Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations

Concept for PS6 controller with touch controls

New Sony patent shows potential DualSense PS6 controller that ditches all physical buttons

A Sony patent has surfaced with an unconventional concept for a future controller. Without sticks, buttons, or triggers, inputs would register through touch controls. A candidate for a PS6 controller, with a virtual layout, the de...

Adam Corsetti, 30 Jan 2026 17:58

An image of the new Ugreen Zapix Qi2 15W 2-in-1 Wireless Charger.

Ugreen launches new upgraded 2-in-1 wireless charger

Ugreen has released a new accessory: the Zapix Qi2 15W 2-in-1 Wireless Charger. Available in North America and Europe, this is an upgraded version of an older model. Features of the Qi2 certified product include an adjustable angl...

Polly Allcock, 30 Jan 2026 17:46

The indicator hand at 9 o’clock position is shaped like an old-school piton once used in rock climbing. (Image source: Casio)

Deal | Casio's most-advanced Pro Trek watch with ABC sensors, flame-resistant case, and Bluetooth is heavily discounted right now

Amazon just knocked the Casio Pro Trek PRW-B1000-1 down to $434, its lowest price so far. That’s a rare discount on a square, Triple Sensor-equipped Pro Trek built for serious time outdoors.

Kristen Spradlin, 30 Jan 2026 17:29

An image of the Xiaomi Desktop Speaker Pro Set with RGB lighting.

New Xiaomi soundbar with wireless subwoofer launching globally

Xiaomi is set to release the Desktop Speaker Pro Set in various countries worldwide, such as the UK and Germany. The kit includes a soundbar and a wireless subwoofer, each with a minimalist design. Features include RGB lighting, o...

Polly Allcock, 30 Jan 2026 17:11

The Google Pixel tablet is set to receive two additional Android updates. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Google Pixel Tablet surprisingly receives two more major Android updates

The Google Pixel Tablet was originally slated to receive only three major Android updates, which would have ended software support for the tablet this year, aside from security patches. Now, Google is extending update support for ...

Hannes Brecher, 30 Jan 2026 16:53

The Quickshot II pairs modern technology with a retro aesthetic (Image source: Retro Games/Plaion)

Legendary 80s joystick returns with modern features

In the 1980s, the Quickshot II was a staple in every well-equipped gaming setup alongside the Competition Pro. It has now returned with several quality-of-life improvements, such as USB support, whilst retaining signature features...

Marc Zander, 30 Jan 2026 16:42

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra appears in allegedly official product images. (Image source: Android Headlines, edited)

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra appears in allegedly official images, leak purportedly confirms specs

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has surfaced for the first time in allegedly official product images, and in two colors. This latest leak also appears to confirm some of the specifications of the next-generation flagship smartphone, ...

Hannes Brecher, 30 Jan 2026 16:11

The design of the Realme 16 was clearly inspired by the Apple iPhone Air. (Image source: Realme)

Realme 16 copies the design of Apple iPhone Air, adding mirror and 7,000 mAh battery

The Realme 16 uses a design similar to the Apple iPhone Air, but adds a mirror to the pill-shaped camera module, making it easier to take selfies with the 50 MP main camera. The smartphone also boasts a 7,000 mAh battery in a wate...

Hannes Brecher, 30 Jan 2026 16:10

The Pocket Play will be powered by an old flagship SoC. Pictured: a promo picture showing the black version of the gaming phone. (Image source: Ayaneo)

Ayaneo finally reveals what powers its Xperia Play-inspired Pocket Play

The Ayaneo Pocket Play was officially teased in early December 2025, but not much about this Xperia Play-like gaming phone was revealed. With a second round of teasers, the company revealed the display specs, and now the SoC has b...

Abid Ahsan Shanto, 30 Jan 2026 15:58

Anbernic's RG G01 controller will be available in three colours. (Image source: Anbernic)

Anbernic reveals more details about new wireless controller with Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility

Anbernic has shared new details about its upcoming wireless controller release. Rivalling the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless, Manba One V2 or the GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro, among others, the new controller will be compatible with the Nin...

