Cyber Acoustics, a trusted provider of technology solutions for education and business, today announced the WC-1000 webcam, engineered for high-quality video while eliminating features that create security risks and IT support challenges for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, enterprises, and remote teams.

The WC-1000 is a purpose-built, video-only camera with no built-in microphone. By eliminating the mic entirely, Cyber Acoustics reduces common challenges for distributed teams and working professionals that already rely on dedicated headsets or speakerphones for audio.

Lamptron has added silver colorways to its HC060 and HM049 hardware monitors, two compact displays built for real-time system monitoring inside or alongside a PC. The bigger of the two is the HC060, a 6-inch LCD running at 1024 x 768 and 60 Hz. It connects over HDMI and Micro USB, draws power via USB, and ties into AIDA64 for live system data, however, it can also handle photos, video, or light gaming if you want to use it that way. The unit measures 148.5 x 8.5 x 70 mm with a visible screen area of 133 x 74.5 mm and an 80° viewing angle. It can sit on a desk or be mounted inside a chassis, and supports custom skins from Lamptron or your own.

The HM049 is the smaller option at 4.9 inches, with a 960 x 320 panel at 60 Hz. Same connectivity and AIDA64 support, same skin customization, just in a more compact 148.5 x 42.5 x 66 mm body with a 111×37.5 mm display area and matching 80° viewing angle. Both models are available through the Lamptron AliExpress store and regional resellers across Europe, North America, and Asia. The HC060 starts at €149.90 and the HM049 at €79.90.

VIA Labs, Inc. (VLI), a leading supplier of USB4, DisplayPort, SuperSpeed USB, USB 2.0, and USB Power Delivery Controllers, today announced at Embedded World 2026 the expansion of its industrial portfolio with the debut of the VL819i USB 5 Gbps and VL822i 10 Gbps Hub Controllers. Following the successful release of its industrial-grade VL122i STT and VL123i MTT USB 2.0 hubs earlier this year, this latest launch provides industrial partners with high-reliability, high-bandwidth applications such as machine vision, high-performance peripherals, displays, data acquisition, storage, and general connectivity. Attendees can learn more about VLI's controller silicon products during Embedded World 2026, March 10-12, at Booth 3-396 in Hall 3, Exhibition Centre Nuremberg.

VIA Labs' industrial-grade hub controllers are engineered for stable and reliable operation in extended-temperature environments from -40°C to +85°C and feature enhanced signal integrity and low-power design. They are ideal for embedded systems, servers, industrial PCs, smart retail terminals, and more.

In February, TechPowerUp partnered with Fosi Audio to bring our readers from around the world a chance to grab one of 10 Fosi Audio C3 gaming-grade external sound cards with AI-powered DSPs. The Fosi Audio C3 is an external USB sound card (DAC + headphones amp) with a selection of parts purpose built for PC gaming. The C3 uses AI models to recognize key in-game sounds, such as footsteps, gunfire, reloads, and directional cues, and dynamically enhance what matters while reducing irrelevant or distracting noise. Rather than simply making certain frequencies louder, the system is designed to identify and prioritize important sounds depending on the gameplay context. The Giveaway is now close, and the results are in! Without further ado, here are the 10 winners!

• ShurikN from Serbia
• Bryan from Singapore
• Khusanbek from the United Kingdom
• Russel from Australia
• ushirlo from Croatia
• Yu-Jie from the United States
• Markus from Germany
• FatherOBlivion from the United States
• Xin Qi from the Netherlands
• azarel from Denmark

Huge congratulations to all 10 of you! TechPowerUp and Fosi Audio will return with more such interesting Giveaways!

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today unveiled the BlackShark V3 for Xbox - White Edition, expanding the lineup with a crisp new finish that complements any Xbox setup. Already celebrated for its comfort, isolation, and competitive clarity, the BlackShark V3 now offers players a bold new way to elevate their console battlestation.

Trusted Performance. Now in White.
The BlackShark V3 series has earned its reputation among console competitors for delivering precise audio, long-lasting comfort, and proven tournament-grade performance. The new White Edition enhances that legacy with a clean, modern aesthetic designed to shine in any environment.

