Console gamers love new tech, but there are ones that we hope never ever make it to production. Case in point: Sony has patented a controller that ditches physical buttons entirely in favor of a giant, customizable touchscreen. Heresy!
Sony's patent for a fully customizable, button-less controller
The patent, titled Devices and Methods
The peripherals market is absolutely flush with gaming headsets of all kinds, so how do you make a splash in a sprawling sea of options? You team up with HiFiMAN, which specializes in planar-magnetic headphones, to develop a headset built for gamers and purportedly discerning enough for audiophiles, and price it at $299. That's exactly what
Apple is taking a partial page from bulk OEM system builders and boutique PC outfits by now offering a similar part-by-part configuration process, rather than the old way of serving up a selection of preconfigured models. The component options haven't changed, but the way you go about piecing together a Mac feels a little more personal andToday we’re taking a look at the Fractal Design Pop 2 Air, a mid-tower case focused on airflow and simplicity. It uses a full mesh front and ventilated top panel, comes with three 120mm fans pre-installed, and includes a GPU air guide designed to improve graphics card cooling. Support covers motherboards ranging from ATX down to Mini-ITX, large air coolers, long GPUs, and up to 360mm radiators. In this review, we’ll be checking build quality, layout, and thermal performance to see how it stacks up.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:44 Key specs and pricing
02:11 Starting the teardown
03:52 GPU air guide + included fans
05:38 Other features, sizings and compatibility
06:50 Rear of the case / mobo tray
08:01 RGB hub
08:38 Storage support
09:34 Underside
10:09 Included accessories
10:47 Thermal performance + noise
12:04 Performance summary and James’ thoughts
13:34 Closing thoughts
Fractal Pop 2 Air Features:
Specifications:
Thermal Performance Testing
To simulate thermal demand, we run the Cinebench R23 multi-thread benchmark and 3DMark Speed Way stress test simultaneously in a loop for 30 minutes to load the system fully. This gives the CPU and GPU enough time to reach constant steady-state temperature. With this data, we can compare how the system handles the thermal demand and measure peak noise levels.
Thermal performance is measured with the case in various configurations, such as the default, with the tempered glass left-hand side panel removed and with the front panel removed to see how these configurations affect the CPU and GPU temperature. During testing, only stock case fans are used unless otherwise specified. All water pumps are set to maximum RPM and fans are set to a custom RPM curve by the Motherboard software/BIOS.
All temperature measurements are presented as Deltas – meaning the ambient temperature has been deducted from the CPU temperature, giving us a Delta. Data shown in the charts represent the average component temperature over the length of the test as measured by HWiNFO, and then the last 15 minutes of the data are calculated to get the average. The ambient temperature during thermal tests is between 19-20⁰C.
Test System Specification:
Thermal Performance Overview
We tested the case thermals with a 360mm AIO as the exhaust at the top and in several different configurations. The default configuration shown in the charts is with the 360mm AIO at the top, 3 x 120mm Front intake fans and with all panels installed.
CPU temperatures are close across all test configurations, ranging from 59°C to 62°C over ambient. Removing the side panel produces the lowest CPU temperature at 59 °C, while the default layout and added rear exhaust both sit 1-3 degrees °C higher, indicating the stock airflow path is already optimised. GPU temperatures show minor variation, with the default configuration achieving the lowest result at 64 °C. Removing the GPU air guide results in the highest GPU temperature at 66 °C, showing its effectiveness in directing airflow toward the graphics card with minimal impact on CPU cooling.
Noise Output
Under load, the Pop 2 Air shows very consistent noise output across configurations, measuring 42 dBA with the side panel removed, in the default layout, and with an added rear exhaust fan. Removing the GPU air guide results in a minor increase to 43 dBA, suggesting it provides a small benefit in controlling airflow under load with slightly lower fan speed. At idle, all configurations sit at 35 dBA, indicating stable fan behaviour and no additional noise coming from airflow changes.
In some key areas, the Fractal Pop 2 Air shows a shift in direction compared to the original Pop series. Some of the more distinct features that made it popular are gone, like the 5.25-inch drive bay and the bold and bright internal colour options that gave the earlier models a bit of personality. In their place, Fractal has moved more towards mainstream airflow-focused design, which will likely appeal to cooling enthusiasts wanting to squeeze all the performance from their hardware, even if it means losing some of that original charm.
On the positive side, the updates applied in the Pop 2 Air make sense for modern high-performance gaming systems. Support for up to a 360mm top-mounted radiator is a welcome addition, and the included GPU air guide proves to be more than a gimmick, offering a small benefit to graphics card temperatures in our testing. Cooling performance overall is solid, and the default fan configuration does a good job, and quietly.
