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Hier — 21 février 20251.3 🖥️ Tech. English

New in iOS 18.4 developer beta 1: Apple Intelligence changes, Vision Pro app, more

The first developer beta of iOS 18.4 features an entirely new system application, along with significant changes to Apple Intelligence and Apple News+. Here's what you need to know.

iPhone screen showing software update for iOS 18.4 Beta, size 7.72 GB, with options for automatic and beta updates.
The iOS 18.4 developer beta features a variety of enhancements.

On Friday, Apple released the first developer beta of iOS 18.4, with build number 22E5200s. The software update comes more than a week after the iPhone maker released iOS 18.3.1 to the general public.

The iOS 18.4 update was widely rumored to contain improvements for Siri, it appears as though the planned upgrades for Apple's virtual assistant have been delayed. Instead, the software update includes some useful enhancements for Apple Intelligence and its associated features, among other changes.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Do Not Buy: NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti GPU Absurdity (Benchmarks & Review)

21 février 2025 à 23:08
Do Not Buy: NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti GPU Absurdity (Benchmarks & Review)jimmy_thang February 21, 2025

We review the 5070 Ti’s value, gaming performance, ray tracing, efficiency, thermals, acoustics, and more

The Highlights

  • The 5080 performs generally 9% to 16% better than the 5070 Ti
  • The 5070 Ti is selling upwards of $1,000+ and performs similarly to a 4080
  • We think you should not buy a 5070 Ti right now
  • Original MSRP: $750
  • Release Date: February 20, 2025

Table of Contents

  • AutoTOC
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Intro

You should not buy the NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti (beware of scalped prices), or really, probably not any of the high-end cards right now. The market is in chaos and conditions are at an all time low for consumers. It benefits this entire industry, including us, if everyone mindlessly consumes, but we’re telling you not to be a part of that cycle. This is not the time to buy an NVIDIA video card. The company says the 5070 Ti (beware of scalped prices) will be $750, but we don’t believe it. In fact, some partner models have already been spotted at $1,000, with plenty of others coming in at $850 to $900. We heard of one that’ll have an MSRP above $1,000. That’s more than a 4080 (watch our review), which is insane. 
NVIDIA calls it the RTX 5070 Ti, but it’s really more like an RTX 4080 (beware of scalped prices) V3 -- or V4 if you count the unlaunched 4070 Ti which was a 4080 12GB.

Editor's note: This was originally published on February 19, 2025 as a video. This content has been adapted to written format for this article and is unchanged from the original publication.


Credits


Test Lead, Host, Writing

Steve Burke

Testing

Patrick Lathan

Testing, Editing

Mike Gaglione

Testing

Jeremy Clayton

Camera, Video Editing

Vitalii Makhnovets

Writing, Web Editing

Jimmy Thang


The TLDW up front is that the 5080 (beware of scalped prices) is about 12-16% ahead of the 5070 Ti in some of the 4K gaming scenarios we tested, the 5070 Ti is about 28-35% ahead of the 4070 Ti at 4K, but down in the 20-28% range commonly at 1440p. The lead of the 5070 Ti over the 4070 Ti Super, which is the closest recent price neighbor, is only 7.8% to 20% in a lot of 4K situations, or commonly 12-16%. One of the worst scenarios we saw was an impressively bad 3.9% uplift from the 4070 Ti Super to the 5070 Ti at 1440p.

You should not buy this video card. You shouldn’t even read this article. We’ll save you the time: NVIDIA has become fat and monopolistic and AMD has decided it won’t compete in the high-end, and Intel is not there yet, leaving everyone with a worse ecosystem.

The 5080 (beware of scalped prices) to the 4070 is a difference that has now been subdivided several times. Like the 4080 (beware of scalped prices) and 4070 Ti (watch our review), which was a 4080 12GB originally, already subdivided it. Likewise, the 4080 Super subdivided it further. The 4070 Ti Super (read our review) subdivided that again, and now, the 5070 Ti subdivides it once more.

There are so many subdivisions in this block that it’ll have an HOA by next week... 

In one of our tests, we saw an average gap between cards in this upper-end of 6.7 to 8 FPS card-to-card, depending which you want to count. That really means that the only relevant factor is price (except for maybe VRAM in the few places it diverges, where that’ll matter for professional users). But even VRAM has mostly been split into the 90-class and everything else.

The 5070 Ti is often the same performance as the 4080, which is the same as the 4080 Super. The improvement on the 4070 Ti Super, which was close to the same MSRP, is hardly meaningful. This aligns with NVIDIA’s launch strategy of either leveraging its monopolistic positioning or boring the ever-living f*** out of people with stagnated change. Meanwhile, it appears that AMD is sticking to its failed strategy of MSRP = NVIDIA - $50. Let’s get into the rest of the review.

RTX 5070 Ti Overview

We’re taking a look at the ASUS RTX 5070 Ti Prime model, which we assume is named like that because ASUS is trying to get Logan Paul’s attention. Or maybe it has electrolytes, which is what the gamers crave.

The RTX 5070 Ti has 8960 CUDA Cores, 16GB of GDDR7, and a 256-bit bus. The memory spec is identical to the RTX 5080 (read our review), with the 5080 having more CUDA cores but being a significant cut-down from the 5090 (read our review), which is more than what we’ve typically seen. 

We have the full specs in a separate article here

RTX 5070 Ti Pricing

Pricing is going to be the biggest problem for this GPU. Supply has been non-existent for the 5090 and 5080 and prices have skyrocketed into true FOMO targeting territory. We posted a video about the fake prices just a few days ago.

And in time for that, the 5070 Ti will launch with its own glut of pricing issues. We know one board partner has an actual MSRP north of $1,000 for one of its models. This gets worse considering the lower overall price of $750, which means that the proportional hike over expectation becomes untenable.

There’s really not a lot of ground to cover here that we didn’t in the intro, so let’s just get into the data.

RTX 5070 Ti Game Benchmarks

For the testing here, we had to remove a couple of cards from the charts to make space. Specifically, we removed the 3090 (watch our review) and 3090 Ti (watch our review). If you want the data for those cards, check our 5080 review as it has all that.  

FFXIV 4K

In Final Fantasy 14 at 4K, the RTX 5070 Ti landed at 97 FPS AVG with lows at 83 and 80. That’s the same as an RTX 4080 which, under normal conditions, might sound like a generational improvement on the arbitrarily named GPUs. Instead what we have is total generational stagnation because the 5070 Ti will regularly sell at prices, at least for now, approaching what the 4080 was. Even at only a slight elevation to $850, the card is simply too close to the last generation performance equivalent.

The 7900 XTX outperforms the 5070 Ti by 7.4%, with the 5080 16% ahead and the 5090 at 87% ahead. As for the 7900 XT Hellhound, which was the cheapest partner model for a while, that’s at 82 FPS.

Generationally by name, the 5070 Ti improves on the 4070 Ti by 34%, but the 4070 Ti Super is the more recent price replacement. The lead over the 4070 Ti Super is just 13%. That’s stagnation. We have the RTX 2070 Super (watch our review) in a future test, but the 1070 (watch our review) is here if you want something older. The improvement is 332% over Pascal, now 9 years old. 

FFXIV 1440p

At 1440p, the 5070 Ti ran at 187 FPS AVG. 1% and 0.1% lows are where they should be based on other results, so there’s nothing exceptional here. The 5070 Ti outranks the 4070 Ti Super by just 15 FPS, or only 9%. Sadly, this is one of the better ones, but that’s still brutal and is one of the most boring improvements possible when considering the MSRP similarity -- and that’s before you go get ripped off for more.

As for other 70-class cards: The 5070 Ti’s uplift over the 4070 Ti is 24%, then 72% on the 3070 Ti (watch our review), 94% on the 3070 non-Ti (watch our review), and 307% on the 1070. The uplift has diminished for each of these as resolution came down to 1440p, despite the 5070 Ti not being anywhere close to a CPU ceiling.

AMD’s RX 7900 XTX (watch our review) leads the 5070 Ti by 13%, up from 7% at 4K. The 5070 Ti also leads the 7900 XT by just 9% here.

FFXIV 1080p

At 1080p, things get even worse. The 5070 Ti leads the 4070 Ti Super by only 6%, or just 15 FPS average. Over the 4070 Ti non-Super (watch our review), which remains an absurd distinction, we’re only seeing a 16% advantage on the 5070 Ti. No wonder NVIDIA wants everyone to type the framerate into a calculator and multiply it artificiality by MFG.

The new card is just 10% over the 7900 XT, then 74% over the 3070 Ti.

Black Myth: Wukong - 4K

Black Myth: Wukong is up now, tested at 4K. We’re removing the experimental chart labeling and feel that this test has had enough public visibility to clear that bar.

The 5070 Ti ran at the exact same framerate as the RTX 4080. NVIDIA has basically re-released the 4080, and the price isn’t even that different -- and in some cases, not different at all. In other words, NVIDIA has now released three RTX 4080s. This is the third one. At some point, it just seems like this is too much.

The 7900 XTX matches the 5070 Ti here. The difference is irrelevant and unnoticeable. 

Against the 4070 Ti Super’s 45 FPS AVG, the 5070 Ti leads by 13%, or 27% over the 4070 Ti non-Super and similarly over the 7900 XT. The lead over the 3070 Ti is 81%.

Black Myth: Wukong - 1440p

At 1440p, the “RTX 4080 v3” ran at 87.2 FPS AVG, with lows at 74.9 and 70.3. The third iteration of the 4080 isn’t the best one, though: The first version of the 4080 and second version of the 4080 are within error of each other and technically ahead of v3. But on the v3, aka the 5070 Ti, NVIDIA has enabled Multi-Fiat Generation to make it more interesting, though.

The RX 7900 XTX is about the same as the 5070 Ti here, with the 4070 Ti Super just below it. The 5070 Ti is only 10% ahead of the 4070 Ti Super and 20% ahead of the 4070 Ti, with a similar lead over the 7900 XT. 

Black Myth: Wukong - 1080p

At 1080p, the 5070 Ti is again roughly tied with the 7900 XTX, although credit to NVIDIA for having improved 0.1% lows -- just not by an amount anyone would notice in play. The frametime pacing is still good on both.

The 4080 Super (read our review) and 4080 are again within error of each other and, although they’re outside of error vs. the 5070 Ti, the real error is the GPUs we launched along the way.

The 5070 Ti ends up leading the 105 FPS 4070 Ti Super result by a staggering, mind-blowing 9.7%, made only more impressive by the fact that this was already functionally the same as the 4070 Ti’s 100 FPS.

The 7900 XT (read our revisit) sits just below this.

Starfield - 4K

Starfield is up now. At 4K, The RTX 5070 Ti ran at 68 FPS AVG, this time allowing the RTX 4080 the important distinction of... being technically better.

The 5080 only leads the 5070 Ti by 12% here as well.

Troublingly for the 5070 Ti in this test, the 7900 XT nearly matches the RTX 5070 Ti, with the 7900 XTX ahead of it by 13%.

The 4070 Ti Super and 4070 Ti aren’t that different from each other in this one, either.

Starfield - 1440p

At 1440p, the 4080 Super and 4080 are exactly tied, with the 4080 Sub-Super, or as NVIDIA calls it, the “5070 Ti,” at 101 FPS AVG. 

The 5070 Ti ends up basically tied with the 7900 XT. The 7900 XTX holds an advantage at 11% ahead. The 5070 Ti’s improvement, if you can call it that, over the 4070 Ti Super is an impressively boring 3.9%, with the lead over the 4070 Ti at 11%. That’s impressive -- mostly because we’re impressed NVIDIA could make something so impressively stagnant.

Starfield - 1080p

At 1080p, Starfield has the 5070 Ti below the XTX, which has a slight lead at 6%. More impressively, the 4070 Ti Super ran at 120 FPS AVG. Between the 5080, the 4080s, the 5070 Ti, and the 4070 Ti Super and 4070 Ti, NVIDIA has managed to make a video card for seemingly every individual framerate between 110 FPS and 132 FPS. Why they’d do this, we have absolutely no idea.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 - 4K

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is up now. This one has the ASUS RTX 5070 Ti Electrolyte, which is what the games crave, at 73.6 FPS AVG. That’s right between the 4080 Super and 7900 XTX, making the 5070 Ti the first NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super-Super on the market. We won’t be impressed until they launch the triple-S-tier.