BenQ, global innovator of visual display technology and digital lifestyle devices, today premiered MA270S and MA320UG, new MA Series flagships that redefine what a Mac display can be, bringing a sense of ease, clarity, and thoughtful design to modern Mac lifestyles. Designed for those who expect more than what's built in, the 2026 BenQ MA Series delivers the effortless simplicity Mac users love, now with BenQ's decades-long display expertise. With Mac-tuned colour, smoother motion, and design language that feels native to the Apple ecosystem, the MA Series expands creative freedom and everyday efficiency beyond familiar limits.

"We designed the new MA Series with Mac users in mind - something that doesn't just connect, but enhances," said Peter Huang, President of BenQ Corporation. "These monitors bring true Mac colours to life with smoother motion and smarter workflows, helping users work and create with greater freedom than ever before."

InHand Networks, a global provider of industrial and enterprise networking solutions, today announced the unveiling of the CR602 5G Wi-Fi 7 Router, a next-generation connectivity solution designed to deliver high-speed, reliable, and flexible network access for modern business environments.

As businesses increasingly rely on cloud services, video collaboration, digital payments, and connected devices, the demand for stable, high-performance networking has never been greater. The CR602 addresses these challenges by combining ultra-fast 5G cellular connectivity with next-generation Wi-Fi 7 technology, enabling seamless communication across diverse professional scenarios.

Redragon is known for its budget gaming peripherals, and it has recently announced three more additions to the line-up, this time catering to both gamers and productivity users, with two num pad-toting mechanical keyboards and a wireless gaming mouse. Starting with the latter, the Ebony M998 STD is a tri-mode wireless gaming mouse with a mild ergonomic shape and powered by the PixArt PAW 3311 sensor, which means 24,000 DPI, up to 300 IPS speed, and 35 G acceleration tracking capabilities and 1 kHz polling. It weighs in at 61 g, and is powered by a 400 mAh battery. Redragon says it should last 34 hours on a single charge, but does not cite test conditions or connectivity mode, so your mileage may vary. Probably the most interesting part of the Ebony M998 STD is its magnetic charging dock, which charges the mouse with pogo pins, not wireless charging, and doubles as the 2.4 GHz receiver. While it's not using a flagship-tier sensor, it also does not command flagship prices, coming in at only $29.99 from Redragon directly. The mouse can also be customized on Windows with proprietary software, and it supports on-board macros and rebinding. Redragon also doesn't specify which switches are being used in the Ebony mouse.

The latest in Keychron's endeavor to put Hall effect and TMR tech into every keyboard form factor under the sun sees the keyboard maker launch the Q0 HE, a wireless standalone num pad featuring the same TMR sensors and features as the rest of the Q HE line-up. It's not a typical num pad, though, since the Q0 HE also has five macro keys and a programmable knob in a column along the left side of the num pad and a row of customizable keys above the main num pad cluster. The idea seems to be to provide an option for those who want something like the compact 60% Keychron Q4 HE for gaming but need the num pad for other tasks and want to maintain the same look and feel across their keyboard and num pad. The Q0 HE is available via the Keychron online store at a price of $139.99, and it comes in white and black, although the black version curiously only has black keycaps on the macro column, while the actual num pad keys are topped with white keycaps. Meanwhile, the white version has matching white keycaps with dark green accent keycaps on the macro column.

In terms of hardware, the Q0 HE matches the rest of the Q HE series. This means the same Gateron Double-Rail magnetic Nebula switches, e-coated aluminium chassis, and double-shot PBT keycaps in Keychron's OSA profile, as well as the same in-depth customization via Keychron Launcher. Given the Hall effect tech on-board, the Q0 HE has adjustable actuation distance, DKS, SOCD, Rapid Trigger, and analog input. It also supports macro creation, opening up the possibility of setting up different layers so that it can be used as both a productivity tool and a gaming-focused macro pad. The internal design is likewise identical to that of the regular Q HE series keyboards, which means the Q0 HE has a Poron foam gasket mount, internal case foams for sound damping, and an MCU with QMK firmware. The polling rate also remains at 1,000 Hz for both the USB-C and 2.4 GHz connections, and it supports Bluetooth, with 90 Hz polling, for convenience. This wireless connectivity is powered by a 1,800 mAh battery, which Keychron says should deliver 56 hours of use on a single charge with the backlighting disabled.