That said, there are some notable omissions at this price point. There are no removable radiator or fan brackets to help with installation, no built-in GPU anti-sag support, and the included fans are non-PWM, which limits fine speed control and adjustment. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they are features that competitors often include at this price range, and their absence will be noticed by more advanced and experienced enthusiast system builders.
Build quality is, for the most part what we’ve come to expect from Fractal Design – generally good, except for the top panel which is quite weak and flexible without any fans or radiator mounted.
Taken as a whole, the Fractal Pop 2 Air is a competent, airflow-focused mid-tower that prioritises cooling and compatibility over the fun and functional extras seen in its predecessor. It’s not the most feature-rich case in its class, but if you value straightforward design and solid thermal performance, it may appeal to you as it is reasonably priced too at under £90 with fans, glass and RGB included.
The Fractal Pop 2 Air is available to purchase now from Scan in either black or white, priced from £79.99 HERE.
Pros:
Cons:
KitGuru says: We miss some of the features of the original Pop in this new version, but if your focus is solid cooling and high-end hardware support at a low cost, then the Pop 2 Air might be ideal for you.
Back in 2022, it was reported that Sony had entered into talks with Amazon to develop a live-action adaptation of the console maker’s highly-popular God of War franchise. While production was off to a slow start, work on the project appears to be progressing smoothly – with a majority of the cast now being officially announced.
Back in January, Amazon started to promote their upcoming God of War show, confirming early casting details including the role of Kratos (being played by Ryan Hurst). Since then, we’ve gotten additional casting details including some familiar voices reprising their roles.
As reported by Deadline, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (known for Severance and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) is officially set to play the role of Thor in the show. Joining him (as per Variety) are Max Parker as Heimdall; Mandy Patinkin as Odin – and Danny Woodburn / Jeff Gulka playing Brok / Sindri respectively.
Perhaps the most surprising casting choice however is Alastair Duncan as Mimir, who actually played the character in the games (and whose voice would be highly familiar to those who experienced the duology). Serving as one of the primary narrators for 2018’s God of War and Ragnarok, Alastair Duncan reprising his role is a welcome surprise.
While it is still too early to glean much regarding Amazon’s God of War adaptation, the casting choices so far are certainly encouraging.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the casting choices so far? Are you glad to see Alastair Duncan return? Who do you think they’ll get to play Atreus? Let us know down below.
The post Alastair Duncan to reprise his role as Mimir in live-action God of War first appeared on KitGuru.Shortly following the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, EA / Respawn Entertainment updated their popular Battle Royale ‘Apex Legends’ with a Switch 2 edition – letting Nintendo owners finally compete on a more equal footing at 60fps. As expected however, the OG Switch version of Apex Legends will now soon be discontinued, officially shutting down at the end of Season 29.
Making the announcement via their blog, the team at Respawn Entertainment wrote: “Hey legends, we want to share an important update about Apex Legends on the Nintendo Switch. Season 29 will be the final update for Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch. Future seasons of Apex Legends will continue to be available on Nintendo Switch 2.”
For the uninitiated, Season 29 ends on the 3rd of August, and so there is still plenty of time to play the game between now and then (even if the OG Switch version is arguably the worst). Regardless, as all your progress is tied to your EA account, those who wind up picking Apex back up on Switch 2 will be able to continue right where they left off.
Even back when it released in 2021, the Switch 1 version of Apex Legends was far from the optimal way to experience a competitive multiplayer shooter and so it’s not surprising to see it being discontinued. It will be interesting to see how much longer the last-gen PS4 and Xbox One versions persist for.
KitGuru says: Did you ever try the game on Switch 1? How was it? When do you think the other last-gen versions will be discontinued? Let us know down below.
The post Switch 1 version of Apex Legends to shut down later this year first appeared on KitGuru.SEGA and RGG Studio have been pretty good with supporting Nintendo platforms in recent years, with the Switch 1 receiving plenty of ports over its lifetime. The Yakuza series in particular has seen strong representation with 0, 1, 2 and (soon) 3 available on the platform. According to the studio, even more entries could be coming “if fans tell us more.”
Releasing a promotional video to YouTube for the upcoming Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Tides, the team at RGG Studio spoke on their support for the Nintendo Switch platform in particular, with Masayoshi Yokoyama stating:
“We've had Yakuza 0, 1, 2 and now 3. So, on Switch 2 with Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, we're releasing everything that we can at the moment. From here on, the number may increase if fans tell us more.”