The 5080’s lead over the 5070 Ti is just 15%. That small of an uplift is going to weigh on NVIDIA.

The 5070 Ti leads the 4070 Ti Super by 18% and the 4070 Ti by 35%. The 7900 XT sits between the two 4070 Ti variants.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 - 1440p

1440p reduces the 5070 Ti’s relative ranking, pushing it below the 4080 and 4080 Super, the two of which are tied and within error of each other. The 4070 Ti Super’s 106 FPS AVG result also makes for a boring positioning of the 5070 Ti. Again, we’re back to a card for every couple FPS. More than ever, this means price matters more.

The 7900 XTX leads the 5070 Ti by about 6 FPS here.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 - 1080p

At 1080p, the RTX 5070 Ti’s 151 FPS AVG basically ties it with the 7900 XTX, which itself is tied with the 4080 (which is tied with the 4080 Super, which is a waste of chart space and so isn’t shown).

Generationally, the 5070 Ti leads the 4070 Ti Super by 10% and 4070 Ti by 18%.

Resident Evil 4 - 4K

Resident Evil 4 is up now, first rasterized. The 4K test has the 5070 Ti at 107 FPS AVG, with the 5080 at 122 and leading by 15%. Both are behind the RX 7900 XTX at 126 FPS AVG.

The 5070 Ti is ahead of the 4070 Ti Super by 20% and 4070 Ti by 34%. The 7800 XT (watch our review) is between these and the regular 4070, followed by the older 3070 Ti at 53 FPS AVG.

Resident Evil 4 - 1440p

At 1440p, the 5070 Ti is just below the 4080 FE. The 5080 leads the 5070 Ti by 13%. 

NVIDIA basically took what previously would have been a 51 FPS gap from 224 to 173 FPS between the 4070 Ti Super and 5080, then split the difference with the 5070 Ti. 

The 7900 XTX is ahead by 17%, with the XT just below the 5070 Ti.

NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti Ray Tracing Benchmarks

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We’re moving to ray tracing testing now. We’ll start with Black Myth, which is heavily NVIDIA favored. Then we’ll look at some that are mixed or lighter workloads.

Ray Tracing: Black Myth Wukong 4K

At 4K with upscaling as defined in the chart header, the 5070 Ti ran at 52 FPS AVG and tied the RTX 4080 and 4080 Super. The 5080’s 59 FPS result had it 13% ahead. Over the 4070 Ti Super, we see a 15% lead for the 5070 Ti. AMD gets absolutely crushed in this test.

Ray Tracing: Black Myth Wukong 1080p

At 1080p and still ray traced, the RTX 5070 Ti ran at 112 FPS AVG and led the 4080. The 5080 is improved on the 5070 Ti by 9%. The proximity of cards from the 4070 through the 5080 is crazy, though: We have the 4070 at 80 FPS, then the Ti at 92, then the Ti Super at 95, then the 4080 at 106, then the 4080 Super which isn’t shown but the same, then 5070 Ti at 112, then the 5080 at 122 FPS.

Ray Tracing: Dragon’s Dogma 2 4K

Dragon’s Dogma 2 at 4K with ray tracing is next. 

In this one, the 7900 XTX is more competitive and lands at 66 FPS AVG, which is between the 5080 and 5070 Ti. It’s unfortunate that AMD gets crushed so hard in some of the other games, like Black Myth: Wukong because it does OK in the ones that are less crazy intensive. The 5070 Ti ends up basically tied with the 4080 Super, which is basically tied with the 4080. The jump over the 4070 Ti Super’s 54 FPS AVG is 18% here.

Ray Tracing: Dragon’s Dogma 2 1440p

1440p positions the 5070 Ti between the 4070 Ti Super and 4080. It’s not clear why this card needs to exist, but it does. The improvement against the 4070 Ti Super is just 10.8%. The 7900 XTX runs at 108 FPS AVG and is between the 4080s and the 5080. 

Ray Tracing: Dragon’s Dogma 2 1080p

At 1080p, the 5070 Ti ran at 131 FPS AVG and was roughly tied with the 7900 XTX. The 4080 leads the 5070 Ti here by a few percent. The 5070 Ti leads the 4070 Ti Super by 9%, followed by the 7900 XT in the middle, then the 4070 Ti at 16%.

Ray Tracing: Resident Evil 4 4K

In Resident Evil 4 at 4K with ray tracing and upscaling, the RTX 5070 Ti ran at 118 FPS AVG and tied the 4080 and 4080 Super exactly. It’s within run-to-run variance and error. The 7900 XTX leads in this lightweight RT workload with a 14% advantage, posting a big difference from the heavier Cyberpunk and Black Myth workloads that we run.

Ray Tracing: Resident Evil 4 1440p

At 1440p with the same settings, we see a similar lineup. The 5070 Ti is again within error of the 4080 and 4080 Super, which are the same. The 7900 XTX is slightly improved. The 4070 Ti Super is slightly behind. This is uninteresting.

RTX 5070 Ti Efficiency Benchmarks

Efficiency remains a relatively new test for us to include in each review, so we haven’t re-run the 4070 cards for efficiency yet.

Efficiency: FFXIV 4K

In Final Fantasy 14 at 4K, the 5070 Ti landed at 0.37 FPS/W. It pulled 264W in this test, approaching its TDP spec. The 5080 ends up slightly more efficient, with the 4080 Super equivalent. The 7900 XTX is at a large disadvantage here due to its power consumption.

Efficiency: FFXIV 1440p

In Final Fantasy 14 at 1440p, the 5070 Ti ended up at 0.73 FPS/W, which has it just below the 4080 and 5080. The 5070 Ti improves on the 4060-class cards, but also is significantly more efficient than the 7900 XTX.

Efficiency: Black Myth: Wukong 1080p

In Black Myth Wukong at 1080p, we found the 5070 Ti to be between the 4080 Super and 5080 for efficiency. The 7900 XTX shows again that this is its weakness, but its particular performance deficiency in Black Myth in general is hurting it disproportionately.

Efficiency: F1 24 4K

In ray tracing performance with F1 24, we found the 5070 Ti to perform about the same as the 4080. The 7900 XTX scores significantly lower. Overall, here you’re seeing much lower numbers than in some of the other charts and that’s because this is a heavy ray tracing workload tested at a higher resolution.

RTX 5070 Ti DLSS4/MFG

All of this means that NVIDIA is basically just selling you an RTX 40 series card, maintaining elevated prices, and doing so while pushing DLSS4 and MFG as the only real differentiating factor on the 50-series cards. 

We already have a piece up talking about the new Transformer model versus the prior CNN model for DLSS, which you can check out for a deep dive. We also have a video with an image quality comparison, including a frame-by-fake-frame break-down of MFG, where we analyze the AI or synthetic frames against the keyframes, or the native frames. We do this at 2X and with MFG 4X.

The improvements in the Transformer model over the older CNN model for image quality are apparent; meanwhile, the generated frames serve their purpose of smoothing, but sometimes look bad. What they don’t do is turn a low frame rate like 20 FPS into something that is instantly playable. But as far as image quality, it’s highly situational; in some situations, DLSS ends up better than native because game developers have decided to ruin their games with terrible default options, which shouldn’t happen, but there are also a lot of scenarios where it looks awful. We also found bugs in the driver override features that NVIDIA has pushed to the public. This includes sometimes it incorrectly running the generated frames in the wrong places.

RTX 5070 Ti Thermals

This quick thermal chart at steady state during a looping 4K Port Royal workload and it shows the GPU and memory results. We don’t have other 5070 Ti cards to compare, so we can’t produce a like-for-like comparison. The 5080s are only here for reference.

The 5070 Ti came in 2 dBA quieter than the Zotac 5080 Solid (read our review) and was warmer while operating at a significantly lower reported board power during the test. The ASUS cooler is favoring noise here, but is also just not particularly effective. Overall, the performance is fine -- this is more than acceptable and well below throttle territory -- but this does seem to be one of the lower cost coolers for its size.

RTX 5070 Ti Acoustics

Acoustic testing is up next. We’ll keep this brief. As a quick positive, our chamber is about to get way better for future testing -- or more accurately, our microphone equipment. We’ve recently learned that with a microphone upgrade, we can bring down the noise floor closer to 5dBA, which is crazy exciting. Currently though, we’re on our more economical equipment.

With the current noise floor of 14-14.5 dBA, we measured the ASUS 5070 Ti Prime at 29.2 dBA with this frequency spectrum plot. We observed one spike at around 300 Hz. Otherwise, it follows what we have seen in other cards. The falloff begins at 2000 Hz, levels briefly at 3500 to 5000, then continues the path. The loudest range is 1000 Hz to 1800 Hz, aside from the 300 Hz spike.

These two added lines show the Zotac 5080 and NVIDIA 5090 FE (beware of scalped prices). The coolers should track about the same as long as the fan RPM is the same between the other 5080 and 5090 alternatives by the same vendor. The NVIDIA card had a spike around 180 Hz and another at around 380. The Zotac card had one in the 430 Hz range. Broadly, the NVIDIA FE is louder than both of these.

RTX 5070 Ti Conclusion 

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This will change in the future as prices move, hopefully, but for now, we don’t recommend buying this card. Honestly, it’s probably just a good idea to wait in general right now. But let’s just recap why that is as quickly as possible:

Broadly speaking, we found that the 5080 performs in the range of 9% to 16% better than the 5070 Ti, depending on the resolution and game. The 7900 XTX is often better than the 5070 Ti in rasterized testing, with the range in our games spanning equivalence to 17% at the high end, but more commonly 6% to 13%. There were some instances of regression for the 7900 XTX vs the 5070 Ti, but as has been the case, it only got really crushed in Black Myth or Cyberpunk-type ray tracing. The 5070 Ti only improves on the 4070 Ti Super by a range of 2.2% to 20%, often 12-16% if you’re looking at the heavier resolutions. That is not a good improvement for a generational jump and the actual street price we expect as compared to the 4070 Ti Super’s original street pricing, especially with the instances below 10% performance. It’s an awful value. Remember that the Super series was regularly in stock for its actual MSRP.

As we’re reviewing this, we can’t see the actual street price of the 5070 Ti in advance and we don’t review the future as we don’t know where the prices will land at launch, but based on what we’ve seen from the 5080 and 5090, our strongest recommendation right now is to just generally wait to buy a video card and let the market calm down.  

Finally, the 5070 Ti is equal to the 4080 Super. We don’t care what the 4080 MSRP was, because the 4080 Super effectively overwrote it. That was $1,000 and was actually available at around $950 to $1,050 for much of its recent life.

For AMD’s part, it really needs to not screw its new GPUs up. Typically, whatever AMD says its price is, it comes down in about 1 quarter, because they usually push it way too high. It’s really disappointing that AMD said it’s not going to be targeting high-end GPUs this generation. 

Overall, we think it’s not a good time to buy a GPU and wouldn’t recommend buying a 5070 Ti.


Hands on with Apple Intelligence on Apple Vision Pro

Apple has finally released the first betas for the next release cycle, and visionOS 2.4 includes support for Apple Intelligence on Apple Vision Pro. Here's how it works.

Virtual reality headset with reflective black front, resting on a cushion. Behind it, a colorful, abstract, multi-colored neon loop pattern on a dark background.
Apple Intelligence arrives on Apple Vision Pro

Unsurprisingly, Apple Intelligence has rolled out on Apple Vision Pro without much left out. Some parts get the visionOS UI flair, but everything that is here is at feature parity in the first beta.

Apple Intelligence has rolled out in waves since it was revealed during WWDC 2024. Writing Tools and notification summaries were first, then second Image Playground and ChatGPT, and finally Visual Intelligence was released for iPhone 16.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

visionOS 2.4 beta brings several long-awaited features to Apple Vision Pro

21 février 2025 à 20:30
Apple just dropped visionOS 2.4 Beta, packing powerful new tools, a new guest experience, a fresh Spatial Gallery app, and the debut of Apple Intelligence on Vision Pro.