BenQ, a global leader in display technology with over 20 years of professional display manufacturing expertise, today announced the RD280UG, a flagship programming monitor designed to deliver exceptional display clarity and eye comfort for programmers. Building on BenQ's RD Series philosophy of "See Clearly, Code Perfectly," the RD280UG reinforces the company's commitment to creating user-driven displays that support long-hour productivity and sustained focus.

The RD Series, introduced in 2024, is the world's first monitor line designed specifically for programmers. The BenQ 28-inch, 4K+, 120 Hz RD280UG builds on the success and trust of the RD280U/UA and RD320U/UA by enhancing programmers' most-requested features.

Brook Gaming, the global leader in cross-platform controller solutions, today announced the global launch of the Wingman P5. This high-performance converter allows PlayStation enthusiasts to use their preferred professional controllers—including the Xbox Elite Series 2, PS4, and Switch Pro—on the PS5, PS4, and PC (X-Input) across all game genres with uncompromised precision.

While many market solutions rely on "Remote Play" workarounds that require complex network setups and introduce significant lag, the Wingman P5 utilizes proprietary Direct Connection Technology. By connecting directly to the hardware, it delivers a near-zero latency experience suitable for both casual and competitive play.

KDE Plasma, one of the current top Linux desktop environments, has officially released version 6.6 into public beta. The new DE update features a number of user-facing and behind-the-scenes updates that should make a significant difference to end users. The first major change noted in the Plasma 6.6 update log is the addition of three new packages, plasma-login-manager, plasma-keyboard, and plasma-setup, and these new packages—except for the plasma-setup wizard—are related to KDE's move away from SDDM as the display manager. Starting with KDE 6.6, SDDM will be replaced by KDE's own Plasma Login Manager, which is slated to introduce a number of new features, including improved multi-monitor support, support for HDR, different keyboard layouts and layout switching, power profile management, and screen readers. Overall, the improvements in PLM alone are substantial, but that's not all that KDE Plasma 6.6 has in store for its users.

The full changelog is available on the KDE Wiki, but some of the highlights include saving a custom theme from current settings, connecting to Wi-Fi networks with a QR code, OCR in Spectacle, improved support for controllers as input devices in the KWin window manager, automatic brightness on devices with ambient light sensors, the implementation of the USB portal to allow sandboxed apps to access USB devices, and a host of accessibility options, like slow keys on Wayland and a monochrome filter. Performance and efficiency tweaks are also on the cards, with the new update promising reduced idle memory usage, a number of fixes for memory leaks, smoother animations on high refresh displays, and improved screen mirroring support. KDE Plasma 6.6 public beta can be downloaded from KDE.org. Although Plasma 6.6 is by definition an incremental upgrade, the number of changes present are promising, especially those related to the new login manager and the promised performance fixes. The full release for Plasma 6.6 is planned for February 17.

Cyber Acoustics, a leading provider of reliable and affordable audio solutions for 30 years, today announced the launch of the CA-2110USB, sleek, round 2.0 speakers that enhance the look of any desktop setup. Though the CA-2110USB is small in size, it doesn't compromise on audio quality, delivering clear stereo sound for music, movies, podcasts, games, or video calls.

Upward-Firing Design Produces Spacious, Natural Sound
The CA-2110USB projects upward, allowing the sound to bounce off nearby surfaces, spreading audio more evenly around the room. This creates more spacious and natural sound, especially from desktop listening. The upward-firing design also reduces reflections on nearby surfaces, for clearer, crisper sounding audio.

Noctua's January 2026 roadmap keeps the same product lineup, but many release windows have been moved later in the year. The Antec Flux Pro Noctua Edition case remains slated for Q1, and standalone water coolers are still listed for Q2. Beyond those entries, several launches have been delayed. Specifically, the Pulsar Feinman Noctua Edition mouse and the NF-A12x25 G2 chromax.black fan have been pushed from Q1 into Q2. A 140 mm desk fan, a USB fan controller, and the Seasonic PRIME PX Noctua Edition power supply have shifted from Q2 into Q3. The Seasonic PSU delay stands out the most because the unit was announced more than a year ago and will now arrive after Computex, effectively moving its debut into the summer months.

