-productivity workers on the move," says Jeff Lukanc, Synaptics' VP of Video Interface Marketing. "Their customers demand the best, so we're delighted they have chosen to combine our DisplayLink and SentryPoint technologies to ensure both optimum 4K video performance and a convenient, seamless, and secure user experience."

Samsung Electronics today announced the company will introduce new models in its monitor lineup, expanding its visual display leadership for the users. New offerings in the Odyssey, ViewFinity and Smart Monitor lineups at CES 2023 will deliver unmatched image quality and a range of innovative features for people looking to work, play and live through their monitor display. Samsung is revolutionizing the ultra-wide display category by launching the Odyssey Neo G9, the world's first single monitor with dual ultra-high definition resolution. This innovation is a testament to Samsung's industry-leading position in delivering the most immersive and lifelike gaming experience available on the market.

"We are introducing the future of gaming monitors with our Odyssey Neo G9, making each game more lifelike with innovative features and picture quality on a new scale," said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "CES is the perfect place to showcase our innovations that can take not only gamers but also graphic designers or TV fans to the next level while providing personalized experiences across a range of integrated smart apps."