Apple Vision Pro resting on the arm of a dark upholstered sofa, with a wooden detail in the background.
Apple Vision Pro

Apple is kicking off 2025 with a bang, unveiling the visionOS 2.4 Beta packed with exciting features that set the stage for the upcoming public release in April.

The company is finally bringing its suite of generative artificial intelligence tools with Apple Intelligence. The update brings Image Playground, allowing users to create playful images, Genmoji for crafting custom emojis, and Writing Tools, which is poised to become a favorite for content creators.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Recipes, restaurant reviews, and kitchen tips coming to Apple News+

Apple's subscription news service is expanding in iOS 18.4 to bring Apple News+ Food, a curated collection including tens of thousands of recipes.

Phone screen showing Apple News+ Food section with options for recipe catalog and saved recipes.
The new Apple News+ Food

While iOS 18.4 has only just entered developer beta, Apple has already publicly announced a new feature that will debut when the update is made public in the next few weeks. Apple News+ Food is made in collaboration with worldwide publishers including Good Food, and Allrecipes.

Already available in the beta, Apple News+ Food offer recipes in what Apple calls a Cook mode. Having selected a recipe, users can tap on it to take the instructions full screen.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple Intelligence is coming to Apple Vision Pro in April

21 février 2025 à 19:51
Apple continues to go all-in on Apple Intelligence, as the company announces it will bring its suite of AI-powered features to the Apple Vision Pro in visionOS 2.4.

Virtual interface with a wooden background, showing a 'Choose a Person' panel, circular gradient design, and various suggestion buttons for customization.
Image Playground on the Apple Vision Pro

On Friday, Apple announced the features it soon plans to roll out to the Apple Vision Pro. The update is quite significant and will add numerous new features.

"Apple Vision Pro is helping users communicate, collaborate, and experience entertainment in entirely new ways — and we're continuing to push the boundaries of what's possible in spatial computing with visionOS 2.4," said Mike Rockwell, Apple's vice president of the Vision Products Group.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Manchester UK Apple Store expanding to larger premises

For its 20th anniversary, Apple Trafford Center is to close down and reopen in a larger and more prominent part of the same mall.

Bright, modern electronic store with glass entrance, wooden tables, illuminated displays of tablets, watches, and smartphones, featuring a glowing apple logo above.
The current Apple Trafford Center, which is due to close at the end of February 26, 2025

Following a similar October 2024 move for Apple Belfast in Northern Ireland, Apple has confirmed that it is relocating and expanding its Manchester Apple Trafford Center store. While Apple has not detailed where in the center it will be moving, it has revealed when it will be happening.

The current Apple Trafford Center will begin its move starting on Monday, February 24, 2025, when staff will close the store at 8pm local time instead of the regular 10pm. That will continue on the Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, when the store will close permanently.


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Apple starts a new round of developer betas, including iOS 18.4, macOS 15.4

21 février 2025 à 19:14
Apple has started a new round of developer betas, complete with fresh builds of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, tvOS 18.4, watchOS 11.4, and visionOS 2.4 that will ultimately deliver Apple Intelligence to the headset.

Laptop, tablet, and phone screens displaying various text articles, notifications, and graphics positioned in front of a plain background
Examples of Apple Intelligence at work.

Apple released updates for iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS 15.3, tvOS 18.3, watchOS 11.3, and visionOS 2.3 on January 27. The release freed up its developer beta programs for the next update, which Apple has now started to test.

The first iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 developer betas share build number 22E5200s, with macOS Sequoia 15.4 using build number 24E5206s. The first tvOS 18.4 build is 22L5218l, the first watchOS 11.4 build is 22T5212l, and the first visionOS 2.4 build is 22O5199o.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple ends its Qualcomm dependency with the new C1 modem chip

21 février 2025 à 17:36
Apple and Qualcomm's relationship has been strained for a decade and the iPhone 16e C1 chip is Apple's first move to cut ties once and for all.

Two iPhone 16e smartphones aligned, showcasing a white rear with a camera and side buttons, and a front display with colorful reflections.
iPhone 16e

The relationship between Apple and Qualcomm has been a tech soap opera. For over 15 years, Qualcomm's modem chips powered Apple's iPhones, enabling wireless connectivity to cellular networks. And now, it's over.

Behind the scenes, the partnership between Apple and Qualcomm has seen disputes over royalties, patent fees, and personal and professional tensions. As Apple intensifies its efforts to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm, other smartphone companies are watching, according to a report by The Information.


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darkFlash DY470 Review

21 février 2025 à 20:45
The darkFlash DY470 manages to pack a no-frills, functional dual-chamber case layout into a cool looking, asymmetrical exterior shell which helps it stand out in the already crowded segment. As such, while it commands a higher price tag than classic variants, it certainly has plenty of justification to do so.

Philips launches eco-friendly 34B2U3600C ultrawide monitor

21 février 2025 à 18:00

Philips is strongly committed to sustainability with the launch of its latest business monitor, the Philips 34B2U3600C. This 34-inch curved VA display is the company's first to be TCO Certified, generation 10, a globally recognised sustainability certification for IT products. This certification underscores Philips' focus on minimising environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle, from manufacturing to end-of-life disposal, addressing the growing demand for eco-conscious electronics.

Beyond its green credentials, the 34B2U3600C has impressive features designed to enhance productivity and user comfort. The curved display provides an immersive viewing experience, while the WQHD resolution 3440×1440 VA panel delivers vibrant visuals with 1.07 billion colours and a 3500:1 contrast ratio. Integrated 5W speakers offer convenient audio for video conferencing and multimedia consumption. The 120Hz refresh rate is also pretty decent for gaming and such.

Connectivity is served with a versatile USB-C port that supports 90W power delivery and an RJ45 port. Eye comfort is prioritised with TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe certification and SoftBlue Technology, which reduces harmful blue light emissions. The ergonomic stand allows for height, tilt, and swivel adjustments, ensuring the user is comfortable during extended use.

Productivity-enhancing features include SmartKVM, which enables seamless switching between multiple sources with a simple keyboard shortcut, and MultiView, which allows for simultaneous dual connection and viewing. Philips is backing the 34B2U3600C with an extended 5-year warranty, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and product longevity. The Philips 34B2U3600C is now available for €439.00.

KitGuru says: Even if it's clearly a productivity-oriented monitor, the 120Hz refresh rate suggests it should also do its job for gaming. So, if you're looking for a new ultrawide monitor that you can use for work and play, the new 34B2U3600C could be worth checking out.

The post Philips launches eco-friendly 34B2U3600C ultrawide monitor first appeared on KitGuru.

Among Us 3D announced with free PC demo for Steam Next Fest

21 février 2025 à 17:30

Among Us became widely popular in its original 2D form but the development team at InnerSloth is looking to change things up soon with the release of Among Us 3D. As the name suggests, this is the same social deduction game we all know and love, but in a 3D environment instead. 

Among Us 3D isn't an entirely new game. InnerSloth already had the game running in a 3D environment in Among Us VR. However, with the majority of gamers having no access to a VR headset, creating a new version of the game to run on ‘pancake displays' was imperative for improving reach and accessibility.

As Among Us 3D is based on Among Us VR, the two versions of the game do have crossplay. As you would expect though, the 3D version is not compatible with the original 2D version, so there will be no crossplay with those who own the original version of the game.

There is unfortunately no release date yet for Among Us 3D, and we do not know if this version of the game will release on consoles. For now, it is just a PC release, but we'd be surprised if it didn't pop up on Xbox, PlayStation and Switch next year. For now though, PC gamers can get an early look at the game when the demo drops during Steam Next Fest.

KitGuru Says: Will you be picking up Among Us 3D once it arrives? 

The post Among Us 3D announced with free PC demo for Steam Next Fest first appeared on KitGuru.

Cyberpunk 2 aims to have ‘the most realistic and reactive crowds’ ever seen in a video game

21 février 2025 à 16:30

After three years of additional development, CD Projekt Red managed to transform Cyberpunk 2077 from a widely disappointing release into one of the best action RPGs on the market. One of the big focuses for improving the game was enhancing NPC AI, particularly for crowds and police chases. Now as development for Cyberpunk 2 gets underway, CD Projekt Red is looking to enhance its simulation systems to untold heights. 

CD Projekt Red is hiring, seeking developers to help craft “the most realistic crowds ever seen in a video game”. This is an ambitious starting point for the sequel, and it gives us an idea of where CDPR's priorities are for the sequel.

The specific job listing in question here is for a lead encounter designer, who will “work in close collaboration with the systems design team to create the most realistic and reactive crowd system in any game to date”. That is certainly an ambitious goal to set, particularly with Grand Theft Auto 6 set to release later this year, which will no doubt have some of the most intricate open-world systems seen to date.

After years of extra development, Cyberpunk 2077 became far more immersive. Based on what we're seeing from job listings for Cyberpunk 2, immersion is going to be a big point of focus for the sequel, hopefully to the point where we can class it as a true ‘immersive sim', like Deus Ex, Prey etc.

KitGuru Says: Immersive Sim RPGs are amongst my favourite and Cyberpunk 2077 definitely got pretty close to earning that moniker. Would you like to see CD Projekt Red lean further into this direction with Cyberpunk 2? 

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EA’s upcoming Black Panther game to feature multiple protagonists

21 février 2025 à 16:00

We've known for quite some time that EA's new studio, Cliffhanger, is hard at work on a Black Panther game. Since the initial announcement in 2023, there has been very little news but now, after an extended period of development, we are finally starting to get some details. 

According to GhostOfHope, a leaker primarily known in the Call of Duty scene, Cliffhanger's Black Panther game will allow players to choose their protagonist at the start of the game. If handled well, this could open up the game to multiple playthroughs, something that can greatly extend the playtime for a single-player title without having to bloat it out Ubisoft-style.

For those who aren't caught up on Marvel lore, Black Panther isn't just one character. The Black Panther is the leader and protector of Wakanda, a fictional country in the African continent. As a result, there have been a number of Black Panthers over the years, as the moniker is passed down through the generations, or claimed through combat.

Some of the variants planned for Cliffhanger's Black Panther game supposedly include T'Challa, M'Baku, Azari, Shuri and Killmonger, and there could be more beyond that. Each will have their own unique weapons, armour and gadgets, offering a different playstyle. Gameplay-wise, we are expecting a third-person view with an over-the-shoulder camera angle, a reactive story with multiple outcomes based on key decision moments, and combat inspired by authentic African Martial Arts.

KitGuru Says: We still don't know when Cliffhanger's Black Panther will come out but it seems that the developers have a direction in mind. Hopefully that means we'll see the game in action within the next couple of years. 

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Cougar goes all-in on airflow with ‘Airface Eco’ RGB case

21 février 2025 à 15:30

Cougar is championing eco-conscious design with its latest PC case, the Airface Eco RGB. This mid-tower case prioritises sustainability without compromising cooling performance, offering a compelling solution for environmentally conscious builders.

At the heart of the Airface Eco RGB lies a ventilation system designed to maximise cooling efficiency while minimising energy consumption. Its unique coned vents feature a wider opening that tapers inwards and channels cool air more effectively towards internal components. This design reduces the reliance on active cooling, resulting in lower energy usage and a quieter operating environment. Two pre-installed 180 mm PWM fans enhance airflow, promising to provide enough cooling for demanding hardware. These fans come connected to the built-in RGB Hub Sync.

Fan support is quite good, allowing up to 2x 140 mm or 3x 120 mm fans on top, a 120/140 mm fan at the rear, and up to 3x 120 mm or 2x 140/180 mm fans at the front. As for radiators, there's space for up to 280/360 models at the front and top and a 120/140 model at the rear. Moreover, there's also space for up to E-ATX boards, 390-mm-long GPUs, 190-mm-long CPU coolers, and 200-mm-long PSUs. Lastly, users can add up to 2x 3.5-inch HDDs and 2.5-inch SSDs.