However, a delay with proper execution isn't necessarily negative. Noctua prioritizes quality and rigorous testing and each product must survive stress-testing for thousands of hours in the lab, where different user scenarios are made. Additionally, Shipping sensitive components like PSUs also requires time for thorough testing, as they are exposed to many environmental factors, even when the Noctua edition of the Seasonic PSU only changes the fan. Even with that, consumers can expect these prolonged delays to be worthwhile. Below you can see the latest January roadmap, and older September roadmap for comparison.

At the Netac booth at CES 2026, we saw a fleet of memory and storage solutions that the company has prepared for the consumer market. Starting with its Basic memory lineup, it includes DDR5 memory running up to 4,800 MT/s with capacities of up to 32 GB per DIMM. On the other hand, its older DDR4 tops out at 3,200 MT/s with the same 32 GB max capacity (per kit). However, the company has prepared even more advanced DDR5 and DDR4 DIMMs that can reach much higher clock speeds. The Shadows series includes DDR5 running up to 6,400 MT/s, while DDR4 equivalents top out at 3,600 MT/s. Netac's highest-performing DDR5 kits come in the form of Z RGB series with 8,000 MT/s out-of-the-box speeds.

ASUS has decided to enter the deep end of audiophile gear by creating the ROG Kithara, a gaming headset with planar magnetic drivers from HIFIMAN. TPU has tested over 30 products by HIFIMAN and many of them have walked away with awards, so it will be interesting to see what they can do in collaboration with ASUS. The ROG Kithara comes with two sets of cables, one that has a built in MEMS based boom microphone and one that is a balanced cable that can be used with a 4.4 mm balanced connector, or regular 3.5 or 6.3 mm jack plugs. The Kithara also comes with a USB Type-C adapter, but it's not clear if this has a built-in DAC or not.

There are no gimmicks to be found here, no RGB lighting, no wireless connectivity. The ROG Kithara has an open-back design and ASUS claims that the 100 mm planar magnetic drivers deliver an 8 Hz to 55 kHz frequency response range. So far, ASUS hasn't provided any more detailed specs, beyond the 16 ohm impedance, but based on the information available, it seems like the Kithara is based on one of HIFIMAN's simpler planar magnetic drivers. The MEMS microphone is said to have a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response with a 74dB SNR and a total harmonic distortion of less than 0.1 percent. ASUS supplies two pairs of ear cushions in a choice of either velour or leatherette with mesh fabric on the sides. As for pricing, the ROG Kithara is said to have an MSRP of US$359.

Audeze has launched its Maxwell 2 Wireless Gaming Headset at CES 2026 and the new model appears to have been given refinements all around. The Maxwell 2 retains the 90 mm planar magnetic drivers, but everything from the headband to the earcups have been upgraded. Starting with the earcups, they're now attached magnetically, making them easier to remove and they've also been given clearer markings inside and a slight redesign. The headband appears to be slightly wider and it now has perforations to keep your head cooler and the attachment points have been refined. The power button appears to have been moved to the side of the left earcup, rather than sitting in the centre of one of the earcups, next to what appears to be a Bluetooth/proprietary dongle switch.The rest of the controls appear to have been kept, but with refined labelling and the Maxwell 2 still features a trusty old 3.5 mm jack and a USB Type-C port for charging and audio.

The weight has sadly gone up by 70 grams, which isn't entirely insignificant for long gaming sessions, yet the battery remains at the same 1800 mAh rating and still offers 80 hours of wireless usage. This also means that the charging times remain the same, i.e. two hours for a full charge. A new addition on the Bluetooth codec side appears to be Auracast, which might not be super useful when gaming, but could be handy when watching TV. LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC and SBC are still supported, as is multipoint support. The microphone also appears to remain the same as the one that shipped with the original Maxwell headset, with a sprinkle of AI noise removal. Audeze has also launched a new app to go with Maxwell 2 and will be offering "skins" to customise the headphones with. Unfortunately the price has also gone up, albeit by just US$20-30 depending on the SKU, which means that the PlayStation version starts at US$329 and the Xbox version is coming in at US$349 and is available to order now.

Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announced a bold new lineup of accessories designed to power, protect, and enhance the way people work, play, and connect. The new collection, debuting at CES 2026, includes advanced power banks, Qi2 25 W wireless chargers, a wireless HDMI dongle for seamless content sharing, and a next gen charging case for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Gaming
Charging Case Pro for Nintendo Switch 2 (Model ENA003)
Engineered for the ultimate on-the-go gaming experience, the Pro case delivers power, protection, and portability in one premium package. A removable 10,000mAh power bank delivers up to 30 W fast charging and features an LCD screen to display remaining battery life. The Pro version builds on the standard model's safe in-case charging with a sleeker, integrated power bank design that adds even more convenience. Gamers can now recharge the power bank externally without opening the case, check battery levels at a glance, and enjoy uninterrupted play with the hinged power bank design that doubles as a tabletop stand. Additional features include a dedicated flap for organized game card storage, a hidden compartment for smart trackers such as AirTag and Tile, and rugged materials and heavy-duty zippers for long-term durability. Compact, stylish, and performance-driven, the Pro case delivers upgraded convenience and charging flexibility for players who demand more from their gear.

NuPhy earlier this year unveiled the Node 75, a 75% wireless mechanical keyboard with a retro design inspired by the Braun T3, and it has now brought that retro design language to an 1800 layout, which means you get a keyboard with a full-size num pad in a slightly more compact layout. The Node 100 also has the same touch-sensitive area on the right-hand side of the top edge of the keyboard—kind of mimicking the Apple Touch Bar in functionality—and the same dot matrix indicator LEDs on the left side of that same top edge. The Node 100 has a PCB gasket mount and is constructed of plastic, which allows NuPhy to bring the price down to a pretty reasonable $109.99, and it is available in Ink Grey, Lunar White, and Light Pink from NuPhy's online store. It is also available as both high- and low-profile designs and with a choice of linear, silent, and light tactile switches in both variants.

The Node series uses both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, with USB-C available as a wired option. The low-profile version uses NuPhy's Low-Profile Nano switches, which follow Gateron's Low-Profile 3.0 design, meaning the switch selection is somewhat limited at the time of writing. The low-profile version of the Node 100 keyboard is pitched as a portable option for on-the-go productivity, although it still weighs in at 787 g. Both versions of the keyboard have PBT keycaps, although the low-profile version uses NuPhy's nSA profile and dye-sublimated legends, while the high-profile version has double-shot keycaps in the mSA profile. Both versions of the Node 100 have two-stage adjustable feet for typing angles of 6°, 9°, and 12°. The front height of both versions of the keyboard are also reasonably low, at 13.8 mm on the low-profile keyboard and 18.9 mm on the full-height version.

Since their debut in 2023, AI PCs have taken the market by storm. Gartner projects that 77 million AI PCs will ship in 2025, representing 31% of the worldwide PC market, and growing to a 55% market share in 2026. Meanwhile, edge AI is multiplying due to a variety of factors, including smaller and more efficient AI algorithms, more powerful AI silicon, and the proliferation of IoT devices.

As laptops, AI PCs, and the latest imaging systems demand even higher performance and lower power, SoCs are challenged to keep pace. Advanced-node SoCs at 5 nm and below must balance efficiency with ultra-low voltages and growing bandwidth needs. High-resolution cameras, faster frame rates, and AI-driven workloads all require interfaces that deliver speed with minimal EMI/RFI noise.

Club 3D officially released its 2 newest products: The CSV-2562 13-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station and the CSV-2512 KVM Switch. These new products are a strong way to end the year for Club 3D since the docking station is Club 3D's most powerful docking station yet.

CSV-2562 13-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station M.2 SSD 2x HDMI 8K60Hz Thunderbolt Share Certified 180 W
The Club 3D CSV-2562 is a certified Thunderbolt 5 docking station that consolidates all essential ports into one device, including an SSD slot for easily expanding your computer's storage with the same speeds as your internal drive.