Yokoyama continued, “I've always thought that being able to play anywhere is really important for Switch 2, and I think it's a great piece of hardware that will make the dreams of people who wanted to play games in the past but were restricted by location to come true. When the Switch 2 came out, the game actually worked because the performance has also improved, so I decided from the beginning that I wanted to port the game (Yakuza Kiwami 3) over no matter what.”
As mentioned, RGG Studio have brought over quite a few Yakuza games to Nintendo at this point, with the original Kiwami reportedly “selling like hotcakes” on the OG Switch. That said, there are still plenty of entries not available on the platform, and so it will be interesting to see if and when the remainder of the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series find their way over to the Switch 2.
KitGuru says: What do you think of the earlier Yakuza games? Would you like to see Like a Dragon also come to the platform? Do you prefer the turn-based or real-time entries? Let us know down below.
The post RGG Studio hope to bring even more Yakuza games to Switch 2 first appeared on KitGuru.HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us helped spearhead the surge in quality adaptations of video game properties, amassing record-breaking views and winning a ton of awards. Like with the games themselves however, Season 2 of the show proved to be somewhat more contentious than the first. While a 3rd Season was greenlit even before the second season came out, it appears as though the next chapter of HBO’s TLOU might be its last.
Though it was never explicitly stated, prior to the launch of series 2 for HBO’s The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin alluded to the fact that there could be up to 4 Seasons required to tell the story of the two games.
Whether these plans were ever more than a vague idea or not, it seems as though HBO’s The Last of Us will most likely conclude with its next Season, with HBO chief Casey Bloys responding to the question of whether S3 will be its last by stating: “It certainly seems that way, but on decisions like that, we will defer to the showrunners. So you can ask them.”
Based on the wording, it appears as though the decision to go with 3 seasons instead of 4 has come from the creative side of the company, and less so the management (especially as Bloys spoke on the matter back in July stating “Craig is still working it out whether it will be two more seasons or one more long season. It hasn't been decided yet, and I'm following Craig's lead on that”).
This should hopefully mean that when it does eventually release, series 3 will encapsulate the remainder of Part II’s story in a satisfactory (and not rushed) manner. We will have to wait and see however.
KitGuru says: What do you think of HBO’s The Last of Us? Was series 2 a disappointment to you? What were your opinions on the games? Let us know down below.
The post HBO’s The Last of Us Season 3 might be its final first appeared on KitGuru.
Google DeepMind's Project Genie is a research prototype that allows users to "create, explore, and remix their own interactive worlds" based on text or image prompts. Regardless of what is used to generate the world, controls are limited to WASD, arrow keys, and the space bar, and the output will be capped to 720p resolution and 24 FPS, butAMD’s next‑generation “Zen 6” microarchitecture may bring some notable changes, according to a new rumour shared by leaker HXL (via VideoCardz). The post claims AMD is considering increasing the core density of its standard CPU Complex Die (CCD) for the first time, moving from the long‑standing 8‑core layout to a 12‑core configuration. The same rumour also mentions a shift to TSMC’s latest process node and a larger L3 cache per CCD.
HXL claims that the new Zen 6 CCDs are full-performance cores designed to maintain high clock speeds, effectively giving the mainstream AM5 platform a 50% boost in multi-core processing power per chiplet. HXL also claims that the increased core count would be enabled by higher transistor density from TSMC’s rumoured N2 (2nm) process.
Cache capacity is also part of the rumour. The L3 cache per CCD is said to increase from 32MB to 48MB, and when paired with a stacked 96MB V‑Cache layer, a single Zen 6 CCD could reach 144MB of L3 cache. Under this scenario, a dual‑CCD, 24‑core CPU might offer up to 288MB of total L3 cache. None of these numbers have been verified by AMD.
KitGuru says: A move to a 12‑core CCD would be a major shift. If AMD were to release a single‑CCD, 12‑core X3D model, it could avoid the scheduling quirks seen on dual‑CCD parts like the 7950X3D while offering more cores than today’s 8‑core gaming‑focused chips. For now, though, all Zen 6 details should be treated as unconfirmed.
The post AMD Zen 6 ‘leak’ suggests compact 12-Core CCDs with 48MB L3 cache first appeared on KitGuru.
We review the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, alongside DDR4 and storage price analysis and head smacking moments. We also discuss GOG's Linux focus and Intel's latest financial results. Windows 11 woes, BitLocker Keys,…
A new rumour circulating on the Board Channels forum suggests Nvidia may be shifting its supply strategy for the GeForce RTX 50 series. According to the post, rising VRAM costs could be pushing the company to prioritise lower‑capacity models.