Dust management is also a key focus. Filters on the front, top, and bottom prevent dust buildup and protect internal components. Maintenance is simplified with a quick-slide front dust filter and a removable top panel. Moreover, a modular front I/O with a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, two USB-A 3.0 ports, a 4-pole headphone jack, and an RGB button allows versatile placement.

The Airface Eco RGB exemplifies Cougar's commitment to performance and sustainability. It offers a compelling option for gamers and PC builders who seek to minimise their environmental impact without compromising functionality or aesthetics. The Airface Eco RGB is now available in the US in black or white for $109.99, and it's coming soon to the UK for £109.99. The rest of Europe will have to wait for April to get this case for €124.99.

KitGuru says: Do you like the Arface Eco RGB aesthetics? Which model would you prefer?

The post Cougar goes all-in on airflow with ‘Airface Eco’ RGB case first appeared on KitGuru.

Dell UltraSharp 40 5K IPS Black 120Hz Monitor Review: It’s A Stunner

21 février 2025 à 19:33
Dell UltraSharp 40 5K IPS Black 120Hz Monitor Review: It’s A Stunner Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Thunderbolt Hub Monitor U4025QW: MSRP $1919, Currently $1489 The Dell UltraSharp 40 U4025QW is a big, beautiful, curved Thunderbolt-enabled 5K2K resolution monitor featuring IPS Black technology. It's ideal for creators and productivity workers who need excellent color fidelity and a ton of high resolution screen...

Fantech Aria II Pro Review

Par :pzogel
21 février 2025 à 17:34
Much like the regular Aria II, the right-handed ergonomic, 53 g Aria II comes with PixArt's PAW3395 sensor and Huano switches for the main buttons, but on top of that, polling rates of up to 8000 Hz are supported in both wired and wireless operation, along with Bluetooth.

Month-end monitor deals: Save up to $800 on Samsung M8, S9 5K, Apple Studio Display

Weekend monitor deals deliver up to 50% off the budget-friendly Samsung M8, S9 5K, and Apple Studio Display. Prices start at just $399.99.

Apple Studio Display with colorful abstract wallpaper, keyboard, and headphones on a desk against a brick wall. Red 'Daily Deal' sticker in the top left corner.
Save up to 50% on monitors this weekend.

Today's Samsung M8 monitor discount can be found at both Amazon.com and Samsung.com, with the 32-inch 4K display on sale for $399.99. This reflects a 43% discount off MSRP for the smart monitor that has USB-C, HDMI and USB-A ports.

Buy M8 for $399.99


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Apple turns off data protection in the UK rather than comply with backdoor mandate

Rather than comply with a UK order to make a backdoor into encrypted data, Apple has announced it will no longer offer Advanced Data Protection in that country.

UK Parliament
UK Parliament

In 2024, the UK revamped its UK Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 to give itself the authority to legally — and secretly — compel Apple to break the end-to-end encryption that its security and privacy depends on. Despite bipartisan protests from the US, the UK issued the order and Apple cannot continue to operate its end-to-end encryption without breaking the law.

Instead of allowing the UK backdoor access to encrypted data, however, Apple has announced that it is switching off the encryption. This technically complies with the law, but means Apple does not create a backdoor that the UK or other bad actors could use.


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There's not a big rush to buy the iPhone 16e yet

Now some hours after preorders for the iPhone 16e opened, every configuration remains in stock to deliver on February 28.

Close-up of a smartphone's rear camera and flash on a sleek, white, metallic surface.
Maybe Apple has made sufficient iPhone 16e models, since it isn't selling out as normal

Back in September 2024, the iPhone 16 Pro Max was selling so well that within 18 minutes certain configurations were sold out. Apple will always make more, but the delivery date had immediately slipped back a week.

That's common with Apple launches, so common that it's practically the norm for the MacBook Pro as well as the iPhone. It even happened with the costly Apple Vision Pro.


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iPhone 16e, iPhone 17, and the end of Humane on the AppleInsider Podcast

The iPhone SE 4 - no, wait, the iPhone 16e - is out and it's a huge change of direction for Apple's lowest-cost iPhone. Plus there are yet more rumors about the iPhone 17, and the Humane AI Pin bows out very badly.

Two overlapping white smartphones showing side profiles, one with a camera lens on top and vivid display colors visible from the side.
Apple's new iPhone 16e

We expected the new iPhone to be good, we expected it to be significantly better than the iPhone SE it replaces, but we didn't expect it to be called the iPhone 16e. There is a huge amount to like about the new iPhone, but being the lowest-cost model in the range, there are features it lacks.

Whereas according to which rumors you've heard most recently, the iPhone 17 will have everything. There are again some claims of what the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro will look like, and there are again reasons to doubt them. But until Apple unveils the next new iPhones in September, these rumors are irresistible.


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First benchmarks for the iPhone 16e reveal performance and RAM size

The first Geekbench listing for what appears to be the iPhone 16e details the difference between it and the iPhone 16, plus confirms the expected amount of RAM.

Two smartphones with prominent rear cameras, one white and one black, with visible Apple logos.
The new iPhone 16e

Apple would rather talk about what you can do with a device than mention specifications such as the amount of RAM in it. Consequently RAM wasn't mentioned in the launch of the iPhone 16e, but it was presumed that the new iPhone comes with 8GB RAM.

That's because at least 8GB RAM is required for Apple Intelligence. There was never any question that the iPhone 16e would include Apple Intelligence, but now the first benchmarks confirm it has 8GB RAM.


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MagSafe magnets don't interfere with the iPhone 16e C1 modem

There's been a lot of fear in the last few days that Apple left off MagSafe off the iPhone 16e because it somehow interfered with Apple's C1 cellular modem, but physics precluded that from the start. Here's how.

Charging with MagSafe
Charging with MagSafe

Obviously, the iPhone 16e lacks MagSafe. There's been a lot said about it, and it's a problem for the device.

Almost immediately, we heard whispers from case manufacturers that it may not have been cost-cutting, but instead was interfering with the C1 cellular radio.


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Preorders for the iPhone 16e are now open

21 février 2025 à 14:01
A few days after launch, Apple has made the iPhone 16e available to purchase online, ahead of its February 28 release.

Two smartphones; one with a black screen displaying a reflective bubble, the other showing a white back with a camera and Apple logo.
iPhone 16e - Image Credit: Apple

Following a brief period of downtime, the Apple Store is back online, and that means it's now possible to preorder the iPhone 16e. Customers can also preorder from physical Apple Store locations as well.

Consumers have two color options to choose from, in either Black or White. Capacities start from $599 for 128GB, with 256GB for $699 and 512GB for $899.


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Apple Store goes down ahead of iPhone 16e preorders

21 février 2025 à 13:04
As usual for an Apple release, the online version of the Apple Store has temporarily gone offline, in preparation for preorders of the iPhone 16e.

Metallic apple logo with colorful reflections on light gray background, text below reads: We can't wait either.
Apple's latest Store Down message

Launched on February 19, the iPhone 16e is the latest iPhone in Apple's range. The spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, the new entry-level model will soon be available to preorder.

During the announcement, Apple said preorders for the iPhone 16e start on February 21, with availability of the model from February 28.


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iPhone fold display details revealed in dubious leak

A new leak about the possible iPhone Fold includes yet another release schedule, and screen sizes that disagree with previous rumors.

Foldable iPhone displaying time 19:32 and date Wednesday, 7 June with a colorful gradient background.
Render of a possible iPhone Fold

It has recently been reported that Apple was on the verge of choosing a manufacturer for a foldable display screen, although there are now always rumors about an iPhone fold. The latest one does back up previous claims that there won't be a folding iPhone until at least 2026, but otherwise it disagrees with the most recent rumors.

"Exclusive information, Apple's large folding, 5.49-inch outer screen is a bit like [the Otto] Find N, but it is shorter and fatter," writes "Digital Chat Station" on Weibo (in translation). "The 7.74-inch inner screen unfolds like an iPad."


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Scuf Gaming introduces new Valor Pro controller for PC and Xbox

21 février 2025 à 13:50

Scuf Gaming has launched the Valor Pro wired performance controller for Xbox and PC. This controller represents the culmination of nearly a decade of collaboration with esports professionals and content creators, packing a suite of features designed to increase the user's gaming performance.

The Valor Pro wired is engineered to deliver a high level of speed and control, giving Xbox and PC gamers a competitive edge. Every aspect of the controller reflects Scuf's dedication to excellence, from its remappable paddles and high-speed wired connection (boasting a 1000Hz polling rate on PC) to its compact, ergonomic design and signature features like anti-drift Hall Effect thumbsticks.

Available in a range of stylish colors, including grey, black, and white, to name a few, the Valor Pro wired is packed with features to enhance performance and comfort. Four seamlessly integrated back paddles are positioned for effortless access, eliminating the need to adjust your grip. These paddles offer hardware remapping across three profiles, and the inner paddles can be removed or left blank. For those who prefer a traditional controller layout, all paddles can be disabled.

The inclusion of anti-drift Hall Effect thumbsticks ensures responsiveness. These advanced thumbsticks utilize magnets to detect movement, significantly reducing the risk of drift. Scuf has carefully tuned them to provide a feel that closely mimics traditional analogue sticks. Scuf has leveraged its extensive ergonomic expertise to refine the classic Xbox form factor with a more compact and comfortable design. The shape has been optimised to accommodate the paddles naturally, and contoured bumpers allow for faster and more efficient switching between triggers and bumpers.

The wired connection guarantees a consistently fast and reliable connection, eliminating concerns about wireless interference or latency. An upcoming PC update will further enhance responsiveness with a 1000Hz polling rate. Individual audio scroll wheels provide quick access to headset volume, game/chat balance, and microphone muting. The Valor Pro wired is now available starting at £99.99/$99.99/€109.99.

KitGuru says: Although it may look expensive for a wired controller, it packs all the high-end features you expect from a flagship controller, except it's not wireless. 

The post Scuf Gaming introduces new Valor Pro controller for PC and Xbox first appeared on KitGuru.

Dune: Awakening release date officially announced

21 février 2025 à 12:45

Back in 2022, Funcom officially announced Dune: Awakening – an ambitious survival MMO set in the world created by Frank Herbert. Said to be coming some time in 2025, the team have now officially announced that Dune: Awakening is launching on PC on the 20th of May.

Making the announcement, the team at Funcom officially unveiled the release date for Dune: Awakening, saying “Your journey begins on May 20, 2025 on PC.”

Alongside this, players can also download a joint character creator / benchmarking tool right now to get their PCs ready for this Unreal Engine 5 developed open world – receiving a free Frameblade knife skin as a bonus.

While the game’s console release has yet to be determined, PC players will soon be able to pre-order Dune: Awakening for $49.99 (and will receive a pre-order bonus in the form of a free terrarium for your base).

Dune: Awakening looks like it has a great deal of potential, and so hopefully the game manages to be all that it is promised and more when it officially arrives on the 20th of March. We’ll have to wait and see whether the console release isn’t too far behind.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for the game? What are your grand plans for Arrakis? Let us know down below.

The post Dune: Awakening release date officially announced first appeared on KitGuru.

Following layoffs, Marvel Rivals announces new record player count

21 février 2025 à 12:00

After months of continued success, NetEase made the odd decision to fire many of the developers working on Marvel Rivals, including the director for one of the game’s primary support studios. Following this, the publisher has now bragged that Marvel Rivals has reached a new milestone of over 40 million players.

As reported by industry analyst Daniel Ahmad, during the company’s most recent fiscal earnings report NetEase revealed that “Marvel Rivals has achieved 40 million players to date” – double that of the previously-announced user base.

While 40 million players would be something worth celebrating, this announcement comes at an unfortunate time with Marvel Rivals Director Thaddeus Sasser, level designer Jack Burrows and more confirming that they have been laid off.

Marvel Rivals

Unwarranted firings aside, while 40 million players is a massive achievement for such a short amount of time (2 and a half months), it is far from the fastest-growing free-to-play title, with EA’s Apex Legends amassing over 50 million players in its first month.

It’s a shame to see what was a promising new free-to-play live-service title have its reputation stained by actions from those at the top of the corporate podium.

That said, it isn’t too surprising. Hopefully NetEase won’t reward its developers with another round of layoffs.