Alex Alderson, 30 Jan 2026 15:51

Garmin has issued three beta updates for the Tactix 8 and co. in as many weeks. (Image source: Garmin)

Garmin smartwatches receive fresh improvements with new update release

Garmin has released a fresh update to many of its high-end smartwatches. Rolling out globally, the new update introduces improvements ahead of an impending stable software rollout.

Alex Alderson, 30 Jan 2026 15:47

Expeditions: Viking is 90% off on Steam until February 9. (Image source: Steam)

Deal | Steam: Viking RPG drops to new all-time low of just under $3

Expeditions: Viking blends role-playing with strategy and stands out for its authentic portrayal of the Viking Age. The game is currently available on Steam at its lowest price yet – a 90% discount brings it down to just under $3 ...

Marius Müller, 30 Jan 2026 15:43

Garmin has confirmed it has resolved a smartwatch (Forerunner 970 pictured) connectivity issue. (Image source: Garmin)

Garmin confirms new app update fixes connectivity problem

Garmin has acknowledged a recent Connect app connectivity issue and confirmed that this has been resolved in a recent update. This problem has been reported by many users of smartwatches, including the Fenix 8. However, some users...

Polly Allcock, 30 Jan 2026 15:20

Untrusted can be claimed for free on Steam until February 1. (Image source: Steam)

Deal | 100% off: Online hacking game with social deduction free on Steam for a limited time

Untrusted is a challenging online multiplayer game for 10 to 16 players that blends hacking with social deduction. For a limited time, it is free to claim on Steam.

Marius Müller, 30 Jan 2026 15:20

Tesla Solar Panel roof installation. (image source: Tesla)

Tesla outs first American solar panel with 18 energy zones and fast rail-less installation

The new Tesla solar panel modules use their frames as rails to attach to the respective mounts, speeding up installation by a third. Tesla also tripled the effective power zones compared to conventional solar panels.

Daniel Zlatev, 30 Jan 2026 15:17

Amazfit’s Active 2 smartwatch (Premium pictured) is receiving software version 6.9.0.1. (Image source: Amazfit)

New Amazfit smartwatch update brings BioCharge feature to more users

The Amazfit Active 2 smartwatches are receiving another software update. Version 6.9.0.1 appears to resolve an issue linked to BioCharge energy level monitoring, a feature which was only available for some customers after another ...

Polly Allcock, 30 Jan 2026 15:16

Deep Rock Galactic is free to play on Steam until February 2 at 6 PM (UTC). (Image source: Steam)

Deal | Space dwarf FPS free to play for a limited time (97% positive, 360K reviews)

In Deep Rock Galactic, players take on the role of heavily armed dwarves exploring dangerous space mines. The co-op shooter features procedurally generated levels and fully destructible environments. For a limited time, the game i...

Marius Müller, 30 Jan 2026 14:45

The refreshed Topton D12 Ultra with Zen 5 processors starts at around $296. Pictured: a promo picture showing the design of the mini PC. (Image source: Topton)

Affordable AMD-powered Topton mini PC launches with OCuLink and RDNA 3.5 iGPU

Topton has introduced a new mini PC, the refreshed D12 Ultra. It's powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors, and the top-end configuration features the AI 9 HX 370 with the Radeon 890M iGPU. There's eGPU support through t...

Abid Ahsan Shanto, 30 Jan 2026 14:42

Elon Musk himself acknowledged during the latest Tesla earnings call that Optimus is not performing any meaningful tasks in the company’s factories. (Image source: OpenAI)

Elon Musk lied: Tesla’s Optimus robot turns out to be a pipe dream

It appears that Tesla’s Optimus robot is far less advanced than Elon Musk has suggested. During the latest Tesla earnings call, it became clear that the humanoid robot is not actually operating in the company’s factories but is me...

Marius Müller, 30 Jan 2026 14:34

Windows 11 banner shown on Microsoft News (Image source: Microsoft News with edits)

Windows 11 KB5074105 preview update: New features and fixes for 25H2

Windows 11’s January 2026 KB5074105 preview update for 24H2 and 25H2 adds new features like Android cross-device Resume and MIDI upgrades while fixing Start menu, black screen, and graphics issues from earlier patches.