According to a Board Channels Forum user (via VideoCardz), 8GB versions of the RTX 5060, RTX 5060 Ti and the 12GB RTX 5070 may account for as much as 75% of total GPU shipments for the quarter. It is implied that this is due to price hikes around memory, brought about by booming AI data centre demand.
If accurate, Nvidia may be aiming to remain competitive with AMD's 16GB GPUs by maintaining a steady supply of RTX 5070 GPUs. While AMD has reportedly prioritised these 16GB cards due to their stronger market appeal, Nvidia's claimed focus on 8GB and 12GB variants suggests it is leaning into volume over VRAM capacity.
KitGuru says: Do you think the memory, SSD and GPU markets will bounce back for consumers this year?
The post Nvidia reportedly prioritising 8GB graphics cards amid rising memory costs first appeared on KitGuru.Cougar has officially unveiled the MX230 RGB, a mid-tower chassis that prioritises thermals over the “fish tank” aesthetic trend. The MX230 focuses on airflow, featuring a front mesh panel and an angled mesh bottom panel. This “airflow-first” philosophy aims to create a vertical thermal column that delivers fresh air directly to components, a departure from the side-heavy glass layouts that have dominated in recent years.
The MX230 RGB (via CowCotland) stands out with its triple-fan-capable PSU shroud, which can accommodate three 120 mm fans. This design is engineered to provide ample cabling clearance, ensuring that intake air is not choked by internal hardware. Out of the box, the MX230 is equipped with four 120 mm ARGB fans (three front, one rear), but it supports a maximum of 10 fans. For liquid cooling enthusiasts, the top panel supports radiators up to 360 mm.
Despite its compact dimensions (475 x 220 x 445 mm), the MX230 offers flagship-tier compatibility. It supports E-ATX motherboards, 170 mm tall CPU coolers, 200 mm long PSUs, and graphics cards up to 400 mm long. Additionally, the case supports 2 x 3.5″ HDDs or 1+1 2.5″ SSDs.
Builders will appreciate the tool-less maintenance offered by the snap-fit metal front panel and the high-speed connectivity of the front I/O, which includes a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) port. The case will be available in black and white.
KitGuru says: Although simple, the MX230 RGB looks quite nice and offers pretty much everything (and a bit more) the average PC gamer needs from a case.
The post Cougar unveils new MX230 RGB mid-tower with triple-fan PSU shroud first appeared on KitGuru.Sony appears to be aggressively repositioning itself in the portable gaming market for 2026. According to recent leaks, the company is preparing a two-pronged approach: a near-term OLED refresh of the existing PlayStation Portal and a much more powerful gaming handheld powered by AMD's RDNA 5 graphics.
The report comes from Kepler_L2 (via r/GamingLeaksAndRumours), who states that the PlayStation Portal OLED is expected to launch in 2026. While internally similar to the current version, the move to an OLED panel addresses the primary criticism of the original's LCD screen, black levels and contrast. Following the recent software update that enabled cloud streaming for the Portal, the hardware refresh marks Sony's intent to turn the device into a more premium “cloud-first” companion.
However, the real excitement lies with Sony's upcoming handheld console, also referred to in previous reports as Project Canis. This long-rumoured device is expected to be a native powerhouse rather than a streaming peripheral. This console is expected to be powered by AMD's next-gen RDNA 5 (potentially branded as UDNA), LPDDR5X memory, and a low-power target (something like 15W TDP), optimising it for portable battery life.
As you may have heard, Sony has reportedly added a mandatory “low power mode” to PlayStation 5 development kits. This would allow developers to easily scale existing PS5 titles to run natively on the handheld's hardware. While the native handheld is likely to launch closer to the PlayStation 6, the OLED Portal refresh will act as a bridge, keeping Sony's foot in the door of the handheld market throughout 2026.
KitGuru says: Do you already have a Portal console? Would the upcoming OLED version convince you to buy one?
The post PlayStation Portal OLED tipped for 2026 first appeared on KitGuru.
When you think NVIDIA, you think "GPUs." It's easy to forget that NVIDIA's been making system-on-a-chip products for nearly 20 years; the first Tegra SoC came out in early 2008. The company's chips haven't really found their way into mainstream laptops, but that's about to change with the release of the N1/N1X processors.