• Club 3D's highest model Thunderbolt 5 device, fully certified for guaranteed compatibility and peak performance.
• Add more space with an easy-to-use SSD slot, giving your computer the same lightning-fast speed as its built-in storage.
• Connect up to 3 screens at 5K60Hz, ideal for multitasking at a high level.
• Delivers a 140 W power delivery to your laptop and 30 W to your phone or tablet, to charge your devices without the need for extra chargers.
• Comes with a Thunderbolt Share license to connect two computers directly for seamless file transfer and display control.
• Upgrade your setup with the CSV-2562 and experience peak Thunderbolt 5 performance from one compact and reliable docking station.

DataLocker, a global leader in encryption solutions, today announced a significant industry milestone. As of today, DataLocker is the only vendor worldwide to achieve FIPS 140-3 Level 3 validation across both portable hard drive and USB flash drive categories, while maintaining full Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance for a fully trusted supply chain.

This achievement helps military, federal, and regulated enterprise customers who have previously been forced to choose between security certified to the older FIPS 140-2 standard and real-world usability. The validations were confirmed by the NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program under Certificates #5091 and #5092.

With the SKILLER SGH40W, Sharkoon's wireless headsets are making a powerful comeback! Thanks to dual mode with either wireless 2.4 GHz or wired TRRS, the headset can be used wherever it is needed. At the same time, high-performing 53 mm drivers and hybrid ear pads offer a combination of impressive audio and long-lasting comfort. And, of course, a microphone with a pop filter is also on board to ensure crystal-clear communication with the rest of the team.

Flexible Connection Options
Whether wirelessly via 2.4 GHz or classically via a TRRS cable - the SKILLER SGH40W is ready for any situation. For maximum compatibility, the headset also comes with an adapter cable for TRRS to 2x TRS.

Chieftec has officially announced The Cube, a new compact microATX case that seems almost specifically designed to blend into a living room gaming setup or serve as a home-theater PC build. The Cube CI-03B-OP, as it is formally known, has a front intake grill and a smooth matte black finish that makes it look like a subwoofer in a speaker setup instead of like a loud, garish PC setup. The whole chassis measures in at just 385 × 265 × 355 mm, and features a healthy helping of front I/O, including 1× USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, 2× USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and a 3.5 mm audio combo jack. The motherboard is curiously positioned horizontally inside the case, even when the case is upright, a design that might result in a starved GPU in some situations, since there is no ventilation on the GPU fan side.

[Editor's note: Our in-depth review of The Cube is now live]

The Cube supports up to a 240 mm radiator and comes with a single 200 mm PWM fan pre-installed. Some other neat features include a "fold-open mechanism," which basically allows you to easily remove the front and top panels of the case quickly for improved access to build in the case. Internally, things are tight, with CPU cooler clearance limited to just 160 mm and video cards similarly limited to 355 mm. Aside from the pre-installed 200 mm front intake fan, The Cube supports up to a single 120 mm rear exhaust fan and dual 120 mm fans, a single 200 mm fan, or a 240 mm radiator on the top panel. It also supports a full size ATX PSU up to 160 mm in length and two 3.5-inch HDDs and two 2.5-inch SSDs, providing reasonable expansion options. It's unclear if The Cube will be available in the US at any point, but it is currently priced at €69.90 in the EU.

ASUS today announced the Prime AP303, a 44-liter mid-tower ATX case that gives users the space needed for high-end components, with multiple side panel and color options. The case's user-friendly features and cooling optimizations provide a compact frame with massive potential.

Compact size with max capacity
The ASUS Prime AP303 uses every square inch smartly, providing room for ATX PSUs up to 180 mm long and graphics cards up to 360 mm long. The case's graphics card bracket is built to support the heft of GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards measuring between 310 mm to 360 mm long—up to and including heavyweight cards like the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090. This ensures long-term hardware stability—even for graphics cards with large heatsinks for premium thermal performance. In addition, the Prime AP303 ensures stable power via a UL-certified internal power cable, which delivers 15 amps of current to the front-mounted power supply. For easy cable management, the AP303 also offers a 34 mm-wide compartment behind the motherboard.