Darryl Linington, 30 Jan 2026 14:23

The first benchmarks for Panther Lake are promising before models become more widely available this Q2 2026 (Image source: Asus)

Core Ultra X7 358H vs. Core Ultra 7 255H: Panther Lake throttles less and performs more consistently

The year-over-year raw CPU performance benefits are minimal on the surface, but they widen in favor of Intel's new Panther Lake series once throttling is accounted for.

Allen Ngo, 30 Jan 2026 13:23

A new shop is selling official items used in Apple Stores. (Image source: AppleUnsold)

Previously not-for-sale Apple Store items are now available for purchase

If you have always wanted an original MagSafe charger, an iPad stand or a presentation tray for Apple Watch straps like the ones used in Apple Stores, a new online shop might finally have the right products for you.

Hannes Brecher, 30 Jan 2026 13:11

Pictured - the PlayStation Portal streaming handheld, pictured against a dark background. (Image source: Sony)

New Sony leak points to OLED PlayStation Portal update in 2026, with a more powerful gaming handheld to follow

Sony is reportedly expanding its handheld ecosystem in 2026 with a new OLED PlayStation Portal refresh, while a more powerful RDNA 5-based native handheld is in active development.

Anubhav Sharma, 30 Jan 2026 12:51

A screenshot from Fallout 76 showing a mutated monster (Image source: Steam; cropped)

Deal | Popular action-RPG with 133,000 reviews drops to $7.99 on Steam, now free to try

Fallout 76 — a survival open-world RPG — is now free to try on Steam until February 5. It is also on sale currently at $7.99, an 80% reduction from the official price tag of $39.99.

Chibuike Okpara, 30 Jan 2026 12:34

TikTok gets trashed. (Image source: AI generated by Nano Banana Pro)

Privacy concerns and fear of censorship: TikTok uninstalls skyrocket in the US

The launch of TikTok's new US joint venture is proving bumpy, with the first week marked by a massive increase in uninstalls and technical failures. Although the company insists that it will not censor topics such as Epstein or IC...

Marc Herter, 30 Jan 2026 12:21

UP Starlink dish mount on Tesla Cybertruck. (image source: Unplugged Performance)

SpaceX IPO on ice as Musk weighs folding Tesla, Starlink, and xAI into one public company

Elon Musk's car company sales may be flagging, but the rest of his businesses are expanding, so he is considering a SpaceX tie-up with Tesla instead of an IPO. Such a merger would more than offset any future Tesla revenue or stock...

Daniel Zlatev, 30 Jan 2026 12:19

The Acer Aspire 14 AI weighs 1.4 kg (3.09 lbs.). (Image source: Acer)

Deal | Less than $500: Acer Aspire 14 AI with long battery life records big 44% discount vs list price

The Acer Aspire 14 AI laptop is now on sale on Amazon at a pretty affordable price after a massive 44% discount. Packing an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Lunar Lake APU and a 65 Wh battery under the hood, the laptop manages to be both r...

Fawad Murtaza, 30 Jan 2026 12:17

The Crafted Worlds Bundle will expire on on February 10. Pictured: Steam Deck with the cover picture of the bundle. (Image source: Steam - edited)

Deal | New $10 Steam Deck-playable game bundle packs 5 well-rated crafting and survival games

Green Man Gaming is offering a new game bundle, which is centered on crafting, survival, and exploration titles. All the games in the package are well-rated and playable on the Steam Deck, with a total retail value of over $100.

Abid Ahsan Shanto, 30 Jan 2026 12:06

The launch date for the Galaxy S26 Ultra and other models has now been confirmed thanks to a leaked Samsung teaser. (Image source: Technizo Concept)

Galaxy S26 and new wearables: Samsung teaser leak confirms Galaxy Unpacked launch date

An official teaser from Samsung has provided the first confirmation of the specific launch date for Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra, which will also include a small surprise in the form of new wearables.

Alexander Fagot, 30 Jan 2026 11:50

The GameSir G7 Pro Aimlabs Edition is only compatible with PCs. (Image source: GameSir)

The GameSir G7 Pro Aimlabs Edition is now available to pre-order

GameSir has announced the price of the G7 Pro Aimlabs Edition wireless controller it launched at CES 2026. The controller is also available to pre-order now, but won't begin shipping until March at the earliest.