KitGuru says: Are you one of the 40 million players? Has the recent firings impacted your opinion on the game? Will NetEase address the layoffs? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Following layoffs, Marvel Rivals announces new record player count first appeared on KitGuru.

CyberPowerPC Ultra 5090 Custom Gaming PC Review

21 février 2025 à 11:46

CyberPower has packed the latest and greatest gaming hardware in their Ultra 5090 Custom Gaming PC. At the centre we have a mighty MSI GeForce RTX 5090 32G Suprim SOC which is supported by an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on an MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi motherboard. Add in 64GB of fast DDR5 Kingston memory with 4TB of Gen 5 Corsair SSD and the result is bonkers gaming performance along with the expected hefty price tag that creeps past £5k.

Time stamps
00:00 Intro
00:55 RTX 5090 – power / thermals analysis
04:13 Specs / pricing
06:31 BIOS settings / power
08:41 Cinebench 2024 Single
09:00 Cinebench 2024 Multi Core
09:07 Geekbench 6 Multi Core
09:16 AIDA 64 Memory bandwidth
09:28 3DMark Time Spy
09:42 Far Cry 6
10:46 Avatar Frontiers of Pandora
11:00 Assassins Creed Mirage
11:13 Total War Pharaoh
11:34 Leo’s thoughts
12:45 CyberPower USA GN concerns
13:59 Closing Thoughts

Specification:

  • Graphics card: MSI GeForce RTX 5090 32G Suprim SOC – 32GB GDDR7 – HDMI, DP – Nvidia DLSS 4 and Reflex 2
  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D – 8-Core 4.70GHz, 5.20GHz Turbo – 96MB L3 Cache Processor, Pro OC Compatible w/ Radeon Graphics
  • CPU Cooler: Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 5 Air Cooler
  • Cooling Upgrade: Thermal Grizzly Premium Thermal Paste and Thermal Grizzly AM5 contact frame fitted as default.
  • Memory: 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5/6400MT/sec Kingston Fury Renegade RGB Black/Silver Memory
  • Motherboard: MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi: ATX w/ PCIe 5.0, WiFi 6E, USB 3.2, 4x M.2
  • M.2 SSD: 4TB Corsair MP700 Pro M.2 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD – 12,400MB/s Read & 11,800MB/s Write [+344]
  • Case: Be Quiet! Shadow Base 800FX Gaming Case – Black – (features 4x ARGB 140mm fans)
  • Power Supply: MSI MAG A1250GL PCIe5 1250W 80+ Gold ATX 3.0 Fully Modular Gaming Power Supply (OEM is CWT)
  • Sound: On-board HD Audio
  • Software: Norton 360 VPN & Security for Gamers (Full 1 Year License)
  • OS: Windows 11 Home
  • Warranty: 5 Years Labour, 2 Years Parts, 12 Months Collect and Return plus Life-Time Technical Support
The post CyberPowerPC Ultra 5090 Custom Gaming PC Review first appeared on KitGuru.

The Rogue Prince of Persia update brings new skins, progression overhaul and more

21 février 2025 à 11:15

The Rogue Prince of Persia is a slick action-platformer rogue-like from one of the teams behind the equally as fun Dead Cells. Following its early access launch in May last year, the game received a bunch of updates with much more promised for 2025. Sure enough, the team have now released the latest major patch for The Rogue Prince of Persia, adding dozens of new skins, a full rework of progression and much more.

Making the announcement, the team at Evil Empire officially released the ‘Forgotten Skins’ update for The Rogue Prince of Persia, writing: “The team’s been cooking as always and is still on it. So let’s take a look!”

The full list of changes and additions can be found HERE, but some of the more notable patches include:

  • 35 new skins (12 recolor, 14 new models, 1 old model and 8 from the Community Skin Contest)
  • Overhauled XP system
  • Reworked all skill trees
  • New quests
  • 2 new weapons and 1 new tool
  • Refined level design
  • Dozens of various fixes

Even at its initial Early Access launch, The Rogue Prince of Persia was a highly fun and replayable game, and so it is exciting to see the team continue to improve and refine the overall experience.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this update? Have you checked out The Rogue Prince of Persia? Will you be rocking the classic purple Prince skin? Let us know down below.

The post The Rogue Prince of Persia update brings new skins, progression overhaul and more first appeared on KitGuru.

Black Ops 6 update teases Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

21 février 2025 à 10:30

Over the past few days, we have heard an increasing number of reports claiming that the iconic Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series is set to return with the revival of the previously-cancelled THPS 3+4. In the wake of these leaks, Activision seems to have confirmed as much, teasing an upcoming Tony Hawk announcement as part of the latest update for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

Season 2 Reloaded for Black Ops 6 is now live, bringing a bunch of new content including weapons; game modes; multiplayer maps and more. One of the biggest additions is the return of the fan-favourite map Grind from Black Ops 2.

Set in a skate park, eagle-eyed fans have discovered a cool easter egg in the map which seems to hint at an upcoming showcase – with a sign reading “03.04.25” underneath the recognisable THPS logo.

For the uninitiated, we first heard word of a new Pro Skater game a couple days ago, when skater Tyshawn Jones claimed via a podcast that he’s going to be in the next Tony Hawk game which is set to release soon.

Black Ops 6 Pro Skater

Following this, well known leaker eXtas1s corroborated these comments, revealing that the game in question is a remake of Pro Skater 3+4 and is planned to arrive this June.

Based on all this, it now seems clear that Activision/Microsoft is gearing up for an official announcement in March, followed by its launch just a couple months later in June.

While the surprise was somewhat spoiled, it is always cool to see such announcements being teased in other games ahead of time – adding to the overall hype and excitement. Hopefully Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 winds up being as good as the first remake.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to this new entry in the series? What’s your favourite THPS game? Was this teaser always planned, or was it added as a result of the leaks? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Black Ops 6 update teases Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater first appeared on KitGuru.

Yoto Mini review: A tiny, powerful, & endlessly fun speaker for kids

Yoto Mini is a tiny, pocketable music player for kids and toddlers that shuns screens. While staying kid-friendly, it adds a surprising amount of tech for endless entertainment.

White cube device with two red dials, a pixelated heart display, and The Beatles card inserted, set against a blue and purple background.
Yoto Mini review: The Yoto Mini goes with us everywhere

As music lovers, we want our children to experience it as we did. But options are a bit limited.

You can go with a smart speaker, but that isn't easily controllable for little ones. You can go vintage with a cassette or CD player to stay more low-tech, but they're breakable and also not kid-friendly.


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Jake from State Farm ends up on the Severed Floor in silly ad crossover

Mark S may have no idea who Jake from State Farm is, but a new ad featuring the insurance company and Apple TV+ hit "Severance" brings them together.

Three people in a bright room. One sits facing a TV showing another person, while the other two stand nearby, one in a suit, the other in casual clothes.
Jake from State Farm with Mark S from 'Severance' and new recruit Jamie S. Image source: State Farm

Apple is known for its well-shot advertisements, especially the ones that air during the holidays, but those aren't the only ads featuring Apple products. The company works with carriers and resellers to promote iPhones, its other products, and sometimes, its services.

An ad shared by State Farm on Thursday places a newly severed Jamie S with Mark S, played by Adam Scott, on the Severed Floor featured in Apple TV+ drama "Severance." She's shown a video of her "outie" reading a note saying she's been severed... from her parents' car insurance.


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C2 modem already in development for future iPhones

Apple only just revealed the C1 modem with iPhone 16e on Wednesday, but there's already a rumor about the C2 being tested internally.

Two iPhones in black and white, showing rear cameras and Apple logos.
iPhone 16e has the C1 modem. Image source: Apple

Apple has spent years trying to distance itself from Qualcomm and use its own in-house modem. The company has finally landed on the C1 modem used in iPhone 16e, calling it a "platform for generations."

According to a report from MacRumors sourced from an accurate leaker that uses a private account on X, Apple is already working on the future of the C-series platform. The leaker called it the C2 and shared it has the identifier C4020.


Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely


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Apple's C1 modem is the first step towards 'a platform for generations,' executives say

The custom modem in the iPhone 16e lays the groundwork for future Apple projects, as the company intends to use its proprietary modems across future products.

A close-up view of a circuit board with a prominent Apple C1 chip and various electronic components.
Apple says its C1 modem is just the start.

On Wednesday, Apple announced the entry-level iPhone 16e, with a relatively modest design echoing the iPhone 14. One of the device's stand-out features is an all-new in-house modem. Created and designed exclusively by Apple, it replaces previously used Qualcomm technology.

Apple's long-rumored custom modem, developed under the project codename "Sinope," allows for tight integration between the iPhone software and hardware. This is why the iPhone 16e reportedly has the best battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone, according to Apple.


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Palit GeForce RTX 5080 GameRock OC 16 GB GPU Review – Rocking Looks!

20 février 2025 à 21:55

It's been two years since NVIDIA introduced its Ada Lovelace GPUs, kicking things off with the RTX 4090 and finishing up the initial lineup with the SUPER family At CES, the company unveiled its new RTX 50 "Blackwell" family which features a brand new architecture and several changes such as new cores, AI accelerators, new memory standards, and the latest video/display capabilities. Today, NVIDIA is releasing the second fastest card within its "RTX 50" portfolio, the GeForce RTX 5080. The GeForce RTX 5080 is a top-of-the-line graphics card, designed for enthusiast gamers, and features a price point of $999 US […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/palit-geforce-rtx-5080-gamerock-oc-16-gb-gpu-review-rocking-looks/

À partir d’avant-hier1.3 🖥️ Tech. English

iPhone 17 Air could feature a 6.7-inch display, contradicting previous rumors

The long-rumored iPhone 17 Air may be equipped with a slightly larger display than originally anticipated, according to a source with a mixed track record.

Three smartphones floating against a gradient background, showcasing their backs and cameras in yellow, white, and mint green colors.
The iPhone 17 Air could have a 6.7-inch display.

As part of its 2025 iPhone lineup, Apple is expected to replace its existing Plus model with an ultra-thin model known as the iPhone 17 Air or Slim. Though multiple analysts and leakers have all claimed the device is in the works, there seems to be a lack of consensus in terms of hardware specifications.

In 2024, display analyst Ross Young said that the iPhone 17 Air would feature a 6.55-inch display, which Apple would likely round up to 6.6 inches. Another analyst, Jeff Pu, made the same claim in October 2024.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Apple cut too much by removing MagSafe from the iPhone 16e

Apple says that you can use wireless Qi chargers with the iPhone 16e and it's true, but isn't MagSafe and that causes problems.

Hand holding a smartphone with a charging cable connected, screen displaying a circular pattern and a green battery indicator.
Apple can't come out and say wired charging is better than wireless, but it tried.

One of the compromises Apple made with making a lower-cost entry to the iPhone 16 range was to remove MagSafe. Apple is correct when it says you can still use wireless charging, but that's not the half of it.

If you have to use a Qi charger instead of MagSafe, it will take much longer and it will be so inefficient that it uses more power. And that's if you can be certain you have placed the iPhone 16e on exactly the right spot of the Qi charger.


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Apple could have sold me an iPhone SE 4, but it won't sell me the iPhone 16e

20 février 2025 à 20:27
If you're confused about who the iPhone 16e is for, you're not alone — I know I won't be upgrading.

Smartphone displaying a cluttered home screen with various app icons and widgets, resting on a wooden surface adorned with autumn leaves.
Alas, poor iPhone SE! I knew him, Horatio.

I'm going to cut right to it. I should have been an easy sell for the iPhone SE 4, but I'm vehemently against the iPhone 16e.

If you've read any of my opinion pieces here in my nearly six-year tenure at AppleInsider, you'd know that I'm not an iPhone fanatic. Unlike most of my coworkers, I've never owned a Pro-level iPhone model.


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New Mac malware 'FrigidStealer' spreads through fake browser updates

20 février 2025 à 20:08
Cybercriminals are ramping up their use of fake software updates to distribute malware, and Mac users are in the crosshairs with a new strain.