Speaking to Taiwanese
Google has a deeply-vested interest in cybersecurity and unparalleled resources to take down bad actors. The latest target on Google's kill list was a malicious proxy network called IPIDEA, and through coordinated efforts inside and outside of Google's umbrella, IPIDEA has been taken down. However, cybercriminals are a notoriously resourceful
Are you ready for some football?! The Super Bowl featuring New England Patriots (woohoo!) and Seattle Seahawks (boo!) is just a week away, and if you want to hear every bone-crunching hit, you'll want to ditch your TV's wimpy built-in speakers for a discrete audio setup. You don't have to break the bank, either, not when there are several
Philips Evnia is laying claim to what it says is the world's first dual-mode gaming monitor to hit a blistering-fast 1,000Hz refresh rate. While HKC may take umbrage with the claim, Philips Evnia's new flagship 27M2N5500XD is certainly in an elite class, one that will likely grow in number as time goes on but, for now, stands out from theWith Horizon OS v85 PTC, Quest 3 can turn any surface into a virtual keyboard, and Meta says you can remap the Quest 3S action button.
The Public Test Channel (PTC) is the beta release channel of Quest's Horizon OS. If you opt in, your headset receives a pre-release build of each upcoming version.
Note that there are often features in the eventual stable version not present in the PTC, and occasionally (but rarely) features or changes in the PTC don't make it to the stable version.
Here are 2 key features Meta is testing in Horizon OS v85 PTC:
Text entry is a notorious challenge for XR devices when you're not carrying a connected Bluetooth keyboard.
Exclusively available as an experimental feature on Quest 3, and not the cheaper Quest 3S, Surface Keyboard adds a virtual keyboard on top of any surface, such as a table or desk.
To set it up, you place your hands flat on the table where you want the keyboard to be positioned, and a few seconds later it spawns. This is the height calibration step.
UploadVR testing the Horizon OS v85 PTC Surface Keyboard.
Testing Surface Keyboard out for the first time, as you can see in the video below, I found it to be remarkably accurate. The ability to rest my hands makes it far preferable to a floating virtual keyboard, and I can type far faster already.
For me, and on the current build at least, it only shows up in the Horizon OS home space, passthrough or virtual. Meta has an API for developers to use the floating keyboard, and we'll keep an eye out for any signs of a similar API for Surface Keyboard when the feature launches to the stable channel.
UploadVRDavid HeaneyMeta has been researching this technology for at least six years, and executives showed off a well-along prototype in 2023, with Mark Zuckerberg claiming he could reach 100 words per minute. However, that prototype required a tracking marker tag on the table, as could be seen in the clips Meta shared at the time. And the company didn't disclose the error rate of the prototype.
Then, in 2024, researchers from Meta and ETH Zurich said that they had solved the problem of turning any surface into a keyboard, without markers, by combining a neural network that predicts touch events with a language model.
Meta hasn't said whether this research is what led to the shipping feature, but it seems likely to at least be related.
UploadVRDavid HeaneyYou can find Surface Keyboard in the Advanced settings on Horizon OS v85 if you have a Quest 3.
It's unclear why the feature isn't (yet) available on Quest 3S.
While Quest 3S doesn't currently have the Surface Keyboard feature, it does get its own new exclusive feature in Horizon OS v85 PTC, according to Meta.
Quest 3S has an 'Action Button', which, since the headset launched, has served one function: toggling passthrough. Press it while in a VR game and the game will pause and you'll see the real world. It's essentially a "pause VR, I need to see my surroundings" button.
Now, with v85 PTC, Meta says that Quest 3S owners can remap the Action Button.
Our Quest 3S does not yet have v85 PTC, so we don't yet know what it can be remapped to. If you have a Quest 3S running Horizon OS v85 PTC and have this ability, please let us know in the comments below.
If you missed it, earlier this week we reported Meta's announcement that "starting" in Horizon OS v85 stable, the new 'Navigator' UI will become the default, and, separately, the Horizon Feed will be removed.
UploadVRDavid HeaneyIn the PTC build of Horizon v85, at least on my Quest 3, that hasn't happened yet. This is likely another of Meta's very slow "rollouts".
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The history of computers is composed of an ever-growing number of consumer electronics devices, from game consoles to smartphones to music players, and the Computer History Museum's expansive catalog is now open for public viewing online for everyone to see via the just-launched "OpenCHM".
For those who can't make the trip to Mountain View,
The ink is barely dry on Apple’s deal with Google to utilize Gemini to train its own AI models, and today's announcement signals that the company is really ramping-up its AI ambitions. Apple just disclosed that it intends to acquire Q.ai for roughly $1.6 billion, which is a startup that specializes in implementing AI in applications that involve
An AI-powered toy company exposed more than 50,000 private chat logs between children and its products after leaving a web console almost completely unsecured. According to WIRED, anyone with a Gmail account could access transcripts of conversations kids had with Bondu's AI-enabled stuffed animals, along with names, birth dates, family details,
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