Habeeb Onawole, 30 Jan 2026 11:48

Epic Games CEO claims Steam's rules block games from steering players to other payment methods, forcing "everyone to pay 30% to Valve"

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney recently criticized Steam's rules around payments, claiming that they prohibit games from steering players to competitive purchase methods.

Abdul Haddi, 30 Jan 2026 11:21

Pictured - an ingame screenshot from the game Legend of Mortal Cultivation (凡人修仙传奇). (Image source: Steam - edited)

New free-to-play MMORPG launches on Steam with promising reviews, but with a major caveat

Legend of Mortal Cultivation (凡人修仙传奇) debuted on Jan 30, 2026, securing an 86% "Mostly Positive" rating from its first 124 reviews. The free-to-play idle MMORPG is winning over fans, though, unfortunately, it lacks any English sup...

Anubhav Sharma, 30 Jan 2026 08:58

Windows 11 KB5074109 kills support for older modems

Windows 11 KB5074109 removes four legacy modem drivers, disabling dial-up and telephony modems that rely on them as a security hardening move.

Darryl Linington, 30 Jan 2026 08:55

HP's OmniBook X Flip 16 convertible (model 16t-as00) is offered in the Eclipse Gray colorway (Image source: Allen Ngo / Notebookcheck)

Deal | HP OmniBook X Flip 16 with OLED and Core Ultra 7 256V discounted by $500

The HP OmniBook X Flip 16 is equipped with a vibrant 2K OLED, a Lunar Lake processor, 16 GB of non-upgradable memory, and a 512 GB SSD. Thunderbolt 4 support and a 5-megapixel webcam with IR complete the package.

Tudor Cibean, 30 Jan 2026 08:13

The AYN Odin 2 has reached the end of its product life. (Image source: AYN)

AYN discontinues the Odin 2, drops the Odin 2 Portal to $249 for a limited time

AYN has announced that its Odin 2 handheld has reached its end of life and will no longer be available for purchase. However, it has revealed that the newer Odin 2 Portal will be available at a discount for a limited time.

Habeeb Onawole, 30 Jan 2026 08:10

Pictured - ingame cinematic artwork from Bandai Namco's Code Vein II. (Image source: Steam)

New souls-like RPG from Bandai Namco launches on Steam with nearly 2,000 reviews, but a "Mixed" aggregate

Code Vein II hit Steam Jan 30, 2026, peaking at 8,235 players during early access. While the time-travel narrative is a hit among players, the 53% "Mixed" rating shows frustrations over muddy UE5 textures and "stiff" combat animat...

Anubhav Sharma, 30 Jan 2026 06:58

From left to right: Citizen CB1160-55L, CB1160-55E, CB1160-55A, and CB1160-55W. (Image source: @plus9time on Instagram - edited)

Citizen launches quad-model H149 Eco-Drive compact radio-sync series watches

Citizen Japan is adding four new watches to its compact radio-sync lineup, featuring the H149 Eco-Drive calibre. The new references, headlined by the CB1160-55A, utilize 37.5 mm Super Titanium cases and offer 26-zone world time di...

Anubhav Sharma, 30 Jan 2026 06:10

An Image of the Helix Nebula (Image source: see sources; cropped)

Anyone can now search for new planets using NASA’s new tool

An improved AI model by NASA scientists dug into TESS data and found 7,000 possible exoplanets on just its initial run. The model which has proven to be effective is available to the public via GitHub, meaning anyone can hunt for ...

Chibuike Okpara, 30 Jan 2026 04:11

Monster Hunter Wilds [Image Source: Capcom]

Monster Hunter Wilds fixes DLC bug, greatly reduces FPS drops, and runs at 30 FPS on Steam Deck

Monster Hunter Wilds gets its PC-specific performance patch, including a fix for the DLC check bug that was lowering FPS, and the results have been fairly impressive, prompting a wave of positive reviews on Steam.

Christopher Harper, 30 Jan 2026 03:44

Intel Inside could mean intel outside of your control (Image Source: Livny)

Modder liberates ThinkPad T430 from Intel's secret backdoor

While the ThinkPad series of laptops has always lent itself to customization, the Intel processors powering them have limited complete control over the device due in part to Intel’s Management Engine. However, thanks to the work o...