Desktop setup with a large screen displaying a teal abstract background, wireless keyboard, mouse, black headphones on a stand, and a white water bottle on a white desk.
Apple iMac

Researchers have identified two new threat actors, TA2726 and TA2727, who are using web inject campaigns to deliver malware. These actors use fake update lures — often presented as browser updates — to trick users into downloading harmful software, including a newly discovered macOS malware called FrigidStealer.

Historically, the threat actor TA569 and its SocGholish web injects dominated the fake update space, often leading to ransomware attacks. However, beginning in 2023, copycat actors began emerging, complicating efforts to track these threats.


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Initial M4 MacBook Air benchmark reveals same GPU power as M4 iPad Pro

20 février 2025 à 19:45
A benchmark has allegedly surfaced that could be by the upcoming M4 MacBook Air refresh, a possible sign of an impending launch for the budget portable Mac.

Open laptop on desk with vibrant abstract blue spiral design on screen, keyboard visible, and blurred background featuring a monitor and shelves.
MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is anticipated to get an update in early 2025, bringing the model line up to using M4 like the MacBook Pro. While there's no sign of an impending launch from Apple itself, another source may have hinted that it's on the way.

A Geekbench result listing for a "Mac16,12" was posted on February 19. The listing is described as running on macOS 15.2, with a ten-core M4 chip and 24GB of Unified Memory.


Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely


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Tim Cook meets with President Trump at the White House

Apple CEO Tim Cook met with President Donald Trump on Thursday morning, likely to discuss the import tariff situation and US manufacturing.

Three men in suits walking near a black SUV with a prominent number three on the windshield.
Tim Cook arriving at the White House on November 20

There's little detail about the visit, as first reported by Edward Lawrence at Fox Business. However, there are obvious topics of discussion between the two men, with billions of dollars on the line.

Cook was spotted on his way into the White House at about 10:10 AM Eastern Time on Thursday. He departed about 45 minutes later, telling the gathered cameras nothing more than he had a "great meeting" with the President.


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iPhone 17 may not get Apple's C1 modem, but will get a new Wi-Fi chip

20 février 2025 à 18:13
Most of Apple's iPhone 17 lineup won't be using its new C1 modem, Ming-Chi Kuo claims, but they will still benefit from a new in-house Wi-Fi chip design.

Smartphone with colorful abstract wallpaper, featuring vibrant gradients of yellow, pink, purple, and blue, with a dark pill-shaped cutout at the top, on a gray background.
A render of what the iPhone 17 could look like.

Apple's introduction of the iPhone 16e also brought with it the C1, an internally-designed modem to wean Apple off from Qualcomm's version. However, it seems that most models in the next iPhone generation won't be using it.

According to a Thursday X post from TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a hardware survey reveals that only the iPhone 17 Air will get the C1 modem in the future. Kuo doesn't specify, but this probably means Apple will be retaining the Qualcomm modems for the iPhone 17, Pro, and Pro Max models for at least one more year.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Best iPhone 16e deals: Here's where to get up to $830 off

Apple iPhone 16e preorders begin on Feb. 21, with the new devices arriving on Feb. 28. Here's where to get the best iPhone 16e preorder deals with wireless carrier incentives and more.

A hand holding Apple iPhone 16e displaying a colorful abstract shape on the screen, with large text reading 'iPhone Deals' on a pink to blue gradient background.
Get preorder deals on Apple's new iPhone 16e - Image credit: Apple

Apple's 2025 iPhone 16e goes up for preorder on Friday, Feb. 21, and if you want the new device right away we've rounded up the best preorder deals. Be sure to check back here and bookmark our iPhone deals roundup as new offers continue to launch once preorders goes live.


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Pokémon Presents stream returns just in time for Pokémon Red anniversary

20 février 2025 à 18:45

Game Freak wrapped up the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet generation back in 2023 with the release of two expansions. Since then, we've been waiting on the next major Pokémon title to hit Nintendo consoles, and it looks like we'll get some much-needed details later this week. 

As is the case every February, The Pokémon Company will be hosting its own showcase stream. On the 27th of February at 2PM UK time, Pokemon Presents will go live once again, giving us a new look at the upcoming Pokemon Legends ZA, the next big open-world game that takes us back to an ancient version of the Pokemon region from the X & Y titles.

It is also worth noting that this year also marks the anniversary of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan. It is unclear if The Pokémon Company plans to do anything special to celebrate this, but given how beloved those original games are, I expect we'll get something. Perhaps some of those classic Pokémon games will finally become available on Nintendo Switch, something that fans have been asking for since the system first launched in 2017.

KitGuru Says: We'll no doubt be back next week reporting on the news as its announced, so stay tuned for that. 

The post Pokémon Presents stream returns just in time for Pokémon Red anniversary first appeared on KitGuru.

Rockstar brings major graphics upgrade to GTA 5 on PC

20 février 2025 à 18:20

Back in 2022, Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto V: Expanded and Enhanced for Xbox Series X/S and PS5 consoles. The main addition? New graphical features like Ray Tracing. Now years later, and just ahead of the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, those graphical enhancements are finally coming to the PC version of GTA 5. 

Rockstar confirmed plans to release a GTA 5 PC graphics update in late 2024. Now, the update is ready and is freely available to all PC players. The update brings the game up to the same level as the newer Xbox Series X/S and PS5 versions of the game.

Below you can see some of the key highlights of the update:

  • Ray tracing features only available on PC such as ambient occlusion and global illumination — plus ray traced shadows and reflections first debuted on consoles
  • Support for AMD FSR1 and FSR3, and NVIDIA DLSS 3
  • Faster loading times using SSD and DirectStorage on supported devices and configurations
  • Enhanced support for higher resolutions, higher aspect ratios, and higher framerates
  • DualSense® controller support, with adaptive triggers
  • Enhanced audio with support for Dolby Atmos and improved fidelity of speech, cinematics, and music

Due to the new graphical enhancements, the recommended PC system requirements for GTA 5 have been updated – a rare sight for a decade-old game. To utilise the new features, you will want a system with at least an Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 16GB of RAM and an RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT graphics card.

This change also brings a whole bunch of new vehicles to the game, as well as access to GTA+, Rockstar's subscription service that grants monthly bonuses for GTA Online, as well as free access to classic games, like the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy, Bully and more.

KitGuru Says: Do you still play GTA Online regularly? Has it improved since Rockstar added anti-cheat? 

The post Rockstar brings major graphics upgrade to GTA 5 on PC first appeared on KitGuru.

Valve releases Team Fortress 2 source code, opening the door for game overhaul mods

20 février 2025 à 18:00

Valve has been putting a lot of its development resources into new projects in recent years. From Artifact and Dota Underworlds, to more successful releases like Half-Life Alyx and Counter-Strike 2. This has essentially meant that Team Fortress 2 has been left behind. Now, Valve has handed the keys to TF2 to the community.

Team Fortress 2 is now open source. The Team Fortress 2 Source SDK is now available. With this tool now available, people can essentially re-write Team Fortress 2, enabling game overhaul mods, new modes, new multiplayer experiences and more.

“Unlike the Steam Workshop or local content mods, this SDK gives mod makers the ability to change, extend or rewrite TF2, making anything from small tweaks to complete conversions possible”, Valve explains. “The SDK is licensed to users on a non-commercial basis, meaning that any mod created using the SDK must be free, and any content in those mods must be free. TF2 mods may be published on the Steam Store, and after publication will appear as new games in the Steam game list.”

Using TF2 as a base, developers could also create new game listings for the Steam Store. We've seen this happen with Half-Life projects in the past, like Black Mesa, a complete remake of the original Half-Life.

There is just one stipulation Valve has in place. As Workshop modders were responsible for a lot of in-game content for TF2 in the form of custom hats and other cosmetics, Valve does not want any developers to take those workshop items and then reutilise them for profit. It is unknown if Valve would make an exception for a developer willing to share a revenue split with the original workshop item creators.

KitGuru Says: With this move, I think we can safely say that there will be no more major content updates for Team Fortress 2. Now fans have to wonder – is Valve considering a Team Fortress 3?

The post Valve releases Team Fortress 2 source code, opening the door for game overhaul mods first appeared on KitGuru.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D leak shows decent single-thread performance improvement

20 février 2025 à 17:30

It seems the wait for AMD's Ryzen 9 9000 series with 3D V-Cache might be over soon. Both the 16-core Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the 12-core Ryzen 9 9900X3D have just surfaced on Geekbench with single-core and multi-core benchmark scores.

The leaked Geekbench results shared by @Olrak29_(1, 2) show both CPUs tested on Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AXE motherboards with 32 GB of DDR5-4800 memory. The 9900X3D achieved 3,274 and 19,227 points in the single-core and multi-core tests, respectively, while the 9950X3D scored 3,363 and 20,465.

Comparing these leaked results to the previous generation 7000X3D series reveals some interesting trends. The 9950X3D shows a roughly 15% improvement in single-core performance and a 4% gain in multi-core performance compared to the 7950X3D. The 9900X3D boasts a 14.5% increase in single-core and a 9.3% increase in multi-core performance relative to the 7900X3D.

While AMD officially announced these CPUs for release this quarter, they haven't provided specific launch dates. Rumours suggest that the 9950X3D and 9900X3D could launch alongside the RDNA4 GPUs, which makes sense strategically, especially if the RX 9070 XT proves to be AMD's flagship offering this generation. Pairing it with top-tier CPUs would create a compelling combination for customers.

KitGuru says: Were you expecting a bigger performance uplift on the new X3D processors, or do these values match your expectations?

The post AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D leak shows decent single-thread performance improvement first appeared on KitGuru.

EK launches new EK-Quantum Velocity³ water block for LGA1700/1851 and AM5 sockets

20 février 2025 à 16:45

EK has unveiled its next-generation EK-Quantum Velocity³ CPU water blocks. Designed for compatibility with AMD AM5 and Intel LGA 1700/1851 sockets, the Velocity³ offers a high level of customisation, allowing users to fine-tune their cooling setup for optimal performance and aesthetics.

One of the key innovations of the Velocity³ is its flexible design, enabling easy switching between Intel and AMD platforms with minimal adjustments. Users can reposition the jet plate alignment, cold plate, and mounting bracket to accommodate their chosen socket type. This adaptability ensures that the Velocity³ remains a viable cooling solution even if you decide to switch platforms in the future.

The customisation goes beyond mere socket compatibility. The Velocity³ allows for the rotation of internal components, adjustment of the heat spreader, and repositioning the ports, giving enthusiasts control over their liquid cooling setup. This level of flexibility caters to those who demand both performance and aesthetics, ensuring the Velocity³ integrates into any build.

Available in Plexi, Acetal (black), and White finishes, the Velocity³ features a sleek, modern design crafted from high-quality materials. Its optimised cooling engine delivers exceptional performance, boasting up to a 2°C improvement over previous EK water blocks. The EK-Quantum Velocity³ 1700/1851/AM5 is available for purchase now for €109.90 (all variants).

KitGuru says: Are you planning on building a new custom loop? Would you take a thorough look at the new EK-Quantum Velocity³ water blocks, or do you already have something else in mind?

The post EK launches new EK-Quantum Velocity³ water block for LGA1700/1851 and AM5 sockets first appeared on KitGuru.

Apple launches Iphone 16e powered by A18 SoC

20 février 2025 à 16:00

Apple has officially unveiled its much-anticipated “budget-friendly” iPhone, the iPhone 16e. While rumours previously suggested it might be named “iPhone SE 4,” Apple has opted for a new moniker for its entry-level offering.

The iPhone 16e features an A18 SoC with four GPU cores (instead of five), likely paired with 8 GB of RAM, ensuring compatibility with Apple Intelligence features. As predicted, the design takes cues from the iPhone 13 era, with a 6.1-inch OLED display boasting a 460 ppi pixel density and a 12 MP TrueDepth camera with Face ID support. The mute toggle switch has been replaced with the new action button, and the phone incorporates Apple's first in-house 5G modem, the C1, promising significant efficiency gains.

The iconic notch remains, and on the back, there's a single 48 MP camera. Other notable features include a USB-C port (albeit with USB 2.0 speeds), an impressive 26 hours of video playback (up from 22 hours on the iPhone 16), an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and emergency SOS via satellite.

The iPhone 16e starting price is $599 for the 128GB model and will be available on February 28th. While this represents a price increase compared to the now-discontinued iPhone SE 3, which started at $429 for the 64 GB model, the iPhone 16e's array of new features and increased base storage arguably justify the premium.

KitGuru says: Were you waiting for Apple to launch a new “entry-level” smartphone? Are you planning on upgrading your current smartphone, or do you think Apple is asking too much for an “entry-level” device?

The post Apple launches Iphone 16e powered by A18 SoC first appeared on KitGuru.

RTX 5070 Ti prices start at £729 in the UK

20 février 2025 à 15:15

Following on from pre-release reviews yesterday, today the RTX 5070 Ti graphics card is launching to the masses globally. As we've seen with the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, stock may be hard to come by. If you are looking to pick up an RTX 5070 Ti as soon as possible in the UK, we've compiled a range of listings for you to choose from, with a particular light shown on GPUs that actually get close to the MSRP price tag. 

As we've already seen in the US, many RTX 5070 Ti models are already being marked up above MSRP pricing. While Nvidia's MSRP for this GPU is $750, there is no Founders Edition card for board partners to compete with, leading to a slew of $900 to $1000 versions of the RTX 5070 Ti. If you are seriously considering spending that kind of money on a new graphics card, be sure to check out a range of reviews first – here's our RTX 5070 Ti launch day review. So far, the general consensus seems to be that the RTX 5070 Ti is not worth its marked up price, but that could change from individual to individual based on when you last upgraded your graphics card. The jump is likely far more worth it to someone coming from an RTX 20 or a lower-tier RTX 30 GPU, compared to an RTX 40 graphics card.

The Asus Prime RTX 5070 Ti was supplied to reviewers in the US as an example of an MSRP-level card. Here in the UK, this graphics card is launching at £739 for the OC Edition. Pricing varies between Scan, eBuyer, OCUK and CLL, with Scan being the cheapest at the time of publishing.

On the MSI front, there are several listings for the RTX 5070 Ti Ventus 3X model, priced at £729.99. For Gigabyte, your best bet for a reasonable price is the Gigabyte RTX 5070 Ti Eagle model, which is coming in at £899.

Unfortunately, there are not many options available at launch for those wanting to only pay the MSRP price. PNY, Zotac and Gainward each have options available that come pretty close, with MSI being the cheapest with an MSRP-level £729.99 card.

Speaking of Scan, if you are looking to pick up an RTX 50 GPU, they have set up a very handy RTX 50 notification page with daily stock updates, as well as updates to currency conversion rates so customers know when to expect prices to rise or fall slightly.

Do note that all prices here are correct as of 2PM GMT on February 20th. Prices are subject to change due to a myriad of factors, chief of which is supply and demand, followed by currency conversion fluctuations.

KitGuru Says: What do you think of the RTX 5070 Ti launch? Will you be upgrading or avoiding this current generation until prices settle down? 

 

The post RTX 5070 Ti prices start at £729 in the UK first appeared on KitGuru.

MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio Review: Hot-Clocked Blackwell GB203

20 février 2025 à 14:59
MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio Review: Hot-Clocked Blackwell GB203 MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio Review: MSRP $799 The MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio takes NVIDIA's GB203 GPU and gooses up its clock speeds to improve performance over standard cards. Blackwell Architecture Hot-Clocked From The Factory Easy Overclocker Relatively Power Friendly Cool And Quiet DLSS 4 + RTX Neural Rendering Upgraded...

Pegasus infections on iPhones more common than previously believed

20 février 2025 à 17:23
Pegasus may have been more widely used than first believed, after an iPhone app used to detect infestations uncovered multiple undiscovered instances of the spyware.

An iPhone with a thematic binary wallpaper.
An iPhone with a thematic binary wallpaper.

Pegasus, created by NSO Group, is known to be spyware used by governments and security agencies around the world. While the spyware has previously been discovered on devices owned and used by prominent political figures, people of interest to governments, and journalists, it was probably more widely used than anyone expected.

In May 2024, iVerify released a $1 app for people to scan their iPhones for any signs of compromise. On Wednesday, iVerify said that, of the approximately 3,000 people who downloaded and used the app, there were seven verifiable detections of Pegasus.


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Core design: How chip binning helps Apple offer A18 variants

20 février 2025 à 16:17
The A18 in the iPhone 16e is not the same as the A18 in the iPhone 16. Here's why the act of chip binning helps Apple while also creating variants of the same chip for different products.

Smartphone screen showing reminders alongside an Apple A18 chip being discarded into a trash can, set against a gradient background.
Apple may be using chip binning for the iPhone 16e's A18 chip

The launch of the iPhone 16e was a thorough modernization of what is practically the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE 3. It's an upgrade that brought many areas of the budget iPhone option up to speed with the flagship range, the iPhone 16.

However, while it is stated as having an A18 chip powering things, it's not the same A18 chip as used by its stablemate, the iPhone 16. They are labeled the same, but they're certainly different.


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iPhone 15 Pro set to get Visual Intelligence in a future iOS update

20 février 2025 à 15:57
While initially launched exclusively for the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple plans to expand Visual Intelligence to the iPhone 15 Pro.

A hand holds a smartphone displaying bakery information, including photos and accessibility details, in front of a pastry shop on a cloudy street.
Visual Intelligence identifying a bakery

Visual Intelligence a handy feature that allows you to point your camera at an object in the real world to learn more about it. It's essentially Apple's answer to Google Lens.

Previously, if you wanted to use Visual Intelligence, you'd have to be someone who purchased a device in either the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro lineup. However, Apple has confirmed to Daring Fireball that the feature will roll out to the iPhone 15 Pro in a future update.


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How the iPhone 16e mostly improves the Action Button

The new iPhone 16e moves Visual Intelligence to the Action Button, making that immediately more useful and also giving faint hope that the button will be improved further.

A hand presses the button on the side of a silver smartphone, with camera lenses visible in the background.
The Action Button as introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro

Apple's Action Button was first introduced on the original Apple Watch Ultra, where users could decide what it would actually do when pressed. It's a function button, really, and it worked the same when it then came to the iPhone 15 Pro.

Now it's come to the iPhone 16e, and it's a little different. You still have to press and hold before it does anything, and the Action Button can still only do one of a series of actions that you choose.


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Kandji & Backblaze team up to simplify Mac IT management & data protection

20 février 2025 à 15:01
Apple-focused IT teams can now automate device management and data backup through a single platform with a new integration.

Red background with a white flame icon above the word 'Backblaze' in bold black text.
Backblaze

Backblaze and Kandji have integrated their services to provide unified Apple device management and cloud backup capabilities. The partnership enables automated deployment of Backblaze's backup service through Kandji's device management platform.

The integration brings together automated Backblaze deployment across company Apple devices, centralized management of devices and backups, combined security policy enforcement and data protection, and single dashboard control for IT teams.


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How to use your first iPhone, for beginners

If you've never used an iPhone before, there steps you have to go to set it up, and then there are things you need to know about how to get the most from it. Here's what Apple doesn't tell you.

Hand opening a box containing a new smartphone on a decorated metal table outdoors.
Unboxing the iPhone 16 Pro Max

It is true that Apple devices tend to just work, and it's certainly true that the iPhone is ultimately incredibly easy to use. But when you first hold that piece of glass and metal in your hand, it's a mystery.

And it's a mystery that Apple assumes you will figure out. While there are support pages on Apple's website, those are useless until you're online.


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iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE 3: A quantum leap forward

20 février 2025 à 13:47
The iPhone 16e brings the iPhone SE kicking and screaming to modern times. Here's what's new about the spiritual successor versus the outgoing budget-friendly model.

Two smartphones displayed side by side; left phone in white with notch, right phone in red with home button. Background: gradient from green to red.
iPhone 16e [left], iPhone SE Gen 3 [right]

Apple has consistently kept the design of the iPhone SE behind the rest of the iPhone range throughout its life. With the introduction of the iPhone 16e as a rebranded replacement, the budget model is now a thoroughly modernized smartphone.

It's not just the design that's been given a boost, as its specifications have also been upgraded to match its appearance.


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Trump's tariffs could drive up iPhone prices by about 10%

Estimating the cost to Apple of paying President Trump's import tariffs, Bank of America believes that a 9% price hike for the iPhone and all other devices, would prevent losses.

Three men closely examine a large black circuit board in a brightly lit industrial setting.
Apple CEO Tim Cook [left] with Donald Trump [right] at a Mac Pro factory

It's a fiction that other countries will pay tariffs, as instead all such costs will always be borne by US companies. In the case of Apple, it has previously earned an exemption — though not consistently — and it has tried to reduce the impact of tariffs by moving manufacturing to different countries.

According to CNBC, this time that spreading of the manufacturing around various locations is not going to help. Bank of America now estimates that whatever Apple does with manufacturing, and wherever it does it, the company will face a minimum of a 10% tariff.


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ASUS GeForce RTX 5070 Ti TUF OC Review

Par :W1zzard
20 février 2025 à 15:04
The ASUS GeForce RTX 5070 Ti TUF OC comes with a fantastic all-metal cooling solution that is built like a tank. During testing in our review, the card ran whisper-quiet at full load with the Quiet BIOS, and super cool with the default BIOS. The only problem is the high price of $1000.

MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard SOC Review

Par :W1zzard
20 février 2025 à 15:03
The MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Vanguard comes with the most powerful cooling solution tested today. It's also the quietest card and runs at lower temperatures than any other model—out of the box, no BIOS switch required. Performance is excellent, too, but pricing is very high.

MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio OC+ Review

Par :W1zzard
20 février 2025 à 15:02
The MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio OC+ is a custom-design variant with a triple slot, triple-fan cooling solution. Testing in our review confirms, this card runs whisper-quiet and at good temperatures. Overclocking potential was fantastic, achieving 12% extra FPS in real-life testing.

Palit GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GameRock OC Review

Par :W1zzard
20 février 2025 à 15:00
The Palit GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GameRock OC is built around a great-looking triple-fan cooling solution with fantastic RGB lighting effects. In our testing the card ran very quietly no matter what we threw at it and the factory overclock helps unlock additional performance.

Nvidia fights scalpers with ‘Verified Priority Access’ program for RTX 5090 and RTX 5080

20 février 2025 à 13:30

There have been many disappointed enthusiasts who have been unable to get hold of an RTX 5090 or RTX 5080 graphics card since launch last month. In an effort to avoid scalpers buying up Founders Edition graphics cards, Nvidia has now set up a Verified Priority Access program. 

In a statement shared on the Nvidia forums today, Nvidia confirmed plans for the Verified Priority Access program, saying that it will give “a limited number of verified GeForce gamers and creators” an opportunity to buy one RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 Founders Edition graphics card from the Nvidia Marketplace.

To be eligible, you have to A) be in the US. B) have a registered Nvidia account from before January 30th. You can sign-up to be considered for it by filling out a form where you simply select which graphics card you are looking to buy and then tick a box to say that you agree to Nvidia verifying participation “based on region, configuration, games and app usage”. From the sounds of it, Nvidia will be targeting power users who have spent time engaging with Nvidia's services.

There is no word on whether or not this program will roll out worldwide, or if Nvidia will have plans to put something like this in place for future Founders Edition launches. It certainly would have helped a lot of enthusiasts avoid the stress of retail queues and scalpers driving prices up.

KitGuru Says: Do you think something like this should be in place for enthusiasts looking to upgrade moving forward? Do you want to see this program open up in Europe and other regions?

The post Nvidia fights scalpers with ‘Verified Priority Access’ program for RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 first appeared on KitGuru.

World War Z: Aftermath is free on the Epic Games Store

20 février 2025 à 13:00

As they have done for years now, each week a new game or two are given away for free via the Epic Games Store for all those with an EGS account. From today, users can get their hands on the cute indie RGP Garden Story as well as Saber Interactive’s World War Z: Aftermath.