Stephen Pereyra, 30 Jan 2026 02:25

Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase with Mario is shown (Image source: Nintendo of America with edits)

Next Nintendo Direct may be a Partner Showcase, with no first-party Switch 2 games shown

If a dependable leaker is correct, a 3D Mario experience won’t be appearing at the next Nintendo Direct. NateTheHate2 claims that the early February spectacle will take the form of a Partner Showcase. Instead of exclusive Switch 2...

Adam Corsetti, 30 Jan 2026 01:16

Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3. (Image Source: Larian Studios)

No Rest for the Wicked dev claims he never liked Baldur’s Gate 3’s $60 Early Access price, saying early supporters should get “some extra love”

No Rest for the Wicked’s developer recently explained why the game launched at a lower Early Access price. According to him, players who support a game early should get something extra in return.

Abdul Haddi, 30 Jan 2026 00:00

Garmin Connect has connection issues after the latest update (Image source: Garmin)

Garmin Fenix 8, Venu 4 and more smartwatches encounter issues after Garmin Connect update

The latest Garmin Connect update is apparently causing serious issues. According to numerous users, smartwatches can no longer properly connect to smartphones after the update. A workaround solves the problem at least temporarily.

Hannes Brecher, 29 Jan 2026 23:24

Rogbid puts an OLED display in its smart ring (Image source: Rogbid)

Casio Ring Watch and Oura in one device: Rogbid Fusion is a smart ring and mini smartwatch

A smart ring, a ring watch, and a smartwatch – the Rogbid Fusion is supposed to combine three devices in one. The wearable can be used like a smart ring with adjustable sizing or as a smartwatch, and is intended to collect a wide ...

Hannes Brecher, 29 Jan 2026 22:56

GDC banner with Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox consoles is shown (Image source: GDC, Nintendo, Sony PlayStation, Xbox Gaming with edits)

PS5 and Switch 2 dominate GDC survey, with only 20% of devs prioritizing Xbox consoles

A survey sponsored by the Game Developers Conference shows declining support for Xbox consoles. While implementing a multi-platform strategy, Microsoft may have boosted PC gaming’s popularity. In the GDC report, devs also prefer c...

Adam Corsetti, 29 Jan 2026 22:38

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D-powered Alienware Area-51 is now orderable (Image source: Dell)

Alienware Area-51 with AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, 64GB RAM, 8TB SSD and RTX 5090 now available

The Alienware Area-51 gaming tower is now available with the AMD Ryzen 7 9950X3D. The stylish desktop gaming PC is supposed to offer top-tier performance with a 1,500W power supply and a GeForce RTX 5090 with 32GB GDDR7 VRAM.

Hannes Brecher, 29 Jan 2026 22:27

A Space Marine. (Image Source: Saber Interactive)

Xbox adds a highly rated third-person shooter with more than 85,000 reviews to Game Pass

A major action title from 2024 has finally arrived on Xbox Game Pass, giving subscribers another big game to jump into without extra cost.

Abdul Haddi, 29 Jan 2026 22:00

The Leica Noctilux-M 1.2/35 ASPH. is very compact but relatively heavy (Image source: Leica)

Leica Noctilux-M 35 mm f/1.2: New camera lens is made in Germany and supposed to outperform Summilux

Leica finally adds a third focal length to the Noctilux series after 60 years. The brand-new Leica Noctilux-M 35 mm f/1.2 lens promises extremely high image quality and speed in a compact format, but Leica also charges a premium f...

Hannes Brecher, 29 Jan 2026 21:50

16.01	Microsoft Surface Go 3 im Test: Neue Bezeichnung, altes Gerät?
21.12	I expected a bit more from this powerhouse gaming laptop
21.12	Lenovo Legion Pro 5 (AMD) 2025 Review: Worth the Hype?
21.12	Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) Ultra 5 Review: Just one issue…
21.12	I used the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI for a month and I think Acer might have just redefined portability
21.12	Acer Nitro Lite 16 review: A stylish laptop for gamers and creators under Rs 1 lakh
21.12	Is the HP Omnibook X Flip the Laptop of Choice for Creatives?
21.12	HP Omnibook X Flip 14 Review
21.12	Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS Review
21.12	Lenovo Legion 9i (18″, Gen 10) review – RTX 5090 Power & Forged Carbon