Available to add to your library from today until the 27th of February at 4pm, this week’s free titles are being headlined by World War Z: Aftermath. While this has been given away on the Epic Store in the past, in case you missed it back then, this Saber Interactive-developed co-op shooter functions similarly to that of the iconic Left4Dead series but with a 3rd-person perspective.

As expected, the game throws massive swarms of zombies all clumped together at you with intent to kill. Featuring a number of different and unique classes, you and three other friends can buddy up and take on its co-op story driven campaigns which take you all across the world.

World War Z: Aftermath is the complete version of the game, and so if you aren’t one of the 15 million who've already experienced this title, now is as good a time as any.

Garden Story meanwhile is a cute indie RPG in which you must “unify a broken community as the newly-appointed Guardian of The Grove”. Think of it kind of like Stardew Valley except you play as a grape.

Both World War Z: Aftermath and Garden Story are available to claim from today at 4PM UK time.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this week’s offerings? Have you tried World War Z: Aftermath in the past? What’s your favourite fruit? Let us know down below.

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Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 reportedly launching this June

20 février 2025 à 12:15

Just yesterday, we reported on the possibility of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series returning, thanks to one professional skater who let slip that he is in an upcoming ‘remaster’ of the series. It seems as though this will indeed be the case, as following his claims leakers have now revealed that THPS 3+4 is set to be officially announced this June.

As reported by known industry insider eXtas1s, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is planned to be shadow dropped by Microsoft during the company’s Xbox Games Showcase in June. According to the insider, this release will launch simultaneously on PC, Xbox and PlayStation 5 – marking another first-party Xbox title headed to PlayStation.

For the uninitiated, following the success of 2020’s Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 (which went on to become the fastest-selling entry in the franchise), studio Vicarious Visions were working on a similar remake for the 3rd and 4th entries…until it was cancelled by Activision.

Pro Skater Tony

Given the fact that Vicarious Visions has since been absorbed and renamed to Blizzard Albany, it is unknown which studio has been tasked with this remake – though hopefully the Albany team were involved in some way.

As mentioned, just yesterday professional skater Tyshawn Jones revealed that “I’m in a Tony Hawk coming out, that’s cool. They got a new one they remastering so that’s about to come out, I was in the last one”. With collaborators and now leakers reporting on this remaster, it seems as though we might finally be getting the previously-ill-fated Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4.

KitGuru says: Are you excited for the return of THPS? Which game in the series is your all-time favourite? Which studio do you think is working on the remake? Let us know down below.

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10 titles are leaving PlayStation Plus in March

20 février 2025 à 11:30

Each month, Sony updates its PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium libraries with a new line-up of titles. Similarly, every month a number of games are also removed from the service. With February’s line-up now available to claim, the console maker has revealed that 10 titles are set to leave the service in a month’s time.

In going to the PlayStation Plus tab on your PS5, you’ll find a list of 10 titles under the ‘Last Chance to Play’ section. Leaving the service at some point in March (likely around the 18th) are the following:

  • Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 6
  • Resident Evil 3 Remake
  • DBZ Kakarot
  • Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
  • Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R
  • Life is Strange True Colors
  • Life is Strange 2 Complete Season
  • Final Fantasy Type-O HD
  • Street Fighter 5 Champion Edition
  • Mortal Kombat 11

PlayStation Plus

Fighting game fans might be disappointed to see 3 major titles leaving PS Plus, with Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R stinging particularly hard. In addition, it is interesting to see two Life is Strange titles being removed given the fact that the brand new Lost Records: Bloom and Rage has been added as a day-one release onto the service.

If you have not yet caught up with the Life is Strange series, you might want to give the two departing titles a go before they’re removed. Fortunately, both entries are relatively short affairs, and so you should have plenty of time to complete them.

In case you missed it, February’s PS Plus Extra/Premium titles are now available on the service, including the likes of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor; TopSpin 2K25 and Patapon 3. The full list can be found HERE.

KitGuru says: What do you think of February’s PS Plus additions? What about the games set to leave? Will you try to finish any of these games before they’re gone? Let us know down below.

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Hades II gets second major patch with ‘Warsong Update’

20 février 2025 à 10:45

Back in May of last year, the team at Supergiant Games surprise-dropped the early access launch of Hades II. Since then, the game has seen one major content update alongside a bunch of smaller patches. Finally, Supergiant Games are back with Hades II’s 2nd major update – bringing new levels, gods, boons, revamped menus and a whole lot more.

Making the announcement, the team at Supergiant Games officially released and detailed their latest ‘Warsong Update’ writing:

“Our second Major Update has arrived, featuring the final confrontation of the surface route, one last Olympian and all his Boons, a new Animal Familiar to bond with, streamlined resource gathering, plenty of new music and artwork, and more! We're excited to know what you think, and will be monitoring feedback in the coming weeks to ensure these latest additions are working properly.”

The full list of patch notes can be found HERE, but some of the more interesting/notable changes include:

  • More than 2,000 new voice lines and new events
  • New final confrontation
  • New Olymian (Ares) plus boons
  • Revamped boons
  • Revamped Altar of Ashes
  • New and reworked keepsakes
  • New enemies
  • Revamped special encounters
  • Much much more

In case you haven’t been keeping up with Hades II’s early access release, each major update has been huge for the game, not only in terms of new content, but how the currently available content is dished out and used.

Weapons and boons in particular have seen a great deal of changes over the months, and so it will be interesting to see how the Warsong Update switches up the gameplay formula. If you have yet to give Hades II a chance, now might be the best time to do so ahead of its full 1.0 release.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this update? Will you be heading back into Hades II? What’s been your favourite weapon to use thus far? Let us know down below.

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HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 gets official premiere date

20 février 2025 à 10:00

HBO’s The Last of Us was a huge hit when it released back in early 2023, amassing 10s of millions of viewers and winning a ton of awards. Though it was known that Season 2 is planned to arrive sometime in April of 2025, we’ve now gotten a concrete premiere date.

Making the announcement with the release of 3 new character posters (alongside the tagine ‘Every Path Has A Price’) HBO has now confirmed that Season 2 of The Last of Us will premiere on the 13th of April – meaning it'll be here in under two months’ time.

The character posters released show Joel, Ellie and Abby walking down a path away from the camera while standing on items which are significant to each’s story (Joel’s broken watch; a guitar for Ellie and a Firefly pendant for Abby).

The Last of Us Season 2

Whether for the right or wrong reasons, The Last of Us Part II was a highly controversial game when it released back in 2020, and so it will be both exciting and somewhat scary to see how HBO and Naughty Dog plan to adapt this narrative for the show.

That said, given just how excellently the team managed to translate the first game, HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 is bound to be a gut-wrenching and highly evocative series when it premieres this April.

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to Season 2? Do you think any changes will be made for the show? How do you think Season 2 will be formatted when compared to the game? Let us know down below.

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How to measure your Mac's network performance with iPerf3 in Terminal

20 février 2025 à 13:41
iPerf3 is a network throughput tool used to measure the performance of the network your Mac is using. Here's how to use it in the macOS Terminal app.

iPerf3 running on macOS.
Use iPerf3 on macOS to test network bandwidth and throughput.

iPerf (sometimes simply called "iperf") is a UNIX memory, network throughput, and bandwidth tool first developed at the NCSA of the University of Illinois. iPerf is a fully compatible rewrite of the older Test TCP (ttcp) app originally written at the US Army's Ballistic Research Lab for DARPA in around 1983.

There are also modern versions for Windows and Linux.


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More than a name change: iPhone 16e isn't the iPhone SE 4

Apple didn't simply change the expected iPhone SE 4 name to iPhone 16e — they're distinct product lines and all the data points to a strategy shift.

Smartphone with a white frame, horizontal orientation, displaying a dark screen featuring a glowing orb in the center against a black background.
iPhone 16e is here, and it's not the iPhone SE

We should have seen this coming. Every Apple-focused website saw Tim Cook's post on February 13 and assumed that it was an iPhone SE 4 reveal.

After all, almost all of the rumors for the last 18 months have called it the iPhone SE 4.


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Steeper price drops hit Apple's M4 & M4 Pro Mac mini

Apple retailers are competing for your business by knocking triple digits off the M4 Pro Mac mini, while the standard M4 model has dropped to $549.

Silver Apple Mac mini on a blue-lit desk, highlighted by a gold 'Limited Time Offer' banner, next to a plant in a copper pot.
Apple's M4 Pro Mac mini is on sale for $1,299.

The M4 Pro Mac mini with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is a popular configuration due to its blend of affordability with the performance of the 12-core CPU/16-core GPU chip. Normally $1,399, the retail configuration is on sale for $1,299 at Amazon, B&H and Adorama.

Shop M4 Mac mini sale


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'Severance' tops 'Ted Lasso' as Apple's most-watched series for good reasons

19 février 2025 à 23:21
"Severance" has officially become the most-watched Apple TV+ series, beating out former champion "Ted Lasso" — but you're probably not surprised.

Severance, Apple TV+
"Severance" — image credit: Apple

Apple can tell when it has a good thing going. While every show it picks up doesn't become a hit, it certainly makes it known when it's found something special.

"Severence" is no exception. If you've read our site at all in the last two months, you've probably noticed we've covered quite a bit, from a star-studded pop up in New York to the series' surprising jump to Roku for a limited time.


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iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: A new Apple Intelligence-powered entry-level option

19 février 2025 à 21:43
Apple's update to the iPhone SE adds a new design and Apple Intelligence, as well as a new name: iPhone 16e. Here's how it compares to yesterday's budget option — the iPhone 16.

Two smartphones side by side on a gradient background showing front and back views, featuring circular patterns on screens.
iPhone 16e [left], iPhone 16 [right]

Arriving just shy of three years after the third-generation iPhone SE, the newly-rebranded iPhone 16e has arrived as the new entry-level model for consumers. This is a major modernization effort, with a new design and a considerable specifications bump to match modern smartphones.

With the introduction of a new low-cost smartphone on Apple's roster, this leaves consumers wondering if they should get it instead of the slightly more expensive iPhone 16.


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Ubisoft and Lexip unveil Assassin’s Creed Shadows-themed peripheral collection

19 février 2025 à 18:11

Ubisoft is teaming up with gaming peripheral manufacturer Lexip to equip Assassin's Creed Shadows fans with a collection of co-branded gaming accessories. This collaboration features six custom-designed items, each reflecting the game's feudal Japan setting. These peripherals will also be available in unique bundles with the game itself upon its release on March 20th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, macOS, and PC.

Starting with the Engraved Wireless Headset, it has an ancestral Japanese-inspired design. Enjoy cross-platform compatibility, connecting wirelessly to a wide range of devices via Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz dongle. For those seeking enhanced control and precision, the Programmable Mouse with Thumb Joystick offers a unique programmable analogue thumb joystick, four buttons, a clickable wheel, and an optical sensor.

The Ergonomic Controller provides a comfortable and customisable gaming experience across multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Android, and iOS. It features four programmable rear paddles, a D-pad, two joysticks, vibration feedback, and 14 buttons. The AC: Shadows-themed mechanical keyboard uses red mechanical switches and customisable RGB backlighting. It's available in QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layouts to suit different regions. Complete your setup with the Rigid Mouse Pad, with a customisable backlight, or an XXL Flexible Mouse Pad, made from washable neoprene with a non-slip latex base.

These accessories are available in various bundles, including the standard edition of Assassin's Creed Shadows. Assassin's Creed Shadows launches on March 20th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, macOS, and PC via Steam, the Ubisoft Store, and the Epic Games Store.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Interested in any of the Assassin's Creed Shadows-themed peripherals?

The post Ubisoft and Lexip unveil Assassin’s Creed Shadows-themed peripheral collection first appeared on KitGuru.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Part 1 Review – And… Action!

19 février 2025 à 18:00

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Diving into Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Part One "Bloom," I had a lot of high hopes. I love story-based games where you have to make decisions that will have consequences later down the line. The aesthetic of this game also really pulled me in. I love games that have that retro feel and are full of neon vibrancy that is reminiscent of the 90s. Despite being neon, it has a beautiful muted feel to it at times and really provides the grittiness and dated feel to help you travel back in time. Loading the game for the first time, […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/lost-records-bloom-rage-part-1-and-